Whether you’ve fallen deep into the world of Chinese dramas or are only just discovering it, one name has been taking the internet by storm: Zhang Linghe. Best known as the male lead in the wildly popular C-drama ‘Pursuit of Jade’, the 28-year-old actor is fast becoming one of China’s most highly raved about actors.
For those who have yet to fall into the rabbit hole, Zhang plays the fallen Marquis Wu’an, also known as Xie Zheng or Yan Zheng, in the 40-episode period epic. Following his family’s murder, he is forced into obscurity. While plotting his revenge, he enters a marriage of convenience with a butcher’s daughter, Fan Changyu (played by Tian Xiwei), and their relationship gradually blossoms into real romance.
The couple’s love story is a key factor behind the drama’s success, dominating charts since its March 6 premiere on iQiyi and Netflix. Zhang’s commanding screen presence and charming looks have also earned the show a devoted following, especially among the female population. Naturally, many are curious to learn more about the man behind the brooding general – and we aim to please. Scroll on for everything you need to know about Zhang Linghe.
1. He was a STEM student
Born on December 30, 1997, in Wuxi, Jiangsu, Zhang Linghe (real name: Zhang Jiawei) has previously described his family as “traditional” in media interviews. As an only child, Zhang focused heavily on academics and was initially expected to pursue a stable engineering career.
He is known for his arithmetic abilities, as seen on several Chinese variety shows, such as ‘The Truth’. In 2016, he enrolled at the prestigious Nanjing Normal University to pursue electrical engineering. It was only later, through modelling gigs and casting opportunities, that he found his way into entertainment before eventually signing with a talent agency.
2. He once weighed 100kg
Zhang’s now-refined features – often described by fans as almost too immaculate for the battlefield setting of Pursuit of Jade – are the result of an inspiring personal transformation. In 2018, he reached his heaviest weight at around 100kg, a period he has spoken about candidly in interviews and on variety shows. During his university years, he was even turned down by a crush – an experience that prompted him to reassess his self-image.
Determined to make a change, he committed to losing weight over the summer break, reportedly losing 25kg over four months by running daily and adhering to a diet of boiled vegetables. The transformation has since become one of the most talked-about chapters of his rise, underscoring the self-discipline that continues to shape his career today.
3. He made his debut with ‘Maiden Holmes’ in 2020
After his glow-up, Zhang was scouted by a talent agency in 2019. He then made his acting debut under the stage name of Zhang Linghe in 2020 in the period rom-com Maiden Holmes. In the drama, he plays the main role of the charismatic Prince Qi, who goes undercover as a commoner named Pei Zhao to investigate a conspiracy, falling for a female detective in the process.
Following his debut, Zhang landed his breakout role as Chang Heng in the 2022 hit xianxia (a Chinese high-fantasy genre) drama, Love Between Fairy and Devil. Despite playing a supporting character, his performance as the noble god of war was widely lauded. He went on to secure leading roles in other high-profile dramas like Story of Kunning Palace (2023), The Princess Royal (2024), and The Best Thing (2025).
Since then, he has consistently taken on new projects every year – growing from a rookie actor to one of the most sought-after names in the C-drama scene within the span of six years.
4. He has become the face of Chinese period dramas
While his filmography ranges from rom-coms to coming-of-age themes, Zhang is most prominent for his period drama roles. To date, he has starred in eight historical costume dramas, including as nobleman Gong Ziyu in My Journey To You (2023), crown prince junior preceptor Xie Wei in Story Of Kunning Palace (2023), Prime Minister Pei Wenxuan in The Princess Royal (2024), and, of course, Marquis Wu’an in Pursuit of Jade (2026).
Unlike the more rugged archetypes of past leading men, Zhang embodies a softer, more cerebral masculinity – bringing a more contemporary appeal to the traditional settings he is often depicted in.
5. He has showcased his singing chops on television
Apart from acting, Zhang has made several memorable public music appearances, too. While he is not a professional singer, his stints on the Chinese reality show, Hello Saturday, where he is regularly asked to sing and dance, have reportedly boosted his confidence as a performer.
On December 31, 2025, Zhang impressed audiences when he strutted down the runway in dark shades and a sharply tailored black trench for Hunan TV’s New Year’s Eve Gala show. His live performance quickly went viral, with netizens dubbing it the ultimate display of “aura-farming”.
6. He is a brand ambassador for several luxury brands
Zhang’s refined features and composed screen presence have made him a natural extension of luxury branding. In recent years, he has been associated with high-profile endorsements across fashion and beauty, aligning with labels that favour a polished, modern classicism.
He has been a Gucci Brand Ambassador since July 2024, frequently appearing in brand campaigns and wearing their collections for red carpet appearances. The maison then appointed him as Gucci Beauty Brand Ambassador in February 2025, becoming the face of the maison’s fragrances – including the new Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia.
@cdramaculture Zhang Ling He interviewing Charles Leclerc looks like something that came out of my dreams LOL #iQIYI #zhanglinghe #pursuitofjade #charlesleclerc #zhuyu
Global denim brand Lee appointed him as their first-ever brand ambassador for the Asia-Pacific region in June 2025, while luxury jewellery maison Bvlgari named him as their new brand ambassador in January this year. He was also announced as PUMA Greater China Brand Ambassador in March 2026, headlining the brand’s F1 events in Shanghai, where he engaged with Scuderia Ferrari F1 driver Charles Leclerc.
On top of that, he has secured more than 20 other endorsements, including partnerships with Chopard, Roger Vivier, Lancôme, and Puma, to name a few.
7. He already has two confirmed upcoming projects
Given the success of Pursuit of Jade, many are looking forward to Zhang’s next project(s). The good news is he already has at least two confirmed dramas in the pipeline. Fans will get to see him in another historical drama, The Road of Glory, where Zhang plays Xiao Li, a low-born “rogue” who saves a fallen princess and helps her reclaim her kingdom. This Tencent drama is expected to wrap up production in May 2026.
Zhang will also star in a Republican-era drama titled Overdo, in which he plays an overlord’s son who escapes abuse and reunites with his rescuer (played by Wang Churan), only to find her engaged to his older brother. The forbidden romance drama series is anticipated to air on iQIYI and Tencent Video later in 2026.
In the meantime, you can (re)watch Pursuit of Jade on Netflix here or catch up on his long list of past dramas here.
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