22 rising Chinese actors to keep your eye on

Born in Vancouver in 1995, Riley Wang has carved a name for himself in the Chinese entertainment industry with his fluency in Mandarin and undeniable screen presence. He made his acting debut in The Mystic Nine (2016), and since then, his versatility and charm have won him roles in hit dramas like My Amazing Boyfriend, My Huckleberry Friends, and The Legends.

Beyond acting, Riley’s sharp fashion sense has landed him magazine features and brand endorsements, while his engaging personality makes him a sought-after guest on TV shows. With a strong social media following and a growing fan base, he continues to make waves in both the entertainment and fashion worlds.

Deng Lun is a Chinese actor known for his emotive performances and undeniable screen presence. Born in 1992 in Shijiazhuang, China, he graduated from the Shanghai Theatre Academy and quickly gained recognition for his talent.

His breakthrough came with Fifteen Years to Wait for Migratory Birds (2016), but it was Because of Meeting You  (2017) that cemented his status as a rising star. Deng Lun continued to impress with lead roles in hit dramas like Sweet Dreams (2018) alongside Dilraba Dilmurat and the critically acclaimed fantasy drama Ashes of Love (2018), which skyrocketed his popularity. His ability to convey deep emotions and bring layered characters to life has made him a fan favourite.

Beyond acting, Deng Lun has been a sought-after face in fashion and endorsements, known for his effortless style and charisma.

Wang Anyu

Credit: Wang Anyu Weibo

3/23

The film 'Shen Yin,' starring Zhao Lusi and Wang Anyu, is adapted from the novel of the same name by the Chinese author Ling Xing and is a sequel to the historical drama 'Qian Gu Jue Chen,' which Xu Kai and Zhou Dongyu appearing as starring leads. Since its premiere, it has gained increasing popularity, earning the male lead, Wang Anyu, the title of 'Ultimate Boyfriend.'

In the of '花儿与少年' ('Flowers and Youth'), titled '丝路之旅' ('Silk Road Journey'), Wang Anyu partnered with Hu Xianxu, accompanying other women including Dilraba, Xin Zhilei, and Qin Lan on the journey and quickly became a favourite amongst the women. Many netizens became fans of the show because of the harmonious interactions among the cast.

Joseph Zeng

Credit: Joseph Zeng Weibo

4/23

The historical drama ‘Lian Hua Lou’ set the record for the highest reputation among period dramas, bringing characters like Li Lianhua and Fang Duobing into the spotlight. Since its broadcast, Joseph Zeng’s popularity has soared.

As a post-95 baby who has appeared in multiple highly acclaimed dramas with ratings above 8, Joseph Zeng has become one of the most recognisable new-generation male actors in the current market.

With his captivating portrayal of Fang Duobing, Joseph Zeng has deeply moved audiences and left a lasting impression.

Deng Wei

Credit: Deng Wei Weibo

5/23

Deng Wei made his debut only a year ago and has already starred in several films and TV dramas. He made his first appearance in "Encounter with the Dragon", which was left with mixed reviews. Deng Wei played the role of a charming second male lead who appeared cold towards the girl he loved.

With his standout performance and natural talent, Deng Wei left a deep impression on the audience with his debut work. Later, he continued to participate in highly-discussed period dramas such as "Heavy Purple," "Long Moon Bright Ember," and "Endless Love," which skyrocketed his popularity.

Chen Zheyuan

Credit: Chen Zheyuan Weibo

6/23

Chen Zhe Yuan gained recognition for his role as “Duan Jia Xu” in the sweet romance drama “Can’t Hide Love.” Before this, he appeared in the 2020 historical drama “The Twin Heroes” alongside Hu Yi Tian. For portraying Jiang Xiao Yu, celebrated for his courage, sincerity, and loyalty, he won the Annual Potential Male Actor Award at the National Drama Awards.

Born in Shenzhen in 1996, Chen Zhe Yuan was known as the most attractive guy on campus during his university years. In 2015, Chen Zhe Yuan joined the iQiyi reality show “King of Pop,” adopting the Korean star-making system and undergoing intensive training by a Korean entertainment company, making it to the end and debuting in Mr.BIO.

In 2015, he dropped the theme song “Jackpot” for the show as part of Mr.BIO and has contributed to OSTs for various TV dramas in which he starred.

Chen Xingxu

Credit: Chen Xingxu Weibo

7/23

Chen Xingxu, recently came back into the spotlight with the martial arts drama “Stars Turn into Sugar,” began his journey as a child star at the age of 3. Spotted by a talent scout due to his cute and clever appearance, he quickly transitioned to appearing in commercials. Within a year, Chen Xingxu landed a role in the TV drama “Burning Years of Passion,” marking the official start of his acting career.

However, it was the 2019 hit costume drama “Eastern Palace” that transformed him from a child star into a handsome male lead. His compelling portrayal of the Prince of the Feng Dynasty, combined with the heart-wrenching plot, captivated the audience.

In “Stars Turn into Sugar,” Chen Xingxu takes on the role of Xuan Shangjun, initially depicted as the crown prince of the heavenly realm and the god of war in the four realms. Beyond the complexities of his characters, Chen Xingxu’s portrayal showcases his versatility as an actor.

Song Weilong

Credit: Song Weilong Weibo

8/23

Song Weilong gained attention for Find Yourself, where his flirtatious chemistry with Victoria Song left audiences swooning. His charm even earned him the title of the new-generation “National Boyfriend,” with his search rankings briefly surpassing stars like Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo.

Later on, he returned to the spotlight with A League of Nobleman, a suspenseful historical drama co-starring Jing Boran. Adapted from the popular novel Zhang Gong An, the series follows scholar Zhang Ping (played by Song Weilong) and refined official Lan Jue (Jing Boran) as they solve intricate mysteries while uncovering hidden truths about their pasts. The show’s gripping cases, cinematic visuals, and charismatic characters have sparked lively discussions among viewers.

Yang Yang

Credit: Yang Yang

9/23

Yang Yang has recently drawn attention with his roles in the military drama Glory of Special Forces and the historical drama Who Rules the World, earning praise for his versatility in modern, historical, and military looks.

His artistic journey began at the Shanghai Youth Art School, leading him to enroll in the Dance Department of the People’s Liberation Army Academy of Art at 12.

Excelling in dance, he ranked first in his class and competed internationally. Later, he was recruited by the Nanjing Military Region Frontline Art Troupe, earning the title of “Most Handsome Student of the Academy.”

In 2010, he gained recognition for his role as Jia Baoyu in Dream of the Red Chamber, winning the “BQ Recommended Newcomer of the Year” award. However, his breakthrough came with Love O2O, where he played Xiao Nai.
In 2021, he reached new career heights with You Are My Glory, starring as aerospace engineer Yu Tu alongside Dilraba Dilmurat. The drama sparked the “science and engineering boyfriend” trend, with fans coining the phrase: “Living is about falling in love with Yang Yang over and over again at different ages.”

Dylan Wang

Credit: Icon Singapore

10/23

Born in 1998, Dylan Wang started his career as a flight attendant before stepping into the entertainment industry. In 2016, he won the first Sichuan Campus Red Festival, marking his official debut.

With his striking looks, he landed his first major role as Dao Ming Si in the much-anticipated Meteor Garden reboot. However, the series was met with harsh criticism, and while his appearance suited the character, his acting faced scrutiny. His next historical drama, Miss the Dragon, also received backlash for its lacklustre costume design, earning him the unfortunate title of “the least attractive historical drama male lead.”

But 2022 changed everything. Love Between Fairy and Devil became his breakout moment, with Dylan’s commanding portrayal of Dongfang Qingcang captivating millions. Practically overnight, he soared to the top of trending charts, reclaiming his place in the industry and proving his star power.

Leo Wu

Credit: Icon Singapore

11/23

Many people first noticed Wu Lei from the show “Nirvana in Fire.” Born in Shanghai in 1999, Wu Lei started doing ads in 2002. At six, he began his acting career, playing “Nezha” in “Fengming Qishan.” His skills and low-key style have gained him praise.

He managed to grow out of the child actor label with his 2021 drama “The Long Ballad”

Xu Kai

Credit: Icon Singapore

12/23

The recently concluded drama "Qian Gu Jue Chen," starring Xu Kai and Zhou Dongyu, initially faced criticism when it first aired. Many viewers believed Zhou Dongyu's appearance didn't suit the fantasy genre.

However, it started to receive praise for its plot, special effects, and the performances of the actors.

Xu Kai, portrayed three distinct roles (Bai Jue, Bai Xuan, Qing Mu), his detailed performances, coupled with the seamless coordination with Zhou Dongyu, created a captivating chemistry.

In recent years, audiences have witnessed his compelling performances in various outstanding dramas such as "Story of Yanxi Palace", "Zhao Yao," "Burning Ice Military Academy," "Once Upon a Time in Lingjian Mountain," and the esports-themed idol drama "My Love, Enlighten Me," which aired at the same time as "Qian Gu Jue Chen" and also gained Xu Kai a lot of popularity.

Bai Jingting

Credit: Icon Singapore

13/23

The incredibly popular urban military romance drama "You Are My Hero," adapted from the 2017 novel of the same name has captivated fans with Bai Jingting's portrayal of a special police officer.

Debuting in 2014, Bai Jingting has ventured into acting and hosting, leaving a lasting impression with works like "Love O2O," "Back in Time," and "Ordinary Glory," accumulating considerable popularity over the years. In "You Are My Hero," he underwent a physical transformation, getting in shape, and completely overturning his previous image.

Zhang Xincheng

Credit: Icon Singapore

14/23

The romantic comedy "The Day I Became You," starring Zhang Xincheng and Liang Jie, has sparked discussions with its light and humorous style, captivating plot, and the performances of the leads. It has trended on various platforms over a hundred times. In the drama, Zhang Xincheng plays Jiang Yi, who accidentally swaps bodies with female journalist Yu Shengsheng. His stylized female body language performance has received praise. Zhang Xincheng's notable role is "Xiao Ge" He Ziqiu in "In the Name of the Family."

Born in 1995, Zhang Xincheng is recognized as a standout talent in the Chinese entertainment industry. He secured the top spot in the national art examination across four prestigious schools: the Performance and Creation Department of Beijing Film Academy, the Performance Department of Shanghai Theatre Academy (Musical Theatre Direction), the Performance Department of the PLA Academy of Arts (Male Category), and the Musical Theatre Performance Department of the Central Academy of Drama, which he chose. At 18, he debuted in the film "School Bus" and released his first single at 19. The following year, he received the iQiyi Scream Night Annual Drama Newcomer Award for his debut TV work, "Love Through Time 2: Exchange Under the Moonlight."

Ren Jialun

Credit: Icon Singapore

15/23

Ren Jialun, also known as the "Ancient Idol," consistently garners attention in historical dramas. In 2017, he gained fame with "The Glory of Tang Dynasty," portraying the romantic Prince Guangping. This role earned him a massive fan following, with his Weibo followers surging from 20,000 to millions. During the peak of his career, he publicly announced his five-year relationship and, a year later, revealed he was becoming a father.

After quietly working in the entertainment industry for many years, "Under the Power" thrust him back into the spotlight. Initially not highly anticipated, the drama's success was propelled by the cast's acting skills and the strong chemistry between Ren Jialun and Tan Songyun. Their performances carried the entire drama, making "Under the Power" a dark horse in the film and television industry in the first half of 2020. Recently, popular dramas like "Forever and Ever" and "The Oath of Love" have once again brought Ren Jialun increased attention.

Liu Yuning

Credit: Icon Singapore

16/23

The drama "Chang Ge Xing" catapulted Liu Yuning, a 90s "treasure boy," into the spotlight as the new-generation male idol. Portraying Haodu, the Forbidden Army's commander, he forms an adorable pairing with popular actress Zhao Lusi, who plays Haoyan. Liu Yuning's performance, transitioning from cold and ruthless to displaying a domineering yet tender side, has resonated with many.

Despite lacking a professional background, Liu Yuning, in his relatively short five-year stint in the film and television industry, showcased his talent in works like "Hot Blooded Youth" and "Ultimate Note." At 20, he participated in the Hunan TV talent show "Happy Boys," where he was eliminated in the preliminary round. Forming the Modern Brothers band with fellow contestants, he ventured into a live-streaming platform. Finally, at 28, Liu Yuning's Douyin videos went viral, marking his official entry into the entertainment industry as a singer. He released his debut solo single "Imagination" and made notable appearances on variety shows like "Day Day Up," "Singer 2019," and "The Masked Singer (Season 3)."

Later, he lent his voice to numerous popular TV dramas, singing OSTs including the theme song "Tian Wen" for "Word of Honor," the insert song "Yi Ai Ru Gu" for "Chang Ge Xing," the insert song for "You Are My City and Fortress," the theme song for "8090," and the ending song for "Beautiful Time and Scenery."

Simon Gong Jun

Credit: Icon Singapore

17/23

The costume drama "Word of Honor" has propelled Gong Jun, born in 1992, into the spotlight as a prominent Chinese actor. Despite the drama's initially low production cost and minimal expectations, it unexpectedly became a highly popular work. Gong Jun, who debuted in 2015, has featured in various idol dramas, romantic dramas, and costume dramas, portraying supporting and leading roles. However, it wasn't until his role as "Yuan Che" in "The Lost Tomb" that he made a lasting impression. His portrayal of Wen Kexing in "Word of Honor" marks a turning point in Gong Jun's acting career.

Ding Yu Xi

Credit: Icon Singapore

18/23

Have you watched "The Romance of Tiger and Rose"? Its humorous and idiosyncratic style, coupled with its whimsical plot, unexpectedly turned this charming period drama with a pet theme into a massive success. It amassed over 600 million views within just 11 days of its premiere. The 24-year-old actor Ding Yuxi, portraying the "black-bellied prince" Han Shuo, has recently ascended to become a new-generation internet heartthrob, and his value has surged. Standing at 181 centimetres tall and possessing a handsome appearance, he initially gained recognition on the celebrity talent show "Actor's Character," graduating as the show's top performer.

However, what truly garnered public acclaim for Ding Yuxi was his role in the 2018 drama "New Smiling, Proud Wanderer," where he portrayed one of the main characters, Dongfang Bubai. Not only did he exhibit superb acting skills, but he also flawlessly interpreted Dongfang Bubai's pride and charm. This year can be deemed a year of tremendous success for Ding Yuxi. Alongside "The Romance of Tiger and Rose," his outstanding performances in the urban romance drama "Intense Love" and "Qing Ping Yue" have earned him the title of "May Boyfriend" among fans.

Hu Yitian

Credit: Icon Singapore

19/23

Those who have indulged in the charm of "A Love So Beautiful" can't resist becoming admirers of this striking young man, seemingly plucked from the pages of a comic book.

Over the past two years, Hu Yitian has dedicated himself to refining his acting prowess, gradually unveiling his true talent in the realm of performance. Collaborating with the equally tall and handsome actor Zhang Yunlong in "Republican Detective" earning the show favorable ratings and winning the affections of female viewers. His growth in acting is evident when compared to his portrayal of "Jiang Chen" in the past.

Wang Yibo

Credit: Icon Singapore

20/23

Born in 1997, Wang Yibo has already won awards like Best Newcomer at the 2015 K Music Asia Awards, he's dubbed the "born king of the stage." Set to appear in the martial arts drama "Legend of Fei" with Chinese actress Zhao Liying, he's constantly generating online buzz.

Xiao Zhan

Credit: Icon Singapore

21/23

After "The Untamed," he ventured into variety shows like the singing competition "Our Song," consistently sparking discussions each week. His presence extended to the detective show "The Great Detective," contributing to the sustained popularity he enjoys. Upcoming projects include "Please Guide Us, Mr. Ling" with Yang Zi, the costume drama "Douluo Continent" based on a popular novel, and "The Wolf Prince."

However, fame doesn't come without its challenges. Dealing with issues caused by some overly enthusiastic fans, he faced difficulties and unwarranted rumors. Following a storm, Xiao Zhan's new single "Spotlight" crossed one billion views. His participation in a tribute event by a TV station, where he performed "Bamboo and Stone," marked his resilient return to the public eye, earning renewed support.

Li Xian

Credit: Icon Singapore

22/23

Last year, "Dear, Love" catapulted Li Xian into the limelight. Following that, his initial foray into historical drama with "Sword Dynasty" fell short of expectations, garnering average reviews. While it didn't significantly boost Li Xian's popularity, the show garnered attention due to his existing fame. Despite being a sought-after star, Li Xian appears in no rush to solidify his status. There's no official confirmation of his involvement in a new drama, only circulating online rumors. Currently, he's dedicated to projects like "The Hidden Corner" and "The Red Fox Scholar."

Jackson Yee

Credit: Icon Singapore

23/23

In recent years, Yi Yangqianxi has made impressive strides in his career. With notable successes like the costume drama "The Longest Day in Chang'an" and the film "Better Days," he has seamlessly transitioned from being an idol singer to a talented new-generation male actor. Early in 2020, Yi Yangqianxi, alongside Huang Zitao, took on roles in the Republican-era youth drama "The Blood of Youth." Despite not creating significant buzz, the reviews were positive. Netizens lauded the performances of both male leads, contributing to the sustained popularity of Yi Yangqianxi.

This article was originally published in ICON Singapore.