Chinese actor Li Yun Rui has steadily become a fan favorite ever since the success of the C-drama “Blossom.” With his gentle smile, expressive gaze, and classic leading-man charm, he has won over audiences across the globe. His journey has also been an inspiring one, moving from supporting parts to second leads and now firmly stepping into his own as a main lead. Most recently, he has been drawing attention for his performance in the series “Rebirth,” a show that has sparked plenty of conversation among fans.
Adapted from the novel “The Legend of Chu Qiao: Division 11’s Princess Agent” by Xiao Xiang Dong Er, “Rebirth” continues the story left unfinished in the 2017 hit “Princess Agents.” The drama revisits the unforgettable frozen lake cliffhanger that had audiences waiting years for answers. The story follows Chu Qiao (Huangyang Tian Tian) and Zhuge Yue (Li Yun Rui) after they vanish beneath the icy waters. Though Chu Qiao survives and is rescued by Yan Xun (Zhang Kang Le), she is devastated, believing Zhuge Yue is gone forever.
As Yan Xun becomes increasingly consumed by power, Chu Qiao finds herself caught between heartbreak, fury, and a deep urge to confront the man he has become. With conflict brewing across four kingdoms, her journey leads her to Bian Tang, where a mysterious masked warrior keeps appearing to save her. His presence feels strangely familiar, and with every encounter, hope begins to grow that Zhuge Yue may still be alive.
If watching “Rebirth” has left you wanting more of Li Yun Rui on screen, here are four dramas you should add to your watchlist.
“Blossom”
Adapted from the novel “Jiu Chong Zi” by Zhi Zhi, this C-drama follows Dou Zhao (Meng Zi Yi), a woman who gets a rare second chance at life after a painful first one marked by betrayal, loss, and an unhappy marriage. When she wakes up as her younger self, she decides she will not repeat the same mistakes and begins changing the course of her future.
Armed with the knowledge of what is to come, Dou Zhao starts taking control of her life in ways she could not before. She refuses to remain trapped in family schemes and works to protect those she loves, especially from the dangerous manipulations of her stepmother Wang Ying Xue (Alina Zhang). As she reshapes her fate, she meets Song Mo (Li Yun Rui), a brilliant general who has also been scarred by betrayal and hardship.
Their relationship begins as a strategic partnership but slowly grows into something far more meaningful. What starts as a marriage of convenience develops into a bond rooted in trust, mutual respect, and quiet devotion. While family drama forms the emotional core of the story, the series also opens into a larger world of court politics, rebellion, and dangerous secrets.
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“Yummy, Yummy? Yummy!”
Based on the novel “Chang’an Xiao Fan Guan” by Ying Tao Gao, the drama follows the Shen family, who unexpectedly find themselves transported from the modern world to the ancient city of Yong’an. Forced to adjust to an unfamiliar era, they rely on their wit and everyday skills to survive. At the center of the story is Shen Shao Guang (Wang Ying Lu), whose resourcefulness and gift for cooking help the family carve out a place for themselves. They open a humble restaurant, with food becoming not just their livelihood, but also a bridge to the people around them.
Things take a new turn when they cross paths with Lin Yan (Li Yun Rui), the sincere and quietly charming Deputy Magistrate of Jing Zhao. Their first encounters are shaped by confusion and suspicion, especially as the Shen family believes Lin Yan may hold some connection to their strange fate. But over time, that uncertainty softens into trust, friendship, and a gentle romance between Lin Yan and Shao Guang. Around them, the drama layers in political tensions, everyday challenges, and the warmth of a makeshift family, all tied together through moments shared over food.
One of the drama’s biggest strengths is the way it treats food as more than just a visual delight. The cooking scenes are rich and immersive, almost carrying their own emotional language, while also celebrating traditional Chinese cuisine. The time-travel story can feel light and comforting as a family story, which shifts into a tender slow-burn romance, and then slip into political intrigue without losing its warmth.
Start watching “Yummy, Yummy? Yummy!”
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“Reopen My Journals”
Set in late-1990s Shanghai, this coming-of-age drama unfolds with warmth and quiet nostalgia, following the emotional highs and growing pains of youth. At its center is Qian Jia Yue (Huangyang Tian Tian), an intelligent and disciplined teenager who earns a place at a prestigious high school, only to find herself facing pressures far beyond academics. Beneath her composed exterior, Jia Yue is grappling with self-doubt, the ache of first love, and a layered, often difficult relationship with her mother. Much of her emotional world is shaped by Xiao Han (Li Yun Rui), her talented neighbor, as their connection slowly deepens through everyday moments and feelings left unsaid.
A big part of Jia Yue’s journey is also her friendship with Chen Mo (Zhang Xin Yi), whose bold and rebellious spirit brings out a different side of her. Where Jia Yue is cautious and reserved, Chen Mo is impulsive and fearless, and together they form a friendship that feels deeply genuine. Through exam stress, family expectations, and the uncertainty of growing up, their bond becomes one of the emotional cores of the story.
The storytelling stays grounded, focusing on everyday relationships, unspoken emotions, and youthful experiences that feel intimate and real instead of leaning on exaggerated drama. The romance is gentle, the conflicts feel lived-in, and the characters are allowed to grow in a way that feels natural. As Shanghai changes around them, the drama captures both the turbulence of adolescence and the quieter struggles of the older generation.
“Go Back Lover”
Based on the web novel “Strawberry Kiss Mark” by Bu Zhi Shi Ke Cai, the drama tells a tender coming-of-age romance between Shen Xing Ruo (Xu Ruo Han) and Lu Xing Yan (Li Yun Rui). The story begins when Shen Xing Ruo transfers schools and moves in with a family close to her father, where she crosses paths with Lu Xing Yan. Their relationship starts on a combative note, with her strong-willed and guarded nature constantly clashing with his playful and impulsive personality. Yet, as they grow up under the same roof and spend more time together, those little arguments slowly turn into something softer. Their romance takes a painful turn during university, leading to a breakup that leaves unfinished emotions lingering between them.
In the present timeline, Shen Xing Ruo is working as a producer, fighting to keep her struggling media company afloat. Her biggest opportunity arrives through a dating reality show built around former lovers, but things get complicated when she has to reconnect with Lu Xing Yan and persuade him to be part of the show. Their reunion forces both of them to revisit old wounds, buried feelings, and the truth behind why they drifted apart.
The flashbacks to their school days have a warm, dreamy quality, while the present-day story leans into themes of ambition, heartbreak, and healing. The reality show backdrop also adds a fun twist, bringing awkward encounters, jealousy, unresolved tension, and unexpectedly intimate moments as the former lovers are pushed back into each other’s lives. Even small details, like both of them sharing the character “Xing” in their names and being born on the same day, add a quiet sense of fate to their journey. At its heart, the drama is about first love, second chances, and whether two people can find their way back to each other when life has changed them.
Start watching “Go Back Lover”:
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mon.y is a devoted connoisseur of Asian dramas and pop culture, with a deep-rooted love for storytelling that spans K-dramas, C-dramas, J-dramas, and everything in between. A longtime entertainment addict turned passionate writer, she brings heartfelt enthusiasm and a sprinkle of sass to every review and deep dive.
Currently watching: “Yumi’s Cells 3,” “Perfect Crown,” “We Are All Trying Here.”
Looking forward to: “Filing For Love” and “Sold Out On You.”