Honestly, if you haven’t seen Sabrina Zhuang (also known as Zhuang Dafei) on your screen yet, you’re basically missing out on one of the most natural talents coming out of the Chinese entertainment scene right now. She has this vibe. It’s not just the "pretty girl next door" thing; it’s a genuine, slightly awkward, deeply relatable energy that makes you feel like you’ve known her since middle school.
Most people first stumbled across her in the 2020 hit I Don't Want To Be Friends With You. That show was a total sleeper hit. It wasn't just another flashy idol drama. It was gritty, snowy, and heartfelt. Since then, her trajectory has been kind of insane. From low-budget indie-style web series to massive blockbusters directed by legends like Tsui Hark, Sabrina is everywhere.
The Big Breakthrough: Why I Don't Want To Be Friends With You Changed Everything
If we're talking about Sabrina Zhuang movies and tv shows, we have to start with Li Jinbu. That’s the character she played in I Don't Want To Be Friends With You.
The premise sounds like a trope: a girl travels back in time to meet her teenage mother. But Sabrina played it with such a raw, prickly edge. She wasn't "cute." She was a frustrated teenager trying to understand why her mom’s life turned out so messy. It’s rare to see a young actress in a C-drama willing to look genuinely annoyed or unpolished on camera. That’s her superpower.
The Rise of the "Gen Z" Icon
After that, she sort of became the face of "youth" dramas that actually felt real.
- Closer to You (2020): She played Han Fei, a mysterious and cold transfer student. This one had a time-travel twist too, but it felt much darker.
- Binary Love (2022): A much lighter, college-centric romance. It showed she could do the bubbly stuff without being annoying.
- You Are Desire (2023): This was a massive streaming success. Starring alongside Zhou Yiran, Sabrina played Lin Yujing, a girl dealing with family upheaval while navigating a high school romance. Their chemistry? Off the charts.
Moving to the Big Screen: Johnny Keep Walking! and Beyond
While she was killing it in the drama world, Sabrina started making moves in film. You've probably heard of Johnny Keep Walking! (2023). It was a huge box office surprise in China. It’s a satire about corporate culture, and Sabrina played "Magic," an intern who is basically the only sane person in the office.
It was a smart move. It proved she could handle comedy and hold her own against veterans like Da Peng. She didn't need a lead romantic interest to be interesting. She was just... funny. And cynical. Exactly what an intern in 2024 feels like.
The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Big Gamble
The biggest news in the world of Sabrina Zhuang movies and tv shows right now is her casting in The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants. This is a massive deal.
Directed by the legendary Tsui Hark.
Co-starring Xiao Zhan.
Playing the iconic role of Huang Rong.
When the casting was first announced, the internet kind of lost its mind. Huang Rong is one of the most beloved characters in Chinese literature. She’s supposed to be "the most beautiful and clever woman in the martial arts world." Some fans were skeptical. They thought Sabrina was "too modern" or didn't have that classical wuxia look.
But here’s the thing: Huang Rong is also a brat. She’s quirky, stubborn, and incredibly sharp. If you’ve seen Sabrina’s work in Miss Chun Is a Litigator, you know she can do "smart and mouthy" better than almost anyone in her age group.
What to Watch If You’re New to Her Work
If you're just diving into her filmography, don't just watch the newest stuff. Go back a bit.
- Rock It, Mom (2022): This is a hidden gem. She plays the daughter of a washed-up rock star (played by Yao Chen). Their relationship is toxic, funny, and eventually very moving. Sabrina actually sings and plays guitar here. She’s actually a musician in real life, which adds a layer of authenticity you don't usually get.
- Love Script (2020): This is a bit of a weird one. A CEO thinks he’s an emperor from the past, and she’s the psychologist hired to "play along" to treat him. It’s high-concept and a little silly, but their chemistry makes it work.
- Miss Chun Is a Litigator (2023): She plays a female lawyer in the Tang Dynasty. It’s basically Legally Blonde meets Sherlock Holmes in ancient China.
The Sabrina Zhuang "Vibe" and Why it Works
There is a specific reason why she’s ranking so high on search engines and why people are constantly looking up her upcoming projects. She feels accessible. In an industry where many actresses feel like they were manufactured in a lab to be "perfect," Sabrina Zhuang feels like the girl who would beat you at a video game and then forget where she left her keys.
She’s part of a new wave of actors (alongside people like Li Gengxi and Ren Min) who prioritize "feeling" over "looking."
Looking Ahead: 2025 and 2026
The next two years are going to be defining for her. With the release of the Condor Heroes movie, she’s moving from "popular web drama actress" to "certified movie star."
There are also rumors about her returning to more modern, slice-of-life dramas. She’s reportedly attached to The Lychee Road, which fans are already buzzing about.
What most people get wrong about Sabrina is thinking she’s just a "youth drama" specialist. If you look at her range—from the historical courtroom to corporate satire to gritty time-travel—she’s clearly building a career that’s meant to last longer than just her twenties.
She isn't just following a script. She’s picking roles that have a bit of bite to them. Whether she’s playing a prickly daughter or a legendary martial arts heroine, she brings a specific kind of "cool" that’s hard to fake.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, start by watching I Don't Want To Be Friends With You for the heart, and then jump into Johnny Keep Walking! to see her comedic timing. By the time the Tsui Hark movie hits theaters, you'll be able to say you were a fan before she was a household name. Check her official social media updates for the latest trailers, as she often shares behind-the-scenes clips of her music and stunt training.