In 2009, Chen signed with his first agency Huayi Brothers. He then featured in the film Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame, directed by Tsui Hark.[5] The same year, he appeared in the television series Spell of the Fragrance produced by Yu Zheng. Chen continued to appear in several television series under Yu Zheng, but only official signed a contract with him after starring in Beauties of the Emperor.[6] Chen started to gain attention as an actor in the 2012 hit palace drama Palace II where his portrayal of the 19th prince attracted positive audience reviews.[7]
2013–2016: Rising popularity
Chen rose to fame with his role of Lin Pingzhi in the 2013 wuxia television series Swordsman, which was adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer.[8][9] He then played his first leading role in historical drama Legend of Lu Zhen, where he took on the role of a wise and devoted Emperor. The series was both a domestic and overseas hit, and led to increased recognition for Chen.[9][10][11][12][13]
In 2015, Chen co-starred in historical romance drama Love Yunge from the Desert, adapted from the novel Song in the Clouds by Tong Hua. Despite the mixed reviews and criticism for the series, Chen received acclaim for his performance as a clumsy assassin.[17]
In 2016, Chen starred in the coming-of-age web series Who Sleeps My Bro, which gained a large following online and became a cult classic.[18][19] The same year, he starred in wuxia drama The Three Heroes and Five Gallants, based on the novel of the same name by Shi Yukun; playing Bai Yutang.[20] Chen was nominated for the Best Actor award in the ancient drama category at the Huading Awards.[21]
2017–present: Acclaim
In 2017, he starred alongside Sun Li in the historical drama Nothing Gold Can Stay, which earned high ratings of 3%.[22] Chen received acclaim for his acting performance and character interpretation, and experienced a resurgence of popularity.[23]
In 2019, Chen starred alongside Joe Chen in the historical television series Queen Dugu, playing the role of the Emperor Wen of Sui.[24]
The same year, he starred in road-trip suspense drama Love Journey directed and written by Mao Weining.[25] Chen played an undercover cop who appears frivolous but is serious and passionate about his job, and received positive reviews for his performance.[26] He then played a violinist in the romance suspense film Lost in Love directed by Huo Jianqi,[27] as well as military drama The King of Land Battle.[28] In 2022, he starred in the hit show A Dream of Splendor, along with Liu Yifei.
^Huang Xianyi (黄先懿); Zhou Shengnan (周盛楠) (2022). 陈晓：把自己当做一块泥巴 [Chen Xiao: treating himself as a piece of mud]. Global People (in Chinese). 477. Chaoyang District, Beijing: People's Daily: 92–95. ISSN1673-6176.
