Yang Zi (杨紫) is currently one of the most prominent Chinese television actresses. She is widely recognized for her hit dramas such as Ashes of Love, Go Go Squid!, Lost You Forever, and Psychologist. Yet whenever Yang Zi is mentioned, audiences tend to recall one recurring trait: her characters often shed tears. Sometimes quietly, sometimes in emotional outbursts—tears seem to have become her most faithful “co-star” throughout her acting career.
This is also the reason why Yang Zi has frequently been criticized. On short video platforms like Douyin and TikTok, users often create compilations of scenes where Yang Zi cries in Chinese dramas, accompanied by sarcastic comments like “same crying style again,” “just looking at the poster, I know this film will have countless crying scenes,” or hashtags such as #YangZiCrying, which have even trended.
What was once her strength has gradually become a sign of monotony, as her characters are consistently associated with being fragile, sorrowful, and tearful. Beyond the typecasting of her roles, Yang Zi is also regularly scrutinized for her appearance, especially following rumors of plastic surgery. Facial flaws allegedly caused by cosmetic procedures have made her expressions sometimes appear unnatural, diminishing the impact of her emotional scenes—once considered her forte.
Compared to other Chinese actresses of her generation like Bai Lu, Dilraba Dilmurat, or Zhao Lusi, Yang Zi holds an advantage in experience and status within the Chinese television market. However, her contemporaries are more proactive in refreshing their on-screen images.
Dilraba Dilmurat, despite ongoing debates about her acting skills, is unafraid to take on sharp, complex roles. Zhao Lusi and Bai Lu are also seeking to break free from the “sweet female lead” stereotype by diversifying their character choices. Meanwhile, Yang Zi remains stuck in the mold of portraying vulnerable, melancholic characters—her strength, yet also her limitation.
Despite enduring waves of criticism, Yang Zi continues to be a hot name in the Chinese entertainment industry. Besides having a relatively keen eye for Chinese drama scripts, she also benefits from strategic timing: most of the Chinese TV dramas starring Yang Zi are released during the summer, when audience demand spikes.
Additionally, each project receives heavy media and marketing investment, ensuring her widespread visibility. More importantly, Yang Zi built a solid loyal fanbase since her childhood acting days. This loyal support has helped her stay afloat amid controversies about her appearance or acting, regardless of public opinion swings.
With her existing talent and a position that few in Chinese television can rival, Yang Zi is more than capable of making a breakthrough—if she is truly willing to. Fans are still waiting to see when Yang Zi will part ways with her signature tears to tell a new story—stronger and fresher.
