Chinese actress Zhao Liying recently updated two posts on Weibo. One was promoting her starring role in the new drama “Small Town Big Events” (formerly known as “City Builder”), and the other was promoting her guest appearance in the costume drama “Xiao Yao.” In recent years, Zhao Liying’s career seems to lean more towards modern dramas, so her cameo in a costume drama has surprised many fans.
On December 26th, the fantasy drama “Xiao Yao” officially announced Zhao Liying’s special guest appearance as the character “The Dream-breaking Immortal.” A post with the caption “One appointment, ten years of friendship, helping each other with righteousness, finally seeing the shattered dreams” has attracted over 8 million reservations on various platforms in mainland China.
According to reports from mainland media, in the drama, Zhao Liying portrays an antagonist role, appearing for only three minutes, but her lines and costume have been widely circulated online. A character poster featuring a black robe and red pupils, along with Zhao Liying’s response “The appointment has been made, dreams not shattered, friendship remains,” has propelled the character of “The Dream-breaking Immortal” into a hot topic. The drama is set to premiere on December 27, 2025, creating a buzz even before its release.
Several mainland media reports suggest that Zhao Liying’s cameo in “Xiao Yao” is mainly due to her long-standing friendship with the director Xu Jizhou. The two had previously worked together on the TV series “Story of Yanxi Palace” and had agreed to collaborate in the future, but it took ten years for this to happen. Xu Jizhou, directing a costume drama for the first time, mentioned in an interview that Zhao Liying’s extensive experience in costume dramas led her to guest star to assist him.
Despite the rare friendship between Zhao Liying and Xu Jizhou in the entertainment industry, some netizens have expressed that this cameo does not seem ideal for Zhao Liying.
What has captured the attention and sparked discussion among netizens is Zhao Liying’s complete transformation in this role. Playing the character Xuan Ji, known as “The Dream-breaking Immortal,” she deviates from her usual sweet or resolute roles with a black robe and red eyes, exuding a fierce gaze. Although her line “I want the Three Realms to remember pain” instantly paints a picture of a complex antagonist seemingly benevolent yet deeply obsessed, her appearance does not fully reflect this.
Some netizens who have seen the previews have given feedback that the character’s costumes, makeup, and props appear rough, and the material of the dress makes her look somewhat bulky. Additionally, the hairstyle design doesn’t seem to suit her, appearing somewhat messy.
Xu Jizhou mentioned that “Xiao Yao” had two production delays, causing Zhao Liying to adjust her schedule, which may have affected her filming condition. Even after retouching, some signs of fatigue are apparent. Especially after the release of Zhao Liying’s character poster, the audience noticeably observes changes in her appearance, with less fullness in her facial contours, pronounced cheekbones, and sunken cheeks, conveying a sense of fatigue.
Perhaps due to her popularity, rumors about Zhao Liying have started to fly as the drama’s popularity soars. Rumors such as “serving as a producer,” “having a 30-minute screen time,” “reducing her pay by two-thirds for friendship,” and more. The production team swiftly clarified that Zhao Liying is only making a “special guest appearance,” appearing prominently in the crucial latter part of the show for about 3 minutes, and details regarding her remuneration have never been disclosed. This tactic has led Zhao Liying’s fans to comment, “Some people, their world revolves around business, and they can’t stand others talking about friendship.”