Esther Yu

Career 2015–2019: Career beginnings In 2015, Yu made her acting debut in the wuxia drama Border Town Prodigal, which premiered in 2016. She then subsequently gained recognition for her appearance in the variety program Grade One Freshman. In 2017, Yu continued to play supporting roles in the historical drama The Advisors Alliance, and romance family drama Ordinary Years.

In 2018, Yu played her first leading role in the coming-of-age drama Youth, adapted from the 2016 South Korean drama Hello, My Twenties. In 2019, she starred as a happy-go-lucky actress in the romantic comedy drama My Amazing Boyfriend 2.

2020–present: Rising popularity

In 2020, Yu participated in the variety program Youth With You 2 and became one of the most popular trainees on the show. She successfully debuted as a member of temporary girl group The9 on May 30, 2020.

That same year, Yu gained popularity and recognition with her role as a lovable university student in the hit romance drama Find Yourself, and was nominated for the Audience's Choice award at the 30th China TV Golden Eagle Award. and appeared as a recurring guest role in the drama A Love So Romantic. In the 2020 Forbes China Under 30 Elite list, she was included as a notable actress for the Entertainment and Sports industry.

In 2021, Yu starred as a newcomer editor in the romantic comedy drama Moonlight, opposite Ding Yuxi. On December 5, 2021, The9 officially disbanded.

In 2022, Yu starred as a lively and innocent immortal in the widely popular fantasy romance drama Love Between Fairy and Devil, and as a fashion blogger with an Ornithology PhD in the environmental romance drama A Romance of the Little Forest.

In 2023, Yu starred in Sword and Fairy, adapted from the popular Chinese RPG game of the same name, and the historical wuxia drama My Journey to You. She made an appearance in Feng Xiaogang's new film If You Are the One 3. In 2024, she was the female lead for another fantasy historical drama titled Love Game in Eastern Fantasy, reuniting with Ding Yuxi, aired on November 1, 2024.

In 2025, she was the female lead in the romantic sports drama Ski into Love, aired on March 11, 2025. She also was the female lead in the romantic drama Speed and Love, aired on December 12, 2025.

Filmography

Film

Television series

Variety shows

Discography

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result 202030th China TV Golden Eagle AwardAudience's Choice for Actress Find Yourself 7th The Actors of China Award CeremonyBest Actress (Web series)I've Fallen For You 5th Golden Blossom Internet Film and Television AwardsActress of the YearFind Yourself; I've Fallen For You 2020 TV Series AwardsTop 10 Popular Female CharactersFind Yourself 202235th Huading AwardsBest Actress in Chinese Ancient TV SeriesLove Between Fairy and Devil 20232022 iQIYI Scream NightScream Goddess 3rd New Era International TV Festival Ammolite AwardsBest Costume Actress in the New Era 2022 Weibo AwardsNotable Actress of the Year 2023 iQIYI Scream NightMost Influential Actress of the YearMy Journey to You 2023 Asian Pop Music AwardsPeople's Choice Award"Esther" 20242023 Weibo AwardsHot Actress of the Year 2024 Weibo TV & Internet Video SummitExpressive Actress of the Year 2024 iQIYI Scream NightAsia Pacific All-Round Artist of the Year 20252024 Tencent Video All Star NightMost Overseas Influential Artist of the YearLove Game in Eastern Fantasy; "Spicy Honey" Most Popular TV Actress of the YearLove Game in Eastern Fantasy VIP Star of the Year 2024 Weibo AwardsAppealing Actress of the Year