Nowadays, the quality of TV series has visibly declined. Beyond the lack of skilled writers and directors, the caliber of actors is also dropping. 
This is especially true for male actors—being average-looking is one thing, but their acting is often far from convincing. It’s jarring to watch, and even in period dramas, they rely heavily on makeup. Despite all this, some male stars still land leading roles, often portraying handsome characters. The casting choices are baffling. So, which actors fit this description?
**Liu Yuning** is undoubtedly a talented singer—his songs are well-known, his voice is pleasant, and his technique is strong. However, venturing into acting and frequently playing handsome period drama leads is quite unexpected. His face doesn’t align with the typical image of a period-drama heartthrob. With a narrow, elongated face, high cheekbones, small eye slits, and a pointed jaw, netizens have labeled his look “rat-like.” When not smiling, there’s a sharp, almost villainous air about him, far from the charm of a refined gentleman. In period costumes with tight-fitting hairstyles, the flaws in his facial structure become glaring. Yet, this average-looking actor enjoys enviable leading-man opportunities. Last year alone, he starred as the male lead in two series, *Zhe Yao* and *A Dream of a Book*. The female leads are stunning, making the contrast starkly apparent. His acting remains mediocre, lacking emotional depth and expression—robotic and monotonous. Despite criticism, Liu Yuning continues to get roles thanks to his fame and fan base.
**Ding Yuxi** is another case: not particularly handsome yet consistently cast as the lead. His features are not ugly but lack striking appeal—plain eyes, an unremarkable face shape, and nothing that stands out in a crowd. He gained popularity a few years ago for *The Romance of Tiger and Rose*, playing Han Shuo, a handsome and wealthy prince. At the time, many viewers felt his looks couldn’t justify the “handsome man” role. In *Shan He Zhen*, co-starring with Song Qian, he played a general but came across as slight and fragile rather than commanding. His heavy makeup would have drawn criticism of being a “foundation general” if the show had been more popular. His acting also fails to convey strength, with no conviction in his eyes. Opinions on his looks are polarized—some find his features sharp, while others find him plain or even unattractive. Nonetheless, he never lacks for leading roles in major productions.
**Li Yunrui** has sparked discussion again with his recent series *Rebirth on the Ice Lake*. His features are not delicate, his eyes are weak, and his face is round—lacking the sharpness associated with male leads. He still gets leading roles, even in highly anticipated shows. His performance in *Rebirth on the Ice Lake*, a retelling of a role originally played by Lin Gengxin in *Princess Agents*, was lackluster: expressionless and flat. His looks are unremarkable, without presence or definition. In earlier times, such an appearance would be relegated to supporting roles. How he became a lead is puzzling, especially since most of his previous shows, except *Nine Purple Clouds*, were not successful.
**Zhou Yiran**, although young, lands continuous leading roles despite his average looks. His height is rumored to be only 175 cm, placing him at a disadvantage in period costumes. In *Douluo Continent 2*, his portrayal of Tang San was mocked as looking like an inn servant—lacking the heroic aura of Xiao Zhan’s version and exuding a commoner feel. In his latest series, *A Decade of Jianghu Nights*, he plays a dual role, including a handsome demon sect leader. Close-ups reveal his plain features and lack of recognition. Some praise his acting for switching expressions from gentle to sinister, but that doesn’t make him suitable for the role. In modern dramas like *Huan Yu*, he plays a rebellious teen—a more fitting role. Yet in period pieces, he’s forced into “handsome lead” personas that don’t match his looks.
**Gong Jun** has been in the spotlight for years, bagging leads easily, but his looks are only average—structured but lacking depth, and stiff in period costumes. His acting is also mediocre, with no standout works, relying on character appeal. His recent legal drama *Family Court* on CCTV gained decent ratings but drew criticism for his stiff performance, especially in the early episodes as a judge. Many call him a “legal machine.” His previous hits like *Word of Honor* and *The Legend of An Le* also had him playing handsome leads. Fans call him a “high-pointed face,” while detractors find him bland. Despite his ordinary looks and average acting, he keeps winning leading roles, even in state-run TV series—a resource many talented actors envy.
What’s happening in the entertainment industry? Ordinary-looking actors are constantly cast as handsome leads. Some attribute it to capital influence, others to modern beauty standards, and some to acting ability. While some may be hardworking, an actor’s appearance is part of the role. “Handsome lead” should at least look the part!
