Chen Zheyuan's Top 10 Chinese Dramas Revealed! 'My Vice Boyfriend' Takes No.1, Overtaking 'Hidden Love' and 'A Smile For Me'

Chen Zheyuan has risen to fame through his role as Duan Jiaxu in 'Hidden Love', and his new historical drama 'Yu Ting Yao' has once again drawn attention to his period-costume performances. However, when reviewing his entire body of work, his highest-rated drama is actually a different title. This article compiles all of Chen Zheyuan's mainland Chinese dramas that have been aired and scored as of July 31, 2026, ranked from lowest to highest by public ratings. Excluding the unrated 'Yu Ting Yao', it reveals which of his popular works—'Secret of the Hidden Corner', 'Dark Night and Dawn', and 'Hidden Love'—is considered his strongest by audiences.

No.10: Yu Yingqi in 'Burning Mountain 2: The Song of Fire' | Douban Rating: 5.8 'Burning Mountain 2: The Song of Fire' is a historical xianxia wuxia drama where Chen Zheyuan plays Yu Yingqi, the guardian of the Huoli tribe. Though appearing as Yu Yingnan’s older brother, his true identity is deeply tied to his people’s fate. Calm and restrained, he silently sacrifices himself multiple times for Yingnan’s happiness. While audience reception of the plot and production was average, many viewers continued watching specifically for Yu Yingqi. Some exclaimed, 'I want a little brother like Yingqi,' while others joked he was 'the male lead playing a second lead’s role,' noting his deep affection and sense of duty despite a consistently painful romantic journey.

No.9: Kuimulang / Li Xiong in 'Love Is Unexpected' | Douban Rating: 6.0 'Love Is Unexpected' is a historical fantasy blending romance, comedy, and beast-clan elements. Chen Zheyuan plays dual roles: Kuimulang, the beast-king of a royal lineage, and Li Xiong, the gentle guard persona he uses to approach Qi Pa. The stark contrast between these identities drives a romance evolving from deception to genuine love. The drama’s plot and costumes sparked divided opinions, yet viewers noted, 'I kept watching purely because of Zheyuan’s performance,' praising his natural switch between the king’s authority and Li Xiong’s tenderness, and even his cross-dressing scene became a talking point.

No.8: Xiao Yu’er in 'The Proud Twins' | Douban Rating: 6.0 A remake of Gu Long’s classic novel, 'The Proud Twins' features Chen Zheyuan as Xiao Yu’er, raised in the Valley of Evil. Outwardly witty and mischievous, he’s deeply kind and uses his intelligence to overcome crises. Chen portrayed the free-spirited rogue with youthful charm, capturing Xiao Yu’er’s transformation from a playful boy to a mature hero. Compared to past legendary portrayals, reactions were mixed—some praised his consistent handsomeness and flirtatious charm, while others felt certain expressions were overdone. Still, this version successfully introduced the character to a new generation.

No.7: Feng Suige in 'A Smile For Me' | Douban Rating: 6.7 'A Smile For Me' centers on battlefield conflicts, imperial power struggles, and a strong-willed romance. Chen Zheyuan plays Feng Suige, the eldest prince of Su Sha, who is shot down by female general Fu Yixiao in their first encounter. From enemies to reluctant allies uncovering conspiracies, Feng Suige is a calculating strategist harboring revenge and conflicted feelings toward the throne. Audiences praised the early pacing, action scenes, and chemistry between leads, with some saying 'the actual show is better than the trailer' and noting Chen’s improved dialogue delivery. Others felt his lean build and youthful look didn’t match the deep, brooding prince archetype, sparking debate on role suitability.

No.6: Duan Jiaxu in 'Hidden Love' | Douban Rating: 6.7 Adapted from a popular novel, 'Hidden Love' is a youth romance where Chen Zheyuan plays Duan Jiaxu, a close friend of Sang Zhi’s brother. Duan appears warm and cheerful but hides inner wounds from his father’s crime, family debt, and public blame. Sang Zhi, who secretly loved him since adolescence, grows up to approach him directly, gradually helping him overcome guilt and loneliness. Duan Jiaxu is one of Chen’s most recognized roles. Viewers described him as 'gentle and handsome,' praising the natural chemistry between Chen and Zhao Lusi, with subtle glances and romantic tension evoking youthful emotions. However, some felt uncomfortable with him calling the heroine 'kid' and the portrayal of their age gap, leading to divided opinions.

No.5: Zhou Siyue in 'Secret of the Hidden Corner' | Douban Rating: 6.8 A youth growth drama spanning high school to university, 'Secret of the Hidden Corner' features Chen Zheyuan as Zhou Siyue, a top student and campus heartthrob who initially teases his desk mate Ding Xian but later becomes a crucial support in her life. In university, Zhou faces family crises and personal lows, shifting from confident to reserved. Many viewers felt Zhou Siyue was Chen’s most naturally youthful role. His scene protecting Ding Xian from a ball drew collective 'awws' from fans, praised for its authentic campus prince vibe. His pride in youth and later sorrow added depth to the character.

No.4: Zhen Jun in 'Dear Living Ancestor' | Douban Rating: 6.9 A modern comedy blending time travel, sci-fi, and romance, 'Dear Living Ancestor' stars Chen Zheyuan as Zhen Jun, a Han dynasty general who awakens after 1,800 years. Once a battlefield hero, he becomes a clueless 'living ancestor' in modern society—naive, clingy, and stubbornly traditional, falling for Zhen Keyi across lifetimes. Though low-key at launch, the drama gained口碑 through lighthearted humor and emotional later arcs. Viewers said Chen’s 'eyes sparkle when he laughs,' and many who started casually ended up hooked—laughing at Zhen Jun’s innocence early on, then crying at his emotional romance later.

No.3: Lin Shaobai in 'Dark Night and Dawn' | Douban Rating: 6.9 Set in early post-liberation Shanghai, 'Dark Night and Dawn' is a period counter-espionage drama. Chen Zheyuan plays Lin Shaobai, a young cop dubbed 'Shanghai Know-It-All,' who starts with a playboy attitude and street smarts but later joins the Public Security Bureau, teaming up with veteran Lu Zhengyang to investigate enemy spies and gradually understand the responsibility of being a police officer. This role marked Chen’s departure from sweet romance dramas. Viewers praised his 'intense gaze and dramatic presence,' finding Lin Shaobai’s cleverness and passion vivid. However, some noted he still has room to grow in composure and emotional control when acting alongside veterans like Wang Zhiwen and Nie Yuan.

No.2: Noda Koji II in 'Detective Chinatown' | Douban Rating: 7.0 The web series 'Detective Chinatown' consists of three standalone cases. Chen Zheyuan appears mainly in the third arc, 'The Ghost’s Invitation,' not as the central protagonist. He plays Noda Koji II, younger brother of the Japanese detective Noda Koji, and captain of the Five Spiritual Children team—a wealthy heir, e-sports player, and detective investigating a mysterious death in a gaming tournament. With high expectations following the first two arcs, some viewers criticized his performance as 'over-the-top and exaggerated,' feeling the comic-style character was overemphasized. Others argued that flamboyance was fitting for a rich detective, and Chen effectively portrayed his seemingly reckless exterior with a deep loyalty to his teammates.

No.1: Xiao Wudi in 'My Vice Boyfriend' | Douban Rating: 7.5 A reverse-trope urban fantasy romantic comedy, 'My Vice Boyfriend' features Shen Yue as Nan Xing, who accidentally summons Xiao Wudi, the villain from her novel. Chen Zheyuan plays Xiao Wudi—clever, cunning, proud, and darkly humorous. Upon arriving in the modern world, he demands Nan Xing provide shelter. As they bicker and tease each other, they gradually fall in love, and he transforms from a manipulative villain to a boyfriend obsessed with winning her heart. Xiao Wudi is widely regarded as Chen’s most likable comedic role. Viewers praised his 'lively eyes and adorable expressions,' with some saying they expected a mindless sweet drama but ended up feeling 'sweet yet intelligent, even healed.' The character balances a villain’s wit and stubbornness with childish cuteness in love, making this his highest-rated drama to date.