Zhao Lusi casts father in drama, netizens say he resembles Huang Xiaoming

Chinese actress Zhao Lusi, also known as Rosy Zhao, is taking a step back from the spotlight and letting her father take his chances.

Lusi, who turns 28 in November, is the producer for her studio's upcoming short drama Sonder: I Am Not NPC and she cast her father Zhao Jun to play a general in the show.

The drama tells the story of several women who discover they are trapped in predetermined circumstances, and how they join forces to break free from their shackles and rewrite their destinies.

Affectionately known as Zhao Ge (Older Brother Zhao) and Papa Zhao to Lusi's fans, Zhao Jun reportedly lost around 4kg to play the role and netizens remarked he looked like Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming.

"I really thought it was Xiaoming who came to make a guest appearance," said one netizen.

In a recent interview, Zhao Jun, who's believed to be in his early 50s, said he has been taking care of his complexion and hair, on top of practising his acting in front of the mirror.

Lusi established Ma Ning Limited Enterprise Management last year and in a recent livestream, she said she signed her father to her company as she's worried he would agree to do livestreams or brand events out of goodwill.

In Zhao Jun's Douyin account, he has Lusi's account tagged as his contact for business collaborations, cheekily adding "she did not agree" in brackets.

Lusi was previously in dispute with her former management agency Galaxy Cool Entertainment ever since she revealed in January 2025 that she suffered from depression.

In August 2025, she alleged in a Weibo post that she was mistreated by the agency. In the same post, she declared she was cutting ties with them.

In September, Chinese media reported that she had established her own company and her last drama Love's Ambition was released.

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syarifahsn@asiaone.com