Ju Jingyi's Best 7 Characters in Costume Dramas

Ju Jingyi (鞠婧祎), a rising star in Chinese costume dramas, has carved a niche with her delicate visuals and evolving acting range. Known for roles blending elegance and resilience, she navigates genres from sweet romances to dark fantasies, defying criticisms of repetitive styling. While her early works leaned on "beauty-driven" tropes, recent projects like Hualing Ling reveal sharper emotional layers. This article explores her standout performances across seven costume dramas, highlighting how she balances ethereal charm with character depth—a journey from idol to actress.

The Legend of White Snake 新白娘子传奇

• Aired: 2019
• Period Background: Mythological Southern Song Dynasty
• Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Mythology
• Main Roles: Ju Jingyi (Bai Suzhen), Yu Menglong (Xu Xian)
• Adapted From: Classic Chinese folklore Legend of the White Snake

The 2019 reboot of The Legend of White Snake reimagines the classic Chinese myth of Bai Suzhen, a millennia-old snake spirit who descends to the mortal world. Departing from the 1992 version's focus on Bai's quest to repay a past savior, this adaptation centers on her serendipitous romance with Xu Xian, a humble physician.

Set in the Southern Song Dynasty, the story explores Bai's dual identity as both a benevolent immortal and devoted lover. When celestial forces, led by the monk Fahai, challenge their union, Bai defies heavenly laws to protect Xu Xian, culminating in iconic confrontations like the "Water Floods Jinshan Temple".

While retaining core mythos, the reboot modernizes themes of agency and equality, portraying Xu Xian as an active partner rather than a passive figure. Critics, however, noted the removal of Bai's original "repayment of gratitude" motive, arguing it weakened the narrative's emotional depth.

The series blends ethereal cinematography—moonlit landscapes, CGI-enhanced battles—with traditional Chinese aesthetics. Bai Suzhen's transformations and celestial clashes showcase a seamless fusion of classical artistry and contemporary visuals. Though early episodes faced criticism for excessive beauty filters obscuring Ju Jingyi's expressions, adjustments later allowed her nuanced acting to shine, amplifying Bai's vulnerability and strength.

Ju reinvents Bai Suzhen as a relatable figure torn between immortality and mortal desires. Her portrayal balances innocence and mysticism: wide-eyed curiosity during Bai's early human interactions contrasts with fierce determination against Fahai. Subtle gestures—a trembling voice when pleading with the Goddess of Mercy or averted gazes during moments of guilt—reveal raw emotion without melodrama. Despite critiques of "semi-permanent makeup" overshadowing depth, Ju's chemistry with Yu Menglong elevates their partnership, epitomized in scenes like Bai teaching Xu Xian herbal medicine, symbolizing intellectual and emotional equality.

The reboot reframes Bai's story as a metaphor for self-determination, resonating with modern audiences. Bai and Xu Xian's collaborative dynamic challenges traditional hierarchies, emphasizing mutual support over sacrificial tropes. Themes of love transcending cosmic laws and defying rigid duty inject freshness into the myth, even if pacing issues and aesthetic overindulgence occasionally detract.

Jun Jiu Ling 芸汐传

• Aired: 2018
• Period Background: Fictional dynasty with medical-political intrigue
• Genres: Romance, Palace Drama, Mystery
• Main Roles: Ju Jingyi (Han Yunxi), Zhang Zhehan (Long Feiye)
• Adapted From: Novel Genius Poison Consort

Jun Jiu Ling follows Han Yunxi, a gifted physician forced into a marriage of convenience with the enigmatic Prince Long Feiye. Tasked with investigating her mother's mysterious death, Yunxi navigates a treacherous court where poisonings and power struggles intertwine. Her journey evolves from personal vengeance to thwarting factions aiming to destabilize the kingdom. The series masterfully blends medical riddles, such as curing a poisoned prince or decoding ancient antidotes, with high-stakes palace intrigue, creating a narrative that thrives on intellectual puzzles and emotional stakes.

The slow-burn romance between Yunxi and Long Feiye anchors the story. Initially bound by mutual distrust, their relationship deepens through shared peril, culminating in Yunxi's ultimate sacrifice: using her heart's blood to cure Long Feiye's fatal poison. This act elevates the drama from a conventional love story to a poignant exploration of selflessness and loyalty.

Han Yunxi defies the passive female lead trope, wielding poison arts (毒术) and wit to outsmart assassins and corrupt officials. Her mischievous grin during confrontations and unyielding moral compass create a refreshingly proactive protagonist. Scenes like her drunken declaration, "I'll rely on my son to rise to nobility!" (母凭子贵), inject humor while showcasing her defiance of societal norms.

The series merges medical puzzles with political drama. A poisoned banquet sequence, for instance, doubles as a forensic investigation and a power play, with Yunxi's diagnostic skills unmasking traitors. This blend keeps viewers intellectually engaged while maintaining emotional investment in the protagonists' survival.

The drama avoids ornate costumes in favor of gradient-colored robes and minimalist armor. Settings like the mist-shrouded Medicine Ghost Valley add poetic flair without overwhelming the plot, creating a modernized yet timeless aesthetic.

Ju's portrayal of Yunxi silenced critics who dismissed her as merely an "idol actress." She conveys grief through trembling hands and averted glances in quiet scenes, while her chemistry with Zhang Zhehan shines in moments of unspoken understanding. Her physicality—playfully slouching during banter or defiantly standing against antagonists—adds layers to Yunxi's resilience. The iconic "Yunxi Hug," where she clings to Long Feiye like a koala, became a viral symbol of the drama's charm.

The Blooms At RUYI Pavilion 如意芳霏

• Aired: 2020
• Period Background: Fictional ancient dynasty
• Genres: Romance, Revenge, Court Drama
• Main Roles: Ju Jingyi (Fu Rong), Zhang Zhehan (Xu Jin)
• Adapted From: Novel Crafted by the Clouds

Fu Rong's life is haunted by prophetic dreams that foretell her demise intertwined with Xu Jin's quest for vengeance. Determined to rewrite her destiny, she becomes an unlikely ally to the general, whose mission to dismantle corrupt forces—including the enigmatic Ruyi Pavilion and the ruthless Prince An Wang—forms the backbone of the narrative. Their partnership, initially forged out of necessity, evolves into a nuanced romance marked by mutual respect and intellectual equality, a refreshing departure from traditional power imbalances in historical dramas. As they unravel conspiracies, Fu Rong's artistry in jewelry design and Xu Jin's strategic brilliance merge, symbolizing their complementary strengths in battling systemic corruption.

The series reimagines historical aesthetics through a "light historical" lens, blending minimalist design with subtle opulence. Fu Rong's wardrobe, featuring flowing robes with delicate floral embroidery, reflects her ingenuity and grace, while Xu Jin's muted armor underscores his stoicism. Sets like the mist-veiled Ruyi Pavilion, with its sweeping arches and shadowy corners, evoke an ethereal timelessness, contrasting starkly with the ornate excess typical of court dramas. This visual restraint extends to color palettes—soft blues and ivories dominate, punctuated by bursts of gold in jewelry motifs—creating a dreamlike atmosphere that mirrors Fu Rong's prophetic visions.

Beneath its historical veneer, the drama cleverly mirrors contemporary themes. The "Moonlit Review," where poets gain celebrity-like followings, satirizes modern influencer culture, while rival jewelry houses Ruyi Lou and Fengyi Lou engage in cutthroat competition reminiscent of corporate branding wars. These parallels deepen the court intrigue, framing power struggles as timeless human conflicts rather than archaic relics. Even Fu Rong's defiance of patriarchal norms—rejecting forced funeral sacrifice or leveraging her craft for investigative clues—resonates with modern audiences advocating for agency and gender equality.

Fu Rong and Xu Jin's relationship thrives on emotional maturity and shared purpose. Scenes like Fu Rong decoding hidden messages in jewelry designs to aid Xu Jin's investigations, or their rain-drenched reconciliation—where vulnerability eclipses pride—highlight their growth as partners. A standout moment sees Fu Rong whimsically placing a flower wreath on Xu Jin's head, softening his stern demeanor with playful tenderness. Their romance avoids grand gestures in favor of quiet trust, a narrative choice that reinforces their egalitarian dynamic.

Rebirth For You 嘉南传

• Aired: 2021
• Period Background: Fictional dynastic era
• Genres: Romance, Political Drama, Adventure
• Main Roles: Ju Jingyi (Jiang Baoning), Zeng Shunxi (Li Qian)
• Adapted From: Novel Jiang's Daughter

Rebirth For You follows Jiang Baoning (Ju Jingyi), the sharp-witted Jia'nan Princess, who refuses to be a pawn in royal power struggles. Despite her privileged status, Baoning prioritizes freedom, leveraging her expertise in mechanical engineering to outsmart adversaries, such as modifying kites to win contests or using pine resin to solve challenges. Her path intersects with Li Qian, a stoic mercenary-turned-imperial guard investigating a conspiracy tied to his family's downfall. Together, they uncover plots involving forged weapon blueprints and the shadowy Ruyi Pavilion, culminating in a climactic battle to reclaim the throne from manipulative regents.

The narrative blends cerebral palace intrigue with slow-burn romance. Baoning's initial disdain for Li Qian evolves into mutual respect as they collaborate to expose corruption—foiling assassinations, solving a murdered palace maid mystery, and navigating emotional arcs like Baoning's grief over her parents' death, poignantly highlighted when Li Qian secretly prepares longevity noodles for her birthday.

The drama balances high-stakes court factions vying for forged weapon blueprints with intimate character moments. A standout arc explores Baoning's vulnerability, contrasting her strategic brilliance with raw grief.

Supporting characters add depth, such as Crown Prince Zhao Yi's feigned devotion masking ruthlessness, and Lady Han Tongxin's psychological warfare against Baoning.

Ju sheds her "ethereal idol" image for a grounded, multifaceted portrayal: In confrontations with the Empress Dowager, Ju balances defiance and vulnerability through trembling vocals and clenched fists, avoiding melodrama.

Baoning's mischievous streak—drunkenly hiding Li Qian under a quilt or mocking societal norms—adds levity while humanizing her resilience. Their partnership thrives on subtlety, from intellectual equality (teaching engineering principles) to protective gestures hinting at unspoken affection.

While criticized for a rushed finale and contrived plot devices, the series redefines historical romance by prioritizing brains over brawn. Ju Jingyi's evolution—from idol to actress—anchors the drama, blending ferocity and fragility. A compelling entry for fans of xianxia-adjacent narratives, The Blooms at Ruyi Pavilion proves love and power can coexist in a world of intrigue.

Novaland The Castle in the Sky 九州·天空城

• Aired: 2016
• Period Background: A mythical ancient world divided between humans and the winged Yu Clan.
• Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Political Intrigue
• Main Roles: Ju Jingyi (Xue Feishuang), Zhang Ruoyun (Feng Tianyi), Guan Xiaotong (Yi Fuling)
• Adapted From: Original script based on the expansive "Nine Provinces" universe.

Novaland The Castle in the Sky unfolds in a mythic realm divided between humans and the winged Yu Clan, where Yi Fuling, a human girl, becomes the linchpin of a celestial conflict. She unknowingly harbors the Starflow Flower, a power that could restore the Yu Clan's fading ability to fly. Her fate entwines with Feng Tianyi, a defiant Yu prince, and Xue Feishuang, his betrothed and the Yu's revered "First Beauty." As political factions vie for Yi's power, Xue Feishuang's unrequited love for Feng spirals into a tragic arc of curses, betrayal, and pacts with dark forces.

The series revolutionized Chinese fantasy with groundbreaking CGI, merging steampunk-inspired machinery (floating cities, gear-driven architecture) with traditional mythology (winged warriors soaring through celestial battlegrounds). Aerial clashes between Yu armies and human forces blend creative spectacle and technical ambition, setting a visual precedent for later xianxia epics.

Xue Feishuang's character transcends the "jealous fiancée" trope, her downfall shaped by societal expectations and clan duty as much as romantic despair. Her ruthless tactics—poisoning rivals, summoning demons—expose the toll of ambition in a rigid hierarchy, rendering her a nuanced antagonist. Portrayed by Ju Jingyi, Xue Feishuang evolves from an icy aristocrat to a fractured soul. Ju sheds her idol persona to embody moral decay, shifting from regal poise to erratic desperation. In pivotal scenes—a curse ritual performed with trembling hands, a raw plea to Feng ("Am I not worthy of even your hatred?")—she balances vulnerability and menace. Her final sacrifice, collapsing in a bloodied gown while whispering, "I loved you... yet I became the monster you feared," transforms her into a tragic emblem of love warped by oppression.

Despite uneven pacing, Tribes and Empires remains a milestone for its audacious worldbuilding and emotional depth. Ju's layered performance elevates Xue Feishuang beyond villainy, framing her as a casualty of societal and personal pressures. The series' fusion of political intrigue, mythological grandeur, and character-driven tragedy cements its legacy as a bold exploration of power, love, and sacrifice—a must-watch for fans of epic storytelling that marries visual innovation with raw humanity.

Detective Samoyeds 热血长安

• Aired: 2016
• Period Background: Tang Dynasty (626 AD), capital Chang'an.
• Genres: Historical Mystery, Suspense, Ensemble Drama
• Main Roles: Ju Jingyi (Shangguan Zisu), Xu Haiqiao (Samo Doruo)
• Adapted From: Original script.

Detective Samoyeds follows a ragtag investigative team unraveling supernatural rumors in Tang Dynasty Chang'an, led by roguish foreign sleuth Samo Doruo and genius scholar Shangguan Zisu (Ju Jingyi). Together, they debunk myths masquerading as divine acts—exposing human greed behind cursed wells and staged "divine retribution." Episodic cases like Hell's Cursed Well and Thunder God's Judgment blend folklore with Tang-era forensics, revealing poisoned water schemes or gunpowder-fueled murders. The series crescendos as the team uncovers the cult Black Kala's plot to destabilize the empire, culminating in a cerebral showdown to save the capital.

Merging Sherlockian deduction with historical innovation, each case grounds fantasy in plausibility. Samo's street-smart wit clashes with Zisu's photographic memory, their friction evolving into mutual respect. Supporting characters—a burly constable, sharp-tongued medic, and timid scribe—add humor and heart, whether trading barbs or rallying in crises. A standout dynamic sees Samo dubbing Zisu "Walking Library," only for her to dismantle his logic with scholarly precision, balancing tension with camaraderie.

Ju Jingyi shatters her "fragile beauty" typecast as Zisu, embodying cool intellect and quiet empathy. Her recitations of ancient texts and forensic deductions—like spotting forged manuscripts through paper grain—establish her as the team's anchor. Unlike passive heroines, Zisu drives solutions, decoding clues or challenging Samo's biases. Ju's nuanced performance reveals duality: steely focus during debates contrasts with hesitant smiles at Samo's jokes, hinting at unspoken bonds. In The Phantom Bride, her imperceptible glance at a forged dowry list and gentle comfort of a widow showcase layered subtlety.

A climactic Blood Oracle scene epitomizes her depth: tracing a victim's blood-written clue, Ju's trembling hands and steady voice juxtapose logic with horror, humanizing Zisu's struggle between reason and compassion. This complexity elevates her beyond a "genius" trope, making her relatably flawed.

While episodic pacing occasionally rushes resolutions, the series excels in blending historical intrigue with cerebral thrills. Ju's transformative role redefines her career, proving her range beyond idol personas. Detective Samoyeds stands as a gateway to Tang-era storytelling, offering a fresh fusion of brains, humor, and cultural flair—ideal for fans of Sherlock or Stranger Tales from a Chinese Studio. Its legacy lies in balancing myth-busting suspense with character-driven heart, anchored by a heroine who wields intellect as deftly as humanity.

In Blossom 花间令

• Aired: 2024
• Period Background: Fictional ancient dynasty with noir-inspired "crime city" Heyang.
• Genres: Suspense, Romance, Revenge Thriller
• Main Roles: Ju Jingyi (Yang Caiwei/ Shangguan Zhi), Liu Xueyi (Pan Yue)
• Adapted From: Novel The Physician's Royal Decree by Bu Yueqian Zhuang.

Yang Caiwei, a disfigured mortician in the noir-inspired city of Heyang, survives an assassination on her wedding day to Pan Yue—a charismatic official suspected of orchestrating her murder. Forced to adopt the face of her vain rival, Shangguan Zhi, Caiwei infiltrates Pan Yue's life to uncover the truth. Their cat-and-mouse game evolves into a perilous partnership as they expose corrupt clans and unravel political conspiracies tied to their pasts. The narrative weaves a web of moral ambiguity, where alliances shift, and vengeance blurs into obsession.

Heyang's fog-shrouded streets, dimly lit autopsy rooms, and macabre rituals evoke a tension reminiscent. Scenes like Caiwei dissecting a corpse under flickering candlelight or navigating secret tunnels beneath a brothel amplify the drama's dark, psychological edge—a rarity in Chinese period dramas.

Pan Yue's charm masks potential ruthlessness, leaving viewers questioning his true motives. Is he a grieving lover or a master manipulator? Similarly, Caiwei's quest for justice teeters into moral compromise, such as manipulating evidence to frame enemies. Their partnership, laced with mutual deception, keeps audiences guessing until the final act.

Ju's portrayal of both the scarred, cynical Caiwei and the narcissistic Shangguan Zhi showcases her range. Vocal shifts—Caiwei's raspy whispers versus Shangguan's shrill arrogance—and contrasting body language (Caiwei's hunched shoulders vs. Shangguan's exaggerated sashaying) create two distinct personas.

Ju Jingyi's portrayal of Yang Caiwei's trauma is hauntingly visceral. In the post-surgery scene, she stares at her reflection—now bearing Shangguan's flawless face—with a mix of revulsion and grim resolve. Her trembling fingers trace the stitches along her jawline, while a voiceover whispers, "I'll bury 'Yang Caiwei' to resurrect her vengeance." Later, as she impersonates Shangguan, Ju adopts a flippant laugh, exaggerated eye rolls, and a shrill tone, starkly contrasting with Caiwei's introverted grit.

A standout moment occurs when Caiwei, still posing as Shangguan, confronts Pan Yue about her "own" murder. Ju's eyes flicker between calculated mockery (as Shangguan) and suppressed anguish (as Caiwei), her voice cracking as she delivers double-edged lines like, "You loved her? Then why did you let her die?" This duality cements Ju's ability to navigate emotional complexity without veering into melodrama.

Ju Jingyi's path mirrors her characters: initially typecast as the "ethereal beauty," she now gravitates toward complex roles—vengeful healers, cunning princesses, tormented immortals. While critiques about her "semi-permanent makeup" linger, dramas like Yue Lin Qi Ji hint at bolder reinvention. For global viewers, her works offer gateway into China's xianxia and palace intrigue genres—where fantasy meets emotional grit. Follow her journey: less a flawless idol, more an actress embracing imperfection.