The Lead (主角) has become the most-watched drama in China as of late with a story themed around Chinese opera. It recently surpassed 30,000 heat index on Tencent Video, making it the third drama in 2026 to hit the milestone after Pursuit of Jade and Shine on Me. It’s achieved explosive success not just online but also on television with CCTV ratings hitting 4.487%.
Adapted from a novel of the same name, the story centers on Yi Qine (Liu Haocun), a Qinqiang Opera performer and follows her journey to become the leading star of the stage. The show’s success can certainly be attributed to seasoned actors like Zhang Jiayi and Qin Hailu, but Liu Haocun who’s shining in her role has certainly drawn the most buzz. The actress, who has a background in dance having studied in the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy, trained intensively for six months to master stage skills like movements and techniques of a Qin Opera wudan (martial female role).
Liu Haocun made her acting debut as an Yimou girl after being discovered by renowned director Zhang Yimou to star in a movie. However, criticism that she’s “backed by capital” followed and her reputation also took a hit in 2012 due to a case involving her parents’ dance studio where a child was left paralyzed. She’s working with Zhang Yimou once again, who is the executive producer behind The Lead, and this time around, she’s garnered both praise and skyrocketing popularity. While there’s confusion about Liu Haocun’s birth year, whether it’s 1998 or 2000, she’s earned her spot as one of the leading actresses of the post-2000 generation.
Photo: Liu Haocun / Weibo
