If you're new to Chinese historical dramas, Zhang Ruoyun's (张若昀) name should be at the top of your list. Forget stiff period pieces—his shows mix sharp wit, high-stakes politics, and characters who feel real, even in silk robes. Whether he's playing a math genius in the Ming Dynasty or a warrior prince in a fictional empire, Zhang makes centuries-old stories crackle with modern energy. Let's cut to the chase: here are his five best costume masterpieces to binge next.
Joy of Life 庆余年
- Aired: Season 1 (2019), Season 2 (2024)
- Period Background: Fictional Qing Dynasty-inspired empire
- Genres: Political intrigue, Historical fantasy, Mystery
- Main Roles:
- Fan Xian (范闲): Zhang Ruoyun as a witty, modern-minded nobleman navigating court conspiracies.
Emperor Qing (庆帝): Chen Daoming (陈道明) as the enigmatic ruler. - Adapted From: Cat Nip's novel Joy of Life.
If you've ever wondered what Game of Thrones might look like with a Chinese twist—minus the dragons but packed with biting humor and brainy schemers—Joy of Life is your answer. Zhang Ruoyun's breakout role as Fan Xian redefined historical fantasy, blending time-travel logic, political chess games, and a protagonist who'd feel just as at home in a coffee shop as in a royal palace. Aired in two seasons (2019 and 2024), this series isn't just a costume drama—it's a genre-bending ride through a world that's equal parts Qing Dynasty aesthetics and modern satire.
Set in a fictional empire mirroring the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912), Joy of Life avoids stiff historical reenactments. Instead, it drops Fan Xian—a cheeky, scientifically minded hero with memories of his past life as a 21st-century scholar—into a cutthroat royal court. His mission? Survive assassination plots, decode ancient poetry, and out-sass everyone from corrupt officials to the Emperor himself.
Zhang Ruoyun's performance is magnetic. He plays Fan Xian as a rebellious underdog who weaponizes sarcasm and logic, making him relatable even to viewers who've never heard of the Qing Dynasty. Opposite him, Chen Daoming as Emperor Qing delivers a masterclass in quiet menace. Their scenes together crackle with tension—one wrong word could mean death.
Plot Breakdown: Season 1 vs. Season 2
Season 1 (2019) introduces Fan Xian as a sheltered nobleman raised in the countryside. When he's summoned to the capital, he quickly realizes his "ordinary" life was a lie. His mother, a revolutionary inventor, left behind secrets that threaten the empire's power structure. Using his modern knowledge (think: germ theory and poetry plagiarism), Fan Xian climbs the social ladder while dodging killers and unmasking enemies.
The season's brilliance lies in its balance. One moment, Fan Xian is cracking jokes about bureaucracy; the next, he's dissecting a conspiracy involving poisoned wine. The finale leaves him with a shocking truth: Emperor Qing is his biological father—and their reunion in Season 2 is anything but warm.
Season 2 (2024) shifts from personal survival to empire-level crisis. Now aware of his royal blood, Fan Xian faces the scheming Second Prince (二皇子), a fan-favorite villain whose calm smile hides lethal ambition. Tasked with investigating a financial meltdown in Jiangnan (a wealthy southern region), Fan Xian uncovers tax fraud, rebel alliances, and his mother's ties to a shadowy organization.
What makes Season 2 addictive? It doubles down on moral gray areas. Fan Xian isn't just fighting villains—he's questioning whether the empire he's saving deserves his loyalty.
While rooted in Chinese history, Joy of Life speaks a global language. Fan Xian's frustration with outdated traditions—like refusing to kneel to authority—mirrors modern audiences' disdain for blind obedience. The show also winks at pop culture, like having Fan Xian "invent" margaritas or recite李白's poetry as his own (a hilarious jab at intellectual property).
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Sword Snow Stride 雪中悍刀行
- Aired: 2021
- Period Background: Warring States period (fictional)
- Genres: Wuxia (martial heroes), Political drama
- Main Roles:
Xu Fengnian (徐凤年): Zhang Ruoyun as a reluctant heir to a military dynasty.
Xu Xiao (徐骁): Hu Jun (胡军) as his formidable father. - Adapted From: Feng Huo Xi Zhu Hou's novel Sword Snow Stride.
If you love epic battles, morally gray characters, and political games where every smile hides a dagger, Sword Snow Stride is your next obsession. Aired in 2021, this wuxia (martial heroes) series stars Zhang Ruoyun as Xu Fengnian a rebellious heir who'd rather chase freedom than inherit his father's military empire. Think Game of Thrones meets Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon—but with a dry sense of humor and philosophical debates mid-swordfight.
Why It's Not Your Typical Martial Arts Drama
Set in a fictional Warring States-era China, the show avoids tired "chosen one" tropes. Xu Fengnian isn't a noble warrior—he's a sharp-tongued, book-smart troublemaker forced to grow up fast. After faking his death to avoid family expectations, he roams the land disguised as a beggar, picking fights and dodging assassins. But when his father, Xu Xiao, drags him back to lead their army, Xu Fengnian must master martial arts, outwit rivals, and decide whether to protect his family's legacy… or burn it down.
Zhang Ruoyun shines as the anti-hero. His Xu Fengnian cracks jokes during life-or-death duels and debates Confucianism with bandits, making him feel more like a cynical college grad than a martial arts prodigy. Meanwhile, Hu Jun's Xu Xiao steals scenes as the weary warlord whose love for his son clashes with his duty to the realm. Their tense, layered relationship drives the story.
The series opens with Xu Fengnian's "gap year" gone wrong. While traveling incognito, he accidentally uncovers a plot to overthrow his father. To survive, he teams up with a ragtag crew: a stoic sword saint, a rogue assassin, and a former enemy-turned-ally. But this isn't just a revenge story—it's a deep dive into power, loyalty, and what it means to lead.
Key Conflicts:
The Reluctant Heir: Xu Fengnian resents his father's warmongering past. But as he trains in martial arts (with killer scenes choreographed like dancing calligraphy), he realizes his family's army is the only shield against chaos.
The Enemy Within: The Xu family's allies include traitors, and their foes sometimes have fair grievances. A standout arc involves Xu Fengnian sparing a rival clan's heir—only for that mercy to spark a rebellion.
The Cost of Power: The show questions whether "peace" built on fear is worth it. In one haunting scene, Xu Xiao admits, "I won wars, but lost my soul."
Universal Themes: It's a family drama disguised as a martial arts epic. Xu Fengnian's struggle—to meet parental expectations or forge his own path—is relatable to anyone.
Visually Stunning: Fight scenes blend poetry with action. One duel takes place in a snowstorm, with blades slicing flakes into characters' names—a nod to Chinese ink art.
No Stereotypes: Female characters aren't sidelined. Xu Fengnian's sister leads a spy network, and a female assassin's subplot explores redemption.
The Great Tang Di Renjie 大唐狄公案
- Aired: 2023
- Period Background: Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD)
- Genres: Detective mystery, Historical crime
- Main Roles:
Di Renjie (狄仁杰): Monday Wei (周一围) as the legendary judge. - Special Appearance: Zhang Ruoyun in a pivotal role.
- Adapted From: Robert van Gulik's Judge Dee novels.
If Sherlock Holmes wore silk robes and solved crimes in 7th-century China, he'd probably be Di Renjie. Aired in 2023, The Great Tang Di Renjie reimagines the iconic Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) judge as a cerebral detective tackling cases that blur the line between folklore and forensic science. While Monday Wei stars as the titular sleuth, Zhang Ruoyun's special appearance adds intrigue to this historical mystery series adapted from Robert van Gulik's Judge Dee novels. Forget generic whodunits—this show serves up ghostly conspiracies, political cover-ups, and a lead who trusts evidence over superstition.
Why It's a Fresh Take on Historical Crime
Most detective dramas stick to dusty libraries or gritty streets. The Great Tang Di Renjie throws its protagonist into a world where "supernatural" crimes—haunted temples, cursed paintings, vanishing corpses—are tools for human greed. Di Renjie, a real historical figure famed for his logic-driven justice, approaches each case like a puzzle: skeptical, methodical, and unafraid to challenge authority.
Monday Wei plays him as a quiet storm: calm in chaos, ruthless in deduction. In one episode, he debunks a "ghostly" murder by proving the killer used hidden ropes and theater tricks. But the show's secret weapon is Zhang Ruoyun in a guest role as Li Shubai (李淑柏), a disgraced scholar with ties to Di Renjie's past. Their tense alliance—part mentorship, part rivalry—fuels the central mystery: Who's manipulating these crimes to destabilize the Tang Empire?
The series follows Di Renjie's rise from a local magistrate to the Empress's trusted investigator. Each arc blends standalone cases with an overarching conspiracy:
The Phantom of Red Temple: Villagers blame a monk's death on a temple spirit. Di Renjie exposes a smuggling ring using the legend to hide illegal goods.
The Song of the Drowned Bride: A bride's corpse reappears years after her drowning, "singing" warnings. Solution: A salt merchant faked her death to evade debt.
Li Shubai's Gambit (Zhang Ruoyun's arc): A poetry scroll linked to treason leads Di Renjie to Li, a brilliant outcast framed for murder. Their cat-and-mouse game reveals a plot to reignite the Warring States era.
Adapted from Dutch diplomat Robert van Gulik's novels, the show Westernizes nothing—it leans into Tang culture. Di Renjie quotes Confucius during interrogations, and clues hide in ink paintings or tea rituals. Yet the themes—corruption, redemption, the cost of truth—are universally gripping.
Tang Dynasty Aesthetics: Opulent sets (think: moonlit pavilions, bustling Chang'an markets) showcase China's golden age of art and trade.
Mythology as Manipulation: The series cleverly reveals how folklore is weaponized. A "river demon" is just a diver in a mask; "cursed" tea poisons rivals.
Zhang Ruoyun's Role: Though not the lead, his Li Shubai is pivotal—a broken genius who mirrors Di Renjie's intellect but lacks his ethics. Their final confrontation is a battle of wits, not swords.
The Legend of Huo Qubing 霍去病传奇
- Aired: 2025 (upcoming)
- Period Background: Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD)
- Genres: Military epic, Biographical drama
- Main Roles: Zhang Ruoyun as the "Swift Cavalry General"Huo Qubing (霍去病)
- Adapted From: Historical records from Records of the Grand Historian.
Forget underdog stories—Huo Qubing was the original military prodigy. At 18, he led cavalry charges that reshaped China's borders; by 21, he'd become the Han Dynasty's (206 BC–220 AD) most feared general. Premiering in 2025, The Legend of Huo Qubing stars Zhang Ruoyun as history's "Swift Cavalry General," blending large-scale battles, political minefields, and a rare focus on a leader who burned bright but died young. Adapted from Records of the Grand Historian, this isn't just a war drama—it's a deep dive into how a fatherless teenager outsmarted an empire's deadliest enemies.
Why It's a Game-Changer for Historical Epics: Most military dramas glorify seasoned warriors. Huo Qubing flips the script: its hero is a tactical savant whose youth is both his superpower and his flaw. Born the illegitimate son of a low-ranking official, Huo grows up in the shadow of his uncle, General Wei Qing (卫青 Wèi Qīng), a legendary commander. But when the Xiongnu (匈奴 Xiōngnú), a nomadic confederation, invade Han territory, Huo's unorthodox strategies—like lightning raids and desert ambushes—catch Emperor Wu's (汉武帝 Hàn Wǔ Dì) eye.
Zhang Ruoyun, known for witty, cerebral roles, embraces Huo's intensity. His performance balances arrogance ("I don't need maps—I make borders") with vulnerability, especially as Huo grapples with the loneliness of outsized expectations. The series also avoids sanitized heroism: victories come with heavy losses, and Huo's ambition strains his family ties.
The series opens in 123 BC. Seventeen-year-old Huo Qubing begs to join Wei Qing's campaign against the Xiongnu. Denied a command, he sneaks into battle with 800 horsemen—and annihilates 2,000 enemies using hit-and-run tactics. Emperor Wu, impressed but wary, grants him a risky mission: invade the Hexi Corridor (a Xiongnu stronghold) with 10,000 men.
Key Battles Redefined:
The Hexi Campaign: Huo's troops cross 1,000 miles of desert, attacking at dawn when Xiongnu scouts least expect it. The victory secures the Silk Road.
Mobei Showdown: In 119 BC, Huo's cavalry ambushes the Xiongnu north of the Gobi, ending their dominance—but at a cost. His best friend dies saving him, a loss that haunts his later campaigns.
The Unfinished War: Historically, Huo died mysteriously at 24. The series teases a fictionalized subplot: Was his death illness… or assassination by political rivals?
Adapted from Simaqian's Records of the Grand Historian, the script sticks to verified events but adds emotional grit. Scenes of Huo bonding with soldiers—teaching them to read or sharing looted cheese—humanize a figure often reduced to textbooks.
Han Dynasty Warfare: The show recreates ancient tactics without CGI overkill. Huo's cavalry uses recurve bows and "feigned retreat" maneuvers, tactics later adopted by the Mongols.
Family Dynamics: Huo's relationship with Wei Qing (his uncle) and Empress Wei Zifu (卫子夫, his aunt) reveals the pressure of growing up in a military dynasty.
Zhang Ruoyun's Prep: The actor trained in horseback archery and studied Han-era military treatises. In behind-the-scenes clips, he insists on doing 80% of his stunts.
Under the Microscope 显微镜下的大明
- Aired: 2023
- Period Background: Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)
- Genres: Historical mystery, Legal drama
- Main Roles: Zhang Ruoyun as a math prodigy unraveling tax fraud.Shuai Jia Mo (帅家默)
- Adapted From: Ma Boyong's non-fiction book Silk and Tax.
- Adapted from Ma Boyong's non-fiction book Silk and Tax, the series dives into a real Ming tax scandal. In 16th-century Zhejiang province, officials inflated land registries to siphon funds, leaving farmers bankrupt. Shuai, a clerk with a photographic memory, notices a discrepancy: why does a tiny village owe taxes for 3,000 acres of fictional farmland?
But Under the Microscope isn't a dry history lesson. It's a ticking-clock mystery. To prove the fraud, Shuai must outmaneuver local gentry, survive assassination attempts, and teach illiterate farmers to audit ledgers—all while battling his own reputation as a "madman." Zhang Ruoyun masterfully balances Shuai's fragility (he's haunted by his father's death in a similar scandal) with quiet stubbornness. In one scene, he disarms a corrupt magistrate not with threats, but by reciting tax codes verbatim during a public hearing.
The series kicks off with Shuai's discovery of a "ghost acreage" scheme. To expose it, he teams up with:
Cheng Renqing (程仁清): A washed-up, alcoholic scholar (Wang Yang 王阳) who becomes Shuai's reluctant mouthpiece.
Feng Boyu (丰宝玉): A hotheaded merchant (Fei Qiming 费启鸣) funding their investigation for his own agenda.
Their alliance is messy, funny, and deeply human. In Episode 4, they trick a corrupt clerk into admitting guilt by hosting a fake "math competition" with wine bribes. By midseason, the conspiracy stretches to the Ministry of Revenue—and Shuai realizes fixing one village's books could topple the empire's financial system.
Zhang Ruoyun takes a sharp left turn from his usual charismatic roles to play Shuai, a man whose obsession with numbers borders on neurodivergent coding. His performance—stiff posture, avoidant eye contact, bursts of childlike excitement when solving equations—anchors a series that's equal parts legal thriller and ode to everyday resistance.
The finale doesn't offer fairytale justice. Though the Emperor orders reforms, Shuai's victory costs him his job and safety. Yet the closing scene—him teaching farmers to count their own land—hints at quiet, lasting change.
Under the Microscope exemplifies this. It's not about royal decrees or battle glory; it's about the quiet courage to count what others ignore. For SEO, terms like "best Chinese historical dramas" and "Zhang Ruoyun character guide" fit here—but the real draw is simpler: a great story, told by an actor who refuses to repeat himself.
If you think tax audits can't be thrilling, let Shuai Jia Mo change your mind. Under the Microscope is a rallying cry for anyone who's ever fought a broken system—with a math brush as your sword.
Zhang Ruoyun's dramas aren't just about costumes and sword fights—they're character-driven stories where history meets imagination. No lectures, no filler: just clever plots, flawed heroes, and enough twists to keep you hitting "next episode."
