Zhao Liying’s Lead Roles Are Flopping? Why She’s No Longer Compared to Yang Mi

Zhao Liying's Past Success

• 👑 Zhao Liying was historically considered a "titan of Chinese drama" and a "ratings queen," with her name guaranteeing massive hits.
• 📈 Her career showed a clear upward trajectory from the early to mid-2010s, with blockbusters like "Princess Agents" and critically acclaimed works like "The Story of Ming."
• 🏆 This track record established her as a "ratings guarantee," setting sky-high expectations for her projects.

Recent Drama's Underperformance

• 📉 Her latest drama, a huge production, failed to meet expectations, with its first-day online views barely reaching 6 million, significantly below the tens of millions expected for a top star.
• 🎭 Critics noted a lack of "emotional punch" in her performance, and her co-star, Huang Xiaoming, received more praise.
• 🔇 The show experienced flatlined viewership and a notable absence of social media buzz, indicating a lack of viral momentum.

Public Reaction and Yang Mi Comparison

• 💬 The internet reacted immediately and bluntly, with some netizens declaring her "reign was over" due to the drama's perceived failure.
• ⚔️ The debate intensified with comparisons to longtime rival Yang Mi, whose recent projects maintained consistent numbers and strong engagement.
• 📊 This comparison led fans and media to suggest the gap between the two stars was shrinking, with some arguing Yang Mi was now pulling ahead.

Strategic Career Shift

• 💡 Industry insiders suggest Zhao Liying is making a "conscious choice" to move away from "easy, guaranteed to go viral idol dramas."
• 🎬 She is reportedly opting for "more serious, complex scripts" that prioritize character depth over trending topics.
• 🎲 This shift is a "huge gamble," as serious dramas are less flashy, appeal to a smaller audience, and trade guaranteed buzz for "artistic credibility."

Future Outlook

• 🌱 What appears to be a "flop" could actually be the "messy, uncomfortable growing pains" of a major career transformation.
• 🔄 In the rapidly changing Chinese entertainment industry, evolution is necessary to stay relevant, and this move represents her attempt to adapt.
• 🚀 The ultimate question is whether she can "survive this storm" and emerge as a stronger, more respected artist by taking these risks.