STAND-OUT ACTORS IN 2021
Based on the dramas I've seen in 2021, these are actors that really impressed me this year!
*actors/actresses
-
![]()
Bai Jing Ting
Chinese
You are my hero is so freaking good, he's so awkward and cute there, but cool when it comes to action too. Always watched him in variety shows but first time watching his drama, and I'm so impressed. For Ping Pong Life he gained SO MUCH MUSCLE just for the role THE DEDICATION makes him #1 (for now). In Octogenarian the 90s he plays a manipulative funny douche it shows how versatile he is
-
![]()
Gong Jun
Chinese
Always liked him in other roles but Word of Honor is NEXT LEVEL flirting, mischievous charm. It's even more epic that he's actually pretty chill and quiet in real life and it's actually Zhang Zhe Han who is the outgoing type. Makes his acting even better
-
![]()
Lee Se Young
South Korean
MY KOREAN THRILLER QUEEN. SO GOOD at intense detective/medical roles (Dr. John, Memorist, Kairos) I love her so much
-
![]()
Liu Yu Ning
Chinese
I'm SO IMPRESSED with Liu Yu Ning's acting in "The Long Ballad" he's all smiley and sweet in real life but here his acting is so convincing when he's angry it looks like his veins are about to burst lol he's so good. Also I STAN HIS OSTS SO HARD he's iconic
-
![]()
Esther Yu
Chinese
I LOVE HER IN MOONLIGHT. Chu Li is sweet, independent, kind and hardworking. The romance scenes are killer, she's known for her sweet chemistry in romances, cannot wait for her other dramas but I don't think she has any other projects this year
-
![]()
Liu Xue Yi
Chinese
HE'S SO GOOD IN "QING LUO". He was annoying as Hao Chen in Love and Redemption but I kept seeing his interviews on my twitter feed and fell head over heels for him in Qing Luo, he's so sweet, handsome and charismatic.
Next year will be his year, can't wait for "Love Never Fails" with Yuan Bing Yan
-
![]()
Zhou Ye
Chinese
Word of Honor is her debut but wow what an impression! Love her can't wait for her drama with Dylan Wang very promising actress
-
![]()
Wang Yang
Chinese
Wang Yang is my ultimate "over 40s" crush. He's so charismatic, and intimidating in "The Rebel". I've seen him in "Perfect Couple" acting as the evil cousin in law, but the republican era, super intelligent and intense character suits him. Definitely my favorite actor from the entire drama!
-
![]()
-
![]()
Huang You Ming
Chinese
amazing actor from evil roles "Love and Redemption" to hilarious badass senior immortal role in "Word of Honor". He shows up everywhere in my historical dramas and all his works are memorable, he deserves a main lead role!
-
![]()
-
![]()
Mun Ka Young
South Korean
SHE'S STUNNING, love all her drama roles, she does it all melodrama, to rom-com (true beauty is iconic even though I didn't finish it, lol still good)
-
![]()
Wang An Yu
Chinese
He stole my heart in Go Go Squid 2, so charismatic, my eyes are glued to him on screen, need to watch his other dramas
- Love forever love he shows much more authenticity here with his sweet and kind side but of course he is as charming as ever trying to woo the girl. I am a fan of him now excited to see his upcoming drama with Song Zuer
-
![]()
Zhou Yi Wei
Chinese
His portrayal of a righteous general in The Rebel Princess is so perfect, the romance is passionate and the battle scenes are epic
-
![]()
-
![]()
Xu Jia Qi
Chinese
Stunning, elegant, mature portrayal as Fu Xuan in Ruyi Pavilion. She's better than Ju Jing Yi for me
-
![]()
Mandy Wong
Hong Konger
She's in every HK drama I watch these days, she can do it all. From really ghetto annoying portrays, housewife, to badass lawyer with personality disorder, Love her roles. She deserves all suceess
-
![]()
Leo Wu
Chinese
Finally got addicted to Wu Lei he's so kind in real life also same age as me can't believe he's fei liu from Nirvana, he's amazing, those eyebrows and intense gaze he's beautiful. Love him and also following Fight Breaks Sphere now
-
![]()
Michael Miu
Hong Konger
brilliant HK veteran actor, watched 4 dramas of his this year 2 of them were re-watches he can play a villain, a loving family man, or a heroic smart cop, definitely one of the best actors ever
-
![]()
Ni Ni
Chinese
CAN SHE PLEASE ACT IN A NEW HISTORICAL DRAMA? (update she did a new republican drama called Night wanderer her figure is to die for she will look so hot in a qipao)
The most natural actress ever, she's a pro when it comes to acting, her dramas are hit or miss but I still watch cause I love her
-
![]()
William Chan
Hong Konger
impressed me in "Dance of the Storm" I also forgot how good looking he is, that smile, body, and action scenes in this drama is worth watching
-
![]()
Song Joong Ki
South Korean
Mr. Vincenzo Cassano is all the rave on Netflix and it deserves the hype, not my fave kdrama but love the main leads' performances also the tailored suits look great on him
-
![]()
Bobby Au Yeung
Hong Konger
he's great and finally made is comeback this year with Joe ma, too bad the drama is overshadowed with the romance plot instead of being the psychological cop/lawyer drama I hoped for
-
![]()
Deng Wei
Chinese
He plays the cold immortal in "Miss the Dragon" so well, despite the coldness he has these subtle expressions that hints at his true feelings, I totally fell in love with his character, cannot wait to see his future projects
- THE WAY QIAN XUN looks at Qing Qing is so genuine and deep this actor is really the standout of the show for me
- Miss the Dragon itself isn't that good, but 2nd couple really shines
-
![]()
Priscilla Wong
Hong Konger
- rewatched Madam cutie on Duty and her acting is amazing, from rich girl to your average ahjumma down the block, funny, heartwarming, interesting. I should check her other dramas out
-
![]()
Zheng He Hui Zi
Chinese
I fell for Huang Sheng Chi at first in "Ugly Beauty" but she stole the show afterwards especially in eps where the twins were standing side by side she did such an amazing job making each persona distinct and I can tell just from their style/tone and subtle eye narrowing or movements.
-
![]()
Ou Hao
Chinese
- Lover or Stranger had me shook if it wasn't for his acting, half bad half good I wouldn't be convinced. The acting for suspense dramas have to make you like the character and doubt yourself and come up with wild theories and he DID THAT. Someone cast him in another thriller suspense
-
![]()
Zhang He
Chinese
- I have to admit I always laughed at this actor in supporting roles since he always plays the evil character or the annoying guy but here he just steals your heart as a caring doctor. I was so conflicted and I hate love triangles usually
- ALSO HE'S 36 AND NOT 25 I'M SHOOK yes I know asians don't raisin but he's on that vera wang shizz cause damn
-
![]()
Xuan Lu
Chinese
- Best actress in a morally grey character role I've ever seen she's so good in "Dream of Chang An" or "Stand by Me", needs to get leading role ASAP preferably historical dramas, she's so smart and cunning but elegant and slays every scene she's in a wide range of emotions
-
![]()
Yang Yang
Chinese
- haven't watched his dramas in a while tbh I never remembered anything from LOVE 020 when it comes to acting but here in "You are my glory" the EMOTIONS seems so genuine I completely fell for Yu Tu. The tears and deep gazes he directs at Jing Jing the female lead is everything
- Of course he is good looking but this list only counts acting not looks and I was very impressed with him excited to see him in historical romance with Lusi next year
