Actress Zhao Lusi is once again at the center of industry attention as new reports suggest she is in discussions to headline another major historical production. Previously, online rumors claimed that Zhao Lusi would team up with Deng Wei, known for his role in Lost You Forever, in the costume drama The Legend of Bai Yao Pu. However, at the end of February, representatives for Zhao Lusi denied the casting speculation, putting an end to expectations of a collaboration between the two actors.
In recent years, Zhao Lusi has solidified her popularity through a string of successful dramas. She rose to widespread fame starring alongside Chen Zheyuan in Hidden Love and with Wu Lei in Love Like the Galaxy. Last year, she further boosted her profile by co-starring with William Chan in Shine for Me, reaching another peak in public recognition. Against this backdrop, any new project associated with Zhao Lusi has drawn considerable public interest.
Following the reported collapse of the project with Deng Wei, new industry chatter indicates that Zhao Lusi is now in talks to lead the Tencent-produced S+ level historical drama Zhu Guniang Jinnian Diao Keng Mei. According to circulating details, the series centers on a female protagonist who disguises herself as a man to enter officialdom and rise through the ranks of the imperial court. The narrative is said to focus entirely on political strategy and career ambition, with no romantic storyline, positioning the drama as a true female-led production.
Speculation intensified after Zhao Lusi mentioned during a recent brand livestream that she would be making an announcement on May 1. She remarked that she could hardly keep anything secret, playfully referencing her earlier hit Hidden Love. Fans have since wondered whether the date could mark the start of filming for the new drama.
The actress’s career trajectory over the past year has also attracted attention. At the end of the previous year, Zhao Lusi was filming the romance drama The Lover with Peng Guanying when production wrapped early following reports of health issues, including aphasia and depression. Subsequently, she publicly addressed disputes with her former management company Galaxy Cool Entertainment, closed her Weibo account, and shifted her focus to other platforms while maintaining public engagement through livestreams. More recently, Zhao Lusi established her own studio, and reports have circulated that she has signed with a new agency, HuJing Entertainment. Having not joined a new production for over a year, her next confirmed project is widely anticipated.
Although the collaboration with Deng Wei on The Legend of Bai Yao Pu did not materialize, the possibility of Zhao Lusi leading Zhu Guniang Jinnian Diao Keng Mei has already generated discussion online. With its focus on court intrigue and a female protagonist navigating official power structures in disguise, the project is being closely watched as a potential new chapter in Zhao Lusi’s post-hiatus career.
