Remember her name, she’s about to be everywhere
If your social feeds have been flooded with breathtaking period costumes, stolen glances across a marketplace, and a butcher’s daughter who fights like she was born for war—then you already know her name. Tian Xiwei has arrived on the global stage, and she is impossible to look away from. The 28-year-old actress from Chongqing has been quietly stacking hit dramas for years, but it is her role in the record-breaking Netflix sensation Pursuit of Jade that has officially made her a household name far beyond China’s borders. Charming, fierce and effortlessly stylish both on and off screen, here is everything you need to know about the woman everyone is talking about right now.
All the fun facts you need to know about actress Tian Xiwei:
She is 28 years old
Born on 14 October 1997, Tian Xiwei is a Libra.
She hails from Chongqing, China
One of China’s most vibrant and famously hilly municipalities, Chongqing is a city known for its fiery food, beautiful landscapes, and an indomitable spirit.
She trained at one of China’s most prestigious drama schools
Tian Xiwei studied at the Shanghai Theatre Academy—widely regarded as one of China’s most elite performing arts institutions.
She rose to fame with the “Pursuit of Jade”
The 2026 historical romance drama made history as the first C-drama ever to hit the global top 10 hits on Netflix for non-English series. In it, Tian plays Fan Changyu—a tough, superhuman-strong butcher’s daughter who enters a fake marriage with a fallen nobleman, only to be swept into a love story far larger than either of them imagined. The role is a masterclass in emotional range, and she delivers every beat.
Watch the show here.
But “Pursuit of Jade” was far from her debut
Long before the world was ready to pay attention, Tian Xiwei was already doing the work. She first captured audiences’ hearts in the beloved 2022 hit New Life Begins and has since led an impressive string of period dramas, including Wrong Carriage, Right Groom, Romance on the Farm, Guardians of the Dafeng, and Moonlit Reunion. Historical drama is arguably her best genre—and she wears it like a second skin.
She is a Gucci girl through and through
Tian Xiwei works closely with fashion house Gucci as a brand ambassador—attending the Spring/Summer 2025 show at Milan Fashion Week, fronting the house’s 2024 Lunar New Year campaign for the Year of the Dragon, and making the brand a constant presence on her social media. In a delightful detail, a quick scroll through her Instagram reveals that the only accounts she follows are Gucci’s official page and its former and current creative directors. That is not just an endorsement—that is a lifestyle. She recently attended the Generation Gucci launch at Gucci Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
More projects are already on the horizon
For those already missing Fan Changyu, do not worry—Tian Xiwei shows no signs of slowing down. She has three upcoming dramas lined up: Born with Luck, Genius Girlfriend, and Transfer Gold Hairpin. Whatever she does next, one thing is certain: we will be watching.
View this post on Instagram
She adores cats
Tian Xiwei is a devoted cat person—you can see postings of her and her beloved cat on Instagram.
