On September 29, Zhao Liying’s studio publicly released the latest results of Zhao Liying’s physical examination, stating that her current health condition has stabilized and she is following doctors’ advice to temporarily pause work and focus on recuperation. This news led to the hot search topic “What happened to Zhao Liying’s health” trending on Weibo.
It was reported earlier that Zhao Liying was supposed to participate in a brand live stream event in Hangzhou on August 25. Due to the nearly 40°C outdoor temperature and excessive air conditioning in the car, the drastic temperature difference upon exiting the vehicle triggered a severe overall stress response. She experienced severe dizziness, weakness, and cold sweats on the spot, struggled to stand even after adjusting in the car for 40 minutes, and was eventually urgently taken to the hospital for treatment, leading to the cancellation of the event. The final diagnosis from the hospital indicated severe hypoglycemia combined with electrolyte imbalance.
The acute onset of Zhao Liying’s illness this time is said to be a concentrated manifestation of her long-term overload and accumulated fatigue as a hardworking actress in the industry for over a decade.
Throughout her career, Zhao Liying has faced various injuries and health challenges, such as a misaligned lumbar vertebra from a horseback riding accident during the filming of “Palace Lock: Sin of the Dragon”; knee effusion and rib fractures from action scenes in “The Legend of Chusen,” among other chronic injuries that are hard to cure. Despite high fever or injuries during the production of multiple works in the past, she persisted in working. Earlier health check-ups also indicated underlying health issues such as a weak heart, keeping her body in a state of constant strain.
On September 29, Zhao Liying’s studio responded that she had undergone a comprehensive physical examination and her health has significantly improved. At present, she is strictly following doctors’ advice on rest and adjustment, with no immediate plans for new projects or public appearances. During her recuperation period, she will continue reading scripts, and her future work schedule and styling will be adjusted in accordance with her actual recovery progress, prioritizing her personal health.
According to a report by Sina News, the latest updates from Zhao Liying’s team or related channels were initially set as visible only to fans, aiming to quietly reassure core fan groups. However, due to Zhao Liying’s massive following and popularity, these internal interactions quickly caught the attention of entertainment marketing accounts and the public, rapidly trending on Weibo’s hot search list.
This is the first time in nearly twenty years since her debut that Zhao Liying has faced a prolonged work hiatus due to health reasons, sparking speculation about whether she might take this opportunity to adjust her career focus, potentially shifting away from high-intensity period dramas towards mainstream dramas or big-screen projects for long-term development.
The discussion around the industry’s direction further intensified, with the topic “What happened to Zhao Liying’s health” quickly becoming a trending topic on Weibo.
Notably hailed as the “Viewership Queen” of Chinese dramas, Zhao Liying won awards for her role as “Xu Banxia” in “Our Souls At Night” in 2024, as well as the Best Supporting Actress award at the Golden Rooster Awards for her performance in the movie “The 20th Rule”. She was once regarded as one of the leading actresses among the post-85s generation in mainland China. Some even described her as experiencing a career renaissance after her divorce from actor Feng Shaofeng five years ago.
Behind the trending topic, there are mixed and complex public opinions brewing. Following the studio’s update on Zhao Liying’s well-being, online trolls and marketing accounts began exploiting the situation, attempting to pry into her private life, intertwine discussions about her ex-husband, and maliciously speculate about her health condition.
In September 2025 and January 2026, Zhao Liying and her ex-husband Feng Shaofeng attended their son’s school event together, as part of the agreed “co-parenting” arrangement following their divorce, which was misinterpreted by marketing accounts as a sign of rekindled romance or preparation for remarriage. Rumors such as “Mother-in-law presents ten million worth of jade to reconcile” were actually based on old commercial photos of Zhao Liying from 2019; while the photo of “Zhao Liying pushing a stroller expecting a second child” was a doctored image with her face substituted by an assistant helping a friend with a baby.
Reacting to these rumors, Zhao Liying’s studio took legal measures to defend against false claims regarding her remarriage and second child. In June of this year, several defamation cases against Zhao Liying saw favorable judgments in her favor.