LayarHijau.com—Zhang Wanyi gained greater popularity after starring in the drama "Lost You Forever" alongside Yang Zi and Tan Jianci. His subsequent dramas, "Are You the One" and "The Rise of Ning," also received positive reviews from viewers.
His latest drama, "Si Jin," premiered on WeTV on March 1, 2025. In this drama, he is paired with Jing Tian. Upon its debut, "Si Jin" quickly claimed the top spot in the ranking of popular dramas in China.
In "Si Jin," Zhang Wanyi plays the unloved seventh prince, Yu Jin. In his first life, he boldly pursues Jiang Si (played by Jing Tian). Their kissing scene in the sixth episode became a hot topic, with many praising their strong chemistry. The fast-paced plot also contributed significantly to the show's success.
When fans of the actor in China learned that Jing Tian and Zhang Wanyi would be paired in this drama, they were less enthusiastic. "Si Jin" is based on the novel "The Brocaded Tale of the Girl Si" by Willow Leaves in Winter, which focuses heavily on the female lead character. Therefore, the drama was expected to center around Jiang Si, played by Jing Tian, while Zhang Wanyi would take on a secondary role with less screen time. This created dissatisfaction among the actor's fans, as reported by Upmedia.
The story of "Si Jin" follows Jiang Si, the fourth daughter of the Dongping Earl family, who restarts her life after dying at the hands of Yu Jin. Given a second chance, Jiang Si chooses to live differently. She bravely breaks off her engagement, confronts her wicked aunt, opens a perfume shop, helps her friends, and investigates a serial murder case of young girls, gradually changing the tragedy that befell her.
Along the way, Jiang Si meets Yu Jin again, and despite each having their own thoughts, they remain connected. Together, they strive to alter the fate of their brother, Jiang Zhan, who drowned, and their sister, Jiang Yi, who committed suicide, while also clearing their father's name, who was falsely accused by the eldest princess.
After the airing of "Si Jin," many viewers praised the fast-paced storytelling. After Jiang Si was shot to death by Yu Jin in their first life, Yu Jin killed all of Jiang Si's enemies and then used a secret technique to exchange his life for Jiang Si's rebirth. Their love story is incredibly touching. After her rebirth, Jiang Si quickly breaks off her engagement and confronts her second aunt, who frequently plots against her, while also helping her sister escape a toxic relationship.
Upon her rebirth, Jiang Si awakens to meet Yu Jin again, indicating that their fates are intertwined. When Yu Jin is injured while saving Jiang Si, she makes fish soup for him.
They also reminisce about a moment by the river from their first life, where Yu Jin rode in on horseback and they shared a kiss by the shore, creating a very romantic atmosphere. Many netizens expressed that "Si Jin" not only has a fast-paced plot but also features kissing scenes that come quickly, leading to comments like, "Si Jin is moving too fast. They kissed in the sixth episode," and "This scene is too beautiful. The leads are so cute."