If you're tired of predictable heroes in period dramas, meet Yang Yang (杨洋)—an actor who's equally convincing as a brooding immortal, a sword-slinging detective, or a prince who'd rather solve equations than wage wars. Forget stuffy historical accuracy; Yang's dramas thrive on blending fantasy, wit, and heart. Whether he's floating through xianxia realms or sparring with corrupt officials, his roles feel like invitations to explore China's storytelling traditions. Here's why his costume dramas offer the ultimate historical adventures.
Who Rules the World 且试天下
- Aired: 2022
- Period Background: Fictional warring kingdoms (inspired by ancient Chinese dynasties)
- Genres: Wuxia, Political intrigue, Romance
- Main Roles:Hei Fengxi/Prince Feng Lanxi (黑丰息/丰兰息): Yang Yang as a cunning, dual-identity prince balancing court politics and martial arts mastery.
Bai Fengxi/Feng Xiyun (白风夕/风惜云): Zhao Lusi (赵露思) as a warrior princess and his equal in wit and combat.
Adapted From: Qing Lengyue's (倾泠月) novel Who Rules the World.
Set in a fictional world of warring kingdoms (think ancient China meets Dune), the show avoids stuffy historical lectures. Instead, it drops you into a high-stakes power struggle between six royal families. Hei Fengxi isn't your typical prince: by day, he's Feng Lanxi, a sickly scholar calculating tax reforms. By night, he's the Black Frost Lord, a martial arts master with a spy network rivaling the CIA.
The story kicks off when Bai Fengxi stumbles into Feng Lanxi's kingdom while fleeing assassins. Reluctantly, he shelters her, sparking a partnership built on mutual distrust. Their mission? Uncover a conspiracy to destabilize all six kingdoms using poisoned grain, forged letters, and a mysterious organization.
Yang Yang nails the duality—switching from coughing aristocrat to icy strategist with a smirk. But Zhao Lusi steals scenes as Bai Fengxi, a wandering warrior who robs corrupt nobles to feed orphans. Their banter is gold. In one scene, she mocks his "delicate scholar" act: "Your acting is worse than a third-rate opera singer."
The Dual Lives: Hei Fengxi's alter ego isn't just for show. As Feng Lanxi, he manipulates court politics to protect his kingdom; as the Black Frost Lord, he eliminates threats with a flick of his fan-blade.
The Poisoned Alliance: The Hua Clan's leader, Yu Wuyuan (玉无缘), poses as a peace-seeking noble but secretly engineers wars. His obsession with Bai Fengxi adds a love-triangle edge.
The Betrayal: Feng Lanxi's half-brother, Feng Qiwu (丰莒), allies with the Hua Clan to usurp the throne, forcing Feng Lanxi to choose between family and justice.
The script balances palace intrigue with Wuxia flair. Fight scenes are choreographed like lethal dances—swords clink, robes swirl, and Zhao Lusi's Bai Fengxi disarms foes while quipping, "Your sword skills are as dull as your wit."
Yang Yang and Zhao Lusi's chemistry isn't just romantic—it's a battle of wits. She's chaos in a red robe; he's control in blue silk. Their relationship evolves from snarky allies to reluctant soulmates. In a standout episode, they're trapped in a cave, injured and bickering:
Bai Fengxi: "If we die here, I'll haunt you for eternity."
Feng Lanxi: "I'd expect nothing less."
But the show doesn't rush their romance. It simmers through shared glares, accidental hand touches, and a pact to "fix the world before we fix us."
Wuxia with a Modern Twist: The leads act like millennials stuck in ancient times—eye-rolling at pompous nobles, mocking bureaucracy.
Gender Role Flips: Bai Fengxi rescues Feng Lanxi as often as he saves her. Her strength isn't "unfeminine"; it's celebrated.
Who Rules the World isn't about saving kingdoms—it's about two stubborn souls learning to trust while kicking royal butt. Yang Yang and Zhao Lusi turn political scheming into a sly, sexy duel of minds. Watch it for the sword fights; stay for the moment Bai Fengxi finally admits, "Fine. You're less annoying than most princes." (That's Wuxia for "I love you.")
The Immortal Ascension 凡人修仙传
- Aired: 2025 (Upcoming)
- Period Background: Mythical ancient China with immortal realms
- Genres: Xianxia, Adventure, Fantasy
- Main Roles:
Han Li (韩立): Yang Yang as a humble villager turned immortal cultivator.
Nangong Wan (南宫婉): Jin Chen (金晨) as a powerful cultivator guiding his journey. - Adapted From: Wang Yu's (忘语) web novel The Immortal Ascension.
In a world where mortals vie for divine power, Han Li (Yang Yang) begins as an unassuming boy from a remote mountain village. His life changes when he's recruited by the Seven Mysteries Sect, a cultivation faction shrouded in secrecy and danger. Unlike typical xianxia heroes gifted with innate talent, Han Li relies on cunning, resourcefulness, and sheer determination to survive the cutthroat hierarchies of immortal society.
As Han Li climbs from a lowly outer disciple to a formidable cultivator, he faces brutal trials: deciphering ancient relics, battling rival sects, and mastering forbidden arts. His moral compass is tested when alliances demand betrayal and survival necessitates sacrifice. Guiding—and complicating—his journey is Nangong Wan (Jin Chen), a revered cultivator with her own shadowed past. Together, they navigate a treacherous path where the line between ally and enemy blurs, and the price of eternal life may be humanity itself.
Yang Yang's Darker, Grittier Transformation
Known for roles in The King's Avatar and Love O2O, Yang Yang steps into uncharted territory as Han Li, a protagonist who defies the "noble hero" archetype. This role demands a balance of vulnerability and ruthlessness—qualities Yang Yang has hinted at in teasers. His portrayal promises to showcase Han Li's strategic mind and slow-burn evolution from a wide-eyed villager to a morally ambiguous immortal. Fans can expect intense training montages, spellcasting sequences, and emotionally charged confrontations that highlight Yang Yang's range.
While many cultivation dramas romanticize heroism, The Immortal Ascension dives into the genre's darker underbelly. The series critiques the Chinese cultivation hierarchy—a rigid system where power corrupts and disciples are pawns in sect politics. Han Li's journey isn't about destiny; it's about defiance. His victories are earned through grit, not divine favor, making his rise relatable and brutally authentic.
Jin Chen's Nangong Wan brings depth to Nangong Wan, a cultivator whose icy exterior hides vulnerability. Her dynamic with Han Li oscillates between mentorship, rivalry, and uneasy partnership, adding layers of tension and intrigue. Their chemistry, teased in promotional stills, could redefine the "power couple" trope in xianxia.
The production team has spared no expense in bringing Wang Yu's expansive universe to life. Early stills reveal:
Ethereal realms: Floating mountains, jade palaces, and battlefields engulfed in elemental magic.
Costume design: Robes adorned with Taoist symbols and artifacts inspired by Chinese mythology.
Action choreography: A mix of wirework and CGI for spell duels, spirit beast taming, and large-scale sect wars.
At its core, the series questions whether immortality is worth the moral decay it demands. Han Li's choices—betraying allies, exploiting weaknesses—mirror real-world struggles with ambition and ethics.
Dream of the Red Chamber 红楼梦
- Aired: 2010
- Period Background: Qing Dynasty-era China (loosely adapted)
- Genres: Historical drama, Family saga, Literary adaptation
- Adapted From: Cao Xueqin's (曹雪芹) 18th-century novel, often hailed as China's greatest literary masterpiece.
Set against the opulent backdrop of the Qing Dynasty, Dream of the Red Chamber chronicles the tragic rise and fall of the Jia family, a once-powerful aristocratic clan teetering on the brink of collapse. At its heart is Jia Baoyu (played by Yang Yang in his adult years), the pampered, free-spirited heir whose rejection of Confucian traditions and obsession with beauty and art symbolize the family's fading glory.
Baoyu's world revolves around his cousins: the frail, poetic Lin Daiyu (Jiang Mengjie) and the graceful, pragmatic Xue Baochai (Bai Bing). Their intertwined destinies—marked by secret love, jealousy, and societal pressures—mirror the Jia family's descent from imperial favor. As financial ruin and political schemes unravel their lavish lifestyle, Baoyu's rebellion against arranged marriages and bureaucratic duty becomes a metaphor for the clash between individual desire and rigid tradition.
Why This Adaptation Stands the Test of Time
Though not the series' central focus, Yang Yang's portrayal of the adult Jia Baoyu marked his official entry into acting. At just 19 years old, he captured Baoyu's transition from a whimsical youth to a disillusioned man burdened by loss. His performance, though limited to later episodes, hinted at the emotional depth and screen presence that would define his future roles in hits like Love O2O and The King's Avatar. For Yang Yang fans, this drama is a fascinating origin story—a rare chance to witness the raw talent that launched his career.
Cao Xueqin's novel is renowned for its complex characters, poetic symbolism, and critique of Qing Dynasty aristocracy. The 2010 adaptation, directed by Li Shaohong, stays remarkably true to the source material, preserving iconic scenes like Baoyu and Daiyu's first meeting in the Grand View Garden and the haunting funeral of Qin Keqing. Dialogues dripping with classical Chinese idioms and subplots about concubines' machinations add layers of authenticity, making it a treasure for literature enthusiasts.
The production spared no expense in recreating the Jia family's decadent world:
Sets: The sprawling Grand View Garden, a UNESCO-recognized replica built in Beijing, serves as the story's ethereal heart.
Costumes: Over 2,500 intricately embroidered robes, headdresses, and jade accessories mirror Qing-era nobility.
Cinematography: Soft-focus shots of moonlit pavilions and withering lotus ponds mirror the novel's melancholic tone.
Themes That Resonate Across Centuries
Beyond its romantic entanglements, the series dissects universal themes:
Family decay: The Jia's fall parallels the decline of feudal China, critiquing corruption and excess.
Feminine agency: Characters like Wang Xifeng (Yao Di), the cunning household manager, defy patriarchal norms.
Spiritual rebellion: Baoyu's eventual choice to become a monk underscores his rejection of materialistic values.
Zhan Zhao Adventures 雨霖铃
- Aired: 2025 (Upcoming)
- Period Background: Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127)
- Genres: Wuxia, Detective mystery
- Main Roles:
Zhan Zhao (展昭): Yang Yang as the legendary imperial bodyguard and swordsman.
Huo Linglong (霍玲珑): Zhang Ruonan (章若楠) as his partner in solving supernatural crimes. - Adapted From: Minifish's (minifish) novel Zhan Zhao Adventures.
Set in the bustling capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, the series follows Zhan Zhao (Yang Yang), a legendary imperial bodyguard renowned for his swordsmanship and unwavering loyalty to the throne. When a string of grisly murders rocks the city—each victim marked by ancient curse symbols—Zhan Zhao is tasked with unraveling the mystery. Teaming up with Huo Linglong (Zhang Ruonan), a sharp-witted martial artist with a talent for deciphering occult riddles, the duo navigates a shadowy web of political corruption, vengeful spirits, and forbidden magic.
Their investigation leads them from opulent palace halls to haunted Taoist temples, uncovering a conspiracy that threatens the dynasty itself. As Zhan Zhao battles assassins and deciphers cryptic clues, he must confront his own past ties to the imperial court, while Huo Linglong's knowledge of ancient folklore becomes their greatest weapon. Together, they walk a razor's edge between justice and survival, where every solved crime pulls them deeper into a fight for the soul of the Song Dynasty.
Yang Yang steps into the role of Zhan Zhao, a character deeply rooted in Chinese folklore as the "Imperial Cat" sworn to protect the emperor. Unlike his previous roles in xianxia fantasies, Yang Yang channels a quieter, steel-eyed intensity here, balancing Zhan Zhao's lethal precision with a haunted sense of duty. Early stills showcase his mastery of Northern Song-era swordplay, from silk-robed duels on moonlit rooftops to clashes with black-masked assassins in rain-soaked alleyways. For fans of The King's Avatar and The Legend of the Condor Heroes, this role promises to cement Yang Yang as a Wuxia heavyweight.
The series merges the adrenaline of martial arts with the cerebral thrills of a murder mystery. Think Sherlock Holmes meets Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, with supernatural twists. Each episode revolves around a self-contained case—haunted artifacts, possessed officials, poisoned banquets—while weaving a larger narrative about a faction seeking to resurrect a cursed ancient dynasty. The blend of historical crime-solving and supernatural Wuxia offers something fresh for genre enthusiasts.
Costumes: Silk robes with intricate cloud patterns, jade hairpins, and armor inspired by Song military scrolls.
Locations: Filmed in Hengdian World Studios and ancient temples in Kaifeng (the Song Dynasty's former capital).
Action Choreography: Emphasize elegance and realism. Fight scenes use minimal CGI, relying on Yang Yang's athleticism and traditional weapons like the jian (straight sword) and qiang (spear).
Themes: Corruption vs. Integrity in a Fracturing Dynasty
Beyond its pulse-pounding action, the series critiques the moral decay festering beneath the Song Dynasty's golden veneer. Zhan Zhao's struggle to uphold justice in a world where "loyalty" is bought and sold mirrors modern debates about power and ethics. The cursed murders, tied to historical events like the Qingli Reforms, add layers of political commentary rarely seen in Wuxia.
Yang Yang's costume dramas work because they're fun first, history lessons second. He doesn't just wear silk robes—he fills them with characters who crack jokes during sword fights, question authority, and occasionally trip over their own ideals. From underdog heroes to morally gray immortals, his roles prove that ancient China wasn't all solemn rituals and palace whispers. It was messy, thrilling, and full of people trying to outsmart the system.
So whether you're into high-flying Wuxia battles (Who Rules the World) or slow-burn political chess (Zhan Zhao Adventures), Yang's filmography has a gateway for you. The best part? You'll pick up more about Chinese culture through a rogue prince's smirk or a math prodigy's obsession with tax codes than any documentary could teach. Its lush visuals, layered storytelling, and timeless themes ensure it remains a jewel of Chinese historical dramas—a haunting dream that lingers long after the credits roll.
