Yu Zheng recently published a long post praising his newly signed actress Zhao Qing, calling her face “crafted by Nuwa herself.” Despite earlier controversy over her appearance on screen, Zhao Qing’s dedication to her work is gradually gaining recognition.
Not long ago, Yu Zheng shared refined costume photos of Zhao Qing on social media, boldly stating: “Wake up, and witness this peerless beauty.” In the photos, Zhao appears ethereal in a light green sheer dress, with delicate features and striking eyes. However, when her new drama Wei An Xiang Lai aired, viewers were shocked by the contrast—swollen eyes during crying scenes, and visibly fuller figure—prompting accusations of “deceptive visuals” and landing her on trending searches.
Yu Zheng quickly responded, explaining that Zhao Qing had simply gained five pounds and that he had been urging her to report her weight daily. Despite being marketed as a “Hanfu goddess,” Zhao only played a maid in Wei An Xiang Lai, and her next drama Wu Fu Lin Men saw her in a similar role—leading to frustration among fans.
However, her behind-the-scenes efforts began to tell a different story. While filming Wei An Xiang Lai, Zhao reportedly continued shooting with a 39°C fever. After criticism about her eye expression, she quietly underwent vision correction surgery. She also embarked on a strict weight loss regime, dropping to 92 jin (about 46kg) at a height of 170cm, with prominent collarbones. Some insiders shared that she was still hitting the gym at 3 a.m., sprinting on the treadmill at top speed to report back to her boss.
A turning point came with a brief appearance in the drama Fan Xiu, where a single slow-motion shot of her turning with an umbrella went viral online. Though her screen time was under 20 minutes, netizens flooded forums with praise, analyzing her “fragile aesthetic.” Extras at Hengdian recalled her stepping in last-minute for a role in a modern drama—filming a rain scene in a camisole at minus five degrees Celsius, and giving her hand warmers to a sick crew member afterward.
On the set of Zhong Hong Dou, Zhao wore 10kg of armor to practice horseback riding, resulting in bruised thighs. Photos of her back taken by a makeup artist revealed a spine so prominent it resembled a string of prayer beads. Concerned fans petitioned her agency, but Yu Zheng maintained his stance, saying “85 jin is the industry baseline” as the camera adds weight.
A final telling moment came during a crew dinner: while others enjoyed hotpot, Zhao sat quietly with a cup of celery juice. When the lead actor jokingly offered her a slice of beef tripe, she nervously glanced at the production manager for permission. A props staffer reportedly slipped her some beef jerky in secret.
Despite harsh criticism and strict physical demands, Zhao Qing has persisted. Yu Zheng’s recent post praised her again as “the most resilient newcomer” he’s ever seen. From online ridicule to gaining quiet respect, Zhao is gradually proving her place in the industry—one hardship at a time.
