Sun Zujun (孙祖君)

Sun Zujun first broke through in the high-profile fantasy epic Ever Night, but his reputation as a rare triple threat has kept him rising. A singer, dancer, and classically trained actor from the prestigious Central Academy of Drama, he blends sharp emotional intelligence with breathtaking physicality, playing graceful royals and cunning antiheroes with equal skill. Whether delivering a heartbreaking performance barefoot in the snow as the tragic Prince Longqing, or making the entire internet seethe as a polished villain in A Dream of Splendor, Sun disappears into every character he takes on. It is this chameleon-like commitment, plus his natural athleticism and magnetic charisma, that has steadily won him a devoted, mature fan base beyond the usual idol-driven fame. From winning China’s Cool Guy championship to earning the New King of Pop award at the Hong Kong Metro Radio Hit Awards, he proves he is an all-around powerhouse willing to go the extra mile for his craft. Breakthrough Role Sun’s definitive breakthrough came in 2018 with the smash-hit fantasy drama Ever Night, where he played Prince Longqing of Yan. The prince is a man of brilliant talent but tormented ambition—someone who falls from golden glory to utter ruin, losing his martial arts core and his striking appearance. Sun inhabited the role with a heart-wrenching intensity, most famously in a scene where he is forced to crawl on the snow barefoot, his body broken but his pride still burning. Filmed in freezing conditions without protection, the moment shocked the audience and earned him widespread acclaim for his sheer dedication. As Longqing descends from an icy, dignified crown prince into a crazed outcast, Sun captured every nuance, turning what could have been a conventional rival character into a tragic figure of unforgettable depth. The performance made him a household name in the Chinese costume drama world and opened the door to a series of major subsequent roles. Public Perception Today, Sun Zujun is regarded as a highly professional, versatile character actor who is quietly but steadily building an impressive resume as a reliable supporting lead. Unlike his fancier peers, he has earned his place through workmanlike consistency—taking on drastically different roles across multiple hit shows. From the oily, detested Shen Ruzhuo in A Dream of Splendor that had the internet in an uproar, to the noble and beloved Crown Prince Ji Yun in Hua Qing Ge just a few years later, Sun managed to completely reinvent himself, winning over both critics and audiences alike. This ability to play both a notorious "cad" and a "white moonlight" princely figure without any awkwardness has earned him the affectionate label of a "face-changing actor". Off-screen, he maintains a clean and low-profile image, with an impressive physique that he casually flaunts on his social media, endearing him to fans who admire his discipline. While not yet the headliner of mega-budget productions, he has become a face that viewers trust—when Sun Zujun appears in a cast list, they know they are in for a solid, memorable performance. His upcoming slate includes the blockbuster fantasy epic A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality and the power play drama Chang’an 24 Hours, promising an even higher trajectory in the years ahead.