LayarHijau – The massive success of Love’s Ambition has not only propelled its leads Zhao Lusi and William Chan into an even brighter spotlight, but it has also boosted the recognition of its supporting cast—particularly Wan Peng. With attention in China now shifting toward her next project with Johnny Huang Jingyu, the upcoming drama Winner is quickly becoming a hot topic.
Wan Peng first rose to prominence through her role as Yang Xi in the 2018 youth drama When We Were Young. Although she has taken on several lead roles since then, most of her projects have been smaller-scale web dramas, making it difficult for her to establish a defining representative work in the domestic market.
Domestic vs. International Popularity
Outside of China, especially in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, Wan Peng is widely recognized for the fantasy rom-com My Girlfriend is an Alien. Domestically, however, the series is largely viewed as a light web drama and not considered a production that reflects her capabilities as an actress.
In China, she is more familiar to viewers through supporting roles in titles such as Will Love in Spring, Sword and Fairy, and Dear Enemy—a pattern that has earned her the informal label of a “supporting-role specialist” within the industry.
That image shifted dramatically with her portrayal of Qiao Lin in Love’s Ambition. Despite the character’s controversial “spoiled” personality, Wan Peng’s natural performance and charming screen presence resonated strongly with audiences. As a result, her follower count surged by roughly 800,000, marking a significant turning point in her career.
Now, all eyes are on Winner, where she is paired with Johnny Huang as co-leads.
‘Winner’: Johnny Huang and Wan Peng Take on the Early Courier Industry
Winner is adapted from the reportage book Kuai Di Zhong Guo and follows the early struggles of China’s private courier sector during the 2000s. Johnny Huang Jingyu stars as Lu Yunxiang, a young man from a rural village who is forced to leave school and inherit his brother’s courier business after a family tragedy. Wan Peng plays Zhang Qinqin, his capable and independent partner—a character who highlights professional resilience and emotional growth in a challenging workplace environment.
The drama is further elevated by a strong supporting cast, including veteran actors Chi Peng, Ni Da Hong, and Jing Chao. Their involvement adds credibility and raises expectations for the production’s overall quality. Chi Peng previously appeared as Yang Mi’s mother-in-law in This Thriving Land, while Ni Da Hong portrayed Yang Mi’s father in the same series. Jing Chao is known for his performances in Ruyi’s Royal Love in the Palace and Brocade Odyssey.
Impact on Her Contemporaries
Wan Peng’s rise to lead-actress status has also sparked discussions about her peers, particularly Liang Jie. After gaining fame through The Eternal Love, Liang Jie’s career momentum has slowed in recent years, with her most recent drama, The White Olive Tree, failing to make a significant splash. In Winner, she is reportedly listed as the ninth supporting actress—a noticeable drop that has stirred sympathy and debate among fans.
With six unreleased projects in the pipeline and the strong momentum generated by Love’s Ambition, Winner is shaping up to be a pivotal work that could solidify Wan Peng’s position as one of the industry’s emerging leading actresses.
