“I’ve seen a few scripts lately that I think are quite good, and I do have plans to return to acting,” Zhao, 28, said during a livestream on social media platform Xiaohongshu on Dec. 31, as quoted by Asia One. “When I come across projects I like, I ask whether the intellectual property is strong and whether my fans would enjoy it. If both are good, then I’m interested.”

While Zhao noted that she has the freedom to choose her own projects, she said she prefers to take on dramas with broad appeal.

“I am an actress, but I also see myself as a product manager,” she said. “What matters to me is creating a drama that people genuinely want to watch.”

In addition to acting, Zhao said she plans to release several new songs and film accompanying music videos, Yahoo! Life Singapore reported. She also expressed interest in appearing on variety shows.

Zhao rose to fame through a string of popular dramas, including “The Romance of Tiger and Rose,” “Dating in the Kitchen,” “Love Better Than Immortality,” “Love Like the Galaxy” and “Hidden Love.”

The actress has largely stayed out of the public eye over the past year following health issues she disclosed in early 2025. Speculation about her health arose in December 2024 after photos of her in a wheelchair at a hospital emergency department circulated online.

A month later, Zhao revealed that she had been suffering from depression since 2019 and initially avoided seeking treatment after being advised to be more “open-minded.”

Her condition later worsened, accompanied by physical symptoms such as skin allergies, pneumonia and night sweats.

In addition to her health issues, Zhao was also involved in a public dispute with her former management agency Galaxy Cool Entertainment, accusing the company of mistreatment, while the agency argued that it had fulfilled its responsibilities regarding her work arrangements. Zhao announced her departure from the company in August 2024.