Top 10 Chinese Male Screen Idols: Xiao Zhan Ranks Only 3rd, No. 1 Sparks Debate
Sohu’s ranking of 10 Chinese male screen idols puts Xiao Zhan at No. 3, while Song Weilong takes the controversial top spot ahead of Zhang Linghe.
Recently, Sohu released its ranking of the “Top 10 Chinese Male Screen Idols,” evaluating the actors based on multiple factors rather than appearance alone. Acting ability, effectiveness in bringing characters to life, and audience appeal were reportedly among the criteria considered, resulting in a ranking that has sparked considerable debate.
10. Hou Minghao
Hou Minghao has attracted attention with his youthful appearance and strong boyish charm. Following the success of several youth dramas, he expanded into costume productions, where his visuals have often received praise. However, many of his roles have yet to leave a particularly strong impression, while his acting has also received mixed assessments. According to Sohu, Hou Minghao still needs a breakout role capable of generating enough buzz to take his career to the next level.
9. Cheng Yi
Cheng Yi has developed a distinctive screen image through characters who endure hardship, possess complicated inner worlds, and often carry a tragic quality. Costume dramas are considered one of his clearest strengths, particularly when it comes to action sequences and emotionally intense scenes. However, the 36-year-old star has yet to generate the same level of impact in modern dramas. This has also fueled debate over whether he has become too dependent on the costume-drama genre.
8. Liu Yuning
Originally coming from a music background, Liu Yuning transitioned into acting and quickly attracted attention thanks to his tall stature and distinctive voice. His vocal delivery gives him an advantage with dialogue, while his acting has shown noticeable improvement across several costume dramas. However, many of the roles he has taken on have been relatively similar, leaving audiences eager to see him challenge himself with a broader range of characters.
7. Dylan Wang
Dylan Wang has a highly recognizable appearance and achieved major breakthroughs through several hit dramas. He is particularly well suited to strong, uninhibited characters who give him plenty of opportunities to express intense emotions. However, his acting and ability to fully transform into different roles remain areas that have drawn criticism. When a character lacks a distinctive setup, Wang’s own strengths can also become more difficult to showcase.
After moving from singing and dancing into acting, Wang Yibo attracted attention with his cool and restrained charisma. Following the massive success of The Untamed, he continued exploring Republican-era productions, wuxia projects, and roles requiring considerable action skills. The 1990s-born star’s acting style tends to be understated, making him particularly suited to quiet characters with complex thoughts beneath the surface. However, his performances in scenes requiring explosive emotional expression continue to receive mixed reactions.
5. Tan Jianci
Tan Jianci has earned praise for his acting ability and versatility across costume, Republican-era, and modern productions. Even when he has limited screen time, he often manages to create memorable moments and has shown an ability to portray characters with sharply contrasting personalities. What he arguably still lacks is a widely recognized leading role powerful enough to become an iconic signature character in his career.
Yang Yang has long benefited from his striking appearance and physique, allowing him to fit a wide variety of roles in both costume and contemporary dramas. He has starred in numerous notable productions, although there have also been periods when his acting was criticized as stiff and overly reliant on his idol-like image. In recent years, the actor has deliberately taken on more grounded characters, showing an effort to move beyond his comfort zone and reshape his screen image.
3. Xiao Zhan
Xiao Zhan remains one of the most recognizable and popular names in the Chinese entertainment industry. His appearance makes him particularly well suited to costume dramas, while he has also demonstrated the ability to portray characters in more realistic, contemporary stories. His ability to capture a character’s psychology and convey internal conflict has helped him maintain his position among prominent Chinese actors. At the same time, ranking third also reflects the enormous expectations surrounding each of his new projects.
Zhang Linghe stands out for his impressive height, defined facial features, and cool, aristocratic image. He has explored a variety of characters in costume dramas, ranging from gentle young men to more calculating figures. However, his acting has not always received strong reviews, while much of his career has remained concentrated in idol-oriented costume dramas. Audiences are also hoping to see Zhang Linghe expand into a more diverse range of genres in the future.
1. Song Weilong
Sohu placed Song Weilong at the top of the ranking, citing his striking appearance, suitability for both costume and modern dramas, and ability to shift between youthful charm and a more mature presence. The actor has also shown a tendency to choose more grounded, life-oriented stories rather than relying solely on his looks to maintain popularity. Although his No. 1 ranking has sparked debate, Sohu’s placement of Song Weilong at the top reflects growing expectations for his ability to build compelling characters and further broaden his acting career.
Sources: kenh14