Who Is Zhang Ling He? Essential Facts About the Chinese Breakout Star

If you’ve spent any time in the world of C-dramas, chances are you’ve come across Zhang Ling He.

Since starring in the hit series Pursuit of Jade, the 28-year-old actor has ascended to A-list status at remarkable speed. In fact, during a recent appearance in Nanning, China, herds of fans gathered outside a shopping mall for a chance to see him in person. The turnout became so overwhelming that several glass panels shattered as fans rushed inside. If there’s any indication of his current popularity, that moment says plenty.

For those only beginning to explore the C-drama scene, here are a few essential facts about the rising star.

Zhang Ling He was born on December 30, 1997, in Wuxi, Jiangsu, China. He is currently 28 years old.

Long before entering show business, Ling he was an electrical engineering student at Nanjing Normal University. An enthusiast of physics and aerospace, he reportedly scored an impressive 599 out of 750 on the Gaokao, China’s national university entrance examination.

At the start of his career, his height was listed as 6’1” (188 cm), reportedly to prevent him from appearing too tall for certain roles. In recent years, however, his actual height has been widely confirmed to be 6’3” (190 cm).

After being scouted in 2019, Ling He made his TV debut in the 2020 historical drama Maiden Holmes. Later that year, he followed it up with the youth romance series Sparkle Love. Since then, he's had a calendar filled with projects.

Notably, much of his filmography consisted of historical period dramas. To date, he has appeared in eight xianxia (period) dramas.

In March 2026, Ling He rose to international stardom after taking on the lead role of Xie Zheng in Pursuit of Jade. Within a week of its premiere, the series surpassed heat indexes of 31,000 on Tencent and 10,000 on iQIYI. It also debuted at number six on Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non-English Shows chart.

Ling He is an avid photography enthusiast with a collection of more than 200 cameras. Among them are numerous vintage models, including rare pieces dating from the 1950s through the 1970s.

In July 2024, Gucci officially named Zhang Ling He as its Brand Ambassador. Seven months later, the partnership expanded when he was appointed Gucci Beauty Fragrance Ambassador, representing the house’s beauty division as well.

The actor is also an ambassador for Roman high jeweler Bvlgari. Since his appointment in January 2026, he has frequently been seen wearing the maison’s creations and has become a regular presence at its major events.

Despite the fanfare that follows him and his charismatic on-screen persona, Ling He has describes himself as an introvert. During his free time, he prefers spending time indoors and playing video games.