Zhao Li Ying, who also goes by the name Zanilia Zhao, is a Chinese actress. Born on October 16, 1987, was first discovered after she won reality competition “Search Star Game” in 2006. After making her acting debut in the 2006 historical series “Nanyue King,” she went on to star in such popular series as “New My Fair Princess” (2011), “Legend of Lu Zhen” (2013), “Boss & Me” (2014), “The Legend of Chusen 2” (2016-2017) and “Princess Agents” (2017). Zhao Li Ying also was crowned the “Golden Eagle Goddess” during the China TV Golden Eagle Awards in 2014.

Zhao Li Ying

From Reel To Real: 5 C-Drama Couples That Found Love On Set

Xiao Qiao (Zhao Li Ying) grew up neglected and ignored by her parents who wished she was a boy: in order to avoid penalties related to having a second child, she was never listed on the family's registry. Despite this, she seized every opportunity, eventually moving to Beijing to start anew, using her sister Qiao Yan's (Xin Zhi Lei) identity. After years of hard work, Xiao Qiao becomes a well-known actress, but the secrets of her past still weigh on her. Things escalate when Xiao Qiao receives an anonymous blackmail letter that threatens to reveal truths she's kept hidden – and the real Qiao Yan, who Xiao Qiao hasn't seen in years, suddenly reappears. Is Xiao Qiao's carefully-crafted image about to fall apart, or can she figure out what's really going on? This film was adapted from the web novel "Da Qiao Xiao Qiao" by Zhang Yue Ran.

The Unseen Sister

The Hidden Team🙎‍♀

Xiao Qiao / Qiao Yan

Tencent

Born into the demon world, ShenLi (Zhao Li Ying) grew in power, her skill on the battlefield eventually earning her the title of General Bi Cang. Pressured into a political marriage against her will, the general chose to fight for her freedom rather than accept the match. Sustaining injuries, ShenLi reverts to her original form and falls into the human world as a phoenix where she is picked up by a mortal vendor and sold as a plucked chicken at a local human market to Xing Zhi (Lin Geng Xin).

A ruthless warrior who single-handedly brought an end to the god and demon wars millennia ago, Xing Zhi finds himself unable to pass by the plucked demon chicken he sees caged at the human market. With that single purchase, Xing Zhi inadvertently links his fate with that of ShenLi. What will become of the demon and the warrior who rescues her?

This drama is adapted from the novel of the same name by Jiu Lu Fei Xiang.

The Legend of ShenLi

The God and the Phoenix Team

Youku

He Xing Fu (Zhao Li Ying), whose name means "happiness", experiences a tumultuous life filled with unexpected challenges. At her wedding, she faces humiliation when her sister He Xing Yun (Zhang Ke Ying) suffers a public incident, and she incurs the village chief Wan Shang Tang's (Liu Wei) displeasure after his son Wan Chuan Jia (Cao Zheng) is injured. Initially finding joy with her husband Wang Qing Lai (Tang Zeng), their happiness is disrupted when a health care product factory threatens her in-laws' land. Determined to fight back, Xing Fu attempts to take legal action against the factory but fails. Forced to seek work in the city, she struggles to adapt and eventually returns to her village, resolving to create a better life not just for herself, but for her entire community. Will her perseverance ultimately lead her to the happiness her name suggests?

The Story of Xing Fu

♥️ Road to Happiness 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻

He Xing Fu

Tencent Video

Zhou Fei (Zhao Li Ying), granddaughter of a national hero, lives in a secret bandit fort protecting the world from otherworldly warriors. Restless and yearning to escape, her life transforms when she meets Xie Yun (Wang Yi Bo), a free-spirited martial arts expert who saves her from drowning. Together, they form an unlikely friendship and begin honing their fighting skills, just as malevolent forces threaten their world. As they embark on an adventure, they gradually uncover hidden secrets, including the mysterious truth about Xie Yun's true identity. Adapted from the novel "Bandits" by Priest, this is a 2020 Chinese drama series directed by Ng Gam Yuen.

Legend of Fei

The Flying Legend Team

Hunan TV

Following the tragic and untimely death of her concubine mother, Sheng Ming Lan’s (Zhao Li Ying) life becomes a nightmare. Her stepmother and half-siblings mistreat her, leaving her seething from the injustice, and longing for revenge on those responsible for her mother’s downfall. However, Ming Lan is constantly looked down upon, despite her beauty and keen wits. She decides to pretend that she is content with her fate, but will secretly devise a way to bring down those who wronged her mother. Fate shines on Ming Lan when she meets Gu Tingye (Feng Shao Feng), the hedonistic but determined son of the Marquis of Ningyuan, eventually falling in love and marrying. Tingye hopes to help his beloved take her revenge. But as evil schemes begin to unfold, will they succeed in their shared goal? This 2018 Chinese drama, based on the novel of the same name by Guan Xin Ze Luan, was directed by Zhang Kai Zhou.

The Story of Ming Lan

MEI DAXIA  (大俠)

Sheng Ming Lan

Dragon TV

Li Zhi Cheng (Jin Han), a former military officer, is unexpectedly thrust into the role of CEO of his family's struggling company. Lin Qian (Zhao Li Ying), a passionate but unproven entrepreneur, joins the company with hopes of turning its fortunes around. As they navigate the challenging business landscape, Zhi Cheng and Lin Qian must combine their unique skills and perspectives to prevent the company from collapsing. Can their professional collaboration gradually develop into a deeper understanding and potential partnership, both in their business and personal lives? Adapted from Ding Mo's novel, this 2018 Chinese business romance drama is directed by Zhang Feng.

Our Glamorous Time

Lin Qian

In the tumultuous era of the Northern Wei, innocent citizens are kidnapped and enslaved, including Chu Qiao (Zhao Li Ying), who is cast into a forest to be hunted for sport by wealthy lords. Just as hope seems lost, she is rescued by Yan Xun (Dou Xiao), the Prince of Northern Yan, forging a powerful bond between them. However, her life takes another turn when she catches the eye of the influential Yuwen Yue (Lin Geng Xin) from the formidable Yuwen family. As tensions rise and loyalties are tested, Chu Qiao finds herself caught in a web of power struggles, forcing her to choose between her growing affection for Yan Xun and the allure of Yuwen Yue’s world. With her freedom and heart at stake, will she fight for love or succumb to the demands of her new reality? This 2017 Chinese drama series was directed by Wu Jin Yuan, based on the novel “Division 11's Princess Agent” written by Xiao Xiang Dong Er.

Princess Agents

The Dancing Fingers

Chu Qiao

iQiyi

In the republican era of Changsha, nine powerful families known as the "Mystic Nine Clan" protect the town. Zhang Qishan (William Chan), the leader of the nine gates, investigates a mysterious train arriving at his station, which leads to an enigmatic mine. He enlists Qi Tiezui (Ying Haoming) and Er Yuehong (Lay Zhang), an opera singer from an archaeological family, to solve the mystery. Before their mission begins, they must first find medicine to help Er Yuehong's terminally ill wife. During their journey, they encounter Yin Xinyue (Zhao Liying), the young hotel mistress, and uncover a dangerous plot threatening Changsha's people. This is a 2016 South Korean prequel to "The Lost Tomb" that explores the intricate world of historical mystery and adventure.

The Mystic Nine

Gone with the Shirt Team

Yin Xin Yue

Aloof conglomerate CEO Feng Teng (Zhang Han) cares only about one person: his younger sister Feng Yue (Zhang Yang Guo Er). When she falls ill and needs a blood transfusion, Feng Teng desperately searches for a donor – eventually finding one among his employees, Xue Shan Shan (Zhao Li Ying). Shan Shan agrees to help, and Feng Yue recovers. But instead of paying Shan Shan for her kindness in cash, Feng Teng’s sister suggests that he sends her delicious lunchtime meals instead. He agrees, and Shan Shan is delighted to receive all this free food! However, what she doesn’t know is that Feng Teng has started secretly watching her savor every mouthful of the food he sends her, and her joyous eating causes him to fall for her! Will this bizarre lunchtime ritual pave the way to workplace romance? This 2014 Chinese drama series was based on a novel by Gu Man and was directed by Liu Jun Jie.

Boss & Me

Shan Shan

Xue Shan Shan

8/13/2013

During the Qing Dynasty, Chen Xiang (Zhou Dong Yu) enters the imperial palace as a maid and befriends Liu Li (Zhao Li Ying). Liu Li dreams of becoming a prince's wife and manipulates Chen Xiang into completing her errands. During one such task, Chen Xiang meets the 13th Prince Yin Xiang (Chen Xiao), and they develop an instant connection. When the prince searches for the woman he encountered, Liu Li falsely claims the handkerchief as her own, leading the prince to believe she is his true love. Caught in a web of deception and romantic intrigue, Chen Xiang and Liu Li compete for the prince's affection, each hoping to secure his heart. As tensions rise, the question remains: will the 13th Prince discover the true identity of the woman who captured his heart? This is a 2013 Chinese historical romantic drama directed by Pan An Zi.

The Palace

During the Chinese Northern Qi dynasty, Lu Zhen (Zhao Li Ying) escapes an arranged marriage and enters the palace as an attendant. She meets Prince Gao Zhan (Chen Xiao), and despite their deep love, their social differences seem insurmountable. Using her exceptional pottery skills, Lu Zhen navigates palace politics, facing challenges from Empress Lou and Prince Gao Yan (Qiao Ren Liang). Though Gao Zhan cannot marry her, he supports her rise through the palace ranks, ultimately helping her achieve the unprecedented position of female prime minister. This is a 2013 Chinese historical drama series directed by Li Hui Zhu and Deng Wei En.

Legend of Lu Zhen

The Legendary Team

Lu Zhen

One lover can’t stand up to his mother and another lover also must leave her behind. You Jia Qi (Joe Chen) falls in love after meeting Meng He Ping (Feng Shao Feng), and the two start dating. But He Ping’s mother strongly objects to their relationship, and the stress breaks the two apart. Years later, Jia Qi meets Ruan Zheng Dong (Roy Chiu) and runs into He Ping again because he and Zheng Dong are childhood friends. To get over the heartache of seeing He Ping again, Jia Qi begins dating Zheng Dong. But when Zheng Dong realizes that he has terminal cancer, he is determined to bring Jia Qi and He Ping back together. Will Jia Qi realize too late which man holds the key to her heart?

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