What exactly is the Zhang Linghe effect?

MANILA, Philippines — Officially entered my C-drama era because of ZLH!

Before coming to Beijing, China for a three-month media exchange program, my sister, who just finished Zhang Linghe or ZLH’s Chinese drama, “Pursuit of Jade,” convinced me to watch the series saying that I can fully “blend in” and appreciate China’s history, culture and language through the series.

And she was right. I started watching the series in mid-May and finished the 40 episodes within two weeks, and yes, this is the first-ever C-drama that I watched in this lifetime.

I can vividly remember how I judged her for saying that she wanted to skip work just to watch all day since the story kept on piquing her curiosity about the drama’s plot.

During my free days from the program, I did the same. I could binge watch at least eight episodes a day. And I constantly saw Linghe’s photos on a regular basis at the mall, convenience stores and billboards along the roads of China’s capital.

As part of the program, we visited museums, tourist attractions and other historical places in the Mainland. It was when I realized I’m somehow already connected to a part of the culture after watching the series. Even during visits, I would randomly mention the series to the tour guides, and we would gush over how good the drama is as well as the actors.

I could also remember a few words and lines from the series that made it easier for me to absorb the Mandarin classes that I attended inside the Renmin University of China in Haidian District.

Last month, when we visited the world’s largest imperial palace, the Forbidden City, it felt like I was inside the shooting location of some scenes in “Pursuit of Jade.” The series indeed depicted the history of China as well as the life of its citizens in the past.

Zhang Linghe is an actor-model whose photos I constantly see at the mall, convenience stores and billboards along the roads of China’s capital.

I am one of the thousands of Filipino fans who rejoiced and got excited after Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan announced in early June that they officially invited Chinese superstar Zhang Linghe to visit Manila soon.

“We contacted his team, but currently, he’s a superstar in China. His schedule is very busy, but anyway, we’re just talking with him. (We) try to seek, for any chance, maybe by the end of this year, we can invite him to visit Manila and meet with the fans,” Quan said during one of the embassy’s events last June 3.

I guess just like how K-dramas rose to fame and encouraged fans to visit and experience Korea, this series could also be a way for the public to add China as their next travel destination.