LayarHijau-Gu Man is widely regarded as one of the most influential romance novel writers in the Chinese drama industry. Nearly all of her popular works have been successfully adapted for television or film, including Boss and Me, My Sunshine, Love O2O, You Are My Glory, and her latest adaptation Shine on Me. Notably, over a span of roughly 11 years, adaptations of Gu Man’s novels have consistently featured some of the most prominent actresses from different generations.
From the post-85 generation to rising post-00 stars, a total of seven actresses have taken on the role of female lead in adaptations of Gu Man’s novels. Among them, one name is often singled out by audiences as receiving the highest praise for acting performance.
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Zhao Liying – Boss and Me
Zhao Liying starred as Xue Shanshan in Boss and Me, adapted from Gu Man’s novel Shan Shan Comes to Eat. To this day, Xue Shanshan is considered one of the most iconic heroines in modern sweet romance dramas. Interestingly, when the casting was first announced, Zhao Liying faced skepticism due to her then-limited popularity and perceived mismatch with the character.
The final result, however, exceeded expectations. Zhao Liying brought Xue Shanshan to life with a natural, lively, and sincere performance. Portraying an innocent and kind-hearted heroine without appearing artificial is no easy task, yet her interpretation was widely praised and warmly received by viewers. Even now, her role in Boss and Me is often cited as a benchmark for light romance dramas.
As a result, Zhao Liying is frequently regarded as the actress who earned the highest acting recognition among all female leads in Gu Man’s novel adaptations.
Tang Yan – My Sunshine (TV Series)
Tang Yan played Zhao Mosheng in the television series My Sunshine, adapted from the novel Silent Separation. The drama became one of the most beloved campus-to-workplace romance stories and remains popular more than a decade after its original broadcast.
Tang Yan successfully conveyed Zhao Mosheng’s warmth, optimism, and youthful charm, embodying the character’s “little sun” persona. Her chemistry with Wallace Chung was also a major factor behind the drama’s enduring appeal.
Yang Mi – You Are My Sunshine (Film)
The novel Silent Separation was also adapted into a feature film titled You Are My Sunshine, starring Yang Mi and Huang Xiaoming. Unfortunately, the film did not receive the same positive reception as the television series.
In addition to criticism over its overly melodramatic plot, Yang Mi’s portrayal of Zhao Mosheng was considered less aligned with the character’s essence. Comparisons with Tang Yan’s version were inevitable, and the film ultimately became more known for its mixed to negative reviews.
Angelababy – Love O2O (Film)
The film adaptation of Love O2O, starring Angelababy and Jing Boran, was released before the television series became a massive hit. Visually, Angelababy was often considered the closest match to Bei Weiwei’s original description in the novel: strikingly beautiful, a campus goddess, and highly skilled at gaming.
However, her acting was widely viewed as insufficient to fully support the character, making it difficult for audiences to become emotionally immersed in the story.
Zheng Shuang – Love O2O (TV Series)
The television adaptation of Love O2O became a cultural phenomenon, though much of the attention centered on Yang Yang’s casting as Xiao Nai. Zheng Shuang’s portrayal of Bei Weiwei drew criticism from novel fans, as her image was seen as too pure and understated compared to the glamorous and captivating heroine described in the book.
Her performance was often described as flat, and while the drama itself was extremely popular, her evaluation as the female lead remained relatively average.
Dilraba Dilmurat – You Are My Glory
Dilraba received widespread praise for her role as Qiao Jingjing in You Are My Glory. Many viewers commented that she was a perfect embodiment of the character, thanks to her confidence, brightness, and star quality.
Although the drama retained Gu Man’s signature sweet romance style, Qiao Jingjing was portrayed as independent and career-focused rather than emotionally dependent. The popularity of You Are My Glory surged after its adaptation, largely driven by the performances of Yang Yang and Dilraba.
Zhao Jinmai – Shine on Me
Representing the newest generation, Zhao Jinmai starred in Shine on Me, adapted from Gu Man’s novel Blazing Sunlight. She played Nie Xiguang, a cheerful young woman from a wealthy background who lives a modest and low-key life.
Zhao Jinmai’s performance received positive feedback, with many viewers noting how well the character suited her natural image. Her on-screen chemistry with Song Weilong was also well received, making Shine on Me one of her most accepted romance roles to date.
Although her popularity has not yet reached the level of her senior counterparts, Zhao Jinmai is now widely regarded as one of the most promising post-00 actresses in the industry.
