6 must-watch Xiao Zhan TV shows for new fans, from ‘The Untamed’ to ‘Small Town Remedy’

For viewers who prefer contemporary romance, The Oath of Love offers is one of the most unique of Xiao Zhan TV shows. He stars opposite Yang Zi in this modern romantic drama about two people who meet during a difficult period in their lives and gradually find comfort in one another.

Yang Zi plays Lin Zhixiao, a university music student and aspiring cellist whose plans for the future are disrupted when her father is diagnosed with cancer. During his treatment, she meets Gu Wei (Xiao Zhan), the surgeon responsible for his care. Gu Wei is a talented doctor whose confidence has been shaken by a traumatic experience in the operating theatre, leaving him questioning his ability to continue practising medicine.

As their relationship develops, both characters learn to navigate personal setbacks, family expectations and the uncertainties of their respective careers. Xiao Zhan takes a more understated approach to Gu Wei, portraying a reserved and conscientious doctor whose guarded personality gradually gives way to a warmer, more affectionate side. The series is a good choice for fans looking for a relationship-focused drama after the intensity of The Untamed.

Also released internationally as Where Dreams Begin, The Youth Memories takes viewers to Beijing during the 1970s and follows a group of young people as they navigate friendship, ambition, romance and the country's changing social landscape.

Xiao Zhan plays Xiao Chunsheng, an idealistic young man growing up in a traditional Beijing courtyard alongside his friends Ye Guohua and Chen Hongjun. Coming from military and government families, the young men experience the opportunities and challenges brought about by major changes in Chinese society, from the resumption of the National College Entrance Examination in 1977 to the economic reforms that reshape the country in the following decade. Xiao Chunsheng's journey takes him through military service, a life-changing injury, personal setbacks and the search for new opportunities in civilian life.

Unlike many of Xiao Zhan's fantasy and romance projects, this series places greater emphasis on everyday experiences and the ways historical events affect ordinary people. His portrayal of Xiao Chunsheng follows the character through different stages of adulthood, exploring how his ambitions, friendships and relationships evolve as the world around him changes. For new fans interested in seeing Xiao Zhan in a grounded period drama, this is a worthwhile watch.

Fans who enjoyed the fantasy elements of The Untamed may want to add The Longest Promise to their watchlist. Based on Cang Yue's novel Zhu Yan, the series takes place on the fictional Kongsang Continent, where imperial politics, spiritual traditions and ancient prophecies shape the lives of its characters.

Xiao Zhan stars as Shi Ying, the crown prince of Kongsang who is framed by the imperial consort Qiu Shui. His mother, Bai Yan, sets fire to the palace with him inside, allowing him to escape the accusations while the court believes he has died. He is subsequently sent to Jiuyi Mountain to cultivate, where he eventually takes Zhu Yan (Ren Min), a princess of the Chi Yi tribe, as his disciple. Their relationship becomes increasingly complicated by a prophecy that foretells Zhu Yan will one day bring about his death.

As Shi Ying, Xiao Zhan portrays a character caught between his personal feelings, spiritual responsibilities and the political forces surrounding him. The role calls for a restrained performance, with much of the character's emotional conflict expressed through subtle gestures and interactions. Elaborate costumes, expansive fantasy settings and supernatural elements also make the series a visually distinctive addition to his filmography.

In Legend of Zang Hai, Xiao Zhan takes on a character whose greatest strengths are his intelligence, patience and ability to outmanoeuvre his opponents. The historical political suspense drama follows Zang Hai, originally known as Zhi Nu, the son of Kuai Duo, Chief of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau of the fictional Da Yong kingdom. After his family is massacred in a political conspiracy, Zhi Nu survives with the help of a mysterious benefactor.

He spends the next decade learning construction, architecture and political strategy before returning to the capital under a new identity. Now known as Zang Hai, he deliberately approaches Zhuang Luyin, the Marquis of Pingjin, who was responsible for his family's destruction. By resolving difficult problems and demonstrating his abilities, he gradually earns the trust of his enemy and secures a place within the powerful household.

Rather than relying on physical strength, Zang Hai uses his knowledge and strategic thinking to navigate court politics and bring those responsible for his family's murder to justice. However, his personal quest for revenge eventually expands into a larger struggle involving political conspiracies, the stability of the kingdom and the threat of war with neighbouring states.

Directed by Zheng Xiaolong and Cao Yiwen, the series combines court intrigue, calculated alliances and revenge with elements of fantasy and supernatural mythology. Xiao Zhan's portrayal centres on a man who must carefully conceal his intentions while navigating a dangerous environment in which a single miscalculation could undo years of preparation. It is a good choice for viewers who enjoy historical mysteries, political intrigue and revenge-driven narratives.

Small Town Remedy brings Xiao Zhan into contemporary medical drama, with a stronger emphasis on community life, personal recovery and the people who make up a small city. He plays Liu Zhengliang, a gifted surgeon whose career suffers a major setback, forcing him to leave his position at a leading hospital and return to his hometown in northeastern China to start again.

There, Liu Zhengliang begins working in the emergency department of a local community hospital, where he encounters patients facing a range of medical and personal challenges. Along the way, he gathers a group of seemingly unreliable but well-meaning locals who become his colleagues and companions. As they work together to address the community's healthcare needs, he begins to rebuild his confidence and reconsider what it means to be a doctor.

Directed by Zhang Xiaobo and featuring Ni Dahong, Jiang Yan, Shi Pengyuan, Jian Renzi and Zhang Guoqiang, the drama takes a more grounded approach to medical storytelling. Rather than focusing solely on hospital emergencies, it explores the everyday realities of grassroots healthcare, with humour, local culture and human relationships playing important roles. For viewers accustomed to seeing Xiao Zhan in elaborate historical costumes or high-stakes political dramas, Small Town Remedy offers a welcome opportunity to see him in a contemporary, character-driven role.

The six dramas offer different entry points into Xiao Zhan's filmography, from the fantasy and mystery that made The Untamed an international favourite to the political intrigue of Legend of Zang Hai and the contemporary medical storytelling of Small Town Remedy. Together, they showcase his work across romance, historical drama, fantasy and suspense, making them a good starting point for viewers who want to explore more of his performances.

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