Oh what one breakout role in a breakout drama can do for an actor or actress, and this is especially true in Mainland China where the competition is fierce due to the sheer number of talented and gorgeous actors and actresses vying to shoot into superstardom. If 2011 started off with Yang Mi and Feng Shao Feng’s big break with Jade Palace Lock Heart and ended with Nicky Wu and Liu Shi Shi bringing on the love and tears with Bu Bu Jing Xin, then the undisputed breakout queen of 2012 is actress Sun Li with the period drama Legend of Consort Zheng Huan. Like JPLH and BBJX, its set in the early Qing dynasty around the time of the reigns of Emperors Kangxi and Yongzheng, but Zheng Huan is a non-time traveling take on the political battles in the back courts of the Forbidden Palace. Sun Li is having such a great year it’s not even funny – she recently got married to actor Deng Cao, then they had a baby boy, and she came back from maternity leave to do Zheng Huan as well as the box office success fantasy movie Mural (where she co-starred with her hubby). We all can only wish we had a year that was as successful career and personal life wise as Sun Li had in 2012.
Zheng Huan has now made Sun Li the most famous C-actress in Taiwan and the drama is on its third repeat broadcast during primetime hours on CTS. I swear everyone I run into asks me if I’ve watched it, and the answer is no. I was rather burned out on Qing fare after BBJX, plus watching Zheng Huan picking between older Emperor Yongzheng played by the awesome thespian Chen Jian Wu and the cutie pie 17th Prince played by Ethan Li isn’t exactly my cup of tea. I’ve caught snippets and this drama is undoubtedly gorgeous to look at and well-acted and directed so its runaway success is totally understandable. I’ve actually liked Sun Li since she played Feng Cheng Cheng opposite Huang Xiaoming in the 2008 remake of the classic HK-drama Shanghai Bund so I’m happy she’s finally broken out in such a big way. A C-actress knows she’s made it if she’s on the cover of both Vogue and Elle China in the same year. Check out the two strikingly different spread below as a baroque queen for Vogue and a water sprite for Elle.
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The first time I saw her in fearless I knew she would be one of my. Fav actress. Very versatile actress
Wow! Gorgeous shots and so glamourous with the shorter hair.
I watched 8 or so episodes of Consort, and it was fascinating.
The difference between BBJX and it right off the bat was that the focus on the cruelty was dialed way up. Seriously scared the hell out of me, and made me feel such sympathy for the girls and ladies who lived and died as "chosen" women in the Forbidden City.
OK OK, I will totally admit my shallowness here, too. It was really difficult to accept Chen Jian Bin as the emperor after watching and loving Nicky Wu.
I think Sun Li has actually been a heavy hitter for many years. My dad used to bring home her movies when I was a kid.
Actually in Taiwan, she was a breakout star. But in China, Zhen Huan aired in 2010-2011. She did it before she got pregnant. But ues! Shes amazing!!! :)
Thanks for this article.
Stunning!
wow really AMAZING pictures especially in the swimming pool part.
sun li is not just beautiful, she is loaded with heaps of talents.....love her...
Hm.. I think I've seen her in a movie or something before, but I can't remember which. She looks stunning in those photos and she's really rocking the short hair.
Oh, she was in Painted Skin! So that's where I recognize her from...
Wow, I totally couldn't recognise her from Legend of Zhen Huan. Fantastic drama, definitely over and above BBJX. Thanks for this lovely posting.
You have an amazing site here. Actually found you while googling for info on MR back in July. I've been costantly coming back here since, although I am not a fan of K-dramas. But your postings are always a pleasure to read (even though I may not follow all the dramas). Well, good job anyways!!
Yes, watched the show and is simply magnificient! Gosh, I stayed home all week to watch the thirty something episodes. Excellent acting all round and the lead actress was captivating in her performance!