Zhao Qing’s Profile
- Full Name: Zhao Qing
- Native Name: 赵晴
- Nicknames: Zhao Han, Walnuts, whole-wheat walnuts
- Birthday: Aug 04, 2000 (25 years old)
- Blood Type: N/A
- Height/Weight: 170 cm (5'7") / N/A
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Leo
- Chinese Zodiac: Dragon
- Debut: 2021
- Birthplace: Heilongjiang Province, China
- Ethnicity: Han Chinese
-
Nationality:
Chinese
- Profession: Actress
- Languages: Mandarin (Native)
- Current Agency: Huanyu Entertainment
- Active Years: 2021 – present
Zhao Qing (赵晴), born on August 4, 2000, is a Chinese actress under Huanyu Entertainment, primarily active in Mainland Chinese television dramas. She is known for roles across both period and contemporary series, notably as Mu Yao in Scent of Time (为有暗香来, 2023) and for 2024 projects such as The Double and Dawn Amidst Hidden Clouds. In 2021, Zhao Qing began acting through the web drama Palace: Devious Women and same-year projects like Magic Grocery Store, marking the start of her screen career.
Early life
Zhao Qing was born in Daqing, Heilongjiang, China; some sources associate her birthplace with Hangzhou, Zhejiang, but industry and official profiles consistently indicate Heilongjiang as her origin. She graduated from the Communication University of Zhejiang. Before transitioning to acting, Zhao Qing was known online for Hanfu-themed photo content as a model/creator, later moving into television from 2021.
Career Highlights
Zhao Qing began her acting journey in 2021 with the costume drama Palace: Devious Women (宫心计), where she played Ma Shumiao, a scriptwriter—a subtle, layered role that marked her first appearance on screen. That same year, she appeared in the fantasy mini-series Magic Grocery Store, portraying Xiaoqi, a mischievous cat spirit brought to life in human form, earning praise for her comedic timing and whimsical charm.
In 2022, she gained further attention for her role as An Duoduo, a jewelry designer with a fiery personality, in the short series Don’t Mess with Ex-Girlfriend. She also appeared in the romantic fantasy A Lie of One Point, further expanding her range as a young actress.
By 2023, Zhao Qing’s career began to flourish. She took on the role of Concubine Zhen in Just Met You—a historical drama centered around intangible cultural heritage—and portrayed Princess Long Mengli, the third royal daughter of the Northern Liao Kingdom, in The Princess’s New Clothes, a lighthearted costume romance. One of her most acclaimed performances that year was in the popular drama Scent of Time, where she played Mu Yao, a complex character with a deeply emotional storyline that resonated with audiences.
In 2024, she starred in Dawn Amidst Hidden Clouds and The Double, both historical dramas with strong narrative aesthetics. That same year, she joined the reality acting competition Infinite Beyond Class – Season 2, where she showcased her dedication to improving her craft and earned praise from veteran actors and directors alike.
In 2025, Zhao Qing garnered widespread attention for her role as Mo Caihuan in the xianxia drama The Immortal Ascension (凡人修仙传), adapted from the immensely popular web novel of the same name. On platforms like Douyin and TikTok, fans quickly noticed her captivating aura and emotional depth, with many even commenting that she was more suited for the female lead role than the officially cast lead actress, Jin Chen.
Strengths
Zhao Qing is known for her versatility and expressive performances across various genres. She particularly shines in historical and fantasy roles, where her classical features and elegant demeanor bring a strong presence to the screen.
One of her standout strengths is her ability to portray characters with emotional complexity. In Scent of Time, her portrayal of Mu Yao—a woman trapped in the turmoil of love, memory, and fate—was both tender and haunting. Zhao excels in shifting from soft, vulnerable roles to ones requiring assertiveness and strength.
She is also widely recognized for her professional attitude and willingness to grow. Her participation in Infinite Beyond Class was praised for showcasing her humility and eagerness to learn from industry veterans.
Achievements
Since her debut, Zhao Qing has steadily gained recognition for her diverse performances. She has made a mark in both costume dramas and modern fantasy, earning increasing respect from audiences and professionals.
One of her most notable milestones was her role as Mu Yao in Scent of Time, which became a trending topic and surpassed 138 million views across streaming platforms. Her appearances in Dawn Amidst Hidden Clouds and The Double in 2024 further solidified her as a rising force in historical storytelling.
In 2024, Zhao Qing was selected for the Young Actor Support Program at the Wenrong Awards, a television award organized by the Wenrong Media Group. That same year, she was also named one of the Top Emerging Actresses of the Year by Starry Sea Entertainment, a media platform that highlights rising talents in the entertainment industry.
Fun Facts
- Zhao Qing was once a popular Hanfu model in the traditional Chinese clothing community before starting her acting career.
- Her fans affectionately call her “Hickory” and “Whole-Grain Hickory” (核桃 / 原糠核桃) because of her silly and adorable personality.
- When she was young, she studied classical dance. During training, her legs were once stretched so hard that they made a “pff pff” sound—something she now laughs about.
- In real life, Zhao Qing is introverted, but on set she becomes outgoing and actively socializes with the crew to blend in.
- She’s obsessed with sunglasses, wearing them even during nighttime livestreams, simply because she thinks they make her look “cool.”
- A huge fan of spicy food, she always brings her own jar of dried chili flakes with her to filming locations.
- Zhao is a MOBA gaming enthusiast; she once pulled an all-nighter ranking up and was caught livestreaming mid-game by fans.
- During a heated argument scene on set, she got so into character that she almost broke a tooth.
- She has a quirky habit of mumbling her lines while walking alone on the street, like she’s rehearsing a scene in her head.
- She loves the sound of rain and always rewards herself with good food after finishing a day of filming.
- After failing an audition, Zhao was refunded 6,000 yuan in tuition—and boldly used that money to travel to Hangzhou in search of acting opportunities.
- Netizens often say her visuals resemble famous actresses like Zhao Liying, Liu Yifei, and Cecilia Cheung.
- Zhao Qing is genuinely grateful to Yu Zheng, the producer who gave her her first big break in the entertainment industry.
Photo Gallery
