Leaked set photos. No trailer. Not a single aired episode. And yet Tan Jianchi has already become the name to beat in this year's Chinese costume drama conversation.
According to a viral ranking compiled by BEAUTY, Tan's upcoming role as Xie Queshan in He Bu Tong Zhou Du (《何不同舟渡》) has topped a 2026 list of best-dressed male leads in Chinese historical dramas. The result places him ahead of several major names in the genre, including Liu Yuning in Zhe Yao (《折腰》), Zhang Linghe in Zhu Yu (《逐玉》), Xiao Zhan in Cang Hai Zhuan (《藏海傳》), and Yang Yang in Yu Lin Ling (《雨霖鈴》).
For C-drama fans, this is more than a lighthearted beauty poll. Costume styling has become one of the fastest ways for a historical drama to build anticipation, spark debate and define a character before the story itself fully reaches viewers. In a genre where armor, robes, hairstyles and fabric texture are all treated as part of the storytelling, a look can go viral long before a drama premieres.
In C-Drama Fandom, Costumes Tell the Story First
Chinese historical dramas, often referred to as guzhuang ju (古裝劇), have always depended heavily on visual world-building. But audience expectations have changed. Viewers no longer simply ask whether a costume is beautiful. They ask whether the armor looks battle-ready, whether the embroidery reflects a character's rank, whether a hairstyle flatters the actor, and whether a simple robe carries enough emotional weight for the role.
That is why costume design now functions almost like an early character reveal. A general in dark, heavy armor can signal tragedy and restraint. A prince in plain commoner clothing can suggest hidden identity and political calculation. A gradual shift from rough fabric to richer embroidery can quietly show a character's rise in status.
The 2026 ranking captures that fan culture in full force, with nine actors whose period looks have generated online discussion across aired dramas, upcoming titles and enduring fan favorites.
No. 9: Yang Yang in Yu Lin Ling — Classic Wuxia Energy
At No. 9 is Yang Yang (楊洋) as Zhan Zhao in Yu Lin Ling (《雨霖鈴》). His styling leans into a clean, martial look, with a neat topknot, swordsman bearing and a visual sharpness suited to a classic wuxia hero.
The costume is not the most ornate on the list, but that is part of the appeal. For a character like Zhan Zhao, the look needs discipline, agility and heroic clarity. Fans praised the styling for giving Yang a polished but energetic martial presence.
No. 8: Chen Yanyun in Liang Chen Mei Jin — Scholarly Restraint
Chen Yanyun (陳彥允) ranks eighth for his role as Cisha in Liang Chen Mei Jin (《良陳美錦》). His look is built around Ming-style official robes, giving the character a calm, scholarly elegance rather than a flashy heroic image.
The appeal lies in proportion and restraint. The costume does not overwhelm the actor, but instead reinforces Cisha's image as a composed court figure. In a ranking dominated by generals and princes, that quieter style still found a fan base.
No. 7: Chen Xingxu in Dong Gong — An Imperial Look Fans Still Remember
Chen Xingxu (陳星旭) as Li Chengyin in Dong Gong (《東宮》) remains one of the most memorable period-drama images for many C-drama viewers. The series may not be new, but its costume design continues to circulate among fans because of the way it combines Western-region styling with Central Plains court dress.
That duality is central to Li Chengyin's visual identity. His wardrobe can look romantic, regal and dangerous at the same time, matching a character whose love story is inseparable from betrayal and political ambition.
No. 6: Chen Feiyu in Bai Ri Ti Deng — Dark Military Fantasy
At No. 6 is Chen Feiyu (陳飛宇) as Duan Xu in Bai Ri Ti Deng (《白日提燈》). His look favors darker military styling, with red mountain embroidery and flowing cloud details that match the drama's fantasy atmosphere.
The result is colder and more mysterious than a conventional palace-drama costume. Fans responded to the way the styling gives Duan Xu a sense of restraint and danger, while still keeping the visual focus on the character's youth and emotional tension.
No. 5: Zhang Wanyi in Liu Zhou Ji — Royal Blood Hidden in Plain Clothes
Zhang Wanyi (張晚意) takes fifth place for his role as Cui Xingzhou, the Prince of Huaiyang, in Liu Zhou Ji (《柳舟記》). His costume design works because it is built around contrast.
When Cui Xingzhou conceals his identity, he appears in plain, understated clothing. When his royal status comes forward, the wardrobe shifts into richer robes and armor, including details inspired by traditional shanwen-jia (山文甲) battle craftsmanship. The contrast reflects the character's double life: a man who can appear harmless, calculating or commanding depending on what the moment requires.
For fans, that transformation is exactly what makes the look satisfying. The costumes do not simply dress Cui Xingzhou — they reveal how much of himself he is choosing to show.
No. 4: Xiao Zhan in Cang Hai Zhuan — A Slow-Burn Rise to Power
Xiao Zhan (肖戰) ranks fourth for his role as Cang Hai in Cang Hai Zhuan (《藏海傳》). Unlike many fantasy-leaning historical dramas, the series favors a darker and more grounded visual style, with muted colors and heavier textures.
The most compelling part of the costume design is its progression. As Cang Hai moves from hardship toward influence, the quality of his clothing and the level of detail gradually increase. The upgrades are not loud, but they track the character's climb through revenge, strategy and court politics.
For an actor with Xiao Zhan's visibility, that restraint works in his favor. The costumes do not need to announce power immediately. They let the character accumulate it.
No. 3: Zhang Linghe in Zhu Yu — When Plain Linen Works
Zhang Linghe (張凌赫) places third for playing Xie Zheng in Zhu Yu (《逐玉》). His early styling is unusually simple for a male lead: plain civilian clothing worn while the character is wounded and living among commoners.
On paper, that kind of costume could easily weaken a character's screen presence. In Zhang's case, fans argued it did the opposite. The plain fabric highlighted his facial structure, while a difficult fringe hairstyle became one of the character's most discussed visual signatures.
The result turned simplicity into a strength. Rather than relying on heavy ornamentation, the look depended entirely on whether the actor could carry it. Most viewers felt Zhang Linghe could — and then some.
No. 2: Liu Yuning in Zhe Yao — Armor, Height and a Wedding Robe Fans Could Not Ignore
Liu Yuning (劉宇寧) comes in second for his role as Wei Shao in Zhe Yao (《折腰》). As a warlord, Wei Shao requires a physical presence that can make heavy armor look natural rather than decorative. Liu's height and frame helped sell that image across the drama's battle scenes.But the look that generated the strongest fan reaction was not only his armor. A black-and-red wedding robe became one of the drama's most widely shared costumes online, combining martial force with romantic intensity.For many viewers, Zhe Yao reshaped Liu Yuning's image as a historical-drama lead. The styling gave him authority, but it also gave the romance a sharper visual edge.
No. 1: Tan Jianchi in He Bu Tong Zhou Du — Already Viral Before Episode One
The top spot belongs to Tan Jianchi (檀健次) for He Bu Tong Zhou Du (《何不同舟渡》), even though the drama has not yet aired. The ranking was driven largely by leaked production photos, which gave fans an early look at his character Xie Queshan.
Tan plays a general burdened by the stigma of a traitor's name. The story follows his encounter with Nan Yi during a period of political upheaval, as the two move from suspicion toward a shared confrontation with danger, loyalty and sacrifice.
That setup already fits a familiar C-drama archetype: the tragic general who carries authority, restraint and emotional damage. But what pushed Tan to the top of the ranking was the immediate visual impact of the leaked images. His sharp features, controlled posture and full general's armor created the kind of image fans associate with doomed loyalty and hidden pain.
Online reaction also drew comparisons to Xiang Liu, Tan Jianchi's beloved character from Chang Xiang Si (《長相思》). The comparison matters because Xiang Liu remains one of his most iconic roles, remembered for cold restraint, quiet devotion and a tragic emotional arc that continues to resonate with viewers.
Seeing a similar energy in Xie Queshan before He Bu Tong Zhou Du has even premiered was enough to set fan discussion in motion. The character already looks like someone carrying an unbearable past — and in C-drama fandom, that can be enough to turn a costume into an event.
Before a trailer, before a premiere date, and before the first episode reaches viewers, Tan Jianchi has already become one of the year's most anticipated historical drama male leads. In 2026, that may be the clearest sign of how powerful costume drama fandom has become.
Source: BEAUTY (美人圈) （Related： Taipei and Lanyu Named Among Top Global Travel Destinations for 2026 ｜ Latest ）
