There was a time when Zhao Liying was synonymous with success on Chinese television.
From The Journey of Flower (2015) and Princess Agents (2017) to The Story of Ming Lan (2018) and The Story of Xing Fu (2022), her name guaranteed record-breaking ratings. The actress, who rose from humble beginnings without powerful backing, was celebrated as “the grassroots queen” a symbol of grit, talent, and perseverance in China’s star system.
But in 2025, that once-unshakable image has started to crumble.
A Tribeca “Premiere” That Never Happened
Earlier this year, Zhao’s new psychological mini-series What a Wonderful World was hyped as the first Chinese web drama to “premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival” in New York.
Chinese media hailed it as Zhao’s “step into the global stage,” and iQIYI marketed the show as a milestone in international recognition for Chinese streaming content.
But reality quickly exposed the illusion.
On Tribeca’s official website, the project appeared only under an “Exclusive Premiere” label, not among the “Official Selections,” meaning it had no public screening, no ticket sales, and no competition status. Its English title was changed to What a Wonderful World, with no mention of it being a Chinese drama.
Photos from the so-called promotional event went viral not for their glamour, but for their awkwardness. The small New York venue featured a cheap backdrop dominated by iQIYI and “Straw Bear” logos, with the Tribeca name barely visible. Chinese netizens mocked it as “the poorest international press wall ever seen.”
Even luxury brand Armani, which sponsored Zhao’s wardrobe, quietly cropped out the event background in its official post an almost unheard-of move for a brand known for strict image control. Netizens interpreted it as Armani’s attempt to protect Zhao’s reputation while distancing itself from what many called a “fake international debut.”
A PR Disaster Turned Symbol of Stagnation
The incident became a textbook example of overblown Chinese PR hype gone wrong. Critics described What a Wonderful World as “heavy-handed, inaccessible, and emotionally flat,” with Zhao’s performance failing to connect despite high expectations.
What was meant to elevate Chinese dramas to global prestige instead highlighted the industry’s widening gap between ambition and execution.
Five Months Without Work: The Aftermath
According to Sina Entertainment, Zhao Liying has not joined any new film or drama projects for over five months. Her studio has also stopped releasing public schedules, fueling speculation about a quiet career freeze.
In addition, Zhao recently missed a nomination for the Golden Rooster Awards. Critics argued that her recent works have failed to make an artistic impact, saying:
“Zhao Liying’s films arrive quietly and leave without waves.”
As younger peers like Yang Zi, Bai Lu, and Dilraba Dilmurat continue to dominate screens, Zhao’s silence feels even more striking. Her rare public appearances have been on commercial livestreams, where she promoted luxury products—a move that left fans wondering if the once-revered actress was now shifting into influencer territory.
From National Icon to Industry Paradox
Zhao Liying’s current struggle reflects a broader dilemma among top-tier Chinese stars: immense fame, yet artistic limitation. Her career once built on emotional, relatable heroines now risks being trapped by repetition and typecasting.
What a Wonderful World was intended as her transformation into a serious, art-house actress. Instead, it became a cautionary tale of misplaced ambition and mismanaged branding.
For a woman once hailed as “China’s Queen of Ratings,” being mocked as “the actress who faked a Tribeca premiere” is perhaps the most painful blow not just to her reputation, but to her identity as a performer.
If Zhao Liying cannot reinvent herself soon, she may find her legacy overshadowed by younger stars while her own story becomes another example of how fast C-ent’s crown can slip.
Sources: kenh14