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| Lu Yuxiao Drops 5kg for Beggar Role (Photo: Weibo) |
Lu Yuxiao is once again proving why her name keeps trending, but this time it’s not just about popularity or screen presence. While filming her new historical drama Dancing with the Tide, the actress quietly went through a visible physical transformation that has now become a major talking point online, putting her work ethic right back under the spotlight.
Fresh off the momentum of Love in the Clouds and Love Between Lines, Lu Yuxiao is currently busy on set alongside Tan Jianci. Sharp-eyed viewers quickly noticed that she looks noticeably slimmer in recent filming photos.
It soon came out that the change was deliberate.
For Dancing with the Tide, Lu Yuxiao plays Nan Yi, a young woman forced to scrape by as a thief and beggar, and she chose to lose around 5 kilograms to better reflect the character’s harsh reality.
According to industry chatter, Lu Yuxiao weighed about 45 kilograms during Love Between Lines, but dropped to roughly 40 kilograms for this role, standing at 165 cm.
The decision instantly sparked discussion across social media.
Some fans admitted they were surprised by how thin she looked, while others focused on the effort behind the transformation, calling it a clear sign of professionalism rather than a publicity move.
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Netizen reactions have been split but lively. Supporters praised her dedication, saying the physical change adds credibility to Nan Yi’s background and makes the character’s struggles feel more real on screen.
Others voiced concern, hoping she balances demanding roles with personal well-being.
Still, many agreed that the transformation strengthens the storytelling and suits the drama’s gritty tone.
Lu Yuxiao’s rise has been steady and impressive.
She first caught widespread attention through her supporting role in My Journey to You, which quickly opened the door to back-to-back projects.
Since then, she has stayed consistently busy with Romance in the Alley, Serendipity, When I Meet the Moon, and Love in the Clouds.
Even during a slower period for the industry, her schedule remains packed, marking her as one of the most in-demand young actresses right now.
Her posture and physical presentation were once topics of public debate, but those conversations have shifted over time. Through focused training and adjustments, viewers have noticed clear improvements.
In Dancing with the Tide, she again takes on a role involving martial arts, but this time layered with survival, hardship, and emotional depth, pushing her to immerse herself both physically and mentally.
Adapted from a popular novel by Xian Yu Ke, Dancing with the Tide is set during the turbulent Southern Song Dynasty. Tan Jianci plays Xie Que Shan, a general branded as a traitor who is secretly working undercover.
Nan Yi’s chance theft pulls her into his dangerous world, turning a tense encounter into a relationship shaped by risk, trust, and survival. The drama’s premise alone has already fuelled strong anticipation ahead of its release.
What do you think about actors changing their appearance for realism, and has Lu Yuxiao’s dedication raised your expectations for Dancing with the Tide?
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