Zhang Yu

Zhang Yu, who used to go by Zhang Xin, came into this world in Guizhou back in '82—September 25th, if you wanna get picky. He’s one of those actors who doesn’t really chase the spotlight but somehow keeps landing in the middle of it anyway. Graduated from the Art College of Guizhou University, so you know he’s not just winging it. He kicked off his acting gig in 2005 with a spy drama called "Blood Dawn." Not exactly a subtle entrance. Three years later, he was doing his thing in "Water Phoenix," which, honestly, sounds more mystical than it actually was. By 2010, he snagged the lead as Li Lei in this quirky micro-film "Li Lei and Han Meimei," which pretty much everyone who grew up in China remembers from their English textbooks—talk about nostalgia overload. Then you blink, and it’s 2011, he pops up in "Hometown New Home," just rolling with the momentum. In 2012, he’s in a rom-com, "Entertainment is a Circle." Guy’s not afraid to mix it up. Come 2015, he’s starring in this thriller "White Killing Machine." The title alone sounds like trouble, right? Fast forward to 2017, he’s in "An Elephant Sitting Still," a heavy drama that critics couldn’t stop talking about. But it’s 2018 when things really blow up for him—he acts in "Dying to Survive," a movie that hit nerves and headlines, and bags a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the Golden Horse Awards. Same year, GQ names him one of their annual characters. Zhang Yu’s career? Total slow-burn, but the man’s on fire.