Not First! Mencius Yi's Strongest Chinese Drama Top 10 Champion is It: Putting Away the First Beauty Aura, Absorbing High Praise with Acting

When mentioning Mencius Yi, many viewers might first think of 《九重紫》, which boosted her popularity, or the earlier highly discussed 《陳情令》。 However, looking at her performance record in Chinese dramas since her debut, the works that truly received the highest praise are not these two. From Mu Nianci, Ye Hongyu, Wen Qin to Dou Zhao, Mencius Yi has grown from a supporting actress in period dramas to a leading lady who can carry the show alone. She has also gradually changed the public's impression of her through different types of roles. This ranking is based on the ratings of Chinese mainland TV dramas and web dramas that Mencius Yi has appeared in as of July 31, 2026, excluding movies, variety shows, and unfinished works, and compiles the 'Mencius Yi's Strongest Chinese Drama Top 10'. Where does 《九重紫》 rank, does 《射鵰英雄傳》 surpass 《陳情令》, and which is the champion work that many viewers might not have seen? Mencius Yi's Strongest Chinese Drama 10th Place: Mei Chaofeng 《金庸武俠世界·鐵血丹心》｜Douban Rating: 6.2 《金庸武俠世界·鐵血丹心》 is adapted from Jin Yong's classic wuxia novel, focusing on Guo Jing and Huang Rong's adventures in the Jianghu and the turmoil of the country. Mencius Yi transforms from Mu Nianci in the 2017 version to Mei Chaofeng, portraying a character who is ruthless in nature and tragic in fate. The red costume, sharp gaze, and the Nine Yin White Bone Claw all add a sense of fragility to this originally feared antagonist. Compared to the different opinions caused by the adapted plot, Mencius Yi's costume has become a universally acknowledged highlight. Some netizens bluntly stated, 'This Mei Chaofeng is indeed the most beautiful,' and some jokingly said, 'Mencius Yi is still a bit too beautiful for this role.' She puts Mei Chaofeng's evil, glamour, and vulnerability into one character. Even with limited screen time, she can still easily steal the scene. Mencius Yi's Strongest Chinese Drama 9th Place: Lei Chun 《說英雄誰是英雄》｜Douban Rating: 6.2 《說英雄誰是英雄》 is a Jianghu wuxia drama, revolving around Wang Xiaoshi, Bai Choufei, and Su Mengzhen's friendship, power, and betrayal in the capital. Mencius Yi plays Lei Chun, the daughter of the Liupian Hall. In the early stages, she is gentle and quiet, considerate of others. After her father's death, her love breaks down, and she encounters continuous misfortunes, gradually becoming a powerful figure in the Jianghu who holds power and is hard to fathom. Lei Chun's life is almost stacked with loss and betrayal. Some netizens sighed, 'Lei Chun has indeed experienced many setbacks and tribulations.' Although it's hard to bear seeing her turn to the dark side, they believe her transformation is reasonable and even eagerly await the blackened Lei Chun. Mencius Yi's contrasting temperament before and after also makes Lei Chun one of the most discussed female characters in the entire drama. Mencius Yi's Strongest Chinese Drama 9th Place: Lei Chun 《說英雄誰是英雄》｜Douban Rating: 6.2 (Image source: Weibo) Mencius Yi's Strongest Chinese Drama 8th Place: Mei Ruohua 《華山論劍》｜Douban Rating: 6.3 《華山論劍》 adopts an episodic drama format, with Mencius Yi starring in the 《Nine Yin True Classic》 episode, which supplements Mei Chaofeng's pre-fame experience. She plays Mei Ruohua, an orphan who experiences family ruin, falls into the wind and dust, is later taken in by Huang Yaoshi to the Peach Blossom Island, and ultimately betrays her teacher's door due to love and the 《Nine Yin True Classic》。 The series' rewriting of Mei Chaofeng's background and romantic lines received mixed reviews, but Mencius Yi's role completion was still affirmed. Some viewers stated, 'Mencius Yi's Mei Chaofeng is well-acted,' and some believed she expressed the character's complex emotions through her gaze and actions. Her Mei Ruohua is not inherently cruel but a woman who gradually loses control in injury, attachment, and obsession. Mencius Yi's Strongest Chinese Drama 7th Place: Hua Liuli 《花琉璃軼聞》｜Douban Rating: 6.3 《花琉璃軼聞》 is a light comedy with elements of power struggle in ancient costumes, with Mencius Yi playing Hua Liuli, the daughter of a general. She appears weak and sickly, speaking in a soft voice, but in reality, she is highly skilled in martial arts and has a clear mind. After entering the capital, she uses her weak image to lower others' guard and secretly observes the court situation, engaging in a mutual testing of feelings with the crown prince Ji Yuanxun. Hua Liuli's most endearing aspect is that the character herself is also good at 'acting.' Netizens jokingly said, 'Mencius Yi is good at acting, Hua Liuli also acts, speaking with a pinched voice in front of people is a bit cute.' Mencius Yi switches between the character's soft-spoken tone, smug little expressions, and private generous demeanor very naturally, making this pig-eating tiger heroine full of comedic effect. Mencius Yi's Strongest Chinese Drama 7th Place: Hua Liuli 《花琉璃軼聞》｜Douban Rating: 6.3 (Image source: Weibo) Mencius Yi's Strongest Chinese Drama 6th Place: Long Zhi 《西出玉門》｜Douban Rating: 6.8 《西出玉門》 is adapted from the novel of the same name by Wei Yu, combining desert exploration, fantasy suspense, and otherworldly settings. Mencius Yi plays Long Zhi, an important figure in the Guannei forces. She appears calm and elegant, but in reality, she is cunning and ruthless. To guard her own position, she can manipulate others without hesitation and is one of the main antagonists that Ye Liuxi faces. After Long Zhi's appearance, viewers' opinions on Mencius Yi's original voice and character aura were divided. Some thought the voice 'does not completely match the character's aura,' while others affirmed that she acted out the aura of a cunning and evil woman. She did not handle Long Zhi as a fierce antagonist but created an unpredictable sense of danger through calm tone and cold expression. Mencius Yi's Strongest Chinese Drama 5th Place: Ye Hongyu 《將夜》｜Douban Rating: 7.4 《將夜》 is a large-scale ancient fantasy drama, telling the story of the young Ning Que clearing his grievances and protecting the Tang country by embarking on the path of cultivation. Mencius Yi plays Ye Hongyu, known as the 'Dao Chi.' She has extremely high talent and a proud personality, regarding the pursuit of power as her life's belief. She is cold as ice in appearance but fearless when facing strong enemies, a female character in the drama with both combat power and presence. Ye Hongyu's appearance and degree of restoration from the original work are the most discussed parts. Some drama fans bluntly stated, 'The female characters in the drama are as beautiful as described in the book, only Ye Hongyu.' Mencius Yi's bright facial features combined with the red costume indeed match the character's flamboyant and sharp aura. The cold-eyed sword-holding image also became one of her most recognizable ancient costume images in her early years. Mencius Yi's Strongest Chinese Drama 5th Place: Ye Hongyu 《將夜》｜Douban Rating: 7.4 (Image source: Weibo) Mencius Yi's Strongest Chinese Drama 4th Place: Wen Qin 《陳情令》｜Douban Rating: 7.7 《陳情令》 is an ancient fantasy drama about Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji investigating past truths and guarding the righteousness in their hearts. Mencius Yi plays Wen Qin, a doctor from the Qi Shan Wen family. She appears cold and strong on the surface but values family and gratitude in her heart. To protect her younger brother Wen Ning and innocent tribe members, she helps Wei Wuxian multiple times and ultimately pays the price for her family's sins. Wen Qin faced a lot of controversy in the early stages of broadcasting due to adaptation and screen time issues, but the character itself left a clear memory point. Recent online reviews describe her as 'gentle and patient, leaving a deep impression,' especially the scene where Wen Qin decides to die with her tribe, pushing her clarity, helplessness, and protective desire to the saddest ending. Mencius Yi's Strongest Chinese Drama 3rd Place: Dou Zhao 《九重紫》｜Douban Rating: 7.8 《九重紫》 is an ancient costume drama combining reincarnation, home struggle, power struggle, and love. Mencius Yi plays Dou Zhao, who was betrayed in marriage and family in her previous life. After being reborn, she decides to take control of her fate, starting with preserving the industry left by her mother, step by step against her stepmother, guarding her family, and breaking the situation with Song Mo, who bears a blood feud. Dou Zhao shows viewers Mencius Yi's obvious growth in emotional layers. Someone praised after watching the first few episodes, 'The best ancient costume drama this year, keep it up!' She acted out Dou Zhao's calm and decisive attitude when facing enemies and also retained the role's softness when facing her grandmother, friends, and Song Mo, making Dou Zhao both have the refreshing feeling of a female lead and the fragility trapped by the scars of the previous life. Mencius Yi's Strongest Chinese Drama 3rd Place: Dou Zhao 《九重紫》｜Douban Rating: 7.8 (Image source: Weibo) Mencius Yi's Strongest Chinese Drama 2nd Place: Mu Nianci 《射鵰英雄傳》｜Douban Rating: 7.9 The 2017 version of 《射鵰英雄傳》 re-enacts the story of Guo Jing and Huang Rong's adventures in the Jianghu. Mencius Yi plays Mu Nianci, the adopted daughter of Yang Tiexin. She has been traveling the Jianghu with her adoptive father since she was young. During the martial arts matchmaking, she falls in love with Yang Kang. Even after seeing his greed for wealth and repeatedly deceiving her, she still cannot let go of her feelings and ultimately becomes one of the characters with the most tragic fate in the entire drama. Mencius Yi was still a newcomer at that time, but she quickly gained attention with the red costume of Mu Nianci. Many viewers called her the 'most beautiful Mu Nianci' and even described her as 'so beautiful as to be shocking.' Her appearance has a bright and beautiful feel, and when performing, she can show the gentle, infatuated, and outwardly soft but inwardly strong aspects of Mu Nianci. This role also became an important work for her to gain fame. Mencius Yi's Strongest Chinese Drama 1st Place: Lin Fan 《大浪淘沙》｜Douban Rating: 8.2 《大浪淘沙》 is a revolutionary historical drama that, from the perspective of the modern youth Chen Qihang, looks back at the history from the May Fourth Movement in 1919 to the convening of the Seventh National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 1945. Mencius Yi plays the modern youth Lin Fan, who meets Chen Qihang and Yang Yi and others because of their common interest in modern history, and through filming historical videos, connects modern audiences with past figures. Lin Fan is not the core character of the entire drama but is an important perspective for leading young audiences into the heavy history. Some netizens described the drama as 'absolutely a textbook-level television drama,' believing that the setting of modern video creators has lowered the threshold for viewing historical themes. Mencius Yi puts away the bright and flamboyant image in ancient costume dramas and presents Lin Fan in a natural and life-like manner, also letting viewers see another side of her in different themes. Mencius Yi's Strongest Chinese Drama 1st Place: Lin Fan 《大浪淘沙》｜Douban Rating: 8.2 (Image source: We