Zhang Linghe’s Best Dramas And Leading Roles So Far
From a dashing marquis to a loving TCM physician, here’s where to see more of the Chinese heartthrob.
By Janice Sim - published
It’s a historical romance for the books. Quite literally, since iQIYI’s recent release Pursuit of Jade is an adaptation of the Chinese web novel Chasing Jade by Tuan Zi Lai Xi. Led by Chinese actors Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei, the former plays Xie Zheng, a revered marquis on a revenge quest over a 17-year feud, who is coincidentally saved by the latter’s character, Fan Chang Yu, a butcher’s daughter. The unlikely pair ends up entering a marriage of convenience, which soon evolves into real love and affection, before scheming enemies, status differences and a looming war strive to tear them apart.
Lauded for its stunning cinematography, astounding costumes and a certain swoon-worthy love portrayed by the two leading actors, it’s no wonder that Pursuit of Jade ranked top on iQIYI’s International ‘Top 10 Chinese Language Dramas Weekly Chart’ in its debut week, and has since held an unwavering spot on Netflix’s Top 10 Series in Singapore.
Naturally, the internet’s obsession over Zhang’s performance and visuals has surfaced yet again. Fan edits of the 28-year-old heartthrob in marquis garb have viewers from all over the world in a chokehold, cheekily captioned “the face you would go to war for”.
Indeed, this isn’t the first time Zhang has made headlines onscreen. Before he was Marquis Wu’ An in Pursuit of Jade, he won hearts as a TCM physician in The Best Thing (2025), a broken teen in Our Generation (2025) and a cunning tutor in Story of Kuning Palace (2023).
Below, get acquainted with the actor’s other leading roles.
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1. He Suye in The Best Thing (2025)
Set in Hangzhou, this is a healing love story between a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physician and his patient, who suffers from insomnia. Zhang plays He Suye, the actor’s sweetest leading man to date, who meets Shen Xifan (played by Xu Ruohan), with the latter coming out of a toxic relationship.
As the two become fast friends, Suye’s affection and devotion for Xifan gradually moves her as she learns what a healthy and loving relationship should look like. Serving up plenty of heart-fluttering moments and TCM tidbits, the series was praised for the sizzling chemistry between the leads and topped the iQIYI charts, which saw 800 million views shortly after its release.
The Best Thing is showing on iQIYI.
2. Gong Ziyu in My Journey To You (2023)
In this dark fantasy drama, deception and scathing family politics loom as a female assassin Yun Weishan (portrayed by Yu Shuxin) disguises herself as a bride to infiltrate the reclusive and powerful Gong family. But before she can complete her mission, she finds herself falling for the house’s rebellious young master and newly-appointed head Gong Ziyu, played by Zhang. There’s a ton of suspense, exceptional action scenes and the allure of forbidden love to top it off.
My Journey To You is showing on iQIYI and Viu.
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3. Pei Wenxuan in The Princess Royal (2024)
We love a good second chance romance and this historical drama serves up part comedy and part melodrama in a palace setting. In The Princess Royal, Princess Li Rong (Zhao Jinmai) and Prime Minister Pei Wenxuan (Zhang) are abruptly murdered after being in a 20-year loveless marriage. However, instead of eternal death, the pair finds themselves waking up in their 18-year-old bodies with a chance to change their fates. Despite their differences, they work together to find out the mastermind behind their deaths while falling in love with each other along the way.
The Princess Royal is showing on Netflix and Viu.
4. Jiang Qiaoxi in Our Generation (2025)
In this coming-of-age drama, Zhang plays the pensive and troubled Jiang Qiaoxi who meets the cheerful and outgoing Lin Qile (Zhao Jinmai) as the two become unlikely childhood friends.
As their platonic bond gradually develops into something more, life’s hardships—think family troubles and sudden tragedies—threaten to come between them. In this love story tested through time and distance, you’ll witness Zhang in his most vulnerable role yet with second-time onscreen partner Zhao.
Our Generation is showing on Netflix.
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5. Xie Wei in Story of Kuning Palace (2023)
A historical drama that tells a tale of hate, love and redemption. Bai Lu stars as the scheming Empress Jiang Xuening who takes her own life during a palace rebellion led by Xie Wei (Zhang). She then wakes up in her 18-year-old self and is given a chance to avoid her past mistakes but somehow ends up as a student of Xie, the morally dubious imperial tutor. From enemies to lovers, it’s a slow-burn romance as the two ultimately manage to rewrite their wrongs and choose the right path to each other.
Story of Kuning Palace is showing on iQIYI.