1. Overview
Wang Luodan (王珞丹Wáng LuòdānChinese, born January 30, 1984) is a prominent Chinese actress and singer. She gained widespread recognition and rose to fame through her role as Mi Cai in the highly popular 2007 television series Struggle. Her career further solidified with leading roles in acclaimed dramas such as My Youthfulness (2009) and A Story of Lala's Promotion (2010), earning her the title of "Queen of ratings" due to the high viewership of her works. Wang Luodan has also established a significant presence in the film industry, starring in notable movies like Driverless (2010), Caught in the Web (2012), and The Dead End (2015). Her talent has been recognized with several prestigious accolades, including the Golden Rooster Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Caught in the Web and Best Supporting Actress at the 13th Changchun Film Festival for The Dead End. Her popularity led to her being named one of the "New Four Dan Actresses" in 2009 and the "Golden Eagle Goddess" in 2010. In 2014, she was ranked 74th on the Forbes China Celebrity 100 list, further cementing her status as a valuable figure in the Chinese entertainment landscape.
2. Early life and education
Wang Luodan's early life and educational journey laid the foundation for her successful career in the performing arts, influenced by her family's background and her own independent spirit.
2.1. Birthplace and childhood
Wang Luodan was born on January 30, 1984, in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, China. Her family originated from Jinzhou, Liaoning. Her father was a national-level basketball referee, and her mother worked as an elementary school teacher. Growing up, Wang Luodan was influenced by her elder sister, Wang Chuhan (also known as Wang Yueyi), who pursued studies in the arts. Inspired by her sister's path, Wang Luodan secretly applied to the Inner Mongolia Kindergarten Normal School (later merged into Chifeng University) without informing her parents, where she focused on music. During her time there, she joined the school band and became the only female drummer, which made her a well-known figure on campus.
2.2. Family background
Wang Luodan's family played a significant role in shaping her early interests. Her father, a national basketball referee, and her mother, an elementary school teacher, provided a stable upbringing. She has two older sisters: Wang Chuhan (also known as Wang Yueyi), who is a dancer, and another sister, Wang Duanduan (who also later changed her name to Wang Yueyi or Wang Chuhan). The artistic pursuits of her elder sister, particularly her admission to the Beijing Dance Academy, sparked Wang Luodan's own desire to enter the arts.
2.3. Education
In early 2001, as her elder sister had been admitted to the Beijing Dance Academy the previous year, Wang Luodan, who was about to graduate from kindergarten teacher training, traveled to Beijing with her mother. Initially, she intended to apply to Beijing Normal University. However, she later changed her mind and decided to apply to the Beijing Film Academy. After attending a performance tutoring class for a period, she was successfully admitted. Upon enrollment, Wang Luodan initially felt a sense of apprehension due to her perceived unremarkable appearance, which motivated her to approach her studies with exceptional diligence. In 2005, she graduated from the Beijing Film Academy. Later in her career, she also took a three-month hiatus from acting to further her studies at New York University.
3. Career
Wang Luodan's career in the entertainment industry has been marked by a rapid rise to fame through television dramas, followed by a successful transition into film and other performing arts, establishing her as a versatile and celebrated figure.
3.1. Debut and breakthrough
Wang Luodan began her acting career in May 2004 with her first television drama, Flying Butterfly, where she played a minor supporting role. At this early stage, she was not widely known, and her remuneration was notably low. In her final year of university, she signed with Runxing Tang, an agency under the Hai Run Film and Television Group. She subsequently appeared in several film and television productions. Her performance as a villain in the 2006 television series Sun Shining like Blossom, an adaptation of Hai Yan's novel Deep Prison, began to draw attention due to her excellent portrayal. In July 2005, Wang Luodan took on her first leading role in a feature film, Qi Yue, produced by renowned director Wang Xiaoshuai, marking her big-screen debut. Prior to this, she had missed out on a lead role in the film Shanghai Dream due to scheduling conflicts.
Her pivotal breakthrough came in April 2006 when she joined the cast of the television series Struggle. Initially, director Zhao Baogang wanted her to play the role of Lu Lu, but Wang Luodan insisted on portraying Mi Cai. This choice proved to be unexpectedly successful. After the series aired in 2007, it quickly gained nationwide popularity. Her portrayal of Mi Cai, a character who "dared to love and dared to hate," resonated strongly with audiences, to the extent that her performance often overshadowed the main male and female leads. Struggle became her breakthrough work, successfully shaping her image as a youthful and inspiring figure of the post-1980s generation. For this role, she was nominated for Best Actress at the 27th China TV Flying Apsaras Awards. In another Republic of China-era drama, Coming Home, Wang Luodan also delivered a notable performance.
In October 2008, Wang Luodan attended the 13th Busan International Film Festival in South Korea as the lead actress in the film Twilight Dancing, where her performance drew comparisons to Zhou Xun. In 2009, she starred in two television series, My Youthfulness and Dark Fragrance. Although My Youthfulness faced criticism for its similarities to Struggle, Wang Luodan's vibrant and rebellious portrayal of Qian Xiaoxiang left a deep impression on audiences, becoming a highlight of the series. Her high popularity at the time led to her being named one of the "New Four Dan Actresses" in mainland China, alongside Liu Yifei, Yang Mi, and Eva Huang.
In March 2010, Wang Luodan took over Yuan Quan's role in the classic stage play Amber. In May, her successful portrayal of Du Lala, an urban office worker, in the television adaptation of A Story of Lala's Promotion earned her widespread acclaim. The series achieved high ratings on both television and online platforms, with netizens dubbing her and her co-star a "national couple," and she was awarded the title of "Queen of ratings" by Sohu. The film Driverless, released in July, also received positive reception. Throughout that year, she garnered numerous awards for her outstanding performances in both film and television.
3.2. Television career
Wang Luodan has starred in numerous television series throughout her career, often portraying strong and relatable characters.
| Year | English title | Chinese title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Flying Butterfly | 蝴蝶飞飞Húdié FēifēiChinese | Mai Lele | |
| 2006 | Sun Shining like Blossom | 阳光像花一样绽放Yángguāng Xiàng Huā Yīyàng ZhànfàngChinese | Dan Juan | Portrayed a villain |
| Keke Xili | 可可·西里Kěkě XīlǐChinese | Ding Wenjing | ||
| Mother is a River | 母亲是条河Mǔqīn Shì Tiáo HéChinese | Lee Datao | ||
| 2007 | Coming Home | 烽火孤儿Fēnghuǒ Gū'érChinese | Du Wei / Du Wei's mother | |
| Struggle | 奋斗FèndòuChinese | Mi Cai | Breakthrough role | |
| 2008 | An Earthshaking Seven Days | 震撼世界的七日Zhènhàn Shìjiè De Qī RìChinese | Guan Xiaoxi | |
| Volleyball Heroic Woman | 排球女将Páiqiú NǚjiàngChinese | Li Xue | ||
| 2009 | My Youthfulness | 我的青春谁做主Wǒ De Qīngchūn Shuí ZuòzhǔChinese | Qian Xiaoxiang | Cemented onscreen persona |
| Dark Fragrance | 暗香ÀnxiāngChinese | Wu Yue | ||
| 2010 | A Story of Lala's Promotion | 杜拉拉升职记Dù Lālā Shēngzhí JìChinese | Du Lala | Earned "Queen of ratings" title |
| 2011 | Men | 男人帮Nánrén BāngChinese | Mo Xiaomin | |
| 2012 | Detachment of Women | 红娘子HóngniángzǐChinese | Wang Xiaohong | Broke typecasting as "pure maiden" |
| Under the Hawthorn Tree | 山楂树之恋Shānzhāshù Zhī LiànChinese | Jing Qiu | Television adaptation | |
| 2014 | The Virtuous Queen of Han | 卫子夫Wèi ZǐfūChinese | Wei Zifu | First historical drama |
| 2015 | Turned to Say Love You | 转身说爱你Zhuǎnshēn Shuō Ài NǐChinese | Li Mingyu | |
| 2017 | ER Doctor | 急诊科医生Jízhěnkē YīshēngChinese | Jiang Xiaoqi | Directed by Zheng Xiaolong |
| 2021 | Crossroad Bistro | 北辙南辕Běichén NányuánChinese | You Shanshan | |
| Gone Grandma | 私奔的外婆Sībēn De WàipóChinese | Huo Wei | ||
| 2022 | Shanghai Dream | 两个人的上海Liǎng Gè Rén De ShànghǎiChinese | Li Wen-jia | Produced with 8K full-process |
3.3. Film career
Wang Luodan has made a significant impact in the film industry, showcasing her versatility in various genres and earning critical acclaim for her performances.
| Year | English title | Chinese title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Qi Yue | 七月Qī YuèChinese | Qing Qing | |
| 2008 | Alternative Ways | 非常道Fēicháng DàoChinese | Xiao Xin | |
| Twilight Dancing | 车逝Chē ShìChinese | Mei Mei | Attended 13th Busan International Film Festival | |
| 2009 | My Airhostess Roommate | 恋爱前规则Liàn'ài Qián GuīzéChinese | Ran Jing | |
| 2010 | Driverless | 无人驾驶Wúrén JiàshǐChinese | Li Xin | Praised for playing a deaf-mute girl |
| 2011 | The Founding of a Party | 建党伟业Jiàndǎng WěiyèChinese | Zhang Ruoming | Cameo appearance |
| 2012 | Caught in the Web | 搜索SōusuǒChinese | Yang Jiaqi | Won Best Supporting Actress at 29th Golden Rooster Awards |
| Lethal Hostage | 边境风云Biānjìng FēngyúnChinese | Xiao An | Suffered minor injuries during filming | |
| The Guillotines | 血滴子XuèdīzǐChinese | Cameo appearance | ||
| Legend of the Moles: The Treasure of Scylla | 摩尔庄园2海妖宝藏Mó'ěr Zhuāngyuán Èr Hǎiyāo BǎozàngChinese | Voice-dubbed | ||
| 2013 | Better and Better | 越来越好之村晚Yuè Lái Yuè Hǎo Zhī Cūn WǎnChinese | Zhou Yinan | |
| Love You for Loving Me | 我爱的是你爱我Wǒ Ài De Shì Nǐ Ài WǒChinese | Shen Xiaole | ||
| Exchange Life | 鲜我奇缘Xiān Wǒ QíyuánChinese | Luodan | ||
| 2014 | The Continent | 后会无期Hòuhuì WúqīChinese | Su Mi | Portrayed a prostitute |
| Rise of the Legend | 黄飞鸿之英雄有梦Huáng Fēihóng Zhī Yīngxióng Yǒu MèngChinese | Ah Chun | Box office of over 192.00 M CNY | |
| 2015 | To the Fore | 破风Pò FēngChinese | Huang Shiyao | |
| Detective Gui | 宅女侦探桂香Zhái Nǚ Zhēntàn Guì XiāngChinese | Gui Xiang | ||
| The Dead End | 烈日灼心Lièrì Zhuó XīnChinese | Yi Guxia | Won Best Supporting Actress at 13th Changchun Film Festival; grossed over 304.00 M CNY | |
| The Cornfield | 玉米人Yùmǐ RénChinese | Short film, no dialogue | ||
| 2016 | The Secret | 消失的爱人Xiāoshī De ÀirénChinese | Qiu Jie | |
| My War | 我的战争Wǒ De ZhànzhēngChinese | Meng Sanxia | ||
| 2019 | Half the Sky | 半边天BànbiāntiānChinese | Anthology film | |
| Gone with the Light | 被光抓走的人Bèi Guāng Zhuā Zǒu De RénChinese | Li Nan | ||
| 2021 | The Curious Tale of Mr.Guo | 不老奇事Bù Lǎo QíshìChinese | Su Lingfang |
3.4. Music career
Beyond her acting, Wang Luodan is also a talented singer and musician, capable of playing multiple instruments.
| Year | English title | Chinese title | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | "Wear My Love" (with Will Pan) | 戴上我的爱Dàishàng Wǒ De ÀiChinese | Around the World |
| 2008 | "Believe There's One Day" | 相信有一天Xiāngxìn Yǒu Yī TiānChinese | Volleyball Heroic Woman OST |
| 2010 | "I Thought" | 我以为Wǒ YǐwéiChinese | A Story of Lala's Promotion OST |
| "Driverless Love" | 无人驾驶的爱情Wúrén Jiàshǐ De ÀiqíngChinese | Driverless OST |
Wang Luodan is proficient in playing several musical instruments, including the piano, accordion, drums, guitar, and electric guitar.
3.5. Other performing arts
Wang Luodan has also explored other avenues of performance beyond traditional film and television, including theater and short films.
In 2003, as part of her graduation from the Beijing Film Academy's Drama class, she performed in the play The Old Stubborns, playing the role of Lu Qi'ai Ta. In March 2010, she took on a role in the classic stage play Amber, where her performance was noted for moving co-star Liu Ye to tears. She has also participated in other theatrical productions such as Wall and Far Mountain Wild Love.
Her involvement in short films includes Old Man's Wish (2012), an extra story for the film Flying Over the Old People's Home, where she played Zhou Shuang. In 2013, she starred in the short film Fresh Me Destiny as Luodan, earning her the title of "Goddess of Temperament" online. In 2015, she appeared in the short film The Cornfield, a film by Wang Xiaoshuai, where she played a "mysterious character" with no dialogue throughout the entire film.
In January 2012, Wang Luodan made her debut appearance on the CCTV Spring Festival Gala with her family, performing songs. Her personal studio was officially established in November 2011.
4. Major titles and honors
Wang Luodan has received significant recognition within the Chinese entertainment industry, including prestigious titles that highlight her influence and popularity.
In 2009, due to her rising popularity, she was named one of the "New Four Dan Actresses" alongside Liu Yifei, Yang Mi, and Eva Huang, a title that recognizes the most influential young actresses in mainland China. The following year, in 2010, she was honored as the "Golden Eagle Goddess" at the 8th Golden Eagle Awards Ceremony, a symbolic title bestowed upon a popular actress at the China Golden Eagle TV Art Festival.
Her commercial appeal was further acknowledged in 2014 when she was ranked 74th on the Forbes China Celebrity 100 list. That same year, she was also chosen as the "Most Valuable Chinese Actress," underscoring her significant impact on the industry.
5. Awards and nominations
Wang Luodan has been widely recognized for her contributions to film and television, earning numerous awards and nominations throughout her career.
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 7th China TV Golden Eagle Award | Audience's Choice For Actress | Struggle | Nominated |
| 2009 | 27th Flying Apsaras Awards | Outstanding Actress | Nominated | |
| 2010 | 16th Shanghai Television Festival | Best Actress | My Youthfulness | Nominated |
| Most Popular Actress | Won | |||
| China TV Golden Eagle Award | Audience's Choice For Actress | Nominated | ||
| 1st College Students' Television Festival | Most Popular Actress | Won | ||
| 1st One Drama Presentation | Most Anticipated Theater Actress | Won | ||
| 2011 | 17th Shanghai Television Festival | Best Actress | A Story of Lala's Promotion | Nominated |
| 13th Golden Phoenix Awards | Newcomer Award | Won | ||
| 2012 | 8th Huading Awards | Best Actress (Revolution-Era Drama) | Detachment of Women | Nominated |
| 2012 New York Chinese Film Festival | Most Popular Asian Artist | Won | ||
| 2013 | 29th Golden Rooster Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Caught in the Web | Won |
| 2015 | 15th Chinese Film Media Awards | Most Anticipated Actress | The Continent | Nominated |
| 7th Macau International Movie Festival | Best Actress | To the Fore | Nominated | |
| 13th Sichuan Television Festival | Best Actress | The Virtuous Queen of Han | Nominated | |
| 2016 | 19th Huading Awards | Best Actress (Contemporary Drama) | Turned to Say Love You | Nominated |
| 13th Changchun Film Festival | Best Supporting Actress | The Dead End | Won | |
| 8th Macau International Movie Festival | Best Actress | My War | Nominated | |
| 2018 | 24th Huading Awards | Best Actress (Modern Drama) | ER Doctor | Nominated |
6. Personal life
Wang Luodan's personal life has seen public attention regarding her relationships and family activities. She has been noted for her close ties with her family, who even joined her for a public performance.
Wang Luodan was in a relationship with writer Zhang Jiajia. In 2011, while filming Lethal Hostage in Yunnan, she was involved in a car accident. Fortunately, her injuries, which included cuts to her cheek and forehead, were not severe and did not impact her acting career long-term. In January 2012, Wang Luodan made a notable appearance on the CCTV Spring Festival Gala alongside her family, where they performed songs together. This appearance highlighted her family-oriented nature to the public. In mid-August 2012, she traveled to the United States for a three-month exchange and study program at New York University, indicating her commitment to personal and professional development outside of her busy acting schedule.
7. Evaluation and influence
Wang Luodan is widely regarded as a significant figure in the Chinese entertainment industry, known for her acting prowess and distinct public image.
7.1. Critical reception
Wang Luodan is often considered a "second-generation Xiao Huadan" (meaning 'little flower' or 'talented and beautiful young actress') in the Chinese entertainment industry, recognized for both her talent and charming appearance. Critics have consistently praised her acting capabilities, especially her ability to portray characters with strong, straightforward personalities. Her role as Mi Cai in Struggle was particularly lauded for its "daring to love, daring to hate" attitude, which resonated deeply with audiences and established her unique on-screen persona. She was also commended for breaking away from her initial typecasting as a "pure and innocent maiden" with roles in dramas like Detachment of Women. Her performance as a deaf-mute girl in Driverless earned specific praise from critics for its depth. Furthermore, her work in films like The Dead End was highly regarded by industry professionals, contributing to her critical acclaim.
7.2. Public perception and legacy
Wang Luodan holds a strong public perception, largely shaped by her early, highly popular roles that defined a generation. Her portrayal of Mi Cai in Struggle and Qian Xiaoxiang in My Youthfulness created deeply beloved characters that left a lasting impression on young audiences. These roles cemented her image as a youthful, inspiring, and relatable figure, particularly among the post-1980s generation. Her ability to consistently deliver high-rating television dramas, such as A Story of Lala's Promotion, earned her the informal title of "Queen of ratings" from media outlets like Sohu, reflecting her significant viewership appeal.
While her career trajectory may have been perceived as slower compared to some "traffic-oriented" actresses like Yang Mi or Liu Yifei, Wang Luodan's consistent focus on acting talent has ensured her enduring respect from both critics and the public. Her works, such as Dark Fragrance (co-starring with Huang Xiaoming) and the historical epic The Virtuous Queen of Han (co-starring with Raymond Lam), have gained considerable popularity across Asia. More recently, her medical drama ER Doctor (2017), co-starring veteran actors Zhang Jiayi and Jiang Shan, received positive reception and consistently topped viewership ratings on major television stations like Dragon TV and Beijing TV. Her legacy is defined by her impactful performances in youth dramas and her ability to transition successfully into diverse roles across both television and film, maintaining a reputation as a talented and respected actress in Chinese popular culture.