Some Chinese drama actors appear refined and restrained in shirts, suits, and glasses, yet a single glance reveals deep cunning — a contrast many netizens describe as 'Sijin Bairei' (literally 'cultured villain vibe'). From Zhang Linghe in 'Ning'an Rumei' and Wei Daxun in 'My People, My City,' to Jing Boran in 'The First Lie,' characters and their styling have sparked heated discussions. Recently, Cheng Yi's glasses look in the upcoming drama 'Hunting Lies' has also drawn attention. This article compiles the top 10 Chinese drama actors with the strongest 'Sijin Bairei' aura, based on recent social media buzz on platforms like Weibo, frequency of nominations, and character recognizability.

## Chinese Drama's Most 'Sijin Bairei' Male Actor No. 10: Tan Jianci in 'Filter'

Tan Jianci plays Tang Qi in 'Filter,' a PhD researcher in the beauty industry, exuding a strong '理工男' (technical male) vibe. His clean-cut, scholarly look, enhanced by glasses, amplifies his intellectual image. Tang Qi follows the intelligent, science-oriented male archetype, and the contrast Tan Jianci creates with glasses and suits has led netizens to associate him with the 'Sijin Bairei' aesthetic.

Tan Jianci has frequently appeared in glasses and suits before. Some netizens describe his气质 as seemingly gentle and scholarly, yet his eyes carry an elusive, unpredictable quality. Others link his gold-rimmed glasses and plaid suits to keywords like 'Sijin Bairei' and 'yandere' (病娇). His cool exterior paired with an intensely penetrating gaze makes him a favorite for such complex roles.

## Chinese Drama's Most 'Sijin Bairei' Male Actor No. 9: Yang Yang in 'You Are My Glory'

Yang Yang plays Yu Tu, an aerospace designer in 'You Are My Glory,' a rational, restrained character who speaks little and projects a mature, composed image. Yu Tu embodies the rational, disciplined elite archetype, and Yang Yang's naturally cool demeanor, combined with shirts, suits, and glasses, often evokes a 'Sijin Bairei'-style ascetic aura among netizens.

Yang Yang has repeatedly sparked discussions with his glasses looks in recent years. Some netizens feel his glasses amplify his ascetic vibe, while others directly label this aesthetic as 'Sijin Bairei.' Compared to truly vicious villains, he gives off the impression of a refined, cold, and unapproachable elite.

## Chinese Drama's Most 'Sijin Bairei' Male Actor No. 8: Zhang Linghe in 'Ning'an Rumei'

Zhang Linghe plays Xie Wei in 'Ning'an Rumei,' a character who appears calm and restrained but is deeply calculating, skilled in manipulation, and harbors obsessive, dangerous traits. Xie Wei combines scholarly elegance with intense pressure — calm and composed on the surface, but capable of instantly revealing an unsettling aura when emotions shift.

Zhang Linghe's glasses looks have long been a focal point of online discussion. Audiences say that when he wears rimless or thin-framed glasses, he easily evokes 'Sijin Bairei' imagery. His民国-style vests and suits are also often perceived as exuding a 'civilized on the outside, dangerous within' vibe. Xie Wei's blend of scholarly charm and danger offers a new dimension to Zhang Linghe's 'Sijin Bairei' presence.

## Chinese Drama's Most 'Sijin Bairei' Male Actor No. 7: Wei Daxun in 'My People, My City'

Wei Daxun plays Meng Yanchen in 'My People, My City,' whose suit, gold-rimmed glasses, and quiet, reserved personality made him an instant topic of conversation upon the show's release. Though not a villain, Meng captivates audiences through intense self-restraint — maintaining calm and politeness even at emotional peaks, making the character feel even more repressed.

Many netizens link Meng Yanchen's suit, glasses, and silent demeanor to the 'Sijin Bairei' vibe, noting that when Wei Daxun wears glasses, his eyes naturally gain a sense of control and depth. In subsequent roles and appearances, he's often described as 'outwardly refined, inwardly sharp,' showing how distinct Meng Yanchen's image transformation has been.

## Chinese Drama's Most 'Sijin Bairei' Male Actor No. 6: Dai Xu in 'Ya Xi'

Dai Xu plays Pei Zhen in 'Ya Xi,' a character with the aura of a mature, dominant figure, possessing a scheming, unpredictable side. Gold-rimmed glasses and a steady suit ensemble make him appear respectable and refined, yet his eyes and expressions always retain a hint of danger, creating a striking contrast.

After the drama aired, Dai Xu's subtle gestures — pushing up his glasses, raising an eyebrow — sparked widespread discussion. Some viewers felt he perfectly embodied the 'Sijin Bairei'霸道总裁 (dominant CEO) aura, especially with his nonchalant expressions and authoritative posture, creating pressure even without overt anger. The combination of a scholarly exterior and a faintly playful, knowing gaze makes Pei Zhen a standout in this archetype.

## Chinese Drama's Most 'Sijin Bairei' Male Actor No. 5: Peng Guanying in 'Kai Dao Tu Mi'

Peng Guanying plays Teng Haiqi in the upcoming drama 'Kai Dao Tu Mi.' The released character visuals feature slicked-back hair, black suits, and gold-rimmed glasses, giving him a mature, scholarly appearance. From available information, Teng Haiqi carries a strong dominant aura, aligning perfectly with Peng Guanying's naturally mature, deep-voiced image.

After the visuals were released, many Weibo users directly associated Peng Guanying with 'Sijin Bairei,' noting that his gold-rimmed glasses add a calculating edge to his scholarly charm. Others believe his strength lies in portraying outwardly gentle characters with deeply oppressive auras.

## Chinese Drama's Most 'Sijin Bairei' Male Actor No. 4: Wei Zheming in 'Guo Se Fang Hua'

Wei Zheming plays Liu Chang in 'Guo Se Fang Hua,' a nobleman's son who starts dignified and self-possessed but gradually becomes obsessive amid love, ambition, and pride. His appearance remains elegant, but his inner state progressively destabilizes, creating a strong contrast between refined looks and emotional collapse.

After Liu Chang's arc aired, netizens described the character as 'toxic and unhinged' and 'Sijin Bairei.' Viewers believe Wei Zheming excels at playing polite characters who gradually descend into obsession. The transformation isn't sudden but accumulates through choices and setbacks, making the later madness more impactful.

## Chinese Drama's Most 'Sijin Bairei' Male Actor No. 3: Ou Hao in 'Jiao Feng'

Ou Hao plays Lin Kanshan in 'Jiao Feng,' a character who appears polite and refined on the surface but hides a secret identity. Thin-rimmed glasses, suits, and deliberately restrained speech contrast sharply with Ou Hao's past rugged, tough-guy screen image, hiding danger beneath a scholarly exterior.

After the drama aired, the thin-rimmed glasses look became a major talking point. Many viewers felt Ou Hao finally delivered the 'Sijin Bairei' vibe he'd rarely shown before, describing Lin Kanshan's key trait as 'refined on the surface, deeply hidden motives underneath.' A tough-guy actor suddenly wearing glasses and suits, using smiles and eyes to conceal aggression, made this transformation especially striking.

## Chinese Drama's Most 'Sijin Bairei' Male Actor No. 2: Jing Boran in 'The First Lie'

Jing Boran plays Fei Ke in the suspense drama 'The First Lie,' a con artist skilled at assuming different identities to infiltrate various social circles. Fei Ke's greatest danger isn't a fierce appearance, but his ability to gain trust through a respectable, credible, even slightly vulnerable image — only to gradually reveal layer upon layer of lies as the plot unfolds.

After 'The First Lie' aired, many netizens felt Jing Boran's artistic, cold气质 heightened Fei Ke's deceitfulness, describing the character as 'cultured yet cunning.' He appears non-threatening yet remains unpredictable, which is Fei Ke's most captivating trait — making Jing Boran a highly representative figure in 'Sijin Bairei' discussions.

## Chinese Drama's Most 'Sijin Bairei' Male Actor No. 1: Cheng Yi in 'Hunting Lies'

Cheng Yi plays Lin Yanting in the upcoming drama 'Hunting Lies.' Released character materials show him in scholarly attire — glasses, shirts — with a calm, restrained overall image. From available details, the story revolves around ambiguous cases and psychological battles, and Lin Yanting's cold, restrained气质 is already a defining character trait.

After the materials were released, Cheng Yi's 'Sijin Bairei' vibe quickly became a Weibo talking point. Many netizens feel shirts, glasses, and a composed expression suit him perfectly, describing his outwardly scholarly appearance as hiding sharp, dangerous eyes. This contrast between refined looks and piercing gaze has sparked significant discussion even before Lin Yanting officially meets audiences.