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China’s top actresses Yang Mi (楊冪) and Dilraba Dilmurat (迪麗熱巴) have been actively transforming their careers, stepping away from traditional historical idol dramas. Yang Mi’s new period drama This Thriving Land <生萬物> aired on CCTV in August, taking over from Dilraba’s political drama Sword Rose <利劍．玫瑰>. Both actresses shed their glamorous images, appearing onscreen without makeup and earning widespread praise for their emotional acting. Dilraba was even touted as a strong contender for another Best Actress award.
This Thriving Land received positive feedback and was praised for its tight storytelling and vivid characters. Portraying a woman from rural village in the 1920s, Yang Mi appeared without makeup and gained 11 pounds to better embody the role. The story starts dramatically, with Yang Mi’s character, the daughter of a landowner, kidnapped by bandits on her wedding day. Her father refuses to pay the ransom to protect his land, instead forcing her younger sister to marry Yang Mi’s fiancé and also her childhood sweetheart.
A scene in the trailer where Yang Mi turns back with a single tear has become a focal point, earning acclaim for her acting. Co-star Lin Yongjian (林永健) praised her performance, saying she acted with genuine emotion and brought surprises to the role. When reading the script, Yang Mi was deeply immersed in her character’s journey of growth through betrayal, confusion, and final peace.
Meanwhile, Dilraba also received glowing reviews for her role in Sword Rose. She appeared without makeup and underwent three months of physical training for the action scenes, performing all stunts herself. In the final episode, Dilraba’s emotional line, “Mom, I scored 100 points,” moved audiences to tears. Her performance marked a shift from her image as an idol actress, with critics noting a new level of depth beyond her past performances. Many netizens have recommended her for the Best Actress award.
This marks Dilraba’s first drama in two years. Despite lukewarm advertising results, the series has achieved solid TV ratings and online buzz. Even before the finale, reruns had already been scheduled for the midday slot on TV. The director confirmed plans for a second season and netizens are already demanding the original cast return.
This article is written by Kiki for JayneStars.com.
