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| Weibo Releases 2025 Follower Growth Rankings as Chen Zheyuan Records Biggest Rise of the Year (Photo: Weibo/Sina) |
Chinese social media is buzzing after Weibo officially dropped its 2025 Chinese Stars Weibo Follower Growth List, and the results are anything but predictable. Topping the chart is Chen Zheyuan, who surged past established drama powerhouses like Bai Lu and Zhang Linghe, proving that 2025 has been a real turning point in his career.
Chen Zheyuan secured first place with a massive 6.689 million new followers, marking one of the strongest annual growth figures seen on Weibo in recent years. While many fans still associate him with the viral romance Hidden Love, his explosive growth this year was largely driven by two very different projects: the military-themed drama The White Olive Tree and the costume drama Fated Hearts.
His portrayal of Prince Feng Suige in Fated Hearts especially drew praise for its visual impact and emotional restraint, pulling in a new wave of viewers beyond his existing fanbase.
What impressed netizens even more is that Chen Zheyuan’s popularity isn’t limited to China. He also topped Instagram follower growth among Chinese actors, outperforming several long-established names.
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Fans online described his rise as “organic” and “project-driven,” with many pointing out that his popularity feels less manufactured compared to typical traffic stars.
Coming in second is Bai Lu, who added 6.472 million followers to her Weibo account. Known for her intense work schedule, Bai Lu maintained strong momentum thanks to a packed year that included Moonlight Mystique, Feud, and the modern drama Northward.
Netizens noted that her ranking reflects consistency rather than hype, with many praising her for choosing diverse roles while staying highly visible across platforms.
The biggest surprise on the list, however, belongs to ZiYu, who landed third place with 6.421 million new followers. His sudden rise was triggered by the BL drama Revenged Love, which went viral overseas before gaining attention domestically.
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| ZiYu/Weibo |
Despite limited promotions on Weibo due to content restrictions, Ziyu’s popularity continued to snowball. Fans highlighted his personal comeback story, especially after facing earlier career setbacks, calling his ranking one of the most “earned” on the list.
Zhang Linghe placed fifth with 5.704 million followers, a solid result driven by steady drama exposure rather than a single breakout hit.
Meng Ziyi, ranked ninth with 3.926 million followers, benefited from frequent variety show appearances and a strong social media presence. Fans noted that her consistent engagement played a key role in maintaining visibility between acting projects.
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| Tencent Video |
Meanwhile, Liu Yuning’s position sparked the most debate online. Despite strong drama buzz and rising visibility, he ranked tenth with 3.235 million new followers, leading some netizens to argue that follower growth doesn’t always reflect real-time popularity or public discussion levels.
Here is the full 2025 Chinese Stars Weibo Follower Growth List:
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Chen Zheyuan – 6.689 million
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Bai Lu – 6.472 million
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Ziyu – 6.421 million
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Tian Xuning – 6.174 million
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Zhang Linghe – 5.704 million
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Ao Ruipeng – 5.303 million
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Ju Jingyi – 4.369 million
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Esther Yu – 3.940 million
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Meng Ziyi – 3.926 million
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Liu Yuning – 3.235 million
Fan reactions to this list remain sharply divided.
Some see it as a clear reflection of project impact and audience reach, while others argue that follower growth alone can’t fully capture an actor’s real influence or long-term value.
Now it’s your turn to weigh in. Do these rankings match your expectations, or is there someone you think was seriously underrated this year?