Who is Zhang Linghe, the Pursuit of Jade star and Gucci ambassador?
Chinese dramas are all the rage right now, from those streaming on Netflix and Disney+, to the highly accessible short-form micro dramas multiplying on social media feeds. These Chinese shows know how to keep viewers hooked, filling their running time, however short, with fiendish plot twists and cl
By Alexa Vernice Pacis
Chinese dramas are all the rage right now, from those streaming on Netflix and Disney+, to the highly accessible short-form micro dramas multiplying on social media feeds. These Chinese shows know how to keep viewers hooked, filling their running time, however short, with fiendish plot twists and cliffhangers.
In March, the drama Pursuit of Jade released on Netflix and within a week, it became the first C-drama to reach the Global Top 10 Non-English Shows, entering at number six. The show remained in the rankings for four weeks, reaching international audiences and further introducing the genre to the rest of the world.
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But why is the show so popular? For one, there’s the compelling plot – everybody loves a slick execution of clichéd tropes, like a marriage of convenience and hidden identities. However, among the biggest factors is the striking good looks and charm of Zhang Linghe, the actor who plays the male lead. Just last month, Zhang’s highly anticipated appearance for Chinese eyewear brand Molsion at a mall in Nanning, China caused chaos when exuberant fans rushing in shattered a glass door, reportedly sending five to the hospital.
So, who exactly is Zhang Linghe? Here’s what we know about the Chinese actor who’s stealing hearts across the globe.
He originally wanted a career in STEM
Zhang Linghe (born Zhang Jiawei) was born on December 30, 1997 in Wuxi, a city in Jiangsu province, China. He majored in electrical engineering at Nanjing Normal University, where he joined the Aerospace Society. According to Zhang, if he hadn’t become an actor, he might have been employed in the power or energy sectors.
The 28-year-old is quite the nerd, with his handsome face hiding an unassuming intelligence. On Chinese variety shows, Zhang can be seen solving complex mathematical problems and riddles.
He made his acting debut in 2020
Zhang’s television debut came with the costume romance drama Maiden Holmes in 2020, where he played a teenage prince. Zhang has said he felt clueless being on set for the first time, with everything feeling “so fresh”.
Since his debut, Zhang has racked up appearances in no less than 16 different Chinese dramas, with three more on the horizon. He has been praised by fans for his ability to play a wide range of personalities across genres. Though he has shown his acting chops in modern-day series too, he is best known for his roles in historical, costume romances and dramas, often playing noble characters like kings and princes.
Domestically, Zhang has been recognised for several years at award shows, including winning the Most Popular Actor of the Year at both the Weibo Awards and the iQiyi TV and Movie Awards in 2025. For his role in Pursuit of Jade, he was the only Chinese actor to be nominated for Best Actor at the 2026 Seoul Drama Awards, among 352 entries from around the world.
He is the face of numerous luxury brands
It’s no surprise that brands are clamouring to get him as the face of their brand. Zhang has mentioned losing 25kg in four months during his university days, when he weighed around 100kg. His efforts in slimming down have not gone unnoticed, and he’s now an ambassador for Chinese brands like Lenovo, CeraVe, Carslan and PurCotton, global labels like Puma and luxury houses such as Chopard, Roger Vivier, Gucci and Bulgari.
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He is also the first Asia-Pacific brand ambassador for the denim brand Lee.
Who is he dating?
While Zhang has not publicly confirmed his relationships, there has been speculation linking him with former co-stars Bai Lu, who he worked with Story of Kunning Palace (2023), and Xu Ruohan, his co-star in 2025 drama The Best Thing.
More recently, fans have linked Zhang to his Pursuit of Jade co-star Tian Xiwei, gushing over their off-screen dynamic and friendship. However, Zhang appears to be single for now, and simply has good chemistry with his on-screen partners.
He recently apologised for a controversial comment
can Zhang Linghe or his fans explain what he meant by saying this? what does “looking like I was born in SEA” mean?
* context: He first asked whether txw was drawing Yang Di, and then he said that afterward#ZhangLinghe #PursuitofJade #Hi6 pic.twitter.com/UXkFit4PZh
— abc (@abcxpuy) March 9, 2026
During the promotion of Pursuit of Jade, Zhang made an appearance on Chinese variety show Hello Saturday, where he and co-star Tian Xiwei were asked to draw portraits of each other.
When Tian revealed her drawing of Zhang, their castmates laughed, saying that the drawing was ugly. Zhang responded, “I feel like I was born in Southeast Asia.” Netizens immediately reacted to Zhang’s comment, offended by the implication that being unattractive was associated with being Southeast Asian.
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According to Shanghai Daily, the show eventually cut the segment from the episode, and the backlash from disappointed fans around the world prompted Zhang to issue a bilingual apology on his Instagram.
“Please know that I always believe every culture has its own beauty – and it was never my intention to cause any hurt or be disrespectful,” he wrote. He acknowledged his fans from Southeast Asia, recognising their support and love. “I am deeply grateful for all of it, and the last thing I would ever want is for anyone who supports me to feel sad because of this misunderstanding.”
The responses to Zhang’s apology were mixed, with some fans finding the actor’s words to be heartfelt while others felt it was insincere.