Chinese actress Zhao Lusi’s fans moved to tears by her rehabilitation efforts

A vlog documenting Zhao’s first month of a four-month therapy, released Tuesday, has garnered 23.6 million views and trended on Chinese social media.

The video shows her gradual improvement over time. She initially struggled with speech loss, requiring her to communicate with her assistant through phone messages, and experienced multiple falls while relearning to walk.

Chinese actress Zhao Lusi. Photo from Instagram

The video ended with footage from her Jan. 25 public appearance, her first since undergoing treatment, where she walked with the aid of a cane but appeared noticeably brighter. "Things are much better now. Thank you, everyone. Let’s leave the hardship and sorrow of 2024 behind and welcome 2025," Zhao said.

The vlog drew over 4,000 comments, with many fans expressing disbelief at her struggles and shedding tears over her journey. Some criticized her management for allowing her to return to work before fully recovering.

On Jan. 1, Zhao revealed on her personal social media account that she once experienced both physical and mental exhaustion, with her weight dropping below 38 kg. She admitted to battling depression since 2019 but confessed she had not taken her mental health seriously at the time.

Her condition deteriorated in 2021, when she experienced sensations of needles or insects crawling on her skin, accompanied by allergic reactions. Despite seeking medical advice and receiving injections, her symptoms persisted. Eventually, Zhao turned to psychological therapy and began treatment to alleviate her stress.

In the following years, her health worsened further, suffering from ailments including pneumonia, pneumothorax, hives, night sweats, and episodes of waking up in terror. In 2024, she battled symptoms like dry vomiting, dizziness, joint and neck pain, and frequent allergic reactions.

In response to Zhao’s and her friend’s accounts, a representative from her management company stated that they have been working alongside the actress to address her challenges. The representative added: "We sincerely apologize for shortcomings in our work and are reviewing these issues."

Zhao, 27, began her acting career in 2017 and has gained fame through roles in popular drama series such as "The Romance of Tiger and Rose," "Dating in the Kitchen," "Love Better Than Immortality," "Love Like the Galaxy," and "Hidden Love."