Sepanx is real: Zhang Linghe, Tian Xiwei dramas to watch after ‘Pursuit of Jade’
MANILA, Philippines — Post-drama depression usually comes once a beloved drama finishes its run, and it seems many who have seen the global hit “Pursuit of Jade” are finding it hard to move on from the show starring Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei.
Premiered last March 6 and ended on March 30, the historical romance has remained among the Top 10 Non-English shows on Netflix.
“Pursuit of Jade” is fifth among the non-English shows from March 30 to April 5, 2026 and it has stayed in the Top 10 for four weeks, accumulating 1.6 million views. On iQiyi, it remains the most streamed show on the platform.
Rumors of a possible reunion drama for Linghe and Xiwei, even some fancasting including China’s adaptation of favorite anime “Apothecary Diaries” or a modern drama, abound but there is still no confirmed show that will reunite them.
Linghe’s upcoming projects include the modern Republican drama “Overdo” with Wang Churan and another costume drama “Road To Glory” with Lin Yun.
Xiwei, meanwhile, has three upcoming shows. Her acting chops will again be displayed as she plays the dual roles of a commoner and a noblewoman who are the spitting image of each other in the costume drama “Where the Mask Ends” with Yan An.
She will also be starring opposite a “Love So Beautiful” breakout star Hu Yitian in "Genius Girlfriend." Another acting vehicle for Xiwei will be the police/detective story “Born With Luck.”
“POJ” or Zhengyu fans, a coined term from the show’s main characters Xie Zheng (Linghe) and Changyu (Xiwei), will have to wait for reunion news.
Here are some dramas that might interest the fans to check out the past works of their favorite onscreen pair.
‘The Best Thing’ (2025)
"The Best Thing" is the kind of romance that feels like a warm cup of tea.
This 28-episode series follows He Suye, a traditional Chinese medicine doctor played by Zhang Linghe and Shen Xifan, a hotel manager portrayed by Xu Ruohan. Shen Xifan struggles with insomnia and the aftermath of a toxic relationship, while He Suye brings calm, care and quiet understanding into her life.
The story is soft and realistic, focusing on the little moments that make love feel alive: shared silences, quiet conversations and gentle acts of support. There is no dramatic tension, only a slow, tender unfolding of trust and connection.
He Suye is steady and safe. Shen Xifan is cautious but learning to open up again. Their relationship is grounded in trust and emotional support, a perfect example of the “hurt and comfort” dynamic done right.
Available on iQIYI, the drama has been praised for its low-conflict storytelling, offering a calm, soothing alternative to the usual high-drama romances.
"The Best Thing" reminds viewers that love doesn’t always have to be loud to be unforgettable. Sometimes, it just needs to be present.
‘Love Between Fairy and Devil’ (2022)
Linghe plays the third wheel in this 2022 fantasy drama starring Esther Yu and Dylan Wang.
“Love Between Fairy and Devil” tells the story of a low-ranking fairy who accidentally binds herself to a feared demon lord, sparking an epic, forbidden love.
Linghe as Changheng is the ultimate soft, sacrificial crush. The kind who chooses you quietly, even if you don’t choose him.
Like many romance dramas, the support roles are equally interesting such as the chaotic, funny and surprisingly sweet side couple, Shangque (Charles Lin) and Jie Li (Hong Xiao).
‘The Princess Royal’ (2024)
This is a title that banks on the popular rebirth/second chances trope where the couple gets a redo in life by returning back to their younger years and undoing their mistakes.
“The Princess Royal” stars Linghe as Pei Wenxuan who has a complicated past opposite Zhao Jinmai as Li Rong, the princess with political smarts.
From married-but-cold to slowly falling again, “Princess Royal” features a lot of tension, unresolved feelings, and “we loved each other once… can we do it again?” energy.
‘Our Generation’ (2025)
Linghe is reunited with Jinmai in the modern drama “Our Generation.”
The 2025 series is a youth drama that follows classmates growing up, dealing with dreams, pressure and first love.
This time, Jinmai plays the youthful and grounded Lin Qile opposite Linghe’s quietly intense top student of their university.
“Our Generation” is a realistic, slow-burn first love. Think stolen glances in class, studying together and feelings that build over time. Linghe gives that soft, silently-in-love guy energy again, but more mutual this time. It also features barkada dynamics plus side classmates with their own mini love arcs (very relatable, very nostalgic).
‘Story of Kunning Palace’ (2023)
Linghe stars in another rebirth drama opposite Bailu.
In this 2023 drama, Jiang Xuening (Bailu) wakes up decades before she become an empress. Determined to escape her horrible death and undo her past mistakes, Xuening’s efforts are tested by the machinations of Linghe’s Xie Wei, a grand tutor with a mysterious identity.
This drama has a fanbase for those who want political intrigue, an enemies-to-lovers trope, and an obsessive/possessive male lead, far different from Linghe’s green flag character of Yan Zheng in “POJ.”
This list might be Linghe-biased but it is understandable for many since he has been the more popular between the two actors prior to the massive hit of “Pursuit of Jade.”
But Xiwei also has interesting titles that her fans, including new ones, can check out.
'Guardians of Dafeng' (2024)
For instance, the one the would surely strike interest for fans would be her 2024 fantasy drama with “Meteor Garden” star Dylan Wang titled “Guardians of the Dafeng.”
Xiwei plays the role of Princess Lin An (for “POJ” fans, this is such an interesting trivia), who helps Dylan’s Yang Ling solve “bizarre” cases.
Dylan is a transmigrator who uses his 21st century knowledge to help solve crimes in a world dominated by monsters and magical creatures.
'Moonlit Reunion' (2025)
Another Xiwei drama that would be interesting is last year’s “Moonlit Reunion.” She stars as Wu Zhen, a girl who inherits the powers of a cat master.
As she acquires her powers and lives as the new Cat Lord, Wu Zhen meets Xu Kai’s Mei Zhu Yu who sees ghosts. Together they form a power couple who serve the unseen realm of both humans and spirits.
Interestingly, Xiwei was able to carry both Xukai and Dylan as seen in clips. Linghe even shared that Xiwei was the first female co-star who was able to carry him on her back.
'New Life Begins' (2022)
Costume drama fans can also check out Xiwei’s 2022 work “New Life Begins,” with Bai Jingting.
It is a “marriage first, true love later” story where Xiwei’s Li Wei only hopes to return to her hometown after begrudgingly entering a marriage competition for the unfavored sixth prince Yin Zheng (Jingting).
As the title suggests, her plans to return to a lowkey life is foiled after she unexpectedly marries the introverted sixth prince.
These are some of the titles that Linghe and Xiwei fans can start watching to tide them over until they tire of watching BTS scenes or fan edits or completely start over the "Pursuit of Jade," or until news of their reunion project will be confirmed.
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