 |
| Zhao Lusi Beats Qin Lan and Michelle Chen in Casting Buzz for Upcoming S-Tier Drama. (Credits: Upmedia/Weibo) |
Zhao Lusi may finally be heading back to set, and Chinese entertainment circles are already in full detective mode. Fresh rumours across Weibo claim the actress is in talks to lead As Beautiful As You Want (要多美麗就多美麗), a modern drama centred on two sisters, identity, pressure, and the kind of family chaos only television can make stylish.
If true, it would mark her first major filming project after a lengthy break focused on health and rebuilding her career on her own terms. In short: she disappeared quietly, and may return loudly.
For viewers who have followed Zhao Lusi’s rise through smash hits such as Love Like the Galaxy, Hidden Love, and Love’s Ambition, the timing feels significant. She previously said at a recent beauty brand event that she would join a production this summer for a modern, female-focused drama.
 |
That single sentence was enough to send fans into theory mode, because in drama fandom, one vague comment can fuel three weeks of headlines and at least twelve questionable fan edits.
The project itself has already drawn attention because it is based on a novel by celebrated writer Yi Shu, whose stories often focus on women navigating independence, ambition, romance, and society’s endless habit of telling women how to live.
Her recent screen success with The Tale of Rose helped renew interest in her catalogue, so any adaptation now arrives with ready-made hype and very high expectations. No pressure, then.
According to industry chatter, As Beautiful As You Want follows two sisters with sharply different world views. The elder sister, Li Yipin, is a plastic surgeon, polished and successful on the surface.
 |
The younger sister, Li Erjing, works as a veterinarian and carries a different outlook on life. Their bond is shaken when both become emotionally tied to the same man, because apparently family dinners were going too smoothly.
A serious illness later forces Li Yipin to rethink beauty, value, and the life she built around appearances.
That storyline has instantly sparked debate over which role would suit Zhao Lusi best. Some fans believe she would shine as Li Erjing, arguing her natural warmth and emotional timing would suit the younger sister perfectly.
Others insist she should take Li Yipin, saying it would allow her to step into a more mature, layered character and show a sharper side audiences have not seen enough of. In other words, casting has not even been confirmed, yet everyone has already directed the series themselves.
The rumour gained even more traction because the drama was previously linked to Michelle Chen and Qin Lan. With Zhao Lusi now reportedly in discussions, many online observers believe the production could rework character ages or reshape the script to fit a younger lead pairing.
That has only intensified speculation over who might join as co-star, with fans tossing around names like they are running a talent agency from the sofa.
Another reason people are taking the rumour seriously is producer Yang Xiaopei.
She previously worked with Zhao Lusi on Who Rules the World and The Last Immortal, two collaborations that performed strongly and helped strengthen the actress’s mainstream standing.
 |
If they reunite for a third time, many see it as a strategic move rather than random gossip. In entertainment, repeat partnerships usually mean trust, chemistry, or very good ratings memories. Often all three.
Her possible return also carries emotional weight. Zhao Lusi stepped back from work after serious health struggles and later parted ways with former agency Galaxy Cool Media, eventually operating through her own studio. The shift was widely seen as an attempt to gain greater control over scheduling and long-term choices.
For many supporters, this comeback is not just about another drama slot. It is about seeing her return with better balance, stronger boundaries, and perhaps fewer people telling her what to do.
Netizen reaction has been loud, mixed, and very online. Supporters say a modern female-led story is exactly the right move after years of costume drama success, calling it fresh and smart.
Others are cautiously hopeful, saying they simply want a strong script and proper pacing rather than another glossy series that forgets to be interesting by episode nine. Some remain sceptical until an official announcement lands, which is fair enough given how many “confirmed” rumours vanish overnight.
For now, nothing has been officially announced by Zhao Lusi’s team or the production side. But the buzz alone shows one thing clearly: her star power has not faded during the break.
Whether she plays surgeon, veterinarian, or surprises everyone with a different project entirely, audiences are watching closely. Do you think As Beautiful As You Want is the right comeback drama for Zhao Lusi, and which sister should she play?