Angelababy and Deng Lun aren't the worst! Top 10 C-drama couples with the weakest on-screen chemistry and acting over the past decade — the champion even made viewers lose immersion with constant frowning

Just because lead actors in Chinese dramas are good-looking and popular doesn’t mean they’ll captivate audiences. Over the past decade, many high-budget dramas generated huge pre-release buzz but were later criticized for stiff expressions, unnatural dialogue delivery, mismatched casting, or lack of chemistry—sometimes even allowing supporting actors to overshadow the leads. From Yang Yang and Wang Churan in 'My Merry Life' to Angelababy and Wallace Chung in 'The Proud Youth,' some couples continue to be discussed years later. Some argue the issues aren’t solely with the actors—script, direction, and post-production also share responsibility. This ranking covers Chinese dramas aired between July 2016 and July 2026, analyzing Douban ratings and review volume, density of negative comments about acting, and Weibo topic longevity to identify the top 10 leading couples with the most controversial performances over the past decade. Discover which leads were most criticized for lacking chemistry and where their acting fell short.

Top 10 Worst-Acting C-Drama Couples of the Past Decade – #10: Yang Chaoyue and Xu Kai in 'And You Smile'

'And You Smile' follows Feng Wu, a genius girl who loses her phoenix blood and cultivation powers due to betrayal, then rebuilds her strength and reunites with her former fiancé, Jun Linyuan. Yang Chaoyue plays Feng Wu, a once-brilliant girl now fighting to change her fate; Xu Kai plays Jun Linyuan, a noble, cold-outside-warm-inside character. Many viewers found their ancient costumes visually appealing, but their romantic chemistry lacked spark. Yang Chaoyue was criticized for her 'wide-eyed acting,' while Xu Kai was seen as 'stiff.' Yang Chaoyue handled Feng Wu’s playful side naturally, but overacted in emotional scenes involving pain, fear, or sorrow. Xu Kai mostly kept a blank expression as Jun Linyuan, making it hard to distinguish anger, jealousy, or concern. Together, they looked like typical idol drama leads, but their romance lacked the emotional pull to make viewers care.

Top 10 Worst-Acting C-Drama Couples of the Past Decade – #9: Ju Jingyi and Joseph Zeng in 'The Romance of Jianan'

'The Romance of Jianan' tells the story of Princess Jianan, Jiang Baoning, who protects her loved ones amid palace and family power struggles, falling in love with Li Qian, a man of humble origins striving to rise. Ju Jingyi plays Jiang Baoning, a clever, independent woman skilled in mechanics; Joseph Zeng plays Li Qian, a loyal and hardworking man. While the drama has many sweet moments, audiences struggled to accept them. Netizens described the romance as 'forced sugar, making viewers roll their eyes,' criticizing the production for being 'too sloppy' and urging the team to 'polish the actors’ performances.' Ju Jingyi’s delivery, expressions, and mannerisms often reminded viewers of her past roles. Joseph Zeng tried hard to portray Li Qian’s deep affection, but in romantic scenes, he seemed to follow scripted actions. Despite their high visuals and beautiful cinematography, audiences wanted to see genuine affection, not just hugs, blank stares, and slow-motion shots to signal they’re a couple.

Top 10 Worst-Acting C-Drama Couples of the Past Decade – #8: Xu Kai and Cheng Xiao in 'When I Smile at You'

'When I Smile at You' is set in the professional esports world, following Tong Yao as she joins the ZGDX team, becoming a female pro player, and developing a romance with team captain Lu Sicheng. Cheng Xiao plays Tong Yao, a determined girl proving women can compete professionally; Xu Kai plays Lu Sicheng, a sharp-tongued but caring team leader. The drama sparked controversy, with lead performances frequently criticized. Viewers said 'the acting is really awkward,' 'Cheng Xiao has one expression throughout,' and 'Xu Kai just keeps showing off.' Cheng Xiao’s reactions to joy, tension, or fear were often indistinguishable, struggling with emotional shifts. Xu Kai handled Lu Sicheng’s sarcasm and coolness well, but in romantic scenes, he defaulted to raising eyebrows, leaning in, and looking down at the heroine. While their visuals matched and the idol-drama vibe was strong, viewers noticed the camera tried to create chemistry the actors couldn’t deliver.

Top 10 Worst-Acting C-Drama Couples of the Past Decade – #7: Zhou Dongyu and Xu Kai in 'Ancient Love Poetry'

'Ancient Love Poetry' follows Shang Gu, a goddess who grows from a weak immortal to the protector of the three realms, experiencing multiple life-and-death separations with the divine Bai Jue. Zhou Dongyu plays Shang Gu, burdened with saving all beings; Xu Kai plays both the cold Bai Jue and the gentle Qing Mu, their love spanning tens of thousands of years. Despite their star power, the biggest issue was audiences never bought into their millennia-spanning romance. Critics said they 'lacked chemistry,' called Xu Kai’s performance 'standard AI blind acting,' and found the leads’ acting 'awkward.' Zhou Dongyu excelled as a lively girl but struggled with the authority and gravity required as the main deity—many still saw her as an ordinary girl. Xu Kai differentiated his two roles mainly through cold vs. gentle expressions, but during intense scenes like crying, pain, or separation, his emotions felt stiff. Individually, their performances were watchable, but together, it was hard to believe in their deep love.