Summary of Key Points
2026 has been a year of significant rise for the post-2000 generation of female actors (referred to as the "00s stars"): they have made a breakthrough in the entertainment industry, winning popular dramas, high-budget movies, and mainstream awards, forming a clear tiered structure. Unlike the 85s and 95s stars who relied on idol dramas and followed a "television first, then film" approach, the 00s stars have chosen a more diverse and multi-track path. However, they also face challenges such as inconsistent performance, harsh public scrutiny, and intense competition. Their success could potentially redefine the rules for the development of female actors in the domestic entertainment industry.
The 00s Stars' Achievements in 2026: Success on Both Box Office and Awards Fronts
The performance of the 00s stars this year can be described as a collective breakthrough:
- Dramas: Zhao Jinmai's drama "Jiaoyang Sishi Wo" (Soaring Sun Like Me) reached over 30,000 views on Tencent Video, becoming the platform's top hit of the year; Liu Haocun's period drama "Zhuge Ju" (The Lead Character) was a success both on television and online, finally proving her talent in this genre.
- Movies: Wen Qi's film "Wo, Xu Ke" (Me, Xuke) received an 8.2 rating on Douban and became the highest-grossing domestic movie during the Qingming Festival season (191 million yuan), marking her first representative work as an adult; Liu Haocun's film "Xiao Shi De Ren" (The Disappeared Person) grossed 500 million yuan; Li Sitong, a former non-professional actress, achieved even greater success with "Gei A Mo De Qing Shu" (A Letter to Grandma), which immediately ranked among the top 10 highest-grossing films of the 00s stars.
- Awards: Zhang Zifeng had previously won a Huabiao Award for Best Actress, and in 2024, Li Gengxi became the youngest Golden Rooster Award winner for her role in "Wo Men Yi Qi Zhou Tai Yang" (Let's Shake the Sun Together), solidifying their presence in mainstream awards.
In short, this year the 00s stars have transformed from "potential candidates" into "established talents," with both their works and performance data proving their capabilities.
Who Makes Up the First Tier of 00s Stars? And Who Has Potential?
The tier of 00s stars is now well-defined:
- First Tier (Top 5):
- Zhang Zifeng: A child star with high popularity and solid acting skills (won a Huabiao Award for "My Sister"), leading the way among the 00s stars.
- Li Gengxi: Rapidly rising, winner of the Golden Rooster Award and frequent participant in Cannes (in artistic films like "Kuang Ye Shi Dai" and "Wu Ming Nv Hai" [Wild Times, Unknown Girl]), possessing both awards and international recognition.
- Liu Haocun: Debuting as a model, she achieved success in both film and television this year, moving beyond previous controversies.
- Wen Qi: A representative of the acting talent generation, her performance in "Wo, Xu Ke" brought her back into the public eye.
- Li Sitong: A dark horse from a non-professional background, her film "Gei A Mo De Qing Shu" grossed 1.4 billion yuan, instantly placing her among the top performers of the 00s generation.
- Potential Stars: Zhuang Dafei (with a good track record in box office success, such as "Que Guo Le, Yan Shi Ma?" [Did You Miss It?] with 70 million yuan), Zhao Jinmai (preparing for the release of "Liang Liu Ge Qi Tu 3" [The Wandering Earth 3]), Zhang Yifan (focusing on films with works like "Shi Zi Hou Tou Gui" [The Lion Turns Back]), Deng Enxi (focusing on dramas, with roles in both historical and contemporary dramas), as well as Xiang Hanzhi and Wang Yinglu, are all candidates who could rise in the future.
The Differences Between the 00s Stars and Their Predecessors
Compared to the 85s (Yang Yang, Zhao Liying) and 95s (Yang Zi, Di Lireba) stars, there are two notable changes in the development path of the 00s stars:
1. Diverse Paths, No Reliance on Idol Dramas: While previous generations mostly became famous through idol dramas (especially historical romances), the 00s stars have avoided this route. Firstly, there are fewer popular idol dramas today, and audiences' tastes have changed. Secondly, many 00s stars are former child actors, which can lead to discomfort when playing romantic roles (for example, Zhang Zifeng was criticized for looking too young for her roles). Therefore, they prefer realistic, artistic, or commercial films. For instance, Zhang Zifeng's "Qiu Xue Man Guo De Dong Tian" (Winter Passing by Snow) explores the lives of ordinary people, and Li Gengxi's "Bu Tao Hao De Yong Qi" (The Courage to Displease) uses stand-up comedy to discuss self-awakening, with romance being secondary.
2. Parallel Paths in Film and Television from the Start: In the past, there was a hierarchy between films and television; predecessors had to build their audience through television before moving on to films. However, the entertainment industry's star-making system has matured, allowing capital and platforms to provide resources simultaneously. For example, Liu Haocun started with films ("Yi Secunde" [One Second], "Huan Xia Zhi Shang" [Above the Cliff]) before turning to idol dramas for popularity; Li Gengxi has won awards in films while also appearing in television shows. This parallel approach allows them to experience different types of works more quickly.
Challenges Faced by the 00s Stars
Despite their momentum, the path ahead is not easier:
- Unstable Performance: Zhang Zifeng's film "Hua Yang Shao Nv Sha Ren Shi Jian" (The Murder Case of the Flower-like Girl) showed improvement in acting but had a low box office; Li Gengxi's "Bu Tao Hao De Yong Qi" received positive reviews but was less popular. Even Wen Qi has had to publicly urge directors to give her more opportunities, indicating that the market's trust in them is not yet fully established.
- Harsh Public Criticism: Both Liu Haocun and Li Gengxi have faced widespread criticism, often unrelated to their work, such as issues with their backgrounds or minor mistakes being exaggerated online.
- Intense Competition: With a large number of new talents emerging each year, including non-professionals (like Li Sitong), street-style influencers (Qiqi), and those discovered through short videos, those who do not put in enough effort risk being overshadowed.
The Future: Could the 00s Stars Redefine Entertainment Rules?
The rise of the 00s stars may not just mean climbing higher within the existing rules set by their predecessors; it could lead to new changes:
- Moving Away from Fan-Based Success: They rely on their works and acting skills rather than fan numbers (for example, Li Gengxi won an award, and Wen Qi gained followers through her acting).
- Diverse Aesthetic Appeal: There is no longer a uniform "idol drama look"; each 00s star has a unique charm—Zhang Zifeng's down-to-earth demeanor, Wen Qi's artistic style, and Li Sitong's natural appeal.
- Accelerated Award Success: While the 85s stars took over a decade to transition, the 00s stars have already won mainstream awards at a younger age (Li Gengxi at 22, Zhang Zifeng at 21).
2026 is just the beginning. As the 00s stars continue to excel in box office and awards, the "era of the new generation of stars" will become increasingly clear. They are not just the "next big thing" but the first generation to define their own standards in the entertainment industry.
This analysis explains the current situation, characteristics, challenges, and future prospects of the 00s stars in plain language, making it accessible to those outside the financial or entertainment industries. The core message is that these young actors have matured and are shaping the new rules of the domestic entertainment landscape.