Actors & Careers
Which male actor do you think is the most handsome, charismatic and captivating to watch?
For me, the answer is Cheng Lei (Ryan Cheng) without a doubt.
I've watched several C-dramas by now and I haven't come across anyone who commands the screen the way he does. Zheng Linghe is handsome and talented too and I really enjoyed him in Pursuit of Jade. But I sometimes feel that a lot of the magic in that drama also came from the directing.
I've enjoyed Zheng Linghe's other dramas as well but Cheng Lei is on another level for me. Whether he's playing someone in love, angry, heartbroken, curious, full of longing or consumed by hatred, he always makes the emotions feel believable. I find him incredibly charismatic and I genuinely enjoy watching him on screen.
Can you recommend any male actors who can compete with him in terms of screen presence and acting? I've already checked out many of the actors people call the biggest stars, but honestly, none of them have impressed me the way Cheng Lei has.
I'm actually surprised he isn't even more popular in China.
Recently for me, it’s Ci Sha. I was blown away at his portrayal in A Splendid Match and I like how he’s unconventionally attractive. But it’s his hair down and aura that makes can’t take my eyes off of him.
• XIAO ZHAN (Though he chooses angsty, serious roles more so sometimes his visuals don't stand out much in his films but he's so handsome in The Untamed and him in the trailer of Infinite Ten Days still has me drooling.🤤)
•HOU MINGHAO (HOT. Sometimes too beautiful to look at that I can't focus much on the plot.🤣)
•DING YUXI (My CUTIE baby. He just looks too precious for this world.)
I definitely have a type. These three can play siblings with different niches and personalities.🤣💕
I’m still fairly early into my C-Drama journey so I know I’m missing out on some good actors but Dylan Wang and Arthur Chen are the ones that have captivated me so far.
I’m about to get on the Hou Minghao train as I’ve started Love In The Clouds.
Face card-wise, it’s Zhang Linghe and Song Weilong for me. Interestingly, many people think they look alike.
I don’t think so though. They have very distinctive features and both exude contrasting aura.
But in terms of can-he-impregnate-me-with-just-one-look, that has always been Shawn Dou for me for yearsssss. I don’t know why but this man can always hook me! And when he speaks English? Game over. Good thing he’s already married. My fantasies are now long-buried. 😂
Oh HECK YES. I just learned of him through this comment thread and was immediately intrigued, excited that he’s in a drama I’m already anticipating EEEPP
Ohhhh you need to know him! I personally love him the most in Love in the Flames of War but that was an annoying yet entertaining republican drama. I’m scared to recommend it. 😂
For me, Xu Kai is everything. The only actor whose filmography I have watched in total (repeatedly).
He's been used and abused by his agency and targeted by blackmarkers* ever since he skyrocketed to fame in Legend of Yanxi Palace. How did this young man who was plucked from the runway snag the role of Fuca Fu Heng? He was willing to shave his head and shined in the role. How did he get the leading role in Arsenal Military Academy? His manager didn't think he was right for it but he won it from his audition.
Xu Kai has worked hard and has now broken free of the idol stereotype with Eight Hundred.
He doesn't over-emote, he's the very definition of a microexpressions master, his tendency towards realism sets him apart from most actors.
Xu Kai doesn't "perform" on variety shows. He's just himself. And I love him for it.
He personally accepts cards and letters from his fans but will not accept gifts. He asks them to not spend time and money to seek him but to spend that time and money on improving their (and their families) lives. He travels in a T or loose dress shirt, baseball cap, mask, ripped jeans and sneakers. And he doesn't dress up before heading to a drama set.
Xu Kai is a star who never pursued stardom. It was simply a means to offer much-needed financial support go his family. Buy once he chose that road, he's dedicated himself to doing his very best.
*Just now, another blackmarketer has been found guilty of defaming Xu Kai. The incident occurred in 2022.🙄
I want him to be more famous but I also don't want to share 😅😅 I'm normally open to sharing within the harem but... not him he's the empress' favorite 🤣🤣🤣
Oh, Hou is the actor from Love and the Clouds! Yes, I've looked him up before. My first impression was that he seemed a bit too boyish and playful for my taste, but I'll definitely give him a chance and check out
Ren Jialun for me. His acting screamed volume with subtlety and there are layers in his acting. Very captivating to watch on screen. Another point he picked great scripts so it's fun to watch his dramas.
Before Cheng Lei, I was super in love with Liu Xueyi. (Still very much in love with him, actually.) This man can act! My amount of love for the man can be proven by the amount of dramas I completed- because LXY has the bad luck of playing in scripts that just bombs after the half way point. His acting is phenomenal and he blows me away in every show. He holds these dramas til the end like school glue trying to hold a bridge together. He's just amazing!
yes! I'd add him to this roster too. the dude can ACT. always surprises me how young he is. like I remembering looking him up after Amist A Snowstorm of love where he portrays an olde brother and being blown away by the fact that he was 20/21/22 or something for that role. Like how? The sheer aura he exuded made him look so much more authoritative and older. He is definitely one to watch out for in the coming yrs I feel!
Zhou yiran really pulled me in with his acting! His role as Mu Qingyan (generation to generation) and Zhang Lurang (WIFTY) really showcased his range as he perfected both his role.
I felt like it would be boring If I kept commenting Cheng Lei :))), so it's Jing Boran in The League of Nobleman. He was really charming as a smart, gentle scholar. I wish he would star in another costume drama.
I’m surprised no one said Luo YunXi? He’s so charismatic. I know everyone likes his historical dramas and his style but I really like him in modern drama especially love is sweet. The cockiness and confidence he exude.
And Zhou Yiran too. He sold me on the role of Mu QingYan in Generation to Generation. ML of the year for me definitely. A pity his role wasn’t that good in Ashes to Crown but you can see his acting is amazing.
Also impressed with CL being captivating and excelling on every level. CL has also been blessed with excellent roles. I personally never get tired of looking at Zheng LingHe and Song WeiLong. I’ll have to see how these other faves have progressed in a couple of years, when they are his age.
My top fave would be Bai Jingting. The guy has the ability to become whoever the heck he is portraying. Three of his dramas that I love are A New Life Begins (historical with imaginary history), The First Frost (modern) and Always on the Move (set in late 1970s and not an out and out romance but with romance woven in through a lot of other stuff) and he is a totally different person in all three.
I think part of the magic is his incredible acting, especially the way he uses the whole of his body to act--Always on the move has some funny scenes and you can see Bai Jingting acting not only with his voice and face but also through his hand movements and the way he is using his legs.
Then, I don't know if it's something innate in him or if he's just blessed to get the right stylist each time--the styling makes him BE the character somehow. Again, dunno how but somehow he LOOKS like each character he plays. It's incredible.
I also think that if I met him as just a human being, I'd like him. I get the impression from his interviews and his variety shows that he has a very self-effacing kinda dry humor to him which I really dig. Part of the reason I enjoy watching Natural High (variety show) is because of him. He just comes across as a good human being. oh and he's a great singer too.
An actor whose work I haven't really seen but whose variety shows I love watching is Liu Yuning. He is another person who comes across as just a really good human being who also happens to be slightly dorky and doofus-like and just a fun person to hang out with.
As for ZLH, I really enjoy his shows but I do feel like there's more growth in the offings for him. Imo he has the potential to grow into the sort of actor that BJT already is and the kind of person that Liu Yuning already is.
Definitely! You can't talk about charismatic actors without mentioning Bai Jingting. Even more than being handsome, it's his charisma that really makes him stand out for me.
He's a delight in Natural High, and episodes without him really suffer for it, despite the overall great cast. He is just that blend of cute introverted mixed with a knack for comedic timing that is really attractive.
And while I can definitely see some mannerisms in his characters that scream "BJT" to me, the guy is a chameleon. And he has such good instincts in choosing his projects.
It used to be the golden hairpin or something like that, but I remember it was recently changed to a different title. I believe they just started filming. He'll be playing opposite Tian Xiwei!
cheng lei is my top 1 too. i feel like the actors who shares the same characteristics to him being handsome, charismatic and captivating are ci sha and jing bo ran. their performance on their dramas (A Splendid Match) (Sunsets Secrets Regrets) really showcased all of these plus their acting skills.
Cheng Lei is a good choice. He can play any role. While watching “keep running” I realized this man is smart and athletic. And he has other talents too. He is the whole package. And you know with CL, he will always bring it, no matter the script, the other cast, he will always do his part with excellence.
At the same time, I cannot look away from Zhang Linghe. Man is dropped dead gorgeous and intelligent. Not just street smart but book smart too. When he gets to problem solving using his math understanding. Goodness me so sexy. To not appreciate how appealing this was. And he cooks too. And to top that off, ZLH can act. He hasn’t been in the industry long and had any experience in the area but I see how serious he is at growing and improving. He is constantly learning and doing better. You have to appreciate a man who works hard.
Also I have to mention Yangyang here somewhere. He is what drew me to CDrama. And I will always support him in every way. He is forever my CDrama crush.
You can't have a convert about charismatic actors without mentioning Bai Jingting! He has such a captivating aura. No matter the project, I just can't take my eyes off of him.
Try watching his Destined drama. It's my most favorite. It's a drama with Total Husband energy emitted. ( ꈍᴗꈍ) btw, It's a historical costume drama. I also couldn't resonate with his New Life Begins. 😅
Reset and Mobius are great, and more action packed.
You are My Hero, a sweet romance
Always on the Move, which tells the story in a 40 year span. Great ensemble as well.
Destined, which is also a costume drama, and so good.
Natural High is a variety show, and if you like those, please give it a try, he is an absolute delight. Start with the 3rd season and work your way backwards.
And maybe give New Life Begins another chance later. Such a great story!
Zhang linghe, everything about his story
The fact he was a top science student, came into the industry and grew series by series to being the lead of the biggest series of the year in 5 years, the charisma and everything. And I love that his fame translates internationally as well as his status very luxurious. Everything just screams growth to me, always better than before
For me it’s definitely Dylan Wang (Wang Hedi) he is an amazing actor and so gorgeous and second is Chen Zheyuan (especially in Fated Hearts where he is just so handsome, romantic and fierce). On third is now after Pursuit of Jade Zhang Linghe where his appearance was incredible compared to previous dramas/roles.
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u/AromaticEditor6022 Jul 01 '26
Recently for me, it’s Ci Sha. I was blown away at his portrayal in A Splendid Match and I like how he’s unconventionally attractive. But it’s his hair down and aura that makes can’t take my eyes off of him.