Amid a market flooded with big-budget productions, several actresses have managed to maintain their appeal through smart script choices, strong acting skills, and loyal fan bases. Recently, a ranking published by Sohu featuring Chinese actresses whose dramas are considered must-watch hits has attracted considerable attention among C-drama fans. Beyond highlighting their ability to carry a series, the list also reflects the fierce competition among leading actresses born in the 1980s and 1990s.
Joint No. 9: Esther Yu and Liu Shishi
Sharing the final position are two actresses from different generations who received an equal number of votes: Esther Yu and Liu Shishi.
Although Esther Yu’s cute and exaggerated style has sparked mixed reactions, her ability to attract viewers is difficult to deny. In Love Between Fairy and Devil, she was the leading actress. Her subsequent starring projects, including My Journey to You, Love Game in Eastern Fantasy, and Speed and Love, have also delivered impressive results. While some actresses born in the 1990s struggle to attract attention with their dramas, Esther’s projects continue to rank among the most eagerly anticipated releases.
Meanwhile, Liu Shishi built a massive loyal following through hit dramas such as Scarlet Heart, Sound of the Desert, and The Imperial Doctress. Although her performance in recent years has been inconsistent—she made a strong comeback with A Journey to Love but received less enthusiastic responses for Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red-Moon Pact and Kill My Sins—she remains an enduring queen of historical dramas. Her appeal comes not only from media exposure but also from the nostalgia associated with her iconic roles.
No. 8: Dilraba Dilmurat
As one of the biggest stars among actresses born in the 1990s, Dilraba Dilmurat previously enjoyed a string of successful dramas, including Eternal Love, The Long Ballad, and You Are My Glory.
However, several major productions she has appeared in over the past few years, including Legend of Anle, Love Beyond the Grave, and Love on the Turquoise Land, have reportedly fallen short of expectations despite their substantial budgets. Nevertheless, the Xinjiang-born actress continues to demonstrate her commercial appeal and star power. Her dramas consistently generate extensive discussion on social media, largely thanks to her popularity.
No. 7: Bai Lu
Bai Lu has become one of the most consistent new-generation rating queens. Several years ago, she benefited from the popularity of male stars such as Luo Yunxi in Till the End of the Moon and Ren Jialun in One and Only. Today, however, Bai Lu can attract viewers largely on her own. Her recent projects, including The First Jasmine, Moonlight Mystique, and Unveil: Jadewind, have demonstrated her ability to draw audiences even during a sluggish period for the drama industry.
No. 6: Zhao Lusi
Setting aside the controversies surrounding her, Zhao Lusi remains one of the most successful actresses born in the 1990s, with an impressive collection of hit dramas that have helped her stand out among her peers. She first gained significant attention with The Romance of Tiger and Rose before reaching another level of popularity with Love Like the Galaxy.
Without relying on the star power of leading male actors, Zhao Lusi has managed to attract impressive viewership for dramas such as Hidden Love and The Story of Pearl Girl. Even her lower-budget project Love’s Ambition, which initially attracted limited expectations, reportedly achieved online viewership figures that put it in close competition with major historical dramas such as The Legend of Zang Hai and Guardians of the Dafeng.
No. 5: Yang Mi
The title of “rating queen” has followed Yang Mi for more than a decade, thanks to hit dramas such as Palace, Swords of Legends, and Eternal Love.
There was a period when her career appeared to stumble, as In the Name of the Brother and Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red-Moon Pact received criticism and struggled to generate the expected buzz, prompting netizens to question her star power. However, she later staged a comeback with This Thriving Land. Today, Yang Mi continues to demonstrate her standing as a top actress. Her popularity may fluctuate, but her position in the industry remains difficult to shake.
Although Liu Yifei’s film projects sometimes spark debate, her return to television dramas consistently generates excitement. Since her early roles in Chinese Paladin and Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, she has left a lasting impression on audiences.
Her recent return to television has produced a string of successful dramas, including A Dream of Splendor, Meet Yourself, and The Tale of Rose. She has also managed to command the spotlight in her own productions, with popular leading men such as Chen Xiao, Li Xian, Wallace Huo, and Lin Yi often taking supporting roles in the narrative of her on-screen success.
No. 3: Tan Songyun
Third place is well deserved for Tan Songyun, often praised for her youthful appearance. Following the success of Under the Power and Go Ahead, her recent historical drama Against the Current has continued to attract attention.
Even in projects with less mainstream appeal, including As Beautiful as You, Road Home, and Flight to You, Tan Songyun has maintained steady audience interest. Her natural acting style and strong chemistry with her male co-stars are key strengths that keep viewers engaged with her dramas.
No. 2: Yang Zi
Yang Zi is widely regarded as one of the leading rating queens among actresses born in the 1990s. From Ashes of Love to Go Go Squid!, she has repeatedly starred in dramas that became major hits.
Her more recent historical projects, including Lost You Forever, Flourished Peony, and The Heir, have received praise for both viewership and overall quality. In particular, her performance in the serious drama Born to Be Alive, which reportedly earned an 8.4 rating on Douban, helped her win the prestigious Shanghai Television Festival for Best Actress, further cementing her position in the entertainment industry.
The top spot belongs to Zhao Liying, widely regarded as a ratings powerhouse in Chinese television. According to Sohu, a popular saying among Chinese audiences goes: “It doesn’t matter who the male lead is. As long as Zhao Liying is the female lead, viewers will automatically turn on the TV.”
In the earlier stages of her career, Zhao dominated the small screen with hits such as The Journey of Flower, Princess Agents, The Story of Minglan, and Boss & Me. She later moved beyond mainstream commercial dramas and found success in more serious productions, including Wild Bloom and The Legend of Shen Li, earning strong recognition for both audience engagement and acting quality. Her versatility, allowing her to portray everything from strong, independent women to innocent and sweet characters, continues to make her a compelling presence on screen.
Sources: kenh14