Zhang Ling He’s ‘Pursuit of Jade’ character Xie Zheng makes Tencent history with 100 million popularity points
Michelle Topham 
It’s Zhang Ling He winning the popularity points and not Xie Zheng — obviously
Now, personally, I think this bit of news from Tencentland is a little daft — the news that Chinese actor Zhang Ling He’s ‘Pursuit of Jade‘ character, Xie Zheng, has already earned over 100 million character popularity points a day before the C-drama premieres.
A situation that, apparently, has made history on Tencent as it’s the first time a character has earned over 100 million popularity points before a C-drama has even aired.
Why daft, as well as massively disingenuous? (Well, it is a promo piece and nothing more, right? (đ)
Because most people are obviously not voting for the character as, let’s face it, unless they’ve read the novel the C-drama is based on, they have no idea what Xie Zheng will even be like until the first episodes of the Chinese drama drop tomorrow.
Instead, fangirls are voting for Zhang Ling He himself.
Nothing wrong with that, of course. But Tencent should be honest that it’s the actor and not the character getting all the adulation.
New Pursuit of Jade poster released for Zhang Ling He/Xie Zheng
That adulation, by the way, came with a very pretty poster of Zhang Ling He as Xie Zheng this morning (above — and a poster I’m certainly not complaining about), with a comment from the streaming service saying:
#Zhang Linghe Xie Zheng’s Character Popularity on Tencent Video Surpasses 100 Million#
A silver-saddled youth on a white horse, his elegance outshines the moonlight. In leisure, he warms wine and savors tea, finding tranquility in ordinary moments.
Congratulations to Xie Zheng (Zhang Ling He) on achieving over 100 million popularity for his character on Tencent Video, becoming the ONLY character in Tencent Video’s history to surpass 100 million before the drama even aired!!!
Thank you all for your continuous support. Starting March 6th, go to Tencent Video to watch #Pursuit of Jade#, with more surprises waiting for you to unlock~ #PursuitOfJadeOnTencentExceedsExpectations#
Pursuit of Jade stars Zhang Ling He, who recently did a brilliant job as the ML in The Best Thing, and is also known for lead roles in The Princess Royal, Love’s Rebellion and Story of Kunning Palace, alongside Tian Xi Wei (Guardians of Dafeng and Moonlit Reunion).
The Chinese drama premieres its first episodes on WeTV, iQIYI and Netflix (depending on your region) tomorrow, March 6th.
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