LayarHijau – The Chinese television industry saw a surge of hit dramas in the first half of 2025. In the midst of this booming landscape, Tencent Entertainment officially announced the “Top 10 Most Influential TV Drama Characters” for the first half of the year. Topping this prestigious list is veteran actress Sun Li, whose portrayal of Hu Manli in the drama A Good Life (蛮好的人生) secured the number one spot, surpassing fan favorites like Wang Hedi and Xiao Zhan.
Sun Li’s Award-Winning Performance
In A Good Life, Sun Li plays Hu Manli, a top insurance agent facing setbacks in both her career and marriage. The story follows Hu Manli’s personal journey as she rebuilds her self-confidence and forms an unlikely partnership with Xue Xiaozhou, a fallen second-generation rich heir portrayed by Dong Zijian. Together, they overcome various challenges in pursuit of life’s meaning and self-worth.
Sun Li captivates audiences with her sharp short haircut and glamorous appearance, while skillfully portraying Hu Manli’s inner sadness, resilience, and gentle wisdom. Her nuanced performance and emotional depth have been praised by viewers, many of whom also noted the realistic depiction of the insurance industry, though some argued the show only scratches the surface of the profession’s true complexity.
Tough Competition in the Top Rankings
Coming in second is Dylan Wang Hedi, who plays Xu Qian’an in the fantasy wuxia drama Guardians of the Dafeng (大奉打更人), which sparked a “drama-chasing craze” among fans. Xiao Zhan takes third place with his role as Zang Hai in the epic hit The Legend of Zang Hai (藏海传), widely regarded as one of the biggest drama successes of the year.
Fourth place belongs to He Jiali, portrayed by Mei Ting and Shen Yue, from the family saga Six Sisters (六姊妹), which explores the lives of women in a large family during wartime. In fifth place, Yang Zi brings to life He Weifang in the historical drama Flourished Peony (国色芳华), which tells the story of beauty and power in imperial times.
Sixth place goes to Chen Duling as Zhuang Hanyan in the romantic time-travel drama The Glory (雁回时). In seventh place, Liu Yuning delivers a complex performance as Wei Shao in the historical revenge romance The Prisoner of Beauty (折腰).
At eighth place is Wang Baoqiang, who portrays Cui Ye, a Go genius in the suspense drama Playing Go (棋士). Ninth place features Liu Meixin, played by Wu Junmei, also from Six Sisters. Rounding out the top ten is Xue Xiaozhou, a key supporting character in A Good Life, portrayed by Dong Zijian, whose chemistry with Hu Manli left a lasting impression on viewers.
