Zhang Kang Le turns 24 today
Now, sure, I may be old enough to be Zhang Kang Le’s mother, and then some, but it doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the Chinese actor’s smoldering good looks, especially when in historical dress, or his talent on film.
That’s why my mood perked up immensely this morning when Tencent Video released a celebratory visual of Zhang Kang Le in his role as Yan Xun in the upcoming C-drama Rebirth.
A celebratory visual for his 24th birthday today, and one that also stirs up my interest in the martial arts-themed action drama, as much of my enjoyment of any series is involved in the costume design and visuals almost as much as it is in the plot.
Visuals and design that, in the case of Kang Le’s just-released birthday visual, look incredibly cool.
The birthday visual came out on the Chinese streaming giant’s social media accounts along with a comment from Tencent about Yan Xun’s role in Rebirth saying:
#Rebirth# The dust on the iron armor will never obscure its brilliance, and the heart will be toward the light when walking in the dark night.
I wish Zhang Kang Le (@张康乐_ ) will break out of the cocoon and become a king like Yan Xun, and ride the wind and waves throughout his life, and live up to his passion.
Looking forward to the ice lake melting and breaking the ice to meet each other! Make an appointment on Tencent for when the drama premieres.
Zhang Kang Le’s career up until now
Just in case you’re wondering, he isn’t the main lead in Rebirth as that role has gone to Li Yun Rui who will be playing Zhuge Yue. But he is the second male lead and, for someone who just turned 24, and is now starring in his fifth main role already, that’s pretty darned impressive.
Zhang also has a couple more main leads coming up, hopefully in 2026 (?), in The Awakening and in Ctrl+Alt+Life to look forward to.
As for past roles, you will likely recognize him from his performance as Jiang Kan in 2022’s See You Tomorrow, as Zhang Qi Ling in Adventure Behind the Bronze Door two years later, and as He Jia Shu in The Way Home.
This year, he has had a supporting role in the recently-ended Legend of the Female General, and in the just-released The Dauntless Youths co-starring Li Zhou Zhao, Tim Yu and Li Jia Hao.
He also has a supporting role in Blossom in Darkness. alongside Li Hong Yi and Sun Zhen Ni.
Although that Chinese drama may be quite a while before it drops as, even though it has received its distribution license, and is still having promo pieces dropped here and there, there aren’t even any rumors coming out of China about its release.
Back to the man of the day’s birthday, though, let’s all wish Zhang Kang Le a Happy Birthday, and hope we will be privy to many more celebratory visuals for years to come. Right?
And, of course, I will let you know when we have definitive information about Rebirth‘s release.
Update, April 3rd, 2026 – Rebirth‘s premiere has now been confirmed as April 8th, 2026. Not as far away as many of us expected.
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