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| Which Chinese Stars Gained the Most Fans? Zhiku Xingtu Ranking Explained (Photo: Weibo) |
Fresh data from entertainment analytics platform Zhiku Xingtu offers a revealing snapshot of which Chinese celebrities are truly winning the public’s attention — not just through headlines, but through sustained audience engagement across Weibo, Douyin, and other major platforms.
At the very top of the list is Zhao Lusi, who recorded a staggering increase of 18.13 million new followers. Her surge is widely credited to the massive reach of Love’s Ambition, a drama that didn’t just perform well in viewership numbers but also dominated social feeds with fashion discussions, styling breakdowns, and daily trending clips.
Many viewers noted that her on-screen looks quickly became shopping references, reinforcing her position as one of the most commercially influential actresses of her generation.
Securing second place is Bai Lu, who added 12.48 million followers over the year. Her rise feels less explosive but impressively steady. With three drama releases in close succession — Moonlight Mystique, Feud, and Northward — Bai Lu maintained consistent visibility and strong audience feedback throughout 2025 and into 2026.
Fans praised her versatility, while industry watchers highlighted her ability to anchor multiple genres without audience fatigue.
Third place belongs to Zhang Linghe, whose follower count grew by 11.4 million. Often labelled a “drama boyfriend” figure, his appeal widened significantly after The Best Thing, where his gentle, emotionally available male lead won over casual viewers.
That momentum continued with Our Generation (樱桃琥珀), which helped him reach a younger demographic and strengthened his long-term fanbase.
Interestingly, Bai Lu and Zhang Linghe’s placements reignited discussions online due to their past pairing in Story of Kunning Palace.
Netizens revisited old interviews, behind-the-scenes clips, and unconfirmed dating rumours from 2023. While nothing was ever officially acknowledged, their back-to-back rankings once again proved how lasting CP memories can be in fandom culture.
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Zhao Lusi’s return to the top also carries deeper emotional weight for many fans. Her career had previously faced turbulence when filming for Almost Lovers (恋人) was halted, followed by her candid revelation about personal struggles and agency disputes.
After stepping back from the spotlight, her comeback with Love’s Ambition was seen by supporters as both a professional and personal reset. Discussions across platforms often describe her journey as a rare example of resilience paying off in a highly competitive industry.
Fourth place goes to Ao Ruipeng, who gained 10.85 million new followers thanks to a packed drama schedule. Titles like Moonlight Mystique, Coroner’s Diary (朝雪录), and The Seven Relics of Ill Omen (七根心简) kept his name circulating throughout the year.
Among them, Coroner’s Diary stood out for its strong ratings and discussion value, especially for its darker tone and investigative focus.
Fifth and sixth places are claimed by Zi Yu and Tian Xuning, the male leads of Revenged Love. Zi Yu added 10.4 million followers, while Tian Xuning followed closely with 9.08 million. Their joint success once again highlighted how breakout dramas can lift multiple cast members simultaneously, particularly when on-screen chemistry becomes a talking point.
Seventh place belongs to Ju Jingyi, whose follower growth reached 8.91 million. While her popularity has always been solid, netizens noted that her steady increase reflects strong brand recognition and a loyal fanbase rather than a single viral moment.
In eighth place is Lu Yuxiao, who gained 8.03 million followers after appearing in Perfect Match, Serendipity, and Love in the Clouds.
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Viewers praised her range and screen presence, with many commenting that 2026 feels like her true breakout year rather than a gradual climb.
Ninth place is taken by Song Yuqi, whose 7.14 million new followers came largely from variety show exposure rather than drama roles. Her humour, spontaneity, and strong stage personality continued to attract casual viewers who later converted into long-term fans.
Rounding out the top ten is Wang Anyu, who added 6.62 million followers. His role in The Last Immortal kept him visible across platforms, while discussions often focused on his steady acting growth rather than flashy hype.
Overall, the list makes one thing very clear: in today’s Chinese entertainment landscape, successful dramas remain the strongest engine for follower growth, especially when paired with consistent social media exposure.
Still, fan reactions remain divided — some celebrate the rankings as fair reflections of influence, while others argue that timing, platform algorithms, and fandom mobilisation play just as big a role as acting performance.
So what do you think? Do these rankings match your own timeline impressions, or did someone you follow closely miss the list?