Meaning:

    This sentence, translated as “Albeit with a pretty face, he/she wants to win success by pure talent,” was a Weibo post left by Jia Ling, a popular Chinese female comedian, earlier this year. Born in 1982 and a graduate of the Central Academy of Drama, she is known as a funny fatty. Chinese netizens were surprised to find a photo of Jia in her younger years, when she was slim and pretty. In response to netizens’ new discovery, Jia said, “With deep feelings, I present to you the story of ‘Albeit with a pretty face, he/she wants to win success by pure talent.’” This sentence instantly became popular. Most times, netizens use the sentence on themselves jokingly as a kind of bragging.

    Example:

    A: 现在女明星怎么都热衷当导演拍电影啊？

    Xiànzài nǚmíngxīng zěnme dōu rèzhōng dāng dǎoyǎn pāi diànyǐng a?

    Why are actresses now enthusiatic about directing films?

    B: 是啊。明明可以靠脸吃饭，偏偏要靠才华。

    Shì a。Míngmíng kěyǐ kào liǎn chīfàn, piānpiān yào kào cáihuá。

    True. Albeit with a pretty face, they want to win success by pure talent!