Zhang Linghe’s New Documentary & 12 Things To Know About The ‘Pursuit Of Jade’ Heartthrob
Already caught all of Zhang Linghe’s shows and can’t get enough of the actor? He now has a documentary
By Michelle Lee -
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There’s a new star who has had the Internet in a chokehold (sorry, Amotti). Chinese actor Zhang Linghe (張凌赫), who starred in hit C-drama Pursuit of Jade, has half of social media thirsting after him for his portrayal of the commanding yet loving Marquis Wu’an, Xie Zheng.
Based on a web novel, the 40-episode Chinese romance period drama, which finished its run on Mar 30, has soared to become Netflix’s most-watched Chinese drama.
Mixing romance with political maneuvering and dramatic war scenes, it centres around young but feisty pig butcher Fan Changyu (Tian Xiwei), who rescues the dashing Xie Zheng (Zhang Linghe) after he was ambushed. He initially hides his real identity from her and even marries into her family to help her retain her family home. But of course, love blossoms, with the plot thickening when they get embroiled in war and palace conspiracies, and unravel the secrets behind her parents’ deaths.
Zhang Linghe, who had already steadily been rising to prominence in the industry, has now cemented his status as a bona fide star (and everyone’s latest crush). Here’s what to know about the handsome Chinese actor, and scroll down to find out more about his new documentary.
1. Zhang Linghe’s age, height, real name and Instagram account
An only child, the suave star was born in Wuxi, Jiangsu, China, on 30 Dec 1997, making him 29 years old this year. Fun fact: his real name isn’t Zhang Linghe — he was born Zhang Jiawei.
And if it wasn’t already obvious, the actor is tall. At a towering 190cm, he makes co-star Tian Xiwei look petite even though she is reported to stand at 168cm.
Haven’t tracked him down yet? The actor’s Instagram account is @zhanglinghe_1230. You can thank us later.
2. He was an ace STEM student and an engineering geek
He’s not just a pretty face; he’s book-smart, too. With a strong academic performance in science subjects, particularly in physics, he earned a spot in the School of Electrical and Automation Engineering at Nanjing Normal University.
He also reportedly scored an impressive 182 out of 200 in Math during his Gao Kao (the national college entrance examination).
So how did he make the leap to acting? He pivoted to acting after a chance meeting with a talent scout and went on a few auditions to land his first role.
3. Zhang Linghe once weighed 100kg
Now sporting a slender frame, Zhang Linghe shared that he once tipped the scales at over 200 pounds (nearly 100kg) during his university days. It wasn’t until he met a friend who couldn’t recognise him that he made the decision to lose some pounds.
He later reportedly shed 25kg in just four months through a strict diet and regimen before his acting debut.
4. The Hunan Gala walk that broke the Internet
It’s not just his performance as Xie Zheng, Zhang Linghe has another viral moment: his runway walk at the Hunan TV New Year’s Eve Gala on Dec 31, 2025. Decked in a sleek black overcoat and shades, his aura-farming demeanour had (and is still having) the Internet collectively swooning.
5. He’s been to Singapore and most vividly remembers our Botanic Gardens and bak kut teh
During a 2024 press conference in Singapore to promote his show The Best Thing, he revealed that he had been to Singapore as a child with his family for a holiday. What stuck with him the most was his trip to the Botanic Gardens, as well as the food. During his Dec 2024 visit, he’d hoped to try bak kut teh again, to see if it tasted as he’d remembered. (Source: Mothership)
6. Zhang Linghe’s a self-confessed introvert
He might portray confident, intense characters, but the actor has confessed to being an introvert and homebody who prefers staying at home to play video games or binge-watch dramas during his off-days. In fact, he’s once expressed his wish to improve his social skills and enrich his experiences.
7. Zhang Linghe’s debut and breakout roles
The actor made his debut in Maiden Holmes, where he played young teenage prince Pei Yan Zhi, a prodigal young military talent who is sent to ward off invaders. It wasn’t until his role as Gong Ziyu in the historical drama My Journey To You that he first caught widespread attention, and rose to higher heights as crown prince junior preceptor Xie Wei in the costume romance drama Story of Kunning Palace.
8. All the Chinese dramas Zhang Linghe has appeared in
Can’t get enough of the actor? Despite being in the industry for about six years, Zhang Linghe has stacked up an impressive number of shows. Here are his other dramas to add to your binge list. You’re welcome.
- Maiden Holmes 少女大人 (2020)
- Sparkle Love 心动的瞬间 (2020)
- Love Crossed 完美的他 (2021)
- Flourish In Time 我和我的时光少年 (2021)
- Refinement of Faith 百炼成钢 (2021)
- Love Between Fairy And Devil 苍兰诀(2022)
- My Journey To You 云之旅 (2023)
- Story of Kunning Palace 宁安如梦 (2023)
- The Princess Royal 度华年 (2024)
- The Best Thing 爱你 (2025)
- Our Generation 樱桃琥珀 (2025)
- Pursuit of Jade 逐玉 (2026)
- Overdo 这一秒过火 (Upcoming, 2026)
- Road To Glory 归鸾 (Upcoming)
9. Zhang Linghe’s documentary
It’s not just Chinese dramas — the actor has added a documentary to his portfolio, too. Exploring The Future (2026) is a public welfare documentary produced by Discovery Channel in collaboration with environmental organisation WildAid, which focuses on green energy transition and the pursuit of a low-carbon future.
The documentary sees Zhang Linghe taking on the role of an “electrical engineering intern”, travelling across cities in his hometown province of Jiangsu, including Yancheng, Wuxi, Changzhou, and Suzhou. There, he engages technologies like offshore wind power, solar-aquaculture integration, and pumped energy storage systems. It will premiere on May 8, 2026, and stream exclusively on Bilibili every Friday at 11:00 CST.
To Zhang Linghe, the experience felt like he was “living a parallel life” — a path he could have possibly pursued had he not taken up acting. He shared more about the documentary promotional event. Watch it below:
10. He’s a brand ambassador for multiple luxury brands
The actor’s star is certainly shining, now fronting multiple luxury brands. In 2023, he was named the skincare ambassador for Lancome, followed by ambassador roles for Chopard, Roger Vivier and Gucci in 2024. He added Bulgari under his belt in 2026 when he was announced the brand ambassador for the Italian jewellery house.
11. Does Zhang Linghe have a wife or girlfriend?
The actor isn’t publicly linked to anyone at the moment (though of course, everyone’s shipping him and Pursuit of Jade co-star Tian Xiwei). But he has been rumoured to be dating actress Bai Lu after they both starred in Story of Kunning Palace. The rumours were never confirmed and her agency clarified in 2024 that she was single.
12. He’s faced controversy
During a promotional appearance for Pursuit of Jade on variety show Hello Saturday, along with Tian Xiwei, Zhang jokingly remarked that Tian Xiwei’s drawing of him looked like a Southeast Asian person, and compared it to Chinese comedian Yang Di. His comments drew criticism from Southeast Asian viewers, who saw them as stereotypical.
Zhang Linghe subsequently issued an apology in both English and Chinese in the comments section of a promotional post, writing:
“I am truly sorry that my words on the variety show caused any of you discomfort. 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.”
“Over the years, I have been touched by the incredible support from fans across Southeast Asia — whether through messages, letters, or even travelling all the way to China to see me. 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.”
13. He’s also been labelled the ‘foundation general’
For his role as Xie Zheng, both Zhang Linghe and the production team have come under fire from Chinese authorities as well as netizens for his flawless, noticeably pale makeup and elegant styling — not quite what one would associate with a battle-hardened general. This has also led to him being dubbed the ‘foundation general’.
The debate has picked up online, with some viewers calling it unrealistic while others see it as part of the drama’s stylised aesthetic, as well as shifting trends in audience preferences.
Well, if you ask us, we’re not complaining.
Pursuit of Jade is available on Netflix and iQiyi.
This article was originally published on April 2, 2026 and updated on Apr 23, 2026.