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President's Fever Broken? 'My Royal Rival's' Xu Nanjun Becomes a Hit with Direct Love Pursuit

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • The Korean drama "My Royal Rival" is gaining significant popularity, with viewers increasingly drawn to male lead Xu Nanjun.
  • Xu Nanjun portrays Cha Shijie, a cold elite chaebol heir who undergoes a transformation after falling in love.
  • The drama's viewership ratings have surged, with the latest episode reaching 10.4%, marking a new high.

The Korean drama "My Royal Rival" is currently experiencing a surge in popularity, captivating audiences with its fantasy romance storyline. While initially drawing viewers for its female lead, Lin Zhiyuan, the male protagonist, Xu Nanjun, has unexpectedly become the breakout star, winning over a significant portion of the fanbase.

I really, truly adore Shen Ruishuang.

— Cha ShijieA direct confession of love from the male lead, highlighting his straightforward pursuit.

Xu Nanjun plays Cha Shijie, a third-generation chaebol heir who begins as a cold and domineering figure. However, his character undergoes a notable transformation as he falls in love with Shen Ruishuang, revealing a softer, more possessive, and openly affectionate side. His "straightforward" approach to pursuing love has earned him the title of "2026's Strongest Straightforward Male Lead" among viewers.

A particularly memorable scene, the "wrist kiss" in episode six, has gone viral across social media platforms. In this moment, Cha Shijie pulls Lin Zhiyuan's hand and kisses her wrist, a gesture that has been described by netizens as "more lethal than a kissing scene" and "off the charts" in its intensity.

This is more lethal than a kissing scene.

— NetizenDescribing the impact of the viral "wrist kiss" scene.

The drama's success is reflected in its rising viewership ratings. The most recent episode achieved a rating of 10.4%, setting a new record since its premiere. This success has propelled "My Royal Rival" onto popular Korean drama lists, with Xu Nanjun widely recognized by Korean media as a key contributor to the show's impressive performance.

I originally came for Lin Zhiyuan, but I ended up completely falling for Xu Nanjun.

— NetizenExpressing a common sentiment among viewers who were won over by the male lead.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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