LayarHijau – The historical drama Pursuit of Jade, starring Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei, is currently enjoying soaring popularity. Since its premiere, the drama’s ratings and popularity index have continued to climb. On Tencent’s platform, its popularity score has surpassed 29,000, setting the highest record of 2026 so far. Meanwhile, its popularity index on iQIYI has also exceeded 9,500.
The character Xie Zheng, played by Zhang Linghe, had already attracted significant attention even before the drama aired. The role of a fallen nobleman quickly gained massive traction, with the character’s popularity index surpassing 100 million—an impressive achievement.
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Beyond the main leads, the drama’s supporting male cast has also drawn attention from viewers. The production team brought in Yan Yi Kuan, who previously appeared in the second season of I Am Nobody, as well as Ren Hao, known for his role in A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College.
In the drama, Yan Yi Kuan portrays Chancellor Wei, the antagonist who is also the uncle of Zhang Linghe’s character. His appearance in a purple official robe immediately caught viewers’ attention. He combines the commanding presence of a seasoned court official with the composed demeanor of a scholar, giving the character a powerful aura on screen. Even though the role involves sending people to hunt down Xie Zheng, many viewers still find the character compelling.
Meanwhile, Ren Hao plays Li Huai’an, a refined young noble from an influential family. With his handsome looks and gentle temperament, the character has also gained popularity among viewers. In the story, Li Huai’an quietly protects the female lead played by Tian Xiwei. Although his love remains unrequited, he continues to show patience and devotion, which has touched many viewers. Some fans have even nicknamed him the “love bodyguard” because he always steps in to support the female lead whenever she faces trouble.
By episode nine, the story of Pursuit of Jade has already delivered a series of intense plot developments. The fast-paced storytelling, combined with well-matched casting, helped the drama achieve strong ratings within just four days of airing.
Zhang Linghe’s portrayal of Xie Zheng has also received widespread praise from viewers. Many fans describe the role as a “career-defining performance” for the actor. From the very first episodes, his scenes have consistently drawn attention for his striking on-screen presence.
Director Zeng Qingjie has also been praised for his distinctive visual style. By skillfully using lighting, shadows, and close-up shots, he highlights the tragic yet visually striking aspects of Xie Zheng’s character. Even in scenes where the character collapses with severe injuries, many viewers have commented that Zhang Linghe still looks remarkably captivating.
Some viewers have even compared his performance in this drama with his role in Tiger and Crane, where he once faced criticism regarding his appearance in a historical costume role. In Pursuit of Jade, however, many believe he has shown clear improvement.
Yan Yi Kuan has also become a talking point thanks to his versatility as an actor. Many netizens were surprised to realize that he had previously played Xiao Zizai, a temporary worker with an eccentric and extreme personality in the second season of I Am Nobody, a role that had sparked considerable discussion at the time.
With a strong lead cast and standout supporting performances, Pursuit of Jade has been widely praised as a drama with “perfect casting.” The positive reception has helped drive the drama’s ratings and popularity even higher as it continues to air.
