LayarHijau – The Chinese drama Pursuit of Jade (逐玉), which premiered in early 2026, has sparked a rare phenomenon in costume dramas. Not only has it captured attention with a strong storyline and high-quality production, but its male supporting actors have also seen massive follower growth during the series’ broadcast. Lin Muran, Deng Kai, and Li Qing each gained over a million new followers, with some surpassing 1.5 million, challenging the industry stereotype that only lead actors can shine.
Spoiler alert: The surge in popularity came from the supporting characters’ unforgettable iconic moments. Lin Muran, 19, plays Sui Yuanqing, the crown prince of Wang Changxin, an ambitious and obsessive antagonist hiding a tragic core as a substitute figure. His nuanced eye expressions and natural body language perfectly balance cruelty and sorrow, including a famous scene where he smiles after being slapped, which trended online and earned him 1.4 million new followers, breaking free from his child star image.
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Deng Kai portrays Qi Min (Sui Yuan Huai), a calm yet powerful figure with a sly aura. His silver hair and piercing gaze highlight the character’s cunning and intensity, while his seamless mastery of micro-expressions drew fans’ praise, calling him the “gold standard for supporting actors,” with follower growth exceeding 1.2 million.
Li Qing plays Gongsun Yin, head of the Luyuan Academy, whose gentle yet firm demeanor captivated nearly one million followers. His well-crafted character demonstrates that a supporting role can be just as compelling as a lead. Together, these three actors have created a rare phenomenon, where all supporting roles receive significant attention, boosting the drama’s overall popularity.
This trend proves that strong acting and well-developed characters can outweigh credit positioning. The supporting actors show that “great characters don’t depend on rank, great acting will be recognized,” turning the drama into a hot topic while opening new career opportunities. Lin Muran, Deng Kai, and Li Qing have since received offers for new projects and commercial collaborations, marking a new chapter in their careers.
Pursuit of Jade sets a new benchmark for Chinese costume dramas by emphasizing full character development for all cast members, allowing viewers to enjoy richer storytelling while ensuring supporting actors receive the recognition they deserve.
