Actor Ryan Cheng showcased his intense charm and emotional range across five distinct historical and action-oriented Chinese dramas, highlighted by Soompi on Wednesday.
The performances cement the actor’s growing presence in the historical genre, relying on micro-expressions and martial arts expertise rather than exaggerated theatrics.
What to Know About Cheng’s Roles
- Commander-in-chief Yu Chang Xuan in “The Lament of Autumn” balances ruthless ambition with an obsessive, complex dynamic opposite Ye Ping Jun, played by Xu Ruo Han.
- Strict military leader Xiao Jue in “Legend of the Female General” pairs with Zhou Ye, who portrays a woman disguised as a male recruit.
- Prince Mo Xiu Yao in "The Jasmine" enters a transactional marriage with Ye Li, portrayed by Bai Lu, while plotting revenge against political rivals.
Ryan Cheng Portrays a Ruthless Warlord in The Lament of Autumn
Ryan Cheng’s turn as Yu Chang Xuan in “The Lament of Autumn” left an impression as a formidable and ruthless warlord whose obsession with a woman drives him to extremes. Having moved from short-form series to grander projects, the performer’s chiseled features and athletic build make him well-suited for intricate historical roles.
Not one for theatrics, his micro-expressions convey emotional arcs across various moods. Chang Xuan is self-assured and driven by ambition as commander-in-chief of the Nine Corps of the Yu army, believing in fair play and justice despite being dismissed as a troublemaker.
His personal life is upended after he sets his sights on Ye Ping Jun, an ordinary student whose independent nature and brilliant mind captivate him. Ping Jun does not reciprocate his feelings, developing an emotionally complex dynamic where Chang Xuan remains obsessive to the point of being out of control.
Ryan Cheng plays the role with élan, conveying complexities that make Chang Xuan appear unfeeling at times, yet disarmingly charming and vulnerable through his eyes and expressions.
Xiao Jue Leads the Disciplined Xiao Army in Legend of the Female General
In “Legend of the Female General,” Ryan Cheng plays Xiao Jue, the strictly disciplined leader of the Xiao Army. Weighed down by family legacy, Xiao Jue appears unsmiling and heartless, believing in action over words and justice for his family’s honor.
When He Yan, played by Zhou Ye, joins his camp under the guise of a male recruit, he is initially suspicious. Over time, he learns to appreciate her tactical skills and treats her as an equal upon learning her true identity.
His softer side surfaces when he falls in love, utilizing a brooding stare and sidelong glances to communicate suspicion, longing, and devotion. Similarly, in “My Journey to You,” he stars as Gong Shang Jue, a calculating second young master of the Gong family.
Shang Jue is a skilled military commander and strategist fiercely protective of his family. His skeptical dynamic with his younger cousin, Gong Zi Yu, played by Zhang Ling He, and his relationship with Shang Guan Qian, played by Lu Yu Xiao, drive the power struggle.
Vulnerability in Broken Characters
In “The First Jasmine,” Ryan Cheng portrays Prince Mo Xiu Yao, a war hero whose glory faded after his brother’s alleged treason. He marries Ye Li, played by Bai Lu, an outcast driven by revenge in a marriage commanded by the Dowager Queen.
Both tormented by their pasts, the couple moves forward with plans to avenge wrongs, shifting from cynical strangers into a power couple. Bringing a scarred individual’s fragility to life effortlessly, Ryan Cheng delivers a raw performance that captures Xiu Yao’s enduring pain and tenacity.
In “A Familiar Stranger,” Ryan Cheng plays Xiao Han Sheng, a powerful military general whose life changes when he marries a painter, Shi Qi, played by Ke Ying, who assumes another woman’s identity through a face-swapping scheme. Han Sheng balances his authority with a quieter, more vulnerable side as he manages conflicting feelings for his bride.
| Drama Title | Character Name | Co-Star |
|---|---|---|
| “The Lament of Autumn” | Yu Chang Xuan | Xu Ruo Han |
| “Legend of the Female General” | Xiao Jue | Zhou Ye |
| “The First Jasmine” | Mo Xiu Yao | Bai Lu |
| “My Journey to You” | Gong Shang Jue | Lu Yu Xiao |
| “A Familiar Stranger” | Xiao Han Sheng | Ke Ying |
Puja Talwar is a Soompi writer with a strong Jing Bo Ran and Lee Junho bias, who has interviewed actors including Lee Min Ho, Gong Yoo, Cha Eun Woo, and Ji Chang Wook.
