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| China’s Most Beloved Male Drama Characters of 2025 So Far: Sohu’s Mid-Year List Unveiled (Sohu) |
Sohu—one of China’s most reputable digital media platforms—has released a definitive mid-year list of the Top 10 Most Popular Male Drama Characters for the first half of 2025.
Unlike casual fan votes, this ranking is based on a sophisticated “heat index” that compiles data from search engine frequency, media coverage, social media activity, and streaming platform engagement.
The result is a data-driven reflection of which fictional men truly struck a chord with audiences, especially female viewers across the mainland and beyond.
These characters weren’t chosen for appearance alone. They are beloved for their depth, emotional arcs, complex personalities, and the kind of romantic vulnerability that lingers long after the credits roll.
Here’s the full list of 2025’s leading male characters that made drama fans laugh, cry, and fall head over heels:
❤️ Top 10 Male Drama Characters That Won Over Viewers in 6M 2025
1. Zang Hai (played by Xiao Zhan) – Legend of Zang Hai (藏海传)
⭐ Popularity Score: 9.26
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A character cloaked in mystery and quiet grief. Zang Hai’s tragic childhood, involving the massacre of his family, sets him on a revenge-driven path through the imperial court. His outward stoicism and inner sorrow, matched with masterful strategy and dignified presence, made him an instant favourite among viewers who appreciated his strength in silence.
2. Tang Qi (played by Tan Jianci) – Filter (滤镜)
⭐ Score: 9.24
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Equal parts genius and loveable mess, Tang Qi is a PhD doctor tangled in a surreal love triangle—falling for two women who turn out to be the same person in different forms. His journey is odd, sweet, and humorous, with highlights including awkwardly romantic encounters involving an alpaca and a bronze statue. A confusing yet endearing portrayal of love in its most unexpected forms.
3. Xu Qi’an (played by Wang Hedi) – Guardians of the Dafeng (大奉打更人)
⭐ Score: 9.22
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Transported from the modern world into an ancient dynasty, Xu Qi’an goes from criminal to crime-solver. Brash, humorous, and streetwise, he injects modern charisma into the historical setting. With bold charm and cheeky comebacks, he wins over viewers as the clever underdog who never lets the system crush him.
4. Wei Shao (played by Liu Yuning) – The Prisoner of Beauty (折腰)
⭐ Score: 9.20
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Once hardened by war and trauma, Wei Shao becomes one of 2025’s most touching romantic leads. His initial resistance to love slowly melts into deep devotion for his wife, Xiao Qiao. His transformation from a cold military man to a tender, emotionally generous partner left a lasting impact on audiences.
5. Su Yishui (played by Deng Wei) – Love of the Divine Tree (仙台有树)
⭐ Score: 9.18
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A love that transcends lifetimes. Su Yishui’s enduring devotion to his past-life mentor, now reborn as his own disciple, creates a quiet, aching romance that moved viewers deeply. His composed manner hides a soul brimming with longing, sacrifice, and the hope of reunion—a poetic portrait of eternal love.
6. Sang Yan (played by Bai Jingting) – The First Frost (难哄)
⭐ Score: 9.17
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Sarcastic and sharp-tongued on the surface, Sang Yan is a man whose love speaks through actions. Whether it’s buying necessities Wen Yifan is too shy to ask for or gently looking out for her wellbeing, he’s the kind of quietly dependable presence that earned him the nickname "the ninety-nine steps man".
7. Fan Yue (played by Ao Ruipeng) – Moonlight Mystique (白月梵星)
⭐ Score: 9.15
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A demon king with a heart beneath the blade. Fan Yue begins as an antihero using humans for his gain, but finds himself transformed by love. His protective instincts and self-sacrifice struck a chord with viewers—especially those who love a cold-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside character arc.
8. Jiang Changyang (played by Li Xian) – Flourished Peony (国色芳华)
⭐ Score: 9.14
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Flamboyant, clever, and wonderfully corrupt—Jiang Changyang is far from a conventional hero. Yet his underlying kindness and cheeky flair make him irresistibly watchable. Audiences were charmed by his mix of scheming and sincerity, wrapped in silk robes and mischief.
9. He Suye (played by Zhang Linghe) – The Best Thing (爱你)
⭐ Score: 9.11
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A refreshing take on the romantic male lead. He Suye is a Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor whose gentle care for the ailing Lu Anran made hearts flutter. His quiet warmth, thoughtful gestures, and grounded maturity made him a standout as the kind of man who heals rather than hurts.
10. Jiu Xuanye (played by Ren Jialun) – The Demon Hunter’s Romance (无忧渡)
⭐ Score: 9.09
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Haunted by loss and torn between worlds, Jiu Xuanye walks the line between man and monster. His romance with Ban Xia, filled with sorrow and sacrifice, gave rise to one of the most emotionally complex character arcs of 2025. A tragic hero that left many viewers weeping by the final episode.
Why These Characters Matter
Beyond their narrative arcs and charisma, what truly connects these ten men is their emotional resonance. In a media era where flashy exteriors often outshine substance, these characters brought something deeper to the screen—flawed yet loyal hearts, moral dilemmas, and love stories built not on dominance, but on mutual care and vulnerability.
Whether you're drawn to strategists, scholars, fighters, or gentle souls, there's someone on this list for every viewer. And as Chinese dramas continue to evolve with more nuanced portrayals of masculinity, it's clear that audiences are responding to sincerity over spectacle.
Which of these leads stole your heart in 2025? Or is your favourite still waiting for their moment in the spotlight during the year’s second half? Let us know which fictional man you're still thinking about long after the final credits rolled.