Rising Chinese actor Zhang Linghe (張凌赫), known for his romantic roles and striking visuals, has recently been dubbed a “kissing genius” by fans and netizens. The buzz began after his appearance on the variety show The Truth (《開始推理吧3》), where fellow actress and close friend Jin Jing (金靖)—his co-star in My Journey to You (《雲之羽》)—playfully teased him about his numerous kissing scenes.

During the show, Jin Jing joked about her lack of experience with on-screen kisses and even offered to create a kissing scene on the spot with Zhang Linghe. Her bold suggestion, met with lighthearted responses from other cast members like Liu Yuning (劉宇寧), quickly turned into a humorous and viral moment.

Putting him in the hot seat, Jin Jing asked, “You’ve done nearly 20 kissing scenes in just half a year—are your lips numb yet?” With a sheepish grin, Zhang Linghe admitted, “I’m used to it now. When acting, you need to be fully in the moment. Once the director yells ‘cut,’ you immediately snap out of it.” He further explained that to make romantic scenes feel authentic, actors must emotionally immerse themselves—even if just temporarily.

While the topic amused audiences, it also stirred some debate online. Some viewers questioned whether intimate scenes should be discussed so casually on variety shows, while others defended it as a normal part of acting, emphasizing that performance quality should remain the main focus.

Zhang’s recent drama The Best Thing (《愛你，是我做過最好的事》) particularly fueled this reputation. His chemistry with co-star Xu Ruohan (徐若晗) resulted in over 60 kissing scenes—including romantic moments in cars, on sofas, under cherry blossoms, and even while drunk. Netizens were quick to label him a “kissing genius,” a title he accepted with good humor. He also shared that even his parents praised his performance, making the compliment all the more memorable.

With his rising popularity and growing list of romantic dramas, Zhang Linghe continues to charm audiences—not just with his looks, but with his dedication to bringing passion and realism to his roles.