Former child actress Ji Zihan, best known for playing Princess Wenyi in Empresses in the Palace and Zhao Wei’s on-screen daughter in Tiger Mom, has been officially accepted into the Beijing Film Academy, one of China’s most prestigious acting schools.
The announcement immediately drew congratulations from fans who have followed her career since childhood, while many were amazed by how much the 19-year-old actress has changed over the years.
Once remembered as the adorable little princess from Empresses in the Palace, Ji Zihan has grown into a graceful young woman. Now 19, she is praised for her delicate facial features, bright eyes, high nose bridge and warm smile. Her tall figure and elegant presence further enhanced the natural beauty that audiences admired when she was a child.
Every time she posts on social media, fans flood the comments with compliments on her looks. Many even revived a viral quote from years ago, joking that she’s “so beautiful that the entire country should ban her from getting plastic surgery,” a fun way to express hope that she continues to embrace her natural beauty.
Ji Zihan first gained widespread recognition through two highly successful television series: Empresses in the Palace and Tiger Mom.
In the historical drama, Ji Zihan played Princess Wenyi, the daughter of Consort Cao. Although her screen time was relatively limited, she won over viewers with her expressive acting and lovable personality. According to members of the production team, many veteran actors adored the young actress, often carrying her around and taking photos with her during filming.
Ji Zihan’s popularity reached another level in 2015, when she played Luo Qianqian, the daughter of Zhao Wei’s character in the family drama Tiger Mom. The series follows the story of successful businesswoman Bi Shengnan (played by Zhao Wei), who decides to bring her spoiled daughter home from her grandparents’ care and raise her with stricter discipline.
As one of the drama’s central characters, Ji Zihan gave an impressive performance as a mischievous yet lovable young girl. Her natural chemistry with Zhao Wei has become one of the highlights of the show. Zhao Wei also spoke highly of his young co-star on multiple occasions, revealing that they often rehearsed scenes together and discussed their characters before filming. According to the veteran actress, Ji Zihan was exceptionally intelligent, learned quickly and demonstrated acting ability far beyond her age.
The drama became a ratings success and was released internationally, helping Ji establish herself as one of China’s most recognizable child stars in 2015.
Born in Beijing in 2007, Ji Zihan comes from an ordinary family. She showed artistic talent from an early age and was discovered when she was only around two years old, starting her career through television commercials before moving into acting the following year.
In addition to acting, her family encouraged her to study various artistic disciplines, including music, painting, calligraphy and performing arts. According to Chinese media outlet 163, this well-rounded education helped cultivate the refined and elegant image she is known for today.
Unlike many former child actors, Ji Zihan has not remained consistently active in the entertainment industry. In recent years, she has prioritized her education by occasionally appearing in projects such as The Right and the film A Hustle Bustle New Year, allowing her to maintain her passion for acting without sacrificing her academic goals.
Now, as an incoming student at the Beijing Film Academy, Ji is expected to receive formal professional training before making a full-fledged return to the screen.
From the adorable Princess Wenyi who captured the hearts of audiences in Empresses in the Palace to Zhao Wei’s talented on-screen daughter in Tiger Mom, Ji Zihan has spent much of her life growing up in front of viewers.
With her admission to China’s top film school, many believe this marks the start of a new chapter in her career that could see the former child star return as one of the most promising actresses of the next generation.
Sources: K14
