Recently, the Chinese platform “Douban” held a poll on the acting skills of Chinese drama actors, specifically focusing on the “young male lead” category. The participants were asked to evaluate each actor as “good,” “average,” or “poor.” Zhu Yilong, who rose to fame with the drama “Guardian,” won the first place, followed by Zhang Ruoyun and Hu Ge in second and third place respectively.
Zhu Yilong’s popularity soared after starring in the online drama “Guardian” in 2018. Of particular note is his portrayal of three distinct characters in the series – whether it be the knowledgeable “Shen Wei,” the reserved and lonely “Black Robe Envoy,” or the sinister and paranoid “Ye Zun.” He brought each character to life with depth and authenticity, impressing the audience with his versatility.
At the age of 36, Zhu Yilong has appeared in over 60 film and television works, showcasing a wide range of roles. From playing the wealthy young master “Chi Rui” in “Eternal Love” to the rebellious youth “Feng Douzi” in “Family Feast,” and the Qin monarch “Ying Ji” in “Legend of Mi Yue,” as well as the “Young Master” in “The Story of Minglan” – he even portrayed a monkey.
Transitioning to film, Zhu Yilong’s performances in films like “Life’s Big Events” and “She’s Gone” have earned both commercial success and critical acclaim, winning multiple Best Actor awards over the past three years. Each role he takes on, he dedicates himself fully, honing his craft bit by bit. In the recent poll on the acting skills of young male leads in Chinese dramas, he secured the first place with a 34.76% approval rating.
Despite the bustling industry, Zhu Yilong has emphasized that his focus remains on delivering solid performances. He once mentioned, “There’s no such thing as overnight success; it’s all about hard work paying off.”
Zhang Ruoyun, 35 years old this year, gained attention for his role as “Fan Xian” in the second season of the series “Joy of Life,” which was a hit in terms of viewership, making him a recurring figure in the mainland drama industry. With a 25.56% approval rating, he clinched the second place in the poll for young male lead acting skills in mainland Chinese dramas. Hu Ge, who recently won the Shanghai Magnolia Award for Best Actor for his role as “Bao Zong” in the popular drama “Blooming Flowers,” took the third place with a 17.28% approval rating.
In the fourth place of the poll was Tan Jianci, who recently portrayed “Xiang Liu” in the second season of “Love and Redemption” alongside Yang Zi. Media comments on him as a late bloomer, initially known as a member of a boy group focusing on the stage performance. His profile rose only two years ago with the crime thriller “Criminal Sketch,” and his subtle acting skills have been well received by the industry. The fifth place went to Cheng Yi, known for his notable works in “Luristan,” “Like Fragments of Sandalwood,” and “Lotus Tower.”