Not 'Chasing Jade' or 'Long River, Long Road'! Deng Kai's Top 10 Highest-Rated Chinese Dramas Crowned by This One: The Most Ruthless Red Prince, Ratings Surpassing 'Tang Palace Mystery Case'

From the ruthless Prince Xiao Yu in 'Young Blood,' to the fierce-yet-adorable demonic cultivator Wei Jiu in 'Swords of Legends II,' and the love-obsessed Qi Min in 'Chasing Jade,' Deng Kai has steadily gained popularity through his contrasting historical drama roles, prompting fans to revisit his earlier works. This article compiles Deng Kai's Chinese drama appearances ranked by Douban ratings, excluding films, variety shows, unreleased, or unrated projects. In cases of tied scores, rankings are determined by number of reviewers and discussion热度. Discover Deng Kai's top 10 highest-rated Chinese dramas—his breakthrough role in 'Young Blood' claims the championship.

Deng Kai's Highest-Rated Drama #10: Gao Feiyang in 'Youth Against the Wind' | Douban Rating: 5.9 'Youth Against the Wind' is a coming-of-age youth drama set in a 1990s oilfield community, depicting family, friendship, and generational clashes through the school lives of Cheng Miaomiao, Li Si, and others. Deng Kai plays Gao Feiyang, a young teacher at Linqi No. 2 Middle School and Cheng Miaomiao's homeroom teacher, maintaining order among energetic students and serving as a calm presence in the campus storyline. Some viewers called it 'the best youth drama I've seen this year,' praising the 'chaotic daily life' and the authentic recreation of high school life around 1997, making it highly immersive. Deng Kai toned down the sharp aura typical of his historical roles, portraying the young teacher's stability in a more grounded manner. Though his screen time is limited, Gao Feiyang adds a reliable adult perspective to the lively student ensemble.

Deng Kai's Highest-Rated Drama #9: Zhuge Kongyun in 'Steady the Storm' | Douban Rating: 6.3 'Steady the Storm' is a historical mystery detective drama centered on Qi's top detective, Xiao Beiming, who is framed and must reunite with allies to solve a series of bizarre cases. Deng Kai plays Zhuge Kongyun, son of the Dark Surveillance Unit's leader, who grew up alongside Xiao Beiming and Zhong Xueman. The character appears cold and mysterious, potentially aiding investigations but also raising suspicion due to his unpredictable demeanor. Viewers praised the early episodes for their 'fast pace, no filler, straight to the point,' and some joked upon Deng Kai's appearance that he naturally has a 'villain face' in historical costumes. This preconception adds suspense, making it hard to immediately judge Zhuge Kongyun's true allegiance. As his emotions gradually unfold, Deng Kai reveals the righteousness beneath his cold exterior.

Deng Kai's Highest-Rated Drama #8: Pei Ji in 'The Maid' | Douban Rating: 6.4 'The Maid' is a revenge-themed historical short drama. Shen Yuqing fakes her death to uncover her family's wrongful conviction, reappearing as Xiyang to infiltrate Regent Prince Pei Ji's circle and expose conspiracies involving the Duke's Mansion and the Empress Dowager. Deng Kai plays Pei Ji, a powerful and dominant figure who initially distrusts Xiyang. As they test each other, feelings develop, advancing both power struggles and romantic tension. During its release, viewers dubbed the character 'the manliest prince' and 'the domineering Regent Prince Pei Ji,' focusing on Deng Kai's historical costume appearance and strong aura. He conveys Pei Ji's oppressive presence from years at the top through a lowered voice and scrutinizing gaze. His initially cold attitude gradually softens toward Xiyang, adding a dangerous romantic subplot to the revenge story.

Deng Kai's Highest-Rated Drama #7: Xu Fu in 'Secret of the Three Kingdoms: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss' | Douban Rating: 6.4 'Secret of the Three Kingdoms: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss' is set in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, reinterpreting Emperor Xian's political plight amid power struggles between the Han court and Cao Wei forces. Deng Kai appeared under his real name Deng Shang as Xu Fu, a character often masked by a straw hat, repaying the kindness of General Yang by becoming a knight for the Yang family. He carries the integrity of a scholar and the mystery of a martial artist, marking Deng Kai's debut television role. Some viewers felt 'the actors' looks are mostly on point,' and costumes and sets were praised as 'visually appealing.' However, some criticized the pacing as dragging. Xu Fu isn't central to the plot, and Deng Kai's performance still showed the rawness of a newcomer. Yet, the straw hat and silent demeanor effectively amplified the knightly aura. Looking back, this role was a crucial starting point for his frequent appearances in historical dramas.

Deng Kai's Highest-Rated Drama #6: Qi Min / Sui Yuanhuai in 'Chasing Jade' | Douban Rating: 6.4 'Chasing Jade' is a historical romance blending court intrigue, identity-based revenge, and emotional entanglements. Deng Kai plays Qi Min, outwardly the eldest son of the Changxin Prince, Sui Yuanhuai, but actually the legitimate son of the Chengde Crown Prince. After his family's destruction, he endures years of hatred and develops an almost obsessive possessiveness toward Yu Qianqian, making him one of the drama's most layered and emotionally contrasting characters. After the character's reveal, viewers described Deng Kai's historical costume look as 'Jinjiang literature come to life,' and praised his ability to convey 'one glance, two emotions' to express the character's contradictions. The white-haired look intensifies Qi Min's broken and dangerous aura, and Deng Kai imbues the character with hatred, ambition, and emotional attachment, making him compelling even when making extreme choices.

Deng Kai's Highest-Rated Drama #5: Wang Rong in 'Long River, Long Road' | Douban Rating: 6.5 'Long River, Long Road' is a historical romance coming-of-age drama about a spoiled young master, Gu Jiusi, and a merchant's daughter, Liu Yuru, who unexpectedly marry and grow together in turbulent times. Deng Kai plays Wang Rong, son of the Yangzhou Jiedushi, who bullies the weak using his father's power. Arrogant and cowardly, he clashes directly with Gu Jiusi after attempting to abduct a civilian woman, serving as an early antagonist driving the protagonists' fate. Many viewers described Wang Rong as 'crystal-clear foolishness,' and his panicked cries of 'Dad! Save me!' whenever he suffers defeat became widely shared online. Deng Kai avoided portraying Wang Rong as a dark, vicious villain, instead adding a comically cowardly and blustering side, making the character both detestable and humorous. Despite limited screen time, his recognizability is remarkably high.

Deng Kai's Highest-Rated Drama #4: Li Duo in 'Tang Palace Mystery Case: The Whistling Green Mist' | Douban Rating: 6.8 'Tang Palace Mystery Case: The Whistling Green Mist' is set in the Tang Dynasty court, uncovering intricate power relationships among royalty, the harem, and officials through a series of bizarre murders. Deng Kai plays Prince Heng Li Duo, a noble whose actions influence royal power dynamics. He maintains a composed demeanor as a royal family member, but his true stance and calculations add further variables to the cases. Viewers praised the visuals as 'extremely high-quality' and the detective plot as 'tightly woven and never dragging.' Deng Kai toned down his expressive performance, using restrained expressions and posture to portray a royal figure, allowing Li Duo to exude an unapproachable pressure even without intense action. His historical costume silhouette complements the drama's more subdued visual style.

Deng Kai's Highest-Rated Drama #3: Ling Changjin in 'The Wind and Moon Change' | Douban Rating: 7.0 'The Wind and Moon Change' is a historical fantasy romance short drama, unfolding from a mysterious 'soul transformation' event, intertwining marital love, family secrets, and power struggles. Deng Kai plays Marquis Wu'an Ling Changjin, outwardly cold and strong, protecting his loved ones in crises while investigating the truth behind the soul transformations. The character has a calm, controlling presence. Some viewers only realized Ling Changjin and Wang Rong from 'Long River, Long Road' were played by the same actor upon seeing the cast list, calling Deng Kai a 'true role-dissolving face.' Compared to Wang Rong's exaggeration and cowardice, Ling Changjin is more restrained in walking posture, speech rhythm, and gaze, conveying a composed, passionate, yet secretive aura, showcasing Deng Kai's ability to transform his character's essence.

Deng Kai's Highest-Rated Drama #2: Wei Jiu in 'Swords of Legends II' | Douban Rating: 7.1 'Swords of Legends II' is a xianxia master-disciple drama about Xishan Sect leader Su Yishui and his master Mu Qingge's reincarnation reuniting to fight demonic forces. Deng Kai plays Wei Jiu, Supreme of the Red Sect, hailed as the top demonic cultivator. He has a fiery temper and holds grudges, but is inwardly honest and easily tricked by Su Yishui due to his naivety, developing a comedic romantic subplot with Tu Jiuying. Viewers described Wei Jiu as 'like a kid who didn't get candy, so cute,' and 'a bit cute, a bit childish, a bit stubborn.' Deng Kai merges the Supreme's fierce exterior with a childlike temperament—Wei Jiu is terrifying when angry but often flustered in love matters. This contrast is the character's most beloved aspect, giving this originally antagonist-aligned figure a relatable charm.

Deng Kai's Highest-Rated Drama #1: Xiao Yu in 'Young Blood' | Douban Rating: 8.5 'Young Blood' is a wuxia drama centered on youths wandering the jianghu. Lei Wuji, Xiao Se, and Wuxin meet due to the Golden Coffin incident and are drawn into the power struggle of the Beili royal family. Deng Kai plays Prince Xiao Yu, the Red Prince and seventh prince of Beili, as well as Wuxin's half-brother. Ambitious and scheming, Xiao Yu plots to seize the throne, using court factions and martial artists as pawns, making him the drama's most threatening antagonist. Viewers remarked, 'I actually saw Gu Long's jianghu,' praising the youthful spirit and wuxia atmosphere. Among many vivid characters, Deng Kai portrayed Xiao Yu's ambition with a cold smile and aggressive gaze, while subtly revealing the emotional void from being abandoned by his mother. The character is infuriating yet impossible to ignore, becoming one of Deng Kai's most recognizable historical drama antagonists.