In recent news from Epoch Times on October 11, 2024, Chinese actress Zhao Liying has been making waves with her recent film “The Road of Flames” co-starring Liu Ye and Xiao Yang, following the success of the drama series “Walking with Phoenix” earlier this year alongside actor Lin Gengxin, which garnered high viewership ratings.
Zhao Liying’s role in “The Road of Flames” sees her portraying Li Hongying, a revenge-seeking mother who lost her daughter. The character intersects with Zhao Zishan (played by Liu Ye) and Cui Dalu (played by Xiao Yang), three parents who lost their children. They team up to seek revenge on a human trafficking group and embark on a journey to find their missing children.
According to reports from mainland Chinese media, “The Road of Flames” achieved an impressive box office success of 357 million yuan in the sluggish Chinese film market, with Zhao Liying’s performance receiving praise.
Among the three main actors, Xiao Yang received the highest fee of 10 million yuan, while Zhao Liying and Liu Ye followed closely behind with 8 million yuan each. Despite Liu Ye’s experience and track record in the film industry, Zhao Liying, who recently transitioned from television to the big screen, is able to command the same fee as him, showcasing her strong presence in the industry.
Since her divorce from Feng Shaofeng in 2021, Zhao Liying’s career has been flourishing, earning her the reputation of being “on fire.” In addition to the success of the TV series “Walking with Phoenix” with Lin Gengxin, her foray into the film industry has also been noteworthy. In recent years, she has starred in films such as “The 20th Rule,” “The Road of Flames,” and “Qiaoyan’s Mind,” winning awards for her performances in “The 20th Rule” and the drama series “The Wind Blows in the Summer.”
As a top actress, Zhao Liying took on the lead role and produced the wildly popular drama series “Walking with Phoenix” last month, earning a fee of 20 million yuan. The decrease in her fee to 8 million yuan for her role in “The Road of Flames” validates her previous statement that she prioritizes good scripts over fees.
During promotion for the movie, Liu Ye revealed that Zhao Liying foots the bill every time the cast of “The Road of Flames” gathers for a meal. When asked about the reason, Liu Ye mentioned, “After spending several months together on set, we discovered that she is a generous lady, especially generous.” Liu Ye even joked that Zhao Liying doesn’t mind spending money because she gets discounts when paying the bill, saying, “The owners say just sign a name or take a photo for a discount.” Zhao Liying responded humorously, claiming this as her secret technique, allowing her to foot the bill every time and lightening the mood with her playful banter.