Zhao Lusi and Tian Xiwie Lose! The Top 10 Most Acclaimed Post-95 Actresses in Chinese Drama — The Champion Is Her: Her Crying Scenes Are So Powerful, She’s the Chosen One for Historical Romances

If the 85-line actresses were dominated by Yang Mi and Zhao Liying, the leading roles in recent Chinese dramas have gradually shifted to the post-95新生代 (new generation) actresses. Zhang Jingyi in 'Wild Dog Bone,' Tian Xiwie in 'Chasing Jade,' Zhao Lusi in 'Let Me Shine,' and Guan Xiaotong in 'Dazzling' have all released hit dramas one after another, sparking heated debates among viewers about 'who is truly the most talented post-95 actress.' Recently, Chinese netizens voted on the 'Most Acclaimed Acting Skills' among post-95 actresses in a Top 10 ranking. Zhao Lusi ranked third, Guan Xiaotong second, but the champion was Song Zu'er, with many netizens praising, 'Her crying scenes are incredibly moving.'

Who is the acting queen of Chinese dramas? Netizens' Top 10 Most Acclaimed Post-95 Actresses

NO.10 Zhang Yaqin — 'Beauty and Prosperity'

Tenth place goes to Zhang Yaqin. She rose to fame with 'Ancient Love Poetry,' gaining recognition for both her classical costumes and acting. Later, in 'Beauty and Prosperity,' she played Li Youzhen. Despite the character being unlikable, she earned praise for her nuanced performance. Recently, she has landed major supporting roles in big productions like 'The Idle Fish Ascends' and 'Tomorrow's Paradise,' making her future prospects highly promising.

Top 10 Post-95 Actresses in Chinese Drama: Zhang Yaqin (Image/Weibo)

NO.9 Zhang Jingyi — 'Wild Dog Bone'

Ninth place is Zhang Jingyi. Her popularity surged rapidly thanks to 'Light Me Up, Warm You' and 'Wild Dog Bone.' Many viewers believe she has 'eyes that know how to love,' delivering natural emotional scenes and strong on-screen chemistry. Although her current popularity doesn't match the top tier, her projects consistently receive good reviews, making her one of the most promising post-95 actresses.

Top 9 Post-95 Actresses in Chinese Drama: Zhang Jingyi (Image/Weibo)

NO.8 Tian Xiwie — 'Chasing Jade'

Tian Xiwie reached new heights with 'Chasing Jade.' Her previous leading roles in 'Love Like You' and 'The Night Watchman of Dafeng' also received strong acclaim. Beyond her sweet looks, her natural performances in light comedies and historical dramas, along with the emotional impact of her crying scenes, have convinced many viewers that she combines popularity with solid acting skills.

Top 8 Post-95 Actresses in Chinese Drama: Tian Xiwie (Image/Weibo)

NO.7 Dai Luwa — 'White Moon, Fanxing'

Seventh place goes to the rising star Dai Luwa. Though she mostly plays supporting roles, she delivered standout performances in 'Lost You Forever' and 'White Moon, Fanxing.' Whether portraying a spoiled princess or a villainous demoness, she showcased different charms, leading many viewers to believe in her consistent acting ability and promising future.

Top 7 Post-95 Actresses in Chinese Drama: Dai Luwa (Image/Weibo)

NO.6 Wang Churan — 'This Second, Over the Line'

Wang Churan has seen a rapid rise in popularity through recent works like 'What Kind of Situation' and 'Willow Boat Chronicles.' Netizens generally agree that she not only has an outstanding appearance but also highly expressive acting, especially in emotional and crying scenes. Whether playing a villain or a deeply emotional character, she draws audiences into the story.

Recently, Wang Churan's 2026 Republican-era drama 'This Second, Over the Line,' co-starring Zhang Linghe, premiered on iQIYI with a heat index exceeding 6,500. The taboo uncle-niece romance plot has hooked viewers from the first episode.

Top 6 Post-95 Actresses in Chinese Drama: Wang Churan (Image/Weibo)

NO.5 Ren Min — 'Serenade of Peaceful Joy,' 'Jade Bone: Far Away'

Ren Min has long been regarded as a representative of the 'real talent' among post-95 actresses. Her early role as Princess Huirou in 'Serenade of Peaceful Joy' received widespread acclaim. Though her historical drama looks have sparked debate in recent years, slightly affecting her popularity, many drama fans still believe her line delivery, emotional control, and character interpretation are solid, making her a standout among classically trained actresses.

Top 5 Post-95 Actresses in Chinese Drama: Ren Min (Image/Weibo)

NO.4 Li Landi — 'Snow Chronicles'

Fourth place goes to Li Landi. She skyrocketed to fame with 'Hello, My Youth,' perfectly embodying Yu Zhouzhou from the novel. Subsequent works like 'Star Falls,凝成糖' and 'Flowing Water, Far Away' also received positive reviews. Though her popularity isn't as high as other post-95 actresses, her acting has consistently been praised by audiences. In 2025, the historical detective drama 'Snow Chronicles,' starring Li Landi and Ao Ruipeng, unexpectedly became a hit. Its dual narrative of investigation and revenge once again earned recognition for Li Landi's nuanced performance.

Top 4 Post-95 Actresses in Chinese Drama: Li Landi (Image/Weibo)

NO.3 Zhao Lusi — 'Let Me Shine,' 'The Romance of Chen Qianqian'

The bronze medal goes to Zhao Lusi. From 'The Romance of Chen Qianqian,' 'Love Like the Galaxy,' to 'Secretly, Never Say Goodbye,' her emotional scenes always offer high immersion. Many viewers believe Zhao Lusi's greatest strength is her natural acting, free of forced performance, making it easy for audiences to empathize with her characters. This has made her one of the most popular post-95 actresses. In 2025, the highly anticipated drama 'Let Me Shine,' starring Zhao Lusi and William Chan, swept all major charts upon release.

Top 3 Post-95 Actresses in Chinese Drama: Zhao Lusi (Image/Weibo)

NO.2 Guan Xiaotong — 'Dazzling,' 'Alley Family'

The runner-up is Guan Xiaotong. Her early works received mixed reviews, but she successfully turned her reputation around with 'Twenty Your Life On,' 'Once Upon a Time,' and 'Alley Family.' In 'Alley Family,' her delicate portrayal of the character's inner world was praised by many viewers as one of her best performances in recent years, significantly improving her acting maturity.

The 2026 hit youth romance drama 'Dazzling,' led by Guan Xiaotong and Li Yunrui, features the 'Ding Qing Xin Wu' couple's youthful tension and mutual redemption, keeping discussions heated.

Top 2 Post-95 Actresses in Chinese Drama: Guan Xiaotong (Image/Weibo)

NO.1 Song Zu'er — 'Bent Waist'

The champion is Song Zu'er, a result many netizens consider well-deserved. Not only did she shine in historical dramas like 'Bent Waist' and 'No Worries,' but she also received high praise for portraying a woman struggling in marriage across different life stages in 'The Children of the Qiao Family.' Viewers widely believe that Song Zu'er's crying scenes are deeply moving, her character immersion is strong, and she combines beauty with acting talent. Her stunning historical looks earned her the title 'the chosen face for historical dramas,' securing her the top spot in the post-95 acting rankings.

Many netizens expressed unanimous admiration for Song Zu'er's looks and acting: 'My mom also said Xiao Qiao was prettier, but I said they're both beautiful — Xiao Jun has Xiao Tao who earns money'; 'I think both are beautiful. Zu'er is naturally exquisite; Xiao Qiao's look is more luxurious and glamorous due to the character, but Banxia's youthful charm is great'; 'Zu'er is the chosen one for Xiao Qiao! So beautiful. Banxia feels cuter. Overall, Banxia seems younger than Banban'; 'Her acting is amazing. In 'No Worries,' I felt she was just being herself — a soft, delicate lady; but in 'Bent Waist,' she seems naturally cunning and fox-like. She embodies every role'; 'In 'No Worries,' when she played the puppet at Tuan Yuan Inn, she had a sharp, icy, and glamorous aura'; 'No Worries was my first Zu'er drama, so Banxia is my white moonlight'; 'I love both looks. She fits both perfectly'; 'I really like Song Zu'er. My white moonlight is Qian Wei from 'No Romance with the Boss,' so cute and touching'; 'Banxia in 'No Worries' has a cute, playful charm — not flashy but perfect. I haven't started 'Bent Waist,' but from the stills, Zu'er's Xiao Qiao is stunning. Both are perfectly beautiful'; 'When I watched 'No Romance with the Boss,' I didn't think the lead was particularly striking, but in 'Bent Waist,' I truly recognized her as a national beauty'; 'I think both looks are great! One is a girl, the other a national beauty. My family watched both dramas with me and even asked how old Zu'er is, praising her for 'playing every role convincingly''; 'I was stunned by her in 'The Children of the Qiao Family' — even as a supporting role, her beauty and acting were perfectly balanced. Her smile fits the character perfectly. Saying she's the top of the post-95s is justified'; 'Her acting is truly stunning, with strong immersion'; 'Song Zu'er's crying scenes are incredible — I cry with her. She has that 'magic''; 'Little Zhang Ziyi, so cute and beautiful.'