Guan Xiaotong Sheds Her Sweet Image for Seductive Artist Role in New Drama

According to Sina, Love You in the Dark, starring Guan Xiaotong and Chen Xingxu, recently wrapped filming. Newly released photos of the two leads have received widespread praise, with Guan Xiaotong drawing particular attention in a long dress that exposes her back and shoulders.

In Love You in the Dark, Guan Xiaotong plays Meng Lusha, a beautiful and mysterious young painter. The character marks a noticeable departure from the schoolgirl and wealthy heiress roles the actress has frequently portrayed in the past.

Behind-the-scenes photos of Guan Xiaotong have also earned praise for their sophisticated styling, which highlights some of her most distinctive physical features, including her long legs and statuesque 1.72-meter frame.

Previously, Guan Xiaotong repeatedly took on student roles, with some viewers commenting that she appeared too mature for such characters. As a result, audiences are particularly looking forward to seeing her tackle a more grown-up role this time.

Love You in the Dark follows the romance between Lu Xizhou, played by Chen Xingxu, a psychology PhD from a wealthy family with a cold and reserved personality, and Meng Lusha, a gifted painter with remarkable artistic talent. The two meet on a rainy spring night before traveling to the United Kingdom together, where they embark on a romance described as something straight out of a Shakespearean story.

The pair initially appear to be a perfect match, but the mysterious death of a young woman becomes a turning point that throws everything into chaos. The two protagonists are subsequently drawn into a web of conspiracies, revenge and misunderstandings, ultimately forcing them apart and putting their relationship through a series of turbulent challenges.

Standing at 1.86 meters with a strong, masculine appearance, Chen Xingxu has been described as one of the relatively few male co-stars whose visuals complement Guan Xiaotong particularly well. Sina praised the actor, writing that performers with “such strong sex appeal as Chen Xingxu” have become rare in China’s current entertainment industry.

Guan Xiaotong currently has more than 36 million followers on Weibo and is regarded as one of the most prominent Chinese actresses born in the 1990s.

In 2017, Forbes China included her in its Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list. She also won Best Supporting Actress at the 23rd Shanghai Television Festival’s Magnolia Awards for her performance in To Be a Better Man (2016). To date, Guan Xiaotong remains the only prominent actress born after 1995 in her peer group to have secured a major mainstream acting award.

According to Sina, Guan Xiaotong has several advantages that allow her to compete strongly with actresses of her generation. She has long been nicknamed the “Princess” and “Gege,” a title historically associated with imperial daughters, because of her family background.

The actress comes from a family with a long artistic tradition and considerable standing in the performing arts. Her father, Guan Shaozeng, is a well-known stage performer, while her mother is also a theater actress. Her grandfather was a renowned practitioner of qinshu, a traditional form of Chinese narrative performance, and was credited with helping establish the art form in Beijing.

Growing up in an artistic household, Guan Xiaotong received training in dance, piano and acting from an early age. This background has contributed to her reputation as a rare entertainment star who combines acting experience, striking visuals and a strong artistic upbringing.

More recently, Guan Xiaotong was invited by a luxury watch brand to Milan, Italy, where she attended a product presentation and watched events at the Winter Olympics.

At the 2025 Weibo Night, Guan Xiaotong received the Most Discussed Actor of the Year award. She is also among the relatively few Chinese actresses born in the 1990s who have regularly appeared as guests on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival in France.

Sources: kenh14

Related Articles