The Chinese drama market in early 2026 is witnessing an unexpected shake-up among the post-1995 generation of xiaohua actresses. While familiar heavyweights such as Zhao Lusi and Yu Shuxin continue to dominate the web-drama arena, a name that had remained relatively low-key in recent years—Zhang Xueying—has suddenly surged to the top of television ratings, leaving both industry insiders and audiences stunned.
Zhang Xueying’s rise comes with the broadcast of her latest drama, Window Overlooking the Scenery, which officially premiered on January 15, 2026. Starring alongside Gao Zhiting, the series aired during prime time on CCTV1, China’s most influential national television channel. In addition, the drama was simultaneously released on major streaming platforms including Youku, Mango TV, iQIYI, and Tencent Video, ensuring massive exposure across both traditional and digital audiences.
What truly shocked the industry was the final performance of the drama on the CVB rating index—the official and most authoritative measurement of television viewership in China. By the end of its broadcast, Window Overlooking the Scenery recorded an average CVB rating of 2.776%, an exceptionally high figure by current standards. This achievement propelled Zhang Xueying to the No.1 spot in CVB performance among post-95 actresses, surpassing many strong competitors of her generation.
This milestone is particularly significant because it highlights Zhang Xueying’s strength on mainstream television rather than in web dramas, an area where Zhao Lusi has traditionally excelled. In an era where online popularity often overshadows traditional metrics, Zhang’s success on CCTV1 underscores her growing credibility with national broadcasters and a more conservative television audience.
A former child actress with solid professional training, Zhang Xueying was once widely praised for her acting potential. However, her career experienced setbacks in recent years due to unnecessary controversies. Her breakthrough with Window Overlooking the Scenery is now seen as a remarkable comeback. For a post-95 actress to secure a prime-time slot on CCTV1 is already rare; achieving a near-2.8% CVB rating is something even many senior “powerhouse” actors can only aspire to.
Zhang’s chemistry with Gao Zhiting brought a refreshing tone to the modern, humanistic drama. Her performance has been praised as restrained, natural, and emotionally rich, reflecting clear artistic growth after years of ups and downs. This acting maturity earned her recognition from traditional TV viewers—an audience group known for prioritizing performance quality over online hype.
That said, the achievement has not been free of controversy. Window Overlooking the Scenery is a mini-series consisting of just eight episodes, each under 20 minutes long. This has sparked heated debate among fans of other post-95 actresses such as Zhao Lusi, Yu Shuxin, and Guan Xiaotong. Critics argue that comparing the CVB ratings of a short-format series with long-form television dramas—typically 30 to 40 episodes—is inherently unfair.
According to these opposing views, shorter series benefit from tighter storytelling and are less likely to suffer from pacing issues, making it easier to maintain high ratings. In contrast, long-running dramas face the challenge of retaining viewers over several weeks. As a result, some fans refuse to acknowledge Zhang Xueying’s No.1 ranking as fully comparable.
Despite the controversy, the 2.776% CVB rating remains an officially recognized statistic from China’s National Radio and Television Administration. It signals that Zhang Xueying is carving out a distinct path compared to her peers. While Zhao Lusi continues to rely on historical romance and idol dramas to sustain online popularity, Zhang is steadily building her position as a serious television actress favored by major broadcasters.
The success of Window Overlooking the Scenery also sends a broader message about changing audience preferences. High-quality short-form dramas are gaining acceptance among TV viewers, and simultaneous releases across major platforms prove that length is no longer the sole determinant of impact. With this momentum, Zhang Xueying now stands before significant opportunities to take on more national-level projects—an advantage that few post-95 actresses currently possess.
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