Top 20 Most Handsome Male Stars in Chinese Historical Dramas

Li Yifeng, with his scholarly appearance and remarkable acting skills, has become a household name, starring in numerous successful dramas like The Ancient Sword, The King's Woman, and The Lost Tomb. Recently, he took the internet by storm with his role as Zhang Xiaofan/Gui Lei in the wildly popular drama Tru Ci, which has become one of the biggest hits in Chinese entertainment circles.

With his stunning looks and a face that fits the legendary 'prince charming' standard, Yang Yang quickly won over audiences with his role as Jia Baoyu in the remake of Dream of the Red Chamber. Undoubtedly, Yang Yang is one of the most sought-after stars on screen. His portrayal of a historical character in traditional attire has captured the hearts of even the toughest critics. Yang Yang's appearance, coupled with his gentle smile and refined features, is like a painting come to life.

Although he has been successful in modern roles, William Chan will always be remembered for his iconic portrayals of historical characters in period dramas such as Shin Shui Han Jian, New Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre, Return of the Condor Heroes 2008, Legend of the Condor Heroes, and The Four Great Constables.

The upcoming period romance drama Amber Heart just released its first character poster, featuring William Chan and actress Tan Yong Wen. This marks his highly anticipated return to the world of historical romance dramas, following his role in Love Through Time.

After starting with minor roles that went largely unnoticed, Raymond Lam gradually won over audiences with his undeniable acting talent. He gained significant recognition and rose to fame with the role of the charming male lead Ma Siu-Kim in the popular drama adaptations of novels like Heavenly Mountain Snow, Silent Spring, and Longing for the Past.

Vincent Zhao possesses a perfectly sculpted physique and a photogenic face, making him a prime candidate for the role of the 'heartthrob' in martial arts and ancient costume dramas. His fame as a 'martial arts god' is closely tied to hit productions like The Ancient Sword, The New Legend of the Heroes of the Marshes, and Young Four Great Constables (2015). Currently, he is starring in the eagerly awaited series Nine Provinces: Lady Huo.

As a new name in the film industry, Kris Wu stands out with his modern personality. Although he hasn't appeared in any historical dramas yet, he is certainly a promising candidate for the 'heartthrob' title. His upcoming historical drama The Longest Day in Chang'an, based on the original work The Chronicles of the Middle of the Trigram by Zhou Wenwen, has completed filming. This marks Kris Wu's debut in period dramas, and many fans believe that his character as Prince Qi, Li Shubai, in this series shows he is perfectly suited for the role.

Together with the likes of Hu Ge, Wallace Chung, and William Chan, William Chan has been chosen by online communities as one of the "Four Beauties of the Heavenly World" in Chinese television dramas. His gentle, scholarly face and bright, charming demeanor have earned him favor from directors and admiration from fans. He is well known for his roles in iconic series like Aoyu Mingri (Snow Flower and the Dragon Lady), Zheng Ke Shang (The Legendary Series), and Ao Yang Shao Gong (The Ancient Sword Quest). His romantic, refined image has helped him maintain his 'heartthrob' status throughout his career.

The name Luke Lee shines brightly thanks to his iconic roles in two major films, The Palace and The Song of the Cloud. He became known for nicknames like 'The Loyal Prince' and 'The New Four Little Heavenly Kings' of Chinese historical drama. His performances, marked by his gentle and devoted portrayals, have left an indelible impression on viewers. He remains a beloved 'prince' of period dramas. With his flawless acting and soulful gaze, he perfectly embodies the 'handsome hero' vibe that fits perfectly within historical film genres.

Chen Xiao began his career in historical dramas and gained significant recognition for his portrayal of the charismatic, loyal Prince Gao Zhan in The Legend of Lu Zhi. From his captivating role as the complex Lin Bingchi in New Laughing in the Wind, to his portrayal of Yang Guo in New Divine Eagle and smart, witty Liu Bingyi in The Song of the Cloud, he has become a beloved 'historical drama heartthrob' to fans of Chinese period films.

Nian Quan is known as the 'First Beauty of Historical Dramas.' Having starred in numerous popular period films like The Youth of Zhang Sanfeng, Emperor Li Shimin, The Great Figure, The Last Princess, Wudang, Flying Phoenix, Golden Youth, The Love That Never Dies, and The Schemes of a Beautiful Woman, Nian Quan has consistently brought his unique personality to every role. His striking looks and noble demeanor have contributed significantly to his success in the historical drama genre.

The rise of 'The Untamed' brought Xiao Zhan to the top of the list of the most handsome period drama actors, and it would be impossible to forget Wang Yibo. Fans of the series will surely remember him as the elegant and warm-hearted Lan Wangji, a role that captured the hearts of millions with his stunning looks and charming performance. Now, the 1997-born actor is eagerly awaited for his return in the upcoming drama 'You Fei' alongside the talented Zhao Liying.

Xiao Zhan, born in 1991, rose to fame with his iconic roles in period dramas such as 'Oh! My Emperor' (2018), 'Battle Through the Heavens' (2018), 'The Untamed' (2019), and 'The Destiny of White Snake' (2019). Although he entered the entertainment industry relatively late, Xiao Zhan quickly became one of the biggest stars in the Chinese entertainment industry today. With his striking looks and charm, Xiao Zhan has seamlessly embodied various captivating period drama characters.

Leo Wu first gained attention in 2015 for portraying the young version of Ha Yi Shen in 'Together Forever'. However, it wasn't until 2018 that his career experienced a breakthrough with the popular drama 'Ashes of Love'. Many have commented that this actor seems destined for period drama roles.

In recent years, Leo Wu has starred in numerous projects including 'The Story of Minglan', 'My Dear Lady', 'The Last Knight', and 'Happiness Road'. Despite his best efforts, he had yet to leave a significant impression on audiences until 'Ashes of Love' premiered, which finally brought him into the spotlight.

Jerry Hsu, born in 1995, first gained recognition for his role as Fu Sa Zuo in the 2018 drama 'Story of Yanxi Palace'. In 2019, Jerry's popularity soared after starring as Lei Chenlan in the period drama 'Choice of the Gods'. With his sharp features and magnetic charm, he embodied Lei Chenlan perfectly—a character known for his extraordinary beauty in the original novel. Often hailed as the new face of period drama 'heartthrobs', Jerry has even secured a spot among Asia's top 50 most handsome faces.

Gaining instant fame overnight for his role as the Fire God Huofeng in the drama 'Ashes of Love', Deng Lun became a beloved period drama idol, winning hearts with his stunning looks and impressive acting. Before that, even as a supporting character in 'The Princess Wei Young', Deng Lun attracted attention for his charming smile and handsome appearance. He is also known for his roles in several modern romance dramas such as 'Because of You', 'The Joy of Life 2', and 'One Thousand and One Nights'.

In the first half of 2020, Ren Jia Lun and Dang Tong Yun made a huge impact on the small screen with their drama 'The Imperial Guard'. This project significantly raised Ren Jia Lun's profile, propelling him to the top of the rankings for the most influential male stars on TV in early 2020. Fans of the 1989-born actor will surely remember his portrayal of the stoic yet warm-hearted Imperial Guard Liu Shi in 'The Imperial Guard' with his impeccable period drama look. Before this, Ren Jia Lun had already earned recognition for roles in 'Promise of the Thousand Years', 'The Great Tang Dynasty Glory', and more recently, 'The Hidden Dream'.

Following the success of the web drama 'Soul' (Trấn Hồn), the name Chu Yi Long immediately gained widespread attention on social media for his stunning portrayal of the charming 'Teacher Shen', a character so handsome it was hard to forget. Although Chu Yi Long's strength doesn't lie in period dramas, his appearances in traditional costumes for roles in 'The Empress of China' (Mị Nguyệt Truyện) and 'The Story of Ming Lan' (Minh Lan Truyện) completely captivated audiences, leaving fans in awe of his irresistible charm. Fans are eagerly awaiting his upcoming TV projects 'My Dear' and 'The Rebel'.

With a seemingly cold yet warm expression and profound eyes, combined with a refined and gentle aura, Hu Ge has convincingly earned the title of 'heartthrob' on the small screen.
In his role as Lâm Thù in the drama 'Langya Bang' (The Langya List), a story not focused on romance but on strategy and loyalty, Hu Ge captured the hearts of millions with his exceptional acting and stunningly sharp looks.
In addition to this, he has also starred in numerous other notable works like 'Chinese Paladin', 'The Youth of the Yang Family', 'Heaven's Sword and Dragon Saber', and 'The Immortal Demon'.

Feng Shaofeng began his artistic career at a young age, but it took a few years for him to attract significant attention. His early roles in dramas like 'The Female Assassin' and 'Goddess of the Earth' laid the groundwork. However, it wasn't until 2011-2012, when he took on the role of Ba A Ge in the hit series 'Palace' that his name really started to resonate with audiences. This marked the beginning of a notable phase in his acting career.
Feng is not only known for his consistent presence in television and film but also as a charming 'heartthrob', captivating audiences both on-screen and off-screen with his masculine beauty.

Wallace Huo initially pursued a career as a singer but fate steered him toward acting. Born in 1979, this talented actor quickly gained a significant following, particularly for his portrayal of 'the beloved' character Bái Zǐhuà in the 2015 drama 'The Journey of Flower'. With his ethereal beauty and captivating performance, Wallace Huo solidified his status as the 'King of Ancient Drama Heartthrobs' in Chinese entertainment.