Popular mainland Chinese actress Zhao Lusi, after experiencing a period of illness and contractual disputes with her agency “Galaxy Entertainment” hit rock bottom, has made a strong comeback with her leading role in the new drama “Let Me Shine.” The drama unexpectedly went online on September 26 without any publicity or trailers, yet it quickly garnered high viewership and heat. As the drama gained popularity, rumors of a turnaround in the contractual dispute between Zhao Lusi and her agency started to surface.
“Let Me Shine” tells the story of the female lead Xu Yan (played by Zhao Lusi) and the male lead Shen Haoming (played by Chen Weiting), from a marriage of convenience for mutual interests to testing each other and the emotional turmoil, eventually reconciling their love and hatred. Despite the lack of promotion, anticipation, and being a non-major IP drama, the series unexpectedly aired and became a hit due to its innovative plot and character development. Within just 10 days, it broke records in both viewership and popularity, not only topping Tencent’s urban drama heat index but also becoming the fastest-rising “blockbuster club” series of 2025.
Zhao Lusi’s portrayal of Xu Yan, who comes from ordinary origins but aspires to marry into a wealthy family, has resonated with audiences. Her ambition and struggles in meticulously managing relationships with every member of her in-laws are both realistic and touching. Viewers have praised the drama for its fast-paced plot and well-rounded characters, noting that there is never a dull moment.
Chen Weiting, who plays the wealthy second generation Shen Haoming, may be 39 years old, but his refined appearance and mature aura unexpectedly sparked intense chemistry with Zhao Lusi. Despite their 13-year age difference, initially seen as an odd pairing, netizens now praise their “unexpected chemistry.” Chen’s portrayal of Shen Haoming breaks the stereotype of a domineering CEO, showing a deep and restrained character that contrasts vividly with Zhao Lusi’s ambitious and stubborn role.
In a departure from her previous “sweet and naive” roles, Zhao Lusi’s transformation in appearance and styling for her role in the drama has been of high quality and fitting for her role as a program host. From costume tailoring to jewelry selection and overall presence, every detail has been meticulously crafted, leading audiences to exclaim, “This is the real upgraded version of a female lead.”
With the drama’s surge in popularity, many fans have exclaimed, “Zhao Lusi has truly saved herself this time!”
At 26 years old, Zhao Lusi rose to fame in recent years with dramas like “Starry Brilliance,” “Secrets Cannot Be Hidden,” and “Silk Screen Curtains,” elevating her status to a “top-tier young actress.” Last year, she fell ill while filming the new drama “Lover,” which led to emergency medical treatment. She recently revealed her eight-month dispute with “Galaxy Entertainment,” describing the ongoing contract as a “foolish renewal” despite still having over four years left, with the contract set to expire in 2030. She accused the agency of abuse and verbal insults, claiming she was being marginalized upon her return to work and demanded compensation for losses incurred.
Rumors are circulating that investors are stepping in to assist Zhao Lusi in resolving the contract dispute with “Galaxy Entertainment.” According to reports, there are at least 17 drama contracts approaching Zhao Lusi, with three being realistic in nature. These offers not only recognize her commercial value but also acknowledge her acting skills.
During a live broadcast, Zhao Lusi thanked everyone for their support and admitted to receiving numerous scripts recently, as well as fans urging her to join new projects. However, she humbly expressed her desire to wait until she is in a good physical and mental state before accepting new roles. Therefore, she will temporarily not take on new dramas or endorsements.