In a remarkable comeback to the screen after more than 600 days away from filming, Chinese actress Zhao Lusi is making headlines with her new urban drama “Farewell Letters.” The show officially commenced production on November 12 in Chengdu, and at just 28 years old, Zhao Lusi has taken an unprecedented step by not only starring as the lead actress but also stepping into the role of director, and taking on three additional production responsibilities. This significant move has drawn widespread attention from fans and industry observers alike.
Amid the ever-evolving landscape of the film and television industry, Zhao Lusi is taking proactive control of her creative direction. In “Farewell Letters,” she has embraced multiple core roles behind the scenes, balancing the responsibilities of actress, director, head stylist, and producer. Her multifaceted involvement has led many netizens to remark on her talent and determination, dubbing her career as “going into overdrive.”
The drama is adapted from the novel “Thirteen Letters of Suicide” by German author Kerstin Gier. The story follows the life of a nearly 30-year-old woman named Ge Li, who finds herself facing both unemployment and heartbreak. In a moment of despair, she writes 13 farewell letters, expressing her innermost feelings to friends and an ex-boyfriend. However, a twist of fate prevents her from leaving the world, but the letters are already on their way, forcing her to confront life’s absurdities with a mix of dark humor and awkwardness.
Zhao Lusi’s journey has not been without challenges. Following her collaboration with Peng Guanying on the film “Lovers” in December 2024, she battled severe issues including aphasia and depression, compounded by a fallout with her agency, Galaxy Cool Entertainment, which sidelined her from work. Against the odds, last year, her previous role in “Let Me Shine Bright” propelled her back into the limelight, racking up an astonishing 1.3 billion views—a triumphant return after more than 600 days away from a set. In August of this year, she announced the acquisition of nine film and television intellectual property rights, officially marking her transformation from a waiting actress into a content-controlling producer.
With tremendous eagerness from her fanbase, Zhao Lusi’s self-directed and self-starring project “Farewell Letters” has finally begun its production. This time, she is shedding her previous “sweet girl” or “period drama” labels, instead portraying a once-promising writer facing significant setbacks in both her career and love life as she approaches her thirties. Overall, netizens are responding with high expectations and affirmations, although some express a cautious outlook regarding her multiple roles and the evolution of her acting skills.
In the face of a challenging film industry, where many of her contemporaries find themselves waiting passively for scripts, Zhao Lusi has chosen to forge a more difficult path. She took the bold initiative to acquire the original work’s copyright, shifting her identity from merely an actress to a commanding figure who has a say in the overall production process. Due to her lengthy absence from filming, the set has been teeming with fans and paparazzi, necessitating the use of blackout curtains to maintain order and ensure the production schedule runs smoothly.
As production commenced and behind-the-scenes photos emerged, Zhao Lusi garnered positive feedback for her minimalist look on set, which included silver or black-framed glasses, long curly hair parted in the middle, and a stylish black leather jacket paired with fitted jeans. Many fans praised her ability to embody the bohemian and sensitive qualities of a down-and-out female writer.
According to reports from fans, Zhao Lusi’s two newly unveiled character looks showcase a balance of strength and softness. On the streets where she is filming, she has exhibited great enthusiasm, often happily waving to distant fans, suggesting that she has likely moved past the depression linked to her previous legal struggles with her former agency.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Zhao Lusi’s new role is her attempt to venture beyond her earlier, more innocent portrayals, such as her role in “Let Me Shine Bright,” in which she played a scheming antagonist. Many viewers are curious to see how she interprets a character who navigates the lows of life and the social awkwardness of an existential crisis. This grounded approach could potentially showcase her natural acting skills more effectively than before.