In the highly competitive Chinese entertainment industry, many actors spend years playing supporting roles before landing a leading part. However, a few lucky stars debuted directly as male leads, gaining significant attention from the start. Names like Zhang Linghe, Dylan Wang, Yang Yang, and Lin Yi are among those who had such impressive beginnings.
Below are nine Chinese actors who started their careers as leading men.
1. Zhang Linghe
Zhang Linghe made his acting debut in 2019 with the historical romance Maiden Holmes , where he immediately played the male lead.
Afterward, he was cast in the highly anticipated BL adaptation Heaven Official’s Blessing , which once generated strong buzz but remains unreleased due to stricter regulations on BL adaptations in China.
Despite that setback, Zhang Linghe gained wider recognition through the fantasy drama Love Between Fairy and Devil , where he portrayed Chang Heng. He later starred in several notable costume dramas such as My Journey to You , Story of Kunning Palace , and Zhu Yu , steadily boosting his popularity.
2. Dylan Wang
Dylan Wang debuted as the male lead Dao Ming Si in the 2018 remake of Meteor Garden .
Although the drama received mixed reviews, it quickly brought Wang into the spotlight. His career later skyrocketed thanks to the hit xianxia series Love Between Fairy and Devil , where he played Dongfang Qingcang.
Since then, he has continued to headline major projects, strengthening his position among the most prominent young actors of his generation.
3. Yang Yang
Yang Yang made his acting debut in the large-scale historical drama The Dream of Red Mansions , portraying the adult Jia Baoyu—one of the central male characters in the story.
The drama featured a cast that later became filled with major stars, including Yang Mi, Zhao Liying, Li Qin, and Song Yi.
Yang Yang’s major breakthrough arrived in 2016 with the massively popular romance drama Love O2O , which cemented his status as a top C-drama heartthrob.
4. Hou Minghao
Hou Minghao—often nicknamed the “Little Luhan” due to his resemblance to Lu Han—initially started his career as an idol singer.
He later transitioned into acting and attracted attention through leading roles in youth dramas such as Cambrian Period and When We Were Young .
In recent years, Hou Minghao has continued to headline historical dramas including Back From the Brink , helping him maintain steady popularity.
5. Wang Anyu
Wang Anyu debuted as the male lead in the historical time-travel drama Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty .
Although the drama failed to meet expectations, Wang later gained more recognition through collaborations with actresses like Jin Chen and Zhao Lusi in projects such as Hidden God .
Interestingly, one of his most praised performances was actually a supporting role in the period drama Romance in the Alley .
6. Johnny Huang
Before entering showbiz, Johnny Huang worked various jobs including restaurant service and radio editing.
He debuted as the male lead in the hit BL web drama Addicted , which became hugely popular and helped spark the BL adaptation boom in China.
After gaining fame, Huang built a reputation for playing tough roles such as soldiers and police officers in dramas like The Thunder .
7. Chen Kun
Veteran actor Chen Kun also debuted in a leading role. While still a university student, he accompanied a friend to an audition and unexpectedly landed a main role in the film The National Anthem .
He later rose to prominence through hit dramas like Romance in the Rain and The Story of a Noble Family , becoming one of the most respected actors in Chinese cinema and television.
8. Zhou Keyu
Zhou Keyu made his acting debut as the male lead in the youth web drama Remember My Boy .
He later gained additional attention through supporting roles in larger productions such as Only for Love , gradually expanding his presence in the industry.
9. Lin Yi
Lin Yi debuted as the male lead in the popular campus romance Put Your Head on My Shoulder , which quickly made him a familiar face among C-drama fans.
Following the success of his debut, Lin Yi continued to star in dramas such as Ling Long and Love Scenery . However, most of his roles remain in modern romance rather than historical productions.
These actors demonstrate how a strong debut can provide a powerful head start in the entertainment industry. While not every early leading role guarantees long-term success, many of these stars have managed to turn that initial opportunity into thriving careers in Chinese television and film.
Sources: Tạp chí điện tử Saostar
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