April is turning into seasoned actress Betty Sun Li’s month. Breaking the Shadows (乌云之上), her crime drama with Luo Jin recently aired, and she’s quickly following it up with a brand-new drama A Better Life (蛮好的人生), set to premiere primetime on CCTV and Youku starting April 17, 2025.
Known for delivering hits like The Legend of Zhen Huan and Nothing Gold Can Stay, it’s no surprise that when “Niang Niang” takes the stage, audiences pay attention. In A Better Life, Sun Li transforms into Hu Manli, a bold, slightly tacky Shanghai woman obsessed with making money. It looks like we’ll see a fresh comedic turn for the actress, whose usual roles lean into serious drama.
In A Better Life, 39-year-old insurance executive Hu Manli finds her hard-earned career suddenly upended by a younger rival, Xue Xiaozhou—a 28-year-old newcomer (played by Dong Zijian) with a mysterious grudge. As tensions rise, unexpected truths come to light and they end up forming an unlikely alliance as they take on the competitive world of insurance.
Joining Sun Li is Hong Kong actress Myolie Wu, reuniting with her after Nothing Gold Can Stay. Her sharp image fits perfectly into this modern workplace drama. Instead of tired love triangle clichés, the series shines a light on women navigating ambition, setbacks, and personal growth. The ensemble cast also includes Gao Xin, Chen Yao, Tong Lei, Vivian Wu, and Liu Jun.
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