‘Chasing Jade’ Tian Xiwēi Loses! Top 10 Actresses Most Suited to Play Novel Heroines in Chinese Dramas, No.1’s Beauty is Like From a Manga—She’s Literally Walked Out of the Book

With an increasing number of Chinese dramas adapted from novels, fans not only care about plot alterations but also passionately discuss whether the cast members 'look the part.' After each casting announcement, debates erupt online about whether an actress truly resembles the original character. Some actresses, whose appearances and aura feel so inherently 'novel-like,' are even hailed by netizens as the 'heaven-sent novel heroine.' From Zhao Lusi in 'Hidden Love,' Zhang Ruonan in 'Hard to Please,' to Dilraba Dilmurat in 'You Are My Glory,' all have sparked widespread discussion due to their high character fidelity. This time, Zhang Yuxi claimed the top spot with 'Intense Romance,' surpassing even Bai Lu and Zhao Lusi. This article compiles the 'Top 10 Actresses Most Suited to Play Novel Heroines in Chinese Dramas' by synthesizing public online discussions from platforms like Weibo and Douban—evaluations such as 'looks like the novel heroine,' 'heaven-sent heroine,' and 'perfect character match'—and combining them with each actress’s representative adapted works and role suitability.

Top 10: Bai Lu in 'Ning’an As Dream'

'Ning’an As Dream' is adapted from Shi Jing’s novel 'Kun Ning,' with Bai Lu playing Jiang Xuening. The protagonist spends her previous life scheming to become empress, only to die tragically during a palace coup. Given a second chance, she returns to the past with memories intact, initially aiming to avoid power struggles—but fate drags her back into the heart of court politics. Jiang Xuening embodies ambition and grit, yet also carries regret over past mistakes, making her a quintessential complex heroine in reincarnated historical romance novels.

Among original novel fans, Bai Lu’s portrayal of Jiang Xuening has drawn mixed reactions. Some felt her appearance differed from their imagined version, while others, after watching the series, declared, “She *is* Jiang Xuening!” praising how Bai Lu captured the character’s decisiveness post-rebirth, youthful liveliness, and nuanced emotional shifts across relationships. She excels not in portraying purely delicate heroines, but in strong-willed characters with dramatic life arcs.

Top 9: Zhao Lusi in 'Hidden Love'

'Hidden Love' is adapted from Zhu Yi’s novel of the same name, with Zhao Lusi playing Sang Zhi. The story begins with teenage Sang Zhi secretly loving Duan Jiaxu, her brother’s friend. She hides her feelings for years, repeatedly crossing paths with him at different life stages, until they finally come together as adults. Sang Zhi isn’t a dominant or aloof heroine; her essence lies in girlishness, cuteness, sensitivity, and the cautious tenderness of first love—aligning perfectly with Zhao Lusi’s signature sweet, youthful persona.

When Zhao Lusi was cast as Sang Zhi, age and casting concerns arose. Yet, many original readers supported her, some saying upon announcement, “Zhao Lusi looks exactly like her!” After airing, viewers exclaimed, “Zhao Lusi is literally the heaven-sent Sang Zhi!” Her warm smile and expressive emotions, coupled with her ability to convey a girl hiding inner feelings during love scenes, make her exceptionally suited for this type of youthful romantic heroine—the genre where she holds the greatest advantage.

Top 8: Tian Xiwēi in 'Chasing Jade'

'Chasing Jade' is adapted from Tuánzi Lái Xí’s novel of the same name, with Tian Xiwēi playing Fan Changyu. Born into a butcher’s family, Fan Changyu appears to be a doe-eyed sweet girl, but is actually strong—capable of slaughtering pigs and wielding a knife to protect her family. Amid chaos, she maintains her own judgment. She marries the fallen nobleman Xie Zheng out of circumstance, moving from ordinary town life into larger political and war-torn turmoil—a historical romance heroine defined by striking contrasts.

Tian Xiwēi has long been seen as a sweet idol due to her large eyes and dimples. In 'Chasing Jade,' however, this sweetness contrasts sharply with Fan Changyu’s strength. When viewers saw her handling pork with a cleaver, live chat exploded with comments like “This heroine is too hardcore!” Some reviews noted, “Her lively, sweet charm perfectly matches the character’s vibrant core.” With the face of a romance novel sweetheart but actions bolder than many male leads, this contrast makes her stand out among a new generation of actresses in novel adaptations.

Top 7: Zhang Ruonan in 'Hard to Please'

'Hard to Please' is adapted from Zhu Yi’s novel of the same name, with Zhang Ruonan playing Wen Yifan. Wen Yifan appears gentle, quiet, and polite, but internally bears deep emotional scars from her upbringing. Years after mutual high school affection, she reunites with Sang Yan, confronting their missed love in adulthood. The role requires both 'first-love innocence' and emotional distance—soft on the outside, yet resilient within.

When Zhang Ruonan’s casting was announced, many original fans expressed skepticism. However, support grew after broadcast. Netizens linked her personal aura to Wen Yifan’s, saying, “In that sense, she *is* the heaven-sent Wen Yifan.” Others felt she “brought the character’s brokenness to life.” Zhang Ruonan radiates intense first-love charm when smiling, yet exudes distance when silent—making her instantly reminiscent of the 'white moonlight' heroine found in stories of youthful pain, secret crushes, and urban romance.