LayarHijau.com — Chinese social media has been stirred once again by surprising news about top actress Zhao Liying. A paparazzo revealed that Zhao Liying is suspected to be in a romantic relationship with director Midi Z, and that the man is often seen helping take care of Zhao Liying’s child. The news quickly grabbed public attention and became a hot topic across online platforms. At the time of writing, the hashtag related to this rumored romance remains in the top 10 hot searches on Weibo.
Midi Z, now 42 years old—five years older than Zhao Liying—is known as one of the most talented young directors in the Chinese film industry. He previously directed films such as Ice Poison, City of Jade, Nina Wu, and The Road to Mandalay, and has won multiple major awards. He is regarded as a promising and gifted director.
Zhao Liying and Midi Z first met during the filming of The Unseen Sister, a movie directed by Midi Z and starring Zhao Liying. Their closeness reportedly developed from there, eventually leading to rumors that they were in a special relationship.
According to paparazzi reports, after filming wrapped up, Midi Z was frequently seen going in and out of Zhao Liying’s residence. It’s even said that he has access to her home. Their interactions appeared to be quite intimate, according to Chinese media outlet Sohu.
What surprised the paparazzi even more was the claim that Zhao Liying brought her child to meet Midi Z, seemingly with the intention of building a bond between them. When Zhao Liying is busy with work, Midi Z is said to often take her child out to play alone. They have been seen holding hands, and the child seems very close to him.
However, it’s noted that Midi Z has never spent the night at Zhao Liying’s house. He reportedly respects the child’s feelings, opting instead to return to a hotel each night.
During the 2024 Spring Festival, Zhao Liying and Midi Z were also spotted vacationing together in Paris. They were seen shopping at luxury boutiques and picking out clothes together.
Moreover, Zhao Liying is reported to have already introduced Midi Z to her family. On one outing, Zhao Liying’s cousin was seen accompanying them. The three of them looked cheerful and familiar with one another, suggesting a very close relationship.
Following the rumors, Zhao Liying’s past boyfriends also became the subject of renewed scrutiny, particularly actor Feng Shaofeng. Many netizens felt that Midi Z doesn’t measure up to Feng Shaofeng in terms of looks and questioned Zhao Liying’s taste. However, some fans argued that both men actually have similar personalities—emotional, easily moved to tears, and dependent on their female partners—suggesting that Zhao Liying’s type hasn’t changed.
Looking at Zhao Liying’s personal journey and career development, she has always been known as an independent, resilient woman who knows exactly what she wants. Whether going through heartbreak, marriage and motherhood, or divorce, she has never stopped working hard on her career. That’s why many fans believe Zhao Liying knows what’s best for herself.
Since her divorce, Zhao Liying has focused more on her career. Last year, she was even rumored to be close to actor Lin Gengxin. Although Lin is known for being seen with various younger women, fans surprisingly supported the pairing. Now that rumors of Zhao Liying and Midi Z have emerged, some fans have even flooded Lin Gengxin’s trending topics, asking, “If he can do it, why can’t you?”—a reaction that was both amusing and bewildering.
In reality, many fans have idealized Lin Gengxin because of his loyal and romantic on-screen characters, even though real life can be far from fantasy.
Comparatively, there’s no denying that Midi Z might seem more “ordinary” than Zhao Liying’s ex-husband or other rumored love interests, whether in terms of looks or professional status. This has led some fans to feel that Zhao Liying is “too good” for him.
However, precisely because he is less busy or famous, Midi Z can be more present in Zhao Liying’s daily life and that of her child. For an artist with a packed schedule like Zhao Liying, having a supportive partner behind the scenes is incredibly valuable. It allows her to focus on filming and producing quality work, while her personal life is supported by someone dependable.
Currently, Midi Z is reportedly still often seen in Zhao Liying’s residential area, helping take care of her child. He is viewed as a “giving” type of man, which makes him a suitable match for a strong woman like Zhao Liying.
Nevertheless, Zhao Liying’s official fan club did not stay silent. They released a clarification statement denying the rumor and urged the public to stop spreading gossip, asking them to focus on Zhao Liying’s professional work instead.
This issue has been circulating for a day, but Zhao Liying’s side has yet to respond publicly. It’s unclear whether they are deliberately keeping quiet or quietly allowing the matter to unfold.
Regardless of whether the rumor is true or not, the public hopes that as long as Zhao Liying is happy and feels the relationship is right for her, then it’s the best decision for her life.