From Zhang Linghe to Song Weilong: Guide to your C-drama crushes and their dramas
MANILA, Philippines — Zhang Linghe’s ethereal beauty in “Pursuit of Jade” undoubtedly made drama fans more curious about C-dramas.
Those who have been watching C-dramas before “POJ” know that these dramas from China feature “visuals” with face cards that steal the hearts of many viewers.
It is understandable that Linghe gets much love these days after starring in the record-breaking show with Tian Xiwei opposite him as the beloved Xie Zheng and Fan Changyu, respectively.
For those who are looking for the next C-drama show with swoon-worthy male leads, here is a list of C-drama hunks and their shows that you might want to check out.
Song Weilong
Song Weilong is often called Linghe’s twin because they strikingly resemble each other, except for Weilong’s much thicker brows.
Weilong, like Linghe, is past 6 feet. He often towers over his leading ladies, giving that “ideal” height difference most drama fans look for in romantic screen pairings.
Since Chinese actors are handled by their agencies, they are often paired with up-and-coming and promising leading ladies.
The likes of Weilong and Linghe get this privilege and has even worked with the same actress, which is often the case for many popular stars like them. They both starred with Zhao Jinmai, with Linghe starring with her twice in the dramas “Princess Royal” and “Our Generation.”
Weilong’s drama with Jinmai was last year’s hit “Shine On Me.”
Weilong, who specializes in longing, restraint and emotional tension, arguably has the best chemistry with Jinmai.
“Deep feels, slow emotional payoff and visually and tonally matches well with Jinmai,” said one of Philstar.com’s resident C-drama watcher.
Apart from Jinmai, he can also make chemistry with his other screen pairs. These include the drama “Go Ahead” with Tan Songyun, rated 4 out of 5 for an "emotional yet effective ride" and the “flirt, bold and more playful” drama “Find Yourself” with Victoria Song.
One of his upcoming anticipated dramas is “Love For You,” with Zhang Jinyi from the popular youth romance “Lighter and Princess.”
Wang Hedi or Dylan Wang
Everyone knows Dylan Wang from the 2018 Chinese adaptation of “Meteor Garden.”
Dylan has successfully stepped out of the shadow of Dao Ming Si, a role so definitive that it continues to be associated with the original actor who portrayed him in 2001, Jerry Yan.
He broke out from that role when he played Demon Lord Dongfang Qingcang in the 2022 hit “Love Between Fairy and Devil.” In this drama, he morphs into the feared immortal who switches bodies with the sweet talker Yu Shuxin or Esther Yu, an ordinary fairy. This is a Xianxia or high fantasy drama that coincidentally stars Linghe as the third wheel Changheng, the God of War.
Linghe is not the only common denominator for Dylan because the latter also paired with Xiwei for another fantasy drama, “Guardians of Dafeng.”
Released in 2024, Dylan is a real estate agent from the 21st century who gets transported to a place where humans and demons exist. Using his modern skills, he becomes a law enforcer or “guardian” of that world, together with its Princess Lin’an, played by Xiwei.
Yang Yang
Yang Yang is one of those C-drama actors who feels almost tailor-made for romance leads. He has that rare combination of striking visuals and calm screen presence that instantly sets the tone the moment he appears.
He came from a formal acting background and steadily built his career through leading roles in youth, romance and fantasy dramas.
What fans really notice about him is how effortlessly handsome he is, the kind of visual that fits perfectly in romance dramas. He usually plays that “ideal boyfriend” type where chemistry builds slowly through restraint, timing and subtle emotion.
In “Love O2O,” he plays Xiao Nai, the genius student and gaming expert whose online-to-real-life romance with Bei Weiwei became one of the most iconic C-drama love stories. The role really cemented his image as a top romance male lead.
In “The King’s Avatar,” he takes on Ye Xiu, a legendary esports player making a comeback, showing more grit, leadership and quiet determination in a competitive setting.
In “Fireworks of My Heart,” he goes into a more serious space as a firefighter, with themes of duty, sacrifice and restrained emotional struggles.
Across his dramas, the pattern stays consistent. Yang Yang thrives in roles where visuals, control and understated emotion are central.
He is also one of the reasons why one of Philstar.com’s resident C-drama watchers became a fan of Chinese dramas in the first place, with his works often serving as a gateway into the genre.
And honestly, that’s why he stays so popular. He delivers that classic C-drama romance fantasy in a very clean, very handsome and very reliable way that fans keep coming back to.
Bai Jingting
Bai Jingting, as one of Philstar.com’s resident C-drama watchers puts it, is often seen as China’s answer to the Philippines’ John Lloyd Cruz, an actor who does not need loud, dramatic performances to leave a mark on screen.
He did not come from an idol group system, which already makes him stand out in the C-drama scene. He built his name through acting alone, slowly and steadily, without the usual loud celebrity hype that comes with some rising stars.
What really makes him click with audiences is his restraint. In “The First Frost,” you can really see it. Sang Yan is carrying a lot of emotional baggage, but Bai Jingting never overdoes it. It is all in the small stuff like the pauses, the quiet looks, the way he just sits with the emotion instead of pushing it out.
He is also known for sometimes improvising on set, which fans actually love because it makes his scenes feel more natural and unforced, like the character is really just reacting in the moment.
He has also shown a lot of range. In “Reset,” he goes into this intense, emotionally draining thriller space that keeps you on edge. Then in “New Life Begins,” he completely switches it up and becomes this more playful, easygoing, almost comedic character.
That switch is honestly part of his charm. He can do heavy emotional roles and lighthearted ones without feeling like a different person every time. It still feels like him, just in different moods.
At this point, he has kind of built his own space in C-dramas, the type that leans on quiet emotions, heartbreak and very real human moments instead of big dramatic scenes.
Bai Jingting’s appeal is really in how low-key it is. He does not demand your attention, but somehow you end up watching him anyway.
Chen Zheyuan
If you go by fan reactions and even the resident C-drama watcher of Philstar.com, a lot of people really started falling for Chen Zheyuan through "Hidden Love."
That drama is basically where his charm fully clicked for viewers. Fans always say he just feels so effortless on screen. Nothing feels overacted or forced. It is all in the small stuff like soft expressions, natural pauses and the way he reacts like everything is just happening in real time.
And honestly, people keep saying the same thing for a reason: his smile will make you melt. It is warm, a little teasing and very easy to get attached to.
In “Hidden Love,” his chemistry with Zhao Lusi is a big reason the drama became such a hit. As Duan Jiaxu, he gives off this calm, steady warmth that balances Sang Zhi’s more youthful energy really well. Their dynamic feels natural and easy, like a slow-burn romance built on small moments, quiet care and subtle scenes that end up hitting harder than big dramatic ones.
Outside of “Hidden Love,” fans also talk about "Our Secret," where he leans into that soft boy-next-door vibe and “Mr. Bad,” where he shows a more playful and slightly cheeky side while still keeping that same warmth people like him for.
In “Fated Hearts,” viewers have noticed a bit more maturity in his performance, but he still keeps that sincerity that makes his characters feel very real and easy to connect with.
Across all his dramas, the fan consensus is pretty simple. Chen Zheyuan is not about loud acting or over-the-top emotion. He works through quiet expressions, natural timing and an overall sincerity that just feels effortless.
Fans already know the pattern. He smiles and somehow that is all it takes for people to get completely hooked.
Liu Yuning
Liu Yuning is another tall actor in the list who crosses the 6-foot height, almost the same height as Zhang Linghe. The two even became trending in one awards show, where they were seen marching like twin towers while on their way up the stage.
Yuning is part of the stacked cast of the 2021 drama “Long Ballad,” with Dilraba Dilmurat, Leo Wu and Zhao Lusi.
“If you want some kilig identity of a powerful man who learns to love properly with balanced dominance, emotional vulnerability, and sometimes tension-heavy with intense stare-offs and possessive energy, Liu Yuning is a must-watch,” the resident Philstar.com C-drama fan noted.
He is reunited with Lusi in the 2024 drama “Story of Pearl Girl,” a follow-up to their 2021 hit.
Yuning again proved his intensity in the 2025 drama “Prisoner of Beauty,” opposite Song Zuer as the domineering general Wei Shao, who marries the daughter of his enemy, Xiao Qiao.
And for drama watchers, Yuning, a member of the band Modern Brothers, is a familiar voice as he lends his own voice to his drama’s OSTs.
Ding Yuxi or Ryan Ding
Ding Yuxi is arguably one of the versatile actors of his generation.
One of his earlier works that remain a favorite is the 2020 transmigration drama “The Romance of Tiger and Rose,” opposite Lusi.
Lusi gets transported inside her own story, where she plays the side character, Third Princess Chen Xiaoqian, who dies by the hands of the enemy prince in the early parts of the story. The enemy prince happens to be Han Shuo, played by Ryan, who was originally intended for her older sister. But fate, rather Xiaoqian’s willful nature intervened, and instead the two got married.
Ryan also has other popular dramas, including the 2024 costume, “marriage first then love” drama “Melody of Golden Age.”
In the same year, he also released his reunion project with Esther Yu in the transmigration drama “Love Game in Eastern Fantasy,” where Esther’s character gets transported inside the web novel that she heavily criticized. They previously worked in the 2021 modern drama “Moonlight.”
Lin Yi
Lin Yi is described as the “more comfort screen boyfriend” who stars in less toxic stories. The actor takes on roles that are usually “the quiet genius who is secretly whipped” for the female lead.
He also starred with Esther in the 2025 drama “Ski Into Love.” His best work would be the 2019 drama “Put Your Head On My Shoulder” with Xing Fei, an almost perfect drama that has “zero stress” and totally rewatchable.
Lai Weiming
Lai Weiming is notable for his roles in the dramas “Glaze of Love” and “Shine on Me.”
Our resident drama watcher describes him as “perfect for quiet, internalized love stories.”
“He is understated acting — you feel him more than you notice him,” Philstar.com drama watcher noted. “He is a supportive presence even when losing and leaves emotional impact after the story ends. Weiming is best for people who enjoy suffering a little.”
This list, of course, is not complete without Zhang Linghe. For a detailed list of Linghe’s dramas, C-drama watchers can check out our previous story on his and Xiwei’s shows to watch after “Pursuit of Jade.”
RELATED: Sepanx is real: Zhang Linghe, Tian Xiwei dramas to watch after ‘Pursuit of Jade’
- Latest
- Trending
