1. Lead roles underperforming, and her track record remains unconvincing
Although Song Zuer started young and entered the spotlight early, her recent performances as a lead actress haven’t delivered the kind of success expected. Several of her lead projects have underperformed, and even those with decent viewership metrics have struggled to break into the mid-tier range. Her most successful work in recent years was a historical romance co-starring Liu Yuning, which achieved relatively better numbers. However, overall, her leading roles have yet to establish her as a commercially reliable actress.
2. Stronger reception in ensemble dramas, but creative control has declined
Interestingly, Song Zuer has seen more recognition and positive feedback in ensemble period dramas, where her acting and role fit are more aligned. These performances have helped sustain her career trajectory. While she still enjoys the backing of industry capital and has no difficulty joining new productions, her creative influence has notably decreased. Compared to earlier stages of her career, she now has less say in script and team selection — indicating a shift from being in demand to adapting to what’s offered. Moving forward, she’ll likely need to rely more on consistent performances to maintain her place in the competitive landscape.
