Ryan Ding Yuxi is certainly rising in popularity these days what with Love Game in Eastern Fantasy finally out last week. Some may remember him starting out as the new Dongfang Bubai. It’s been four years since the actor’s breakout role in the costume romance series The Romance of Tiger and Rose alongside Zhao Lusi. Many thought Ding Yuxi would become the next traffic star from his male lead role in Love You Seven Times, the next project from the creators of Love Between Fairy and Devil. However the show turned out to be a flop. Nevertheless, he’s back in yet another Stellar production for Love Game in Eastern Fantasy who also brought back Esther Yu Shuxin. This being his third drama to air this 2024, it quickly looking like third time’s the charm.
From “Ugly” to “Handsome”
Since the series started airing, the actor is often on the hot search that even his super short nails got some attention. All the fuss exposed a nail-biting habit of the actor, which he advised everyone not to follow. Another topic that has gotten Netizens talking is the 29-year-old star’s acting skills which many have taken to calling his “plastic surgery-like acting”. In particular, the end of episode 7 where the fight leads to a “big reveal” drew tons of interest.
In the past, Ding Yuxi’s appearance has sometimes been attacked with the actor on the receiving end of mean comments from Chinese Netizens. But now, Netizens have even apologised for calling him ugly, saying his acting has made him so handsome in his role as Mu Sheng, not to mention his chemistry with two-time co-star Esther Yu which is great in the drama.
“The CP is so awesome, the look in his eyes is so great. It’s giving plastic surgery acting”. Another Netizen asked “hasn’t he always been one of the representatives of ugly men? Why did he suddenly become handsome?” It seems Ding Yuxi’s acting skills in the drama totally reshaped audience’s perception of the actor, many are now charmed.
What does “plastic surgery acting” mean exactly?
It implies the person’s acting skill is so good he starts to look more handsome, when he didn’t seem so handsome before. They say Mark Chao was a prime example as Netizens didn’t think he fit in costume dramas when his look as Ye Hua was first unveiled but everyone was eventually convinced through his acting that he’s the best choice for the role.
Source: 1
Yamapisukii
Ppl are so rude. He’s always been handsome to me.
yarnie
I cant believe they thought he was ugly? or not handsome… He was same handsome in Romance of Tiger & Rose in my opinion. His eye acting was also always good. Yet sadly I dont really feel any chemistry between the couple in Love game in Eastern Fantasy for first 5eps at least…
Una
To me, Ding Yuxi has always been one of the really good looking young ones. Some people just have the brains of a toad.
Applefish
lol, he’s so handsome and his acting has been quite good. I’m glad this drama showcase that! Can’t wait to try this out 🤣
Coralie
he’s def changed something. he used to be really uncomfortable to watch onscreen, but in this drama, he’s gotten a lot more attractive. is it really just attributable to his less dramatic/exaggerative acting or did he do some cosmetic enhancements?
Anon
His acting skills has matured quite a good bit. I am watching another 2024 drama of his and I immediately noticed the new gravity. Nothing physical. Still the same face.
Applefish
Uhm, have you seen intense love? I love him in there lol, didn’t think he was awkward to watch, but I only saw that one lol!
Coralie
I saw him in moonlight, romance between tiger and rose, and 7 lifetimes and he was uncomfortable to watch in all of these. not uncomfortable as in he can’t act, but uncomfortable as in there’s something jarring in his facial features which I couldn’t pin point. it felt like his features were too sharp and angular, but yet wide at the same time. it was disharmonious.
now, though, it’s like everything got smoothed over and he’s less exaggerative in his acting. but it could also be really good styling/makeup. I mean the case of Dylan Wang in that dragon fiasco drama vs him in LBFAD is a HUGE difference. and it was all due to styling plus acting changes
SISS
I am his fan from Thailand. In my opinion, he has a natural good looking face all along. He was just too skinny before. Through these few years he got many different roles for costume dramas and I believe that he always realized that he should change his appearance to fit with his characters because most of his roles contained action scenes and he needed to fight, not because he is not handsome. He should look stronger and more masculine.
I think that everyone can see his progress both in his appearance and his acting skills. His aura spreads around and he looks super splendid in his costumes in Love Game and his role as Shen Du, The Chief of Imperial Guard in Melody of Golden Age. He has became one of my favorite Chinese actors now. He has proved himself with his development. I had a chance to see him when he attended the show I Actor. I have no doubt how he could climb to this point. He was very shine in acting with his passion and skills. He nailed every roll he got with his energy and talents. He is a real artist. I will support him and keep looking forward to see his next works in the future.
avarachika
I always thought he was good at acting. And, yes his eyes are mesmerizing – he’s the only c-actor I think that can do puppy eyes. Never thought he was handsome, but his acting always made up for it. I think he gained weight which is why he looks so good now plus better hair wig and clothes costume.
Lisa
I think his styling has been better, especially in Melody of Golden Age. His styling in Tiger & Rose, and Romance in Twin Flowers were essentially the same and didn’t do him any favors. His overall look seems to exude more maturity, so I find him more attractive now.
Noonim
Great actor and he’s always been handsome!! This drama is definitely worth watching!!!!
whatwhome
What? This is a good looking guy lol. Also, his styling has never been better. The voice completes the package. In my book, he hasn’t peaked yet because he’s not even 30 years old.
CDRAMA FAN
Honestly, I think he looks handsome no matter what. The hairpieces might have given him a slightly different vibe in some roles, but they just add to the variety of his characters. He was absolutely charming in Tiger and the Rose and The Romance of the Twin Flowers. In Melody of the Golden Age, he had a wonderfully mature and elegant presence—probably thanks to the costumes and overall styling. And in The Love Game in Eastern Fantasy, he’s absolutely mesmerizing!
Saidat
That guy is so cute even though some people bad mouth him he is still a handsome
Amila
I never idolized anyone (and I watched many shows, movies from different countries), never understood why fans act the way they do, until I saw this man in his dramas. He’s such an amazing actor and very handsome. I think the weight gain did wonder for him and costume dramas suit him so well, but I loved him in Moonlight as well. He’s the first actor I actually spends money on products he promotes, finding his merch, and looking for his other works to bing watch. I truly wish him the best with more successful projects.
I understand if an actor’s look is not everyone’s cup of tea, as I never thought some actors are on that level of handsome others thought they are, but I can see that they are good looking, and charming. But you can’t be “ugly” and be the leads for so many projects, like, come on! In western culture it is very rare even though they try to be more diverse. But in Asia (Korean, China, Vietnam, Thai…), being good looking is very important for important roles. I saw more models crossing to acting in my home country than people with actual training in acting school, just because they have the good look. So finding people who think he is less than good looking made me chuckle a little.