LayarHijau– Actress Zhang Ruonan has once again drawn public attention after starring in the hit drama The First Frost (難哄) alongside Bai Jingting. Thanks to the series, her popularity has surged, with her fresh image, gentle gaze, and calm aura earning her the nickname “the new generation’s first-love goddess” among viewers. Yet behind her rising fame, her personal life has sparked discussion for an entirely different reason: her consistently modest lifestyle.
As public interest in her grows, Zhang Ruonan’s family background and daily life have become topics of conversation online. Many netizens have pointed out that despite nearly nine years in the entertainment industry, she continues to live in a rented apartment. Reports suggest that a large portion of her income is prioritized for supporting her family, particularly in helping to pay off long-standing debts and covering household expenses.
Zhang Ruonan, whose birth name is Zhang Ruonan (章若男), comes from a traditional family and is the eldest of four siblings, with two younger sisters and one younger brother. From a young age, she was raised with a strong sense of responsibility toward her family. Taking care of her siblings and helping with household duties became part of her everyday life, gradually shaping her role as a pillar of the family. This upbringing is often cited as one of the reasons behind her gentle, patient, and quietly enduring personality.
Throughout her career, Zhang Ruonan has appeared in several well-known films and dramas, including Cry Me a Sad River and My Love. Her career has progressed steadily, with The First Frost marking a major breakthrough that firmly placed her among China’s top-tier actresses. According to online information, her acting fee for the drama is estimated at around 5 million yuan, while the combined box office revenue of her projects has surpassed 1.5 billion yuan.
Despite these achievements, her lifestyle remains far from extravagant. Netizens claim that much of her earnings have gone toward helping her family repay business-related debts, cover her siblings’ education and living expenses, and offset losses from family ventures. During the pandemic, when her family reportedly faced financial strain, Zhang Ruonan was also said to have provided significant financial support to help them through the difficult period.
In her daily life, she has long been known to rent an apartment in Beijing, previously sharing living space with others, commuting by subway, and maintaining a simple wardrobe and spending habits. This stands in stark contrast to her polished on-screen image, making her real-life choices appear especially down-to-earth. There are even accounts suggesting that when she was younger, her family once arranged blind dates for her, and that many of her major life decisions have consistently placed family priorities first.
Beyond her family responsibilities, Zhang Ruonan is also recognized for her quiet involvement in charitable activities. She has reportedly supported the education of girls in remote areas and made discreet donations during major disasters. Her willingness to live frugally for herself while generously helping others has left many netizens feeling both touched and deeply respectful.
While Zhang Ruonan’s career continues to reach new heights, her off-screen story reveals a journey defined by responsibility and sacrifice. She is admired not only for her appearance and acting skills, but also for the strength of character that she rarely puts on display.
