Liu Shishi's (刘诗诗) costume dramas have a unique charm. Whether she plays a gentle yet resilient heroine or a bold and fearless warrior, she always brings her characters to life. Today, let's dive into her top five costume classics and see which one stands out as your favorite.
Bu Bu Jing Xin / Startling by Each Step 步步惊心
- Aired: 2011
- Period Background: Qing Dynasty (17th–18th century)
- Genres: Time-travel romance, political intrigue
- Main Roles: Liu Shishi as Zhang Xiao/ Ruoxi (若曦), Nicky Wu as Fourth Prince Yinzhen (胤禛)
- Adapted From: Tong Hua's (桐华) novel Bu Bu Jing Xin
If you've ever daydreamed about time travel, Bu Bu Jing Xin (BBJX) is the drama that will make you rethink that fantasy. Forget glossy escapism—this series drops a modern woman into the cutthroat politics of the Qing Dynasty and asks: What if you knew how history would unfold, but couldn't change it?
The Setup: Zhang Xiao (Liu Shishi), a 21st-century office worker, wakes up in 1711 as Maertai Ruoxi, a noblewoman entangled with Kangxi Emperor's sons. Her modern sensibilities clash with rigid imperial rules, but her knowledge of history (thanks to history books) becomes both a weapon and a curse.
The Storm: The "Nine Dragons' Throne Contest" (九龙夺嫡)—a real historical power struggle among Kangxi's heirs—unfolds around her. Ruoxi bonds with the warm-hearted Eighth Prince (played by Zheng Jiaming), falls for the icy Fourth Prince Yinzhen (Nicky Wu 吴奇隆), and befriends the free-spirited Thirteenth Prince. But as factions collide, she realizes her friendships and warnings are shaping the very tragedies she tried to prevent.
Why Liu Shishi Shines: This role made Liu Shishi a household name. She nails Ruoxi's transformation from a witty, rebellious outsider to a woman crushed by the weight of fate. Watch her in the iconic plum-blossom scene: sipping wine alone in the snow, her eyes telegraphing loneliness and defiance. It's a masterclass in subtle acting—no grand speeches, just quiet devastation.
The Romance That Hurts: Ruoxi and Fourth Prince's love story isn't cute—it's brutal. He's a ruthless strategist; she's his moral anchor. Their chemistry simmers in stolen moments: a glance across a palace corridor, a handwritten poem passed in secret. But when he seizes the throne, their relationship cracks under betrayals and bloodshed. The finale—where Ruoxi, broken and ill, dies in his arms—leaves viewers in a why-did-I-sign-up-for-this-pain spiral.
History Meets Fiction: The series doesn't sugarcoat the Qing Dynasty. Court rituals, Manchu customs (like the iconic qipao hairstyles), and political machinations are meticulously recreated. Even the tea ceremonies matter—Ruoxi's brewing skills become a metaphor for navigating royal favor. But it's the human flaws that stick with you: princes who are neither fully heroes nor villains, just men torn between ambition and family.
Why It Still Matters: BBJX wasn't just a hit—it sparked a time-travel drama craze in China and influenced later series like Scarlet Heart (its Korean remake). But what makes it timeless is its question: Can love survive when you're on opposite sides of history? It's Game of Thrones meets The Time Traveler's Wife, with less dragons and more existential dread.
The Imperial Doctress 女医明妃传
- Aired: 2016
- Period Background: Ming Dynasty (15th century)
- Genres: Medical drama, historical biography
- Main Roles: Liu Shishi as Tan Yunxian (谈允贤), Wallace Huo as Zhu Qizhen (朱祁镇)
- Adapted From: Inspired by the real-life Ming female physician Tan Yunxian
Ever wondered how a woman in the 1400s broke into the male-dominated field of medicine—while juggling palace politics and two emperors? The Imperial Doctress answers that with a dose of herbal remedies, royal scandals, and Liu Shishi's magnetic performance as Tan Yunxian, a trailblazing physician who refused to let her gender define her.
The Premise: Based loosely on the real-life Ming Dynasty doctor Tan Yunxian, the series opens with Yunxian as a curious girl fascinated by her grandmother's medical texts. But in 15th-century China, women practicing medicine was taboo—even illegal. After her family forbids her from studying, she disguises herself as a man, apprentices under a grumpy village doctor, and eventually earns respect for her skills. But her real test? Surviving the imperial court.
Medicine as Rebellion: Yunxian's journey isn't just about saving lives—it's about challenging a system rigged against her. The show dives deep into Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), showcasing techniques like acupuncture, herbal compounding, and pulse diagnosis. One standout scene: Yunxian saves a pregnant concubine using moxibustion (burning mugwort to stimulate healing), defying male doctors who dismissed her as a "hysterical woman." These moments aren't just medical drama—they're quiet acts of revolution.
The Love Triangle (With Stakes): Enter Emperor Zhu Qizhen (Wallace Huo 霍建华), a stubborn ruler with a savior complex, and his brother Zhu Qiyu (Huang Xuan), a calculating rival prince. Qizhen falls for Yunxian's blunt honesty (she calls him out for reckless wars), while Qiyu sees her as a pawn to undermine his brother. The romance isn't fluffy—it's fraught with betrayal and moral compromises. In one brutal twist, Qizhen is captured by Mongol forces, and Yunxian risks her life to nurse him back to health, only to return to a court that brands her a traitor.
Liu Shishi's Quiet Strength: Liu Shishi doesn't play Yunxian as a fiery rebel. Instead, she's calm, observant, and relentlessly practical—think Downton Abbey's Lady Mary with a acupuncture needle. Watch her in the palace exam scene: male physicians mock her until she diagnoses a "mystery illness" (spoiler: it's lead poisoning from makeup) with icy precision. It's a masterclass in understated badassery.
History vs. Drama: While the series takes liberties (the real Tan Yunxian wasn't involved in palace dramas), it nails Ming Dynasty aesthetics. From the intricate hanfu robes to the Forbidden City's golden rooftops, every frame feels lush. But the show's grit lies in its politics: eunuchs scheming for power, famine-struck peasants, and a monarchy crumbling under corruption. Yunxian's medical breakthroughs often double as political maneuvers—like when she cures smallpox to avert a riot.
Why It Stands Out: Most historical dramas either glorify emperors or drown in romance. The Imperial Doctress does neither. It's about a woman who uses her brain instead of a sword to fight systemic sexism. And Liu Shishi's performance? Critics called it "the role that redefined period heroines"—no magic powers, no damsel-in-distress tropes, just grit and genius.
A Journey to Love 一念关山
- Aired: 2023
- Period Background: Fictional ancient China
- Genres: Wuxia (martial heroes), political conspiracy
- Main Roles: Liu Shishi as Ren Ruyi (任如意), Liu Yuning as Ning Yuanzhou (宁远舟)
- Adapted From: Original script by Zhang Wei (张巍), screenwriter of The Story of Ming Lan
What happens when a stone-cold assassin and a jaded spy mastermind team up to stop a war? Chaos, sword fights, and a slow-burn romance that'll have you yelling at your screen. A Journey to Love isn't your typical martial arts drama—it's a feminist wuxia rollercoaster where the heroine's sword is sharper than her enemies' egos.
The Premise: Ren Ruyi (Liu Shishi), nicknamed "The Ghost Hand," is a legendary assassin with a body count higher than her word count. After being betrayed by her mercenary group, she hijacks a diplomatic mission to the war-torn Northern Desert. Her goal: redeem herself by uniting five fractured states. The catch? She's forced to partner with Ning Yuanzhou (Liu Yuning), a cynical spy leader who trusts no one—least of all her.
Wuxia with a Woman's Edge: Forget damsels in distress—Ruyi rescues herself. In the opening scene, she takes down 12 armed soldiers solo, using a hairpin as her final weapon. Liu Shishi trained for months to nail these fluid, brutal fight sequences, blending traditional wuxia grace with MMA-inspired kicks. But Ruyi isn't just a killer; she's layered. Watch her awkwardly try to comfort a crying child mid-mission, proving she's more "reluctant hero" than "heartless mercenary."
The Partnership (That's Actually Equal): Ning Yuanzhou matches Ruyi blow for blow. A master of disguise and psychological warfare, he's got a sarcastic quip for every life-threatening scenario. Their dynamic crackles with tension: she calls out his self-righteousness; he mocks her emotional constipation. But when they're back-to-back in battle, moving like a single organism? Pure magic. The romance builds on mutual respect—no forced kisses, just two broken people learning to rely on someone else.
Political Chess with Swords: The mission isn't just about delivering peace treaties. Each state has hidden agendas: a prince faking incompetence to avoid assassination, a general smuggling weapons, a concubine spying for rebels. Ruyi and Ning navigate these traps while questioning their own loyalties. The smartest twist? The duo often loses. Betrayals cost lives, alliances crumble, and victory comes at morally murky prices.
Liu Shishi's Comeback: After a five-year hiatus from costume dramas, Liu Shishi reminds everyone why she's the queen of nuanced heroines. Her Ruyi speaks volumes through micro-expressions—a tightened jaw when someone mentions her past, a fleeting smile after Ning saves her from a poison attack. Critics especially praised her "fight-and-cry" scene, where Ruyi battles enemies while tears stream down her face, grieving a friend's death.
Controversy & Strengths: The drama drew flak for its uneven pacing (too much politics in Episodes 12-18!) and a rushed ending. But fans loved its unapologetic "Big Female Lead" (大女主戏) focus. Ruyi isn't sidelined by Ning's plotlines—she drives the action, outsmarts kings, and even has a male warrior squad loyal only to her. The show also modernizes wuxia tropes: female characters discuss period stigma, queer-coded villains get depth, and the OST blends electric guitars with guzheng melodies.
Visual Fireworks: Shot in China's Xinjiang region, the desert battlescapes glow in burnt oranges and dusty golds. Costume designer Ye Jintian (known for Hero) mixes Tang Dynasty-inspired robes with Mongolian warrior leathers. Ruyi's signature look—blood-red robes and a single braid—symbolizes her defiance: "I want my enemies to see me coming."
Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Bamboo Chapter 狐妖小红娘竹业篇
- Aired: 2024 (Upcoming)
- Period Background: Mythical ancient China
- Genres: Xianxia, romance
- Main Roles: Liu Shishi as Dongfang Huaizhu (东方淮竹), Zhang Yunlong as Wang Quan Hongye (王权弘业)
- Adapted From: Xiao Xin's (小新) hit manhua Fox Spirit Matchmaker
Imagine a world where love bridges the divide between spirits and humans—but at a cost. Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Bamboo Chapter spins this fantasy into a lush, high-stakes romance, pairing Liu Shishi's celestial elegance with Zhang Yunlong's brooding intensity. Based on Xiao Xin's beloved manhua (which has a cult following in China), this adaptation promises sword-clashing romance, Taoist magic, and a plea for unity in a divided world.
The Premise: In a realm where fox spirits and demon hunters have warred for centuries, Dongfang Huaizhu (Liu Shishi)—a noble fox spirit with ice-cold powers—crosses paths with Wang Quan Hongye (Zhang Yunlong 张云龙), humanity's most ruthless demon hunter. Tasked with guarding an ancient artifact that could end the conflict, they're forced into an uneasy alliance. But as they face rogue spirits, corrupt immortals, and their own clans' prejudices, their partnership sparks a bond that could save both worlds… or destroy them.
Spirits vs. Hunters: A Clash of Loyalties
Fox spirits here aren't the seductive tricksters of folklore. Huaizhu's clan values honor and secrecy, hiding in mist-shrouded mountains to avoid human persecution. Hongye's demon hunters, meanwhile, are bound by oath to eradicate spirits—even peaceful ones. Their dynamic crackles with tension: she mocks his "blind obedience to duty"; he distrusts her "naïve idealism." But when a corrupted deity threatens both sides, their begrudging teamwork evolves into mutual respect—and a love that defies ancient taboos.
Liu Shishi's "Heaven-Sent" Transformation
Liu Shishi, known for her human roles in historical dramas, embraces her first full-fledged spirit character. Early stills show her draped in flowing white-and-silver robes, with frost-blue eyes and fox ears that flicker with emotion. Director Li Mubo revealed she studied fox movements at animal sanctuaries to nail Huaizhu's predatory grace. But it's her emotional range that's key: Huaizhu isn't just ethereal—she's a leader torn between protecting her kin and embracing a forbidden future.
The series leans into Xianxia's signature grandeur. Huaizhu's ice magic freezes entire battlefields; Hongye's golden talismans explode into dragon-shaped fire. The Bamboo Chapter arc, in particular, adapts the manhua's most iconic quest: a journey to the Celestial Bamboo Forest, where towering stalks pierce the clouds and guardian beasts test the duo's resolve. CGI teasers showcase these realms with Avatar-level ambition, while practical effects—like hand-painted talismans and wire-assisted fight choreography—ground the fantasy in tactile detail.
Beyond the spectacle, Bamboo Chapter tackles coexistence—a theme that resonates in today's divided world. Huaizhu and Hongye's struggle mirrors real clashes between tradition and progress, fear and understanding. One standout subplot involves a half-spirit, half-human child, forcing both leads to confront their biases. "It's not about choosing sides," Huaizhu says in a leaked script excerpt. "It's about building a world where choices aren't necessary."
Xiao Xin's Fox Spirit Matchmaker manhua has 10+ billion views on Tencent Comics, with fans particularly attached to the Bamboo Chapter's tragic romance. The live-action aims to deepen the lore, expanding Hongye's backstory (his family was slaughtered by spirits) and Huaizhu's political struggles as clan heir. Early footage of their "moonlit confession" scene—where Huaizhu heals Hongye's wounds while arguing ethics—has already gone viral, praised for its raw chemistry.
The Palm 掌心
- Aired: 2025 (Upcoming)
- Period Background: Fictional imperial era
- Genres: Political thriller, revenge saga
- Main Roles: Liu Shishi as Ye Ping'an (叶平安), Shawn Dou as Prince Li Ze (李泽)
- Adapted From: Original script by Jiang Shengnan (蒋胜男), author of Empresses in the Palace
What if the healer you trust most is plotting to destroy you? Zhang Xin (The Palm)—Liu Shishi's most daring role yet—turns the gentle archetype of a physician into a razor-sharp weapon of vengeance. Created by Jiang Shengnan, the mastermind behind Empresses in the Palace, this series promises a labyrinth of betrayal, corruption, and moral ambiguity, all set against the opulent yet cutthroat backdrop of a fictional imperial court.
The Premise: A Physician's Revenge
Ye Ping'an (Liu Shishi) isn't your typical heroine. After her family is massacred for exposing a military fund scandal, she swaps her scholar's robes for a physician's needle, infiltrating the palace under a false identity. Her mission: dismantle the powerful figures who orchestrated the cover-up. But the deeper she digs, the more she uncovers—a web of bribes linking Prince Li Ze (Shawn Dou 窦骁) to border warlords, and a conspiracy that threatens the empire's stability.
Characters: Enemies or Allies?
Ye Ping'an: Don't mistake her quiet demeanor for weakness. Liu Shishi plays her as a chessmaster in healer's clothing, using medical crises to manipulate her targets. In one leaked scene, she "accidentally" prescribes a truth serum-laced tonic to a corrupt official, exposing his crimes during a feverish rant.
Prince Li Ze: Shawn Dou's prince is no clear-cut villain. A war hero turned cynical power broker, he's trapped between loyalty to his ailing father (the Emperor) and his own ambition. His dynamic with Ping'an crackles with tension—he admires her brilliance but suspects her motives.
Jiang Shengnan's Signature Touch
Fans of Empresses in the Palace will recognize Jiang's knack for female-driven political intrigue. But The Palm trades harem scheming for a grittier, macro-level power struggle. Jiang told CCTV Culture: "This isn't just one woman against the palace—it's about how systemic corruption poisons everyone, even those who fight it."
Liu Shishi's Voice Acting Debut
For the first time in her career, Liu Shishi uses her natural voice in a historical drama, ditching the soft, airy tones of past roles. The result? Ping'an's dialogue cuts like a scalpel. In a teaser clip, her line "Your Highness, I'm here to heal your body… not your conscience" lands with chilling precision, showcasing a grittier vocal range.
Themes: The Cost of Justice
Ping'an's quest forces her to blur ethical lines. She forges medical records, blackmails allies, and lets innocent patients die to protect her cover. The series doesn't shy from asking: Can you uphold justice by becoming unjust? Prince Li Ze mirrors her conflict—his militaristic reforms save the realm but fuel public suffering.
Production: Shadows and Silk
Cinematographer Zhao Xiaoding (House of Flying Daggers) bathes the palace in stark contrasts—gilded halls vs. grimy underground prisons, lantern-lit gardens vs. blood-spattered surgery rooms. ng'an's costumes evolve subtly: early scenes feature muted blues (symbolizing restraint), shifting to deep maroon as she embraces darker tactics.
Liu Shishi's costume classics offer a perfect mix of compelling stories, deep emotions, and her signature elegance. Whether you're a longtime fan or just discovering her work, there's bound to be one that leaves a lasting impression. Which one is your favorite? Let's talk in the comments!
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