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| Seven Actresses Who Brought Gu Man’s Heroines to Life (Photo: Weibo) |
Gu Man has long been regarded as one of the most influential romance novel writers in the Chinese drama world. Over the past decade, her stories have repeatedly proven their staying power, transitioning smoothly from page to screen and shaping the modern romance drama trend along the way. From office sweethearts to campus legends and celebrity love stories, Gu Man’s works have consistently delivered characters that audiences remember long after the final episode.
What makes her adaptations even more interesting is the calibre of actresses chosen to lead them. Over roughly eleven years, Gu Man’s heroines have been portrayed by seven actresses from different generations, ranging from post-85 stars to rising post-00 talents.
Each brought their own interpretation, strengths, and limitations, sparking endless discussion among viewers about which portrayal truly captured the soul of Gu Man’s writing.
Among these performances, one name is still frequently mentioned as the gold standard.
Zhao Liying – Boss and Me
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Zhao Liying starred as Xue Shanshan in Boss and Me, adapted from the novel Shan Shan Comes to Eat. Even today, Xue Shanshan remains one of the most iconic female leads in modern sweet romance dramas.
When the casting was first announced, doubts quickly surfaced. At the time, Zhao Liying was not yet the household name she is today, and some questioned whether she could embody such a gentle, optimistic heroine.
The final result, however, completely shifted public opinion. Her portrayal felt natural, sincere, and emotionally grounded, making Xue Shanshan lovable without slipping into exaggerated innocence.
Her performance is still widely referenced as a benchmark for light romance roles, and many viewers continue to regard it as the most critically respected acting turn among all Gu Man adaptations.
Tiffany Tang Yan – My Sunshine (TV Series)
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Tang Yan took on the role of Zhao Mosheng in the television adaptation of Silent Separation, better known to audiences as My Sunshine. The drama became a classic campus-to-workplace romance and remains beloved more than a decade later.
Tang Yan’s portrayal leaned heavily into warmth and optimism, perfectly capturing Zhao Mosheng’s “little sun” personality.
Her natural chemistry with Wallace Chung added emotional depth to the story, helping the series maintain its long-term popularity and rewatch value.
Yang Mi – You Are My Sunshine (Film)
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The same novel was later adapted into a feature film titled You Are My Sunshine, starring Yang Mi alongside Huang Xiaoming. Unfortunately, the film failed to replicate the emotional impact of the television version.
Criticism largely focused on the condensed storytelling and melodramatic tone.
Yang Mi’s interpretation of Zhao Mosheng was often seen as less aligned with the character’s essence, and comparisons with Tang Yan’s portrayal were unavoidable. As a result, the film is now more remembered for its mixed reception than its romance.
Angelababy – Love O2O (Film)
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The film adaptation of Love O2O arrived before the television version became a major hit. Visually, Angelababy was often praised as the closest match to Bei Weiwei’s original novel description: stunning, confident, and a true campus goddess with elite gaming skills.
However, while her appearance matched expectations, her performance struggled to fully support the character’s emotional depth. Many viewers found it difficult to connect with the story, leading to a lukewarm overall response.
Zheng Shuang – Love O2O (TV Series)
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The television adaptation of Love O2O became a cultural phenomenon, largely driven by its youthful energy and popular male lead casting. Zheng Shuang’s portrayal of Bei Weiwei, however, received mixed reactions from novel fans.
Her image was considered too understated compared to the confident, glamorous heroine described in the book.
While the drama itself achieved massive popularity, her performance as the female lead was often described as serviceable rather than standout.
Dilraba Dilmurat – You Are My Glory
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Dilraba’s performance as Qiao Jingjing in You Are My Glory earned widespread praise and is frequently cited as one of the most successful Gu Man adaptations.
Confident, bright, and effortlessly charismatic, she captured the spirit of a modern, independent heroine who balances career ambition with romance.
The drama’s popularity soared after release, with many viewers crediting the strong on-screen chemistry and well-rounded character portrayal as key factors behind its success.
Zhao Jinmai – Shine on Me
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Representing the newest generation, Zhao Jinmai starred in Shine on Me, adapted from the novel Blazing Sunlight. She played Nie Xiguang, a wealthy yet low-key young woman navigating love with warmth and sincerity.
Her performance received positive feedback, with viewers noting how naturally the role suited her image. Her chemistry with Song Weilong was also well received, making this one of her most accepted romance roles so far.
WE GOT ANOTHER KISSING SCENE!!And this time it’s Xiguang who initiates it! I cant stop giggling like crazy here they are so cute!!! Plus she is so cute mouthing that “good night yusen” and their smiles!!!! Stay inlove and happy my linxi 😭🩷#ShineOnMe #SongWeilong #ZhaoJinmai pic.twitter.com/bcclR6moLQ
— xinxin 🍂 (@xinnnxinnnn) January 4, 2026
While her overall popularity is still growing, Zhao Jinmai is increasingly seen as one of the most promising post-00 actresses in the industry.
From Zhao Liying’s career-defining performance to Zhao Jinmai’s rising momentum, Gu Man’s adaptations have become a timeline of evolving female leads and audience tastes.
Now it’s your turn — which portrayal do you think best captured a Gu Man heroine, and which adaptation left the strongest impression on you?