Zhang Ruonan

Zhang Ruonan

Zhang Ruonan (Chinese: 章若楠, born 14 November 1996) is a Chinese actress and model. She is known for her roles in the films Cry Me a Sad River (2018), My Love (2021), and Love Life Light (2023); for series A Date with the Future (2023), Love is Panacea (2023), My Boss (2024), The First Frost (2025), and Live Up to Your Youth (2026). She received nomination for Best Actress at the notable Asian Television Awards for her role in The First Frost.

Ruonan ranks among the highest-grossing Chinese film actresses and is top 1 among actresses born after 1995; her movies My Love and Love Life Light, both collectively surpassed ¥1 Billion at the box office.

In 2025, she was awarded at Dragon TV Drama Quality Festival and Bazaar Gala. She is regularly ranked in the "Top 10 C-Drama Artists in Global Markets".

Early life

Zhang Ruonan

Ruonan was born in Wenzhou, Zhejiang. She completed her primary education in Shijiazhuang, the capital city of Hebei province, where her parents ran a business. She has three younger siblings: two sisters and a brother.

In 2015, Ruonan studied graphic design at the Hangzhou Dianzi University. She worked as a model during college years and shared her portfolio on Weibo. She participated in a campus beauty contest and was selected among the "Top 30 Finalists", which led to modeling opportunities. She filmed a short movie advertisement for a Chinese airline during this time.

Career

2018–2019: Beginning

In 2017, Ruonan was invited via a private message from the official Weibo account of the film Cry Me a Sad River to play a role in the project; she portrayed "Gu Senxiang", who meets a tragic end after being bullied. On 21 September 2018, directed by Guo Jingming the film's nationwide release, marked her solo lead debut.

2020 to present: Rising popularity and breakthrough

In 2020, Ruonan made her small screen debut in iQIYI's romantic series Everyone Wants to Meet You, produced by Zhao Wei. She starred in Youku's historical romantic comedy Love is All, where she portrayed Tan Lingyin, a writer and government official. In the realistic short film College Entrance Examination 2020, she portrayed as an aspiring student, this aired during the "National Day Gift: Hunan TV's Blue Moon Mid-Autumn Festival". In December, her fantasy romance film The End of Endless Love exceeded ¥ 200 Million within five days; she played Ji Ze, a folk singer struggling with depression. She performed a song "Diary of Love" alongside Wei Daxun during Hunan TV's "Pinduoduo 12.12 Super Fighting Night".

In 2021, Ruonan starred as Liang Nuo in the army themed series The Glory of Youth aired on Jiangsu Satellite TV. She appeared in the emotional youth film My Love, alongside Greg Hsu, she played a character insecure due to a broken family. She starred in the revolutionary historical film The Pioneer, directed by Xu Zhanxiong. In August, she starred in the female oriented drama Be Yourself, she played a girl with "Princess syndrome" raised in luxury. She appeared in Youku's emotional inspirational drama Psychologist.

In 2022, Ruonan participated in the iQIYI' s outdoor camping reality show Let's Camp Together. In Defying the Storm she portrayed "Meng Haitang", a character born into a scholarly family. In August, she participated in season 6 of the celebrity reality show Chinese Restaurant.

In 2023, she starred in the youth love All These Years, and in the romantic comedy Too Beautiful to Lie films. She also starred in the fire fighting series A Date with the Future, alongside William Chan. In 2024, Ruonan appeared as the lead in the romantic comedy My Boss with Chen Xingxu. She played the rookie lawyer Cheng Yao in the series.

In 2025, Ruonan starred in the series The First Frost alongside Bai Jingting, an adaptation of the romantic novel by Zhu Yi. It set record of fastest 10000 popularity index on Youku, within two days of its release, trended in "Top 3 Television Show" on Netflix, and earned her "Top C-Drama artists in the Global Market".

In 2026, Ruonan played a leading role in Live Up to Your Youth alongside Bai Yu, Lin Yun and Wang Yanlin, premiered on iQIYI. The series is a key literary and artistic project under the "Beijing Grand Audiovisual" initiative of the Beijing Municipal Radio and Television Bureau. Set in Beijing from the 1990s to 2018, it focuses on the artistic dream-pursuing journey of young people who moved to Beijing, showcasing their real-life struggles and growth in fields like scriptwriting and musical performance.

Endorsements

Zhang Ruonan

In August 2025, Ruonan was appointed as China's ambassador for Givenchy, the French luxury fashion brand. Ruonan has been attending Givenchy fashion shows in Paris since March 2025.

In 2019, Maybelline New York appointed Zhang Ruonan as its ambassador. In the same year, Ruonan was introduced as the Smile Healing Ambassador for Amore Pacific's IOPE and Shu Uemura's Brand Colour Friend. She became a brand ambassador for Guming Tea this year.

In 2021, Lola Rose Watch London confirmed Ruonan as its new brand ambassador. She was the spokesperson for Chery eQ1 Ant car. Ruonan also appeared in campaigns of Sephora, Lancome and SkinCeuticals as a brand friend in 2021.

In 2022, Ruonan was chosen as the Hair Care Ambassador for Pantene and the Brand Attitude Ambassador for Dove. She collaborated with Dior as a brand friend for the campaigns in 2022. Ruonan had been the ambassador for Proya Skincare from 2022 to February 2026.

In 2023, Ruonan was confirmed as the spokesperson for the high-end fragrance DearIrean and a shoes brand.

In April 2025, Ruonan was selected as the Image Ambassador for OPPO Find X8 and a brand spokesperson for Junlebao Jianchun Yogurt. In September 2025, Ruonan was named a brand ambassador for Gaode Maps (Amap) of AutoNavi, the high-end personal care ABC brand, and Basement FG. In October 2025, Rounan became the ambassador for Realme Mobile Image and launched the Realme GT8 Pro.

In November 2025, she participated in the Double 11 Crazy Good Six Nights show for Tmall platform. 2025 witnessed Rounan expanded her local ambassadorship portfolio by partnering with additional brands.

In January 2026, Zhang Ruonan was announced as a brand ambassador for MLB Korea. In the same month, she presented as the New Year Festival Ambassador for JD e-commerce. In March 2026, Jeanswest unveiled Ruonan as the global brand ambassador.

Helena Rubinstein, a luxury avant-garde skincare brand, announced Ruonan as its brand ambassador in March 2026.

Ruonan participated in promotional campaigns of other international brands, such as Loro Piana, Chanel, Guerlain, Celine, AHKAH Jewellery, Longines, Longchamp, and Michael Kors.

Influence

Social activities

In May 2019, Ruonan joined China Movie Report's "Youth Season Entering Campus", visiting China Agricultural University to promote environmental awareness. In June, she supported the "Yi Hu Bai Xing" campaign, raising awareness of respiratory health and pneumoconiosis.

In 2021, Ruonan participated in Lancome's charity project 'Write Her Future" to support female university students' employment and career development.

In 2024, as a Public Welfare Ambassador for the China Society of Entrepreneurs and Ecology Organisation, Ruonan spoke at a children’s nature writing camp, encouraging children to use poetry to protect nature and safeguard rare species’ habitats. In the same year, she participated in China Charity Day events, advocating "Everyone's Charity Day" to promote a sustainable clean water future.

In November 2025, Ruonan donated ¥500,000 to Hongkong Wang Fuk Court fire victims through the Shanghai Fosun Public Welfare Foundation.

Media image

In August 2025, Ruonan was ranked the 15th on the "Top 500 Young Chinese Brands" list, which was announced at the 19th China Brand Festival at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center.

Ruonan has been featured on magazines, such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, L'Officiel, Marie Claire, Elle, Grazia, Esquire, Cosmopolitan, Nylon, OK!, Jalouse, Glass Magazine, Ellemen New Youth, Vector fashion.

She also appears on the covers and is presented in local magazines, including Ray Li Magazine, SoFigaro, NeufMode, iDest Magazine, LifeStyle Magazine, and Shang Cheng Shi.

Filmography

Film

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>English title</th><th>Chinese title</th><th>Role</th><th>Notes</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2018</td><td>Cry Me a Sad River</td><td>悲伤逆流成河</td><td>Gu Senxiang</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>The End of Endless Love</td><td>如果声音不记得</td><td>Ji Ze</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>My Love</td><td>你的婚礼</td><td>You Yongci</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>The Pioneer</td><td>革命者</td><td>Li Xinghua</td><td>Cameo</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>All These Years</td><td>这么多年</td><td>Ling Xiangqian</td><td>Cameo</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Young China: Me and My Youth</td><td>我和我的青春</td><td>Xu Xin</td><td>Cameo</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Too Beautiful To Lie</td><td>请别相信她</td><td>Bai Na</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Love Life Light</td><td>照明商店</td><td>Xu Nian</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Mumu</td><td>不说话的爱</td><td>Adult MuMu</td><td>Guest role</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2026</td><td>My Friend An Delie</td><td>我的朋友安德烈</td><td>Li Mo's wife</td><td>Supporting role</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>TBA</td><td>My Girlfriend</td><td>我的女朋友</td><td>Gao Fan</td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Television series

Year	English title	Chinese title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2020	Everyone Wants to Meet You	谁都渴望遇见你	Luo Xi
Love is All	师爷请自重	Tang Lingyin
2021	The Glory of Youth	号手就位	Liang Nuo
Be Yourself	机智的上半场	Huangfu Shumin
Psychologist	女心理师	You Na	Guest appearance
2022	Defying the Storm	凭栏一片风云起	Meng Haitang
2023	A Date with the Future	照亮你	Xu Lai
Love is Panacea	治愈系恋人	Su Weian
2024	My Boss	你也有今天	Cheng Yao
Born to be the One	凡人歌	Li Xiaoyue
2025	The First Frost	难哄	Wen Yifan
Love in Pavilion	淮水竹亭	Yang Yan	Cameo
2026	Live Up to Your Youth	冬去春來	Zhuang Zhuang
TBA	Zhan Zhao Adventures	雨霖铃	Huo Linglong
I Live in Your Time	想把你和时间藏起来	Shen Qianzhan

Variety shows

Year	English Title	Chinese Title	Roles	Ref.
2020	The New Forbidden City Season: 3 Ep. 9	上新了故宫	Participant
2021	Youth with You Season: 3 Ep. 22	青春有你
2022	Sending 100 Girls Home Season: 5 Ep. 9-10	送一百位女孩回家
Camping Life Season: 1 Ep. 1-4; 9-10	一起露营吧	Cast member
Chinese Restaurant Season: 6	中餐厅
Wilderness Talks	荒野会谈	Participant
Hello Saturday (previously Happy Camp) Season: 1 Ep. 26	你好星期六
Keep Running Special Season - Common Prosperity Ep. 6	奔跑吧
2023	Mao Xuewang Ep. 67	毛雪汪	Guest
Keep Running Season: 11 Ep. 6	奔跑吧	Participant
2024	Keep Running Season: 12 Ep. 5	奔跑吧
2025	Hello Saturday Season: 4 Ep. 9	你好星期六
Hello Saturday Season: 4 Ep. 23	你好星期六
Mao Xuewang Ep. 110	毛雪汪	Guest
Infinite Transcendence Class Season: 3	无限超越班	Participant
Twist Happy Season: 2 Ep. 2	麻花特开心
Keep Running Season: 13 Ep. 9	奔跑吧
Our Dormitory Ep. 5	我们的宿舍

Other shows

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Roles</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2019 - 2020</td><td>I am the Actor: The Peak Showdown Ep. 4, 6, 10-12</td><td>Cast member</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>Hunan Television's short film 'College Entrance Examination 2020'</td><td>Actress</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hunan Satellite TV's Pinduoduo 12.12 Super Night</td><td>Participant</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>2024 CCTV Spring Festival Gala</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>2025 Tmall Double 11 Crazy Good Six Nights</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hunan Satellite TV New Year's Eve concert</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2026</td><td>2026 CCTV Spring Festival Gala Yiwu Branch Venue</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Discography

OST

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Album</th><th>Artist</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2019</td><td>"Friend Zone"</td><td>Friend Zone</td><td>Peng Yuchang & Zhang Ruonan</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>"My Shape"</td><td>Be Yourself</td><td>Zhang Xinyi, Shen Yue, Zhang Ruonan & Wei Wei</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>"Farewell"</td><td>The Glory of Youth</td><td>Zhang Ruonan</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>"Everything"</td><td>The First Frost</td><td>Zhang Ruonan & Zhang Miaoyi</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Music video appearances

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Artist</th><th>Channel</th><th>Note</th><th>Ref</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2025</td><td>"Willful"</td><td>Mayday</td><td>B'in Music</td><td>The First Frost OST</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>"I’m So Into You"</td><td>Xiao Bingchih</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>"Like Sunny Days, Like Rainy Days"</td><td>Silence Wang</td><td>Dreamer Music</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Singles

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Album</th><th>Artist</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2018</td><td>"Yesterday's Blue Sky"</td><td>Promotional song for Cry Me a Sad River movie</td><td>Zhao Yingbo, Ren Min, Xin Yunlai, Zhang Ruonan & Zhu Danni</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Awards and nominations

Zhang Ruonan

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Award</th><th>Category</th><th>Work</th><th>Result</th><th>Ref.</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2019</td><td>iFeng Fashion Choice Awards</td><td>Fashion Youth Trend Award</td><td>—N/a</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>28th Life Style Gala</td><td>Most Promising Artist</td><td>—N/a</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2021</td><td>Weibo Movie Night</td><td>Promising Performer of the Year</td><td>—N/a</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2023</td><td>1st New Horn TV Drama Directors' Night</td><td>Breakthrough Actor of the Year</td><td>Be Yourself</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tencent Video All Star Night</td><td>Promising Drama Performer</td><td>A Date with the Future</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>4th New Era International Film Festival Golden Bloom Award</td><td>Most Charming Actress</td><td>—N/a</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Weibo Vision Conference Awards</td><td>TV Drama Star</td><td>Born to Be the One</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Dragon TV Drama Quality Festival</td><td>Breakthrough Performance Actress of the Year</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Bazaar Gala</td><td>Most Charming Actress</td><td>—N/a</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>30th Asian Television Awards</td><td>Best Actress in a leading role</td><td>The First Frost</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Weibo TV & Internet Video Summit</td><td>Best Drama Actress</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Best Drama Character: Wen Yifan</td><td>Nominated</td></tr><tr><td>Best Drama Couple Sang Yan & Wen Yifan Bai Jingting & Zhang Ruonan</td><td>Nominated</td></tr><tr><td>iQiyi Scream Night</td><td>Overseas Unit Asia-Pacific Outstanding Actor of the Year</td><td>—N/a</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2026</td><td>Huanwang Big Data Awards</td><td>Most Popular Actress of the Year</td><td>The First Frost</td><td>Nominated</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Weibo Awards</td><td>Breakthrough Actress of the Year</td><td>—N/a</td><td>Won</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Asian Art Film Festival - The Golden Petrel Awards</td><td>Best Supporting Actress</td><td>My Friend An Delie</td><td>Pending</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>