Recommendations for all Genres
Hello, Potato here back again with another fan guide! This time around, I'm going to share my love of Zhang Linghe, whose portrayal of the beautiful and incredibly kind Gong Ziyu captured my heart. My interest in him and his works grew after watching My Journey to You. It's a satisfying journey seeing his growth, from someone who doesn't have an acting background to one of China's popular young actors. And I believe he will shine even more in the years to come. | Hi, dusty here! The Story of Kunning Palace was my first encounter with Zhang Linghe. As someone who was firmly team Zhang Zhe for two-thirds of that drama, I wasn't expecting to ever fall in love with Xie Wei, especially not in the last act of the story... but that's exactly what happened! Zhang Linghe's impressive portrayal of the complex Xie Wei, along with his acting ability and screen presence, completely took me by surprise. It wasn't long before he became one of my all-time favourite actors. |  |
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Maiden Holmes (2020) | ||
 | A young woman conceals her identity and disguises herself as a man as she travels to the capital to uncover the truth behind the murder of her family. Along the way, she meets the outstandingly intelligent Pei Zhao, and a romance sparks between the two. |  "For as long as you want, this beam of light will always be with you."
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| ❥ Maiden Holmes is Zhang Linghe's debut drama. The premiere of this drama also marks his debut as an actor in the entertainment industry. ❥ He won the 'New Force of the Year' award at the 5th Jinguduo Network Film and Television Festival. ❥ Zhang Linghe didn't know what to do nor where to place his hands as he felt nervous during his first kiss scene (we think he did really well on those smooches though *grins*). | ||
Sparkle Love (2020) | ||
 | Mei Wei Wei is born with a natural frequency. When she's not paying attention, one look at her can electrify guys to the point of falling in love. It's a troublesome trait that Mei Wei Wei hid as she entered college, since she wants to be ordinary just like everyone else. Things don't go as planned when everyone's ideal guy, Mai Si Chong, gets 'shocked' by her. |  "Past results are meaningless. What I want is the next game."
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| ❥ His mother sent him a video of his grandparents sitting straight while watching a kiss scene of his, making him feel embarrassed (who wouldn't?!) ❥ Some of Xiao Zhang's childhood photos are featured in the drama. Another show that does the same is The Best Thing. | ||
Love Crossed (2021) | ||
 | A series of romantic encounters between two heroines and four "virtual" idols. It's a call to return to reality, cherish life, and reap a beautiful love. Lu Xiao is warm as spring in the virtual world but sensitive and lonely in real life. Jiang Kele may lead a difficult life, but she still dreams of meeting the perfect prince. |  "There are two kinds of happiness in life. One is to let go of what you have been carrying for a long time, and the other is to pick up what you have never had. So when facing life, why not be bolder?"
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| ❥ Zhang Linghe had to learn how to dance for his role as Xu Nian. His other three co-stars helped him break through his difficulties. ❥ He got to visit the amusement park for the very first time while filming Love Crossed. ❥ «Major spoiler!» This drama had him playing his first dual role. | ||
Flourish in Time (2021) | ||
 | Childhood friends Jiang Hao Yue and Lu Miao grew up like brother and sister, always having each other's backs. He helps her with schoolwork, and she protects him from being bullied for his disability. As Lu Miao enters high school and makes new friends, she gradually realizes that her feelings for Jiang Hao Yue go beyond those of siblings. Shi Che's arrival brings upon a strong sense of unease for Jiang Hao Yue. Soon enough, the brotherly and sisterly love evolves into young love. |
"The process of perseverance and determination is the most dazzling aspect of youth, in my opinion."  |
| ❥ The character Jiang Haoyue wears a prosthetic leg. To fully immerse himself in the role, Zhang Linghe would tie two sandbags to his legs, restricting the movement of his calves and forcing his thighs to bear more of the weight. The director also suggested that Xiao Zhang strap his knee to simulate the feeling of being unable to bend it. ❥ There's a scene that he will never forget while filming Flourish in Time, and that was when he was patting the female lead's head. Since they filmed at a real school, the students who were there screamed so loudly because it was indeed a heart-fluttering moment! ❥ He said that the script has been changed a lot from the novel. He completed the novel in one night and cried while reading it because the story was extremely tragic. The drama had toned down a lot, and Xiao Zhang recommends reading the novel. ❥ After finishing this drama and moving on to the next one, it took him a long time to get out of the character. | ||
Love Between Fairy and Devil (2022) | ||
 | When a low-ranked fairy accidentally resurrects a powerful demon, their fates become cosmically entangled as the world is thrown into turmoil. |  "What's wrong with saving the one you love?
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| ❥ He finds wirework challenging due to a previous waist injury from playing basketball, and the issue still persists to this day. ❥ The most amusing thing was that Yu Shuxin made him watch her dance videos every day *laughs*. | ||
My Journey to You (2023) | ||
 | Yun Wei Shan is an assassin longing for freedom. She is tasked to infiltrate the Gong clan to complete a mission. Within the eerie and mysterious Gong residence, she encounters love and friendship, embarks on a journey of self-discovery, and finds the determination to move forward. Together with the rebellious nobleman Gong Zi Yu, they grow and mature through their shared experiences. |  "I don't envy the world, because only clouds know feathers." |
| ❥ When filming the ice lotus pool scene, Zhang Linghe spent 7 to 8 hours going underwater in the freezing winter temperature. They filmed until 2 to 3 in the morning that day, and even injured his foot during takes. ❥ Swimming in such cold water for a significant period of time had caused Zhang Linghe to become completely exhausted. His heart rate had slowed due to low blood sugar. ❥ The deleted parts of the tattoo scene reveal that Gong Ziyu has photographic memory. ❥ With a length of 120cm, Xiao Zhang's hair piece is the longest amongst all of the male cast. | ||
Tiger and Crane (2023) | ||
 | This tells the story of a group of teenagers who, for the sake of their dreams, love, and responsibility, trudge through the gloom of a chaotic world to save it. |  "Don't live for anyone else, but for yourself."
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| ❥ Zhang Linghe, together with co-stars Jiang Long and Chen Youwei, provides an OST titled Seeking Light in the Dark (暗里寻光). ❥ He plays a dual role in this drama as Qian and Yan, Qi Xiaoxuan’s Twin Primordial Spirits. | ||
Story of Kunning Palace (2023) | ||
 | Jiang Xue Ning, who aspired to have the highest power in her life, was held hostage by rebels. She got a second chance to alter her fate by not entering the palace. But she again come across with palace affairs and Xie Wei, whom she hated the most. |  "Thank god for his mercy. A person's nature is created from a dangerous situation. Although I live in peace, I don't dare forget. I'm willing to give up my old surname, remove my old name, and abandon the old body. No matter how difficult it is, I won't change my mind." |
| ❥ Zhang Linghe plays Xie Wei, a complex character with a hidden agenda. During filming, he made it a point to discuss Xie Wei's every thought and emotion with both the screenwriter and the novel's author. He did his best to understand Xie Wei in order to portray him correctly, as it was his first time playing such a multifaceted character. ❥ He learned how to play the guqin for the role. ❥ He feels honoured to get the chance of playing such a character, and hopes everyone likes his portrayal of Xie Wei (we definitely do!) | ||
The Princess Royal (2024) | ||
 | When their long, loveless marriage ends in betrayal, a princess and her husband mysteriously wake up as 18-year-olds in the year they were first married. |  "Behind power is the human heart." |
| ❥ Zhang Linghe is similar to Pei Wenxuan in the sense that both are quick-witted. However, he admitted that he's not as coquettish as his character and even claims that it's a big obstacle for him to overcome those scenes (where he had to act clingy). ❥ When filming the scene where he was thrown into the pond, he insisted on completely submerging himself in the dirty water, despite many of the crew members advising against it. He was determined to make the scene as realistic as possible—regardless of the water conditions. This included doing multiple takes until the scene was perfected. ❥ Zhang Linghe said he admires Pei Wenxuan because he can learn many qualities from him that he aspires to have, such as talent, gentleness, attentiveness toward his loved ones, and ambition. ❥ The Princess Royal is shortlisted for the 'Golden Angel Award' at the Chinese American TV Festival (CATF) 2024. | ||
Love's Rebellion (2024) | ||
 | The story revolves around Nan Yan, a skilled doctor who is forced to embark on a journey in the world of immortals to save her mother. Through a series of coincidences, she forms a mystical connection called the "Spiritual Connection Seal" with the enigmatic Ji Yang, who conceals his true identity. |  "A lifetime of peace, without worries or troubles." |
| ❥ Zhang Linghe's expressions during the fertilizer scene were genuine. The props team made it look and feel so real that he really wanted to throw up. ❥ He improvised the bun-eating scene with Darren Chen to make it even more engaging. ❥ Between bad endings (BE) and happy endings (HE), Xiao Zhang prefers BE as he thinks the beauty of brokenness is beautiful. It will make viewers want to remember and think about. | ||
The Best Thing (2025) | ||
 | The hotel room manager, Shen Xi Fan, is a dedicated and hardworking individual. She suffers from insomnia and migraines due to her high-intensity work, so she goes to see a Chinese medicine doctor and meets the gentle and handsome He Su Ye at the tail end of her youth. However, she often forgets to take the medicine due to her busy work, which always causes He Su Ye headaches due to her forgetfulness. |  "Love yourself well, I'll make up for the rest." |
| ❥ Zhang Linghe learned traditional Chinese medicine and is able to read pulses and do acupuncture. When Jin Jing was a guest in the variety show The Truth Season 2, he helped to take her pulse (and discovered a pleasant surprise). ❥ The crew spent three days preparing for the wedding scene, including 12 hours spent manually plucking 360 kg of flower petals. The director continuously instructed the crew and extras to throw the petals until every last one was used. ❥ Contrary to He Suye's high tolerance for spicy food, Xiao Zhang has a low tolerance. He mentioned that while he can still eat spicy food, he's not accustomed to it because it tends to give him acne. ❥ The character of Fang Kexin is modeled after the author of the original novel. The author is writing a story about her unrequited love for the girl he loves. She stated, "A love that I failed to complete—may it find continuation through my writing." | ||
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Refinement of Faith (2021) | ||
 | The history of the Chinese Communist Party's first 100 years is told through eight classic songs that are interconnected. |  |
| ❥ Zhang Linghe plays Guang Weiran, a militant poet who penned a series of poems about the Yellow River. This collection of poems inspired him to write the lyrics to Yellow River Cantata. ❥ Refinement of Faith is a drama to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party. | ||
Bright Eyes in the Dark (2023) | ||
 | Lin Lu Xiao possesses exceptional firefighting skills and extensive experience. He is the head of the Special Operations Station on Heping Road in Beixun City. By a twist of fate, he is chosen to become an instructor for a reality show that aims to promote firefighting knowledge. During the show, Lin Lu Xiao coincidentally encounters Nan Chu, a dancer he had rescued from a fire years ago. Nan Chu develops a fondness for Lin Lu Xiao, but he keeps his distance due to the inherent dangers of his profession. |  |
| ❥ Zhang Linghe plays Lin Qi, a young violinist who is also the younger brother of the main lead. ❥ Xiao Zhang shares the same birthday as the character he plays. | ||
Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red-Moon Pact (2024) | ||
 | The series follows the story of Tushan Honghong, a fox spirit from the righteous Tushan Fox Clan. She saves Dongfang Yuechu, a human youth pursued by his lifelong enemy, by chance. As they spend time together in Tushan, a bond begins to form between them. Ultimately, they join forces with their loved ones to combat the forces of evil, thereby fulfilling their shared desire for peace between their two clans. |  “May you ride the cake and break the waves in your next life.” - Zhang Linghe's goodbye message to Hu Weisheng
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| ❥ Zhang Linghe plays Hu Weisheng, a timid disciple from the Ximen Family. With his simple and pure nature, Hu Weisheng is arguably the cutest character among all of Zhang Linghe's roles. | ||
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214 Loving Inspired (2021) | ||
 | 214 Loving Inspired is a creative concert produced by Xiaohongshu and broadcast on Youku and Jiangsu Satellite TV on February 14th, 2021. It is the first live-action, drama-style music show without a host. The real-life plot and stage performance are seamlessly integrated, providing the audience with a unique immersive viewing experience. |  |
| ❥ Zhang Linghe and Zhuang Dafei starred in this music special. ❥ There's a playlist of all the songs featured in this special, but unfortunately, the entire music programme is restricted to certain regions. However, you're still able to watch unsubbed clips from Youku's Facebook account. | ||
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Our Generation | ||
 | When Lin Qi Le was nine years old, she met a unique person in her life, Jiang Qiao Xi, a transfer student from the provincial capital. Jiang Qiao Xi doesn’t fit in with anything around him—whether it's his exceptional mathematical talent, the "genius" aura he carries, his somber and silent personality, or his privileged family, which conceals secrets. |  |
At the time of writing, this drama has not yet aired. | ||
Zhu Yu | ||
 | It follows Fan Chang Yu, a butcher’s daughter, and Xie Zheng, a fallen noble seeking revenge. Their fake marriage turns into true love, but war tears them apart. Determined, Fan Chang Yu wields her butcher’s knife on the battlefield, searching for justice and her husband. Meanwhile, Xie Zheng reclaims his title, fighting to protect his country and love. Reunited in battle, they stand together, defying fate and uncovering the truth. |  |
At the time of writing, this drama has just completed filming. | ||
Eternal Faith | ||
 | Xie Lian, the Crown Prince of Xianle Kingdom, accidentally destroys the golden palace of a lot of heavenly officials during his third ascension. He is sent down to the mortal world to get rid of ghosts in order to earn enough merits to patch things up. In his journey, Xie Lian is accompanied by two officials who have come to help him and encounters the ghost king Hua Cheng. Through a series of incidents, the seemingly magnificent yet heavy past of the gods in the heavens are gradually revealed. |  |
| ❥ We know that many have been eagerly waiting for this drama, but unfortunately, it has been indefinitely shelved due to censorship. ❥ Zhang Linghe kept his hair long for this role. The bangs were created using his hair combined with a wig that weighed several kilos. | ||
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The Truth Season 2
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 | Hello Saturday
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As You Wish: Story of Kunning Palace
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 | Back to Field Season 7
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"At this moment, I have gained more courage. Dare to dream. Dare to create. Dare to embrace the unknown. Dare to endure failure. I, belong to myself."
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Before we go, we have included a mini search game. There are some things hidden in this article that are associated with these five characters. Can you find them all? Do answer them in the comment section below. Don't forget to mark your answers as spoilers :) *hints are below each characters name* | ||||
 Gong Ziyu *waist ornament* |  Hu Weisheng *favourite food* |  Xie Wei *musical instrument* |  Qi Xiaoxuan *a type of bird* |  Hua Cheng *an insect* |
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