Recently, there’s been one C-drama that’s dominating our social feeds and you know exactly which one we’re talking about. Everyone’s all over the historical romance drama, Pursuit of Jade. And the reason? The poetic cinematography, the complex yet compelling narrative, and of course, the intense chemistry between the two leads. The show has been a major breakthrough for both Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei. And while everyone is gushing over the actor, we’re laying out some facts about the lead actress, Tian Xiwei.
A bit about the show itself…
Pursuit of Jade is a 2026 Chinese historical romance drama that’s been taking Netflix by storm. In fact, it actually became the first C-drama ever to hit the Global Top 10 for a non-English series. The story follows Fan Changyu (played by Tian Xiwei), a tough-as-nails butcher’s daughter with superhuman strength who’s just trying to protect her little sister and keep their home. One snowy day, she rescues a mysterious injured man buried in the snow, who turns out to be Xie Zheng (played by Zhang Linghe), a disgraced nobleman secretly plotting revenge for his family’s massacre. What starts as a fake marriage of convenience slowly turns into real love, until war tears them apart, sending Changyu charging onto the battlefield with her butcher’s knife to find her husband. It’s got romance, political intrigue, and seriously electric chemistry between the leads. Pursuit of Jade is airing on Netflix in Hong Kong.
Who’s Tian Xiwei, the charming lead actress of Pursuit of Jade?
Her career kicked off when she was 21 years old…
Tian Xiwei is a rising Chinese actress born on October 14, 1997, in Chongqing, China. She graduated from the prestigious Shanghai Theatre Academy. She officially started acting in 2018 with her debut role in the youth romance drama Waiting for You in a Long Time. While she appeared in several supporting roles early on, her big breakout came in 2022 when she starred as Li Wei in the hit historical comedy New Life Begins, which made her a household name.
Since then, she’s been on a roll with popular dramas like Romance on the Farm, Guardians of the Dafeng, and most recently in Pursuit of Jade. Known for her big eyes, cute dimples, and bubbly personality, she’s often called ‘China’s sweetheart’.
Why is Tian Xiwei so popular now?
So, how popular is Tian Xiwei in the C-drama world right now? Honestly, she’s everywhere–and for good reason! She first caught everyone’s eye in 2022 with the hit comedy New Life Begins, where her charm just lit up the screen. But she’s absolutely skyrocketed since then. Most recently, she broke major records with Pursuit of Jade on Netflix. People simply can’t get enough of her chemistry with co-star Zhang Linghe.
She’s got this ‘sweet but strong’ persona that fans love, and she’s not afraid to play tough roles (like a literal butcher girl who goes to war!). With her big dimpled smile and a bunch of hit dramas under her belt, she’s easily one of the most exciting actresses rising up the ranks right now.
Luxury brands she’s associated with
Tian Xiwei has some pretty solid brand endorsements under her belt. She’s a primary ambassador for Gucci, starring in their 2024 Lunar New Year campaign for the Year of the Dragon, attending the Spring/Summer 2025 show at Milan Fashion Week, and consistently rocking Gucci apparel and eyewear. She was also announced as an ambassador for French luxury brand Guerlain in December 2024, promoting their Aqua Allegoria ‘Rose Rose’ fragrance collection.
On top of that, she’s been the Youth Ambassador for Victoria’s Secret since 2024, and she was named the Spring Brand Ambassador for Oreo in 2026, with campaigns tied to her role in the drama Pursuit of Jade.
Back home, she’s actively promoted Chinese skincare brand Lan (兰) and has been involved with several environmental initiatives, like the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League’s ‘Beautiful China Youth Action’ campaign. She’s also the first-ever brand spokesperson for sportswear label Panda Outdoor. Pretty impressive lineup for someone who’s been blowing up in C-dramas lately!
Some interesting facts about Tian Xiwei
Tian Xiwei has some pretty fun interests outside of acting. First off, she’s undergone intense strength training and martial arts conditioning for her action roles. She strength trained for months ahead of her rule as Fan Changyu.
And did you know she’s a loyal cat person? She has a beloved fur baby named Kang Kang, and she often shares adorable moments with him on her social media.
She’s also a total foodie at heart. Being from Chongqing (which is famous for spicy hotpot), she’s got a super high tolerance for spicy food (like, really spicy).
Lastly, she has even lent her voice to animation. She voiced Sophie in the Mandarin dub of Howl’s Moving Castle.
Future shows she’s working on
She’s got a pretty packed schedule coming up. You just saw her in Pursuit of Jade, but here’s what else she’s working on.
- Moonlit Reunion: A fantasy drama set in the Tang Dynasty where she plays Wu Zhen, the Empress’s bold younger sister who’s secretly a Guardian of the Demon Underworld. She stars opposite Xu Kai, and it’s expected to drop sometime in 2025.
- Genius Girlfriend: A campus-to-marriage rom-com where she plays Lin Zhixia, a brilliant but socially awkward genius girl who teams up with her childhood friend (played by Hu Yitian). Filming wrapped in November 2025, so it should be coming soon.
- Where the Mask Ends: A costume drama based on a novel. She plays Wei Rao, a beautiful but misunderstood free spirit who gets married into a powerful household. Filming started in December 2025, and it’ll air on YOUKU.
- Born with Luck (aka Qin Zei Ji): Another upcoming project where she plays Li Qian. Not much detail yet, but it’s listed as a 24-episode drama.
Plenty of Tian Xiwei content on the horizon. Which one are you most excited for?
(Hero and feature image credit: Instagram/tianxiwei.tw)
This story first appeared here.
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.