LayarHijau – Chinese actress Song Zuer continues to prove her successful comeback after being embroiled in a tax evasion scandal in 2023. Following her acclaimed performances in The Demon Hunter’s Romance and The Prisoner of Beauty, she recently surprised fans with her guest appearance in the new drama Liao Zhai, portraying a thousand-year-old tree spirit in the Nie Xiaoqian unit.
Her appearance as the “Grandmother” in this special episode quickly received praise after stills from the set were released. Netizens dubbed her “the most beautiful grandmother in history.” Some even joked, “If the grandmother looks like this, who would still chase after Nie Xiaoqian?”
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Before filming her upcoming historical drama Cousin’s Blessings, Song Zuer took on the iconic role of the tree demon in Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio (Liao Zhai). In the Nie Xiaoqian story, she showcases five different costume looks that reflect the transformation of her character. In her “gentle” form, she appears ethereal and graceful in flowing white robes. After her turn to darkness, she exudes intensity and dominance with bold makeup and dark, striking attire, according to World Journal.
Many netizens praised both her acting and visuals in the role, noting how she defied the traditional image of an old woman in folklore. They described her as having a dual aura of “beauty and eeriness.” Others commented, “Who would still care about Nie Xiaoqian with a grandmother like this?” and “She’s so stunning, I’d gladly lose to her.”
The story of Nie Xiaoqian originates from the classic Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio by Pu Songling. It tells of a poor scholar named Ning Caichen who unknowingly meets a beautiful ghost, Nie Xiaoqian, while staying overnight at an abandoned temple. Forced by evil forces to seduce and drain the life of men, Xiaoqian instead falls in love with Ning because of his kind heart. With the help of spiritual forces, she is freed from her curse and, in more romantic versions of the story, reincarnates as a human and marries Ning. The tale is well-known in China and has been adapted many times into film and television, often with magical or tragic twists.
In this latest adaptation, the lead role of Nie Xiaoqian is played by 21-year-old rising actress He Shiyu, who previously appeared in She and Her Girls. The role of Ning Caichen is played by Gao Han, a supporting actor from Falling Into Your Smile. Song Zuer’s role is a purely special guest appearance.
Meanwhile, the modern drama Created in China, which stars Song Zuer alongside Zhang Xincheng, has also been gaining popularity. In the series, she plays Cui Bingbing, a smart and outspoken bank loan officer who often clashes with private entrepreneur Liu Jun (played by Zhang Xincheng). As more of her dramas continue to air, it’s clear that Song Zuer has fully emerged from the shadow of her past controversy.
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