Who Are The Main Actors In 'The Best Friend'S Contract' Adaptation?

The live-action version of 'The Best Friend's Contract' nailed the casting. Leading the pack is Zhang Yixing as the charming but clueless protagonist—his comedic timing makes every awkward moment shine. Opposite him is Yang Zi, who brings fiery energy to the role of the fake-turned-real love interest; her expressions alone could win awards. The supporting cast steals scenes too: Wang Yanlin as the sarcastic best friend delivers brutal one-liners, while newcomer Li Xian plays the mysterious rival with unsettling calm. The chemistry between all four actors feels natural, especially during group scenes where their overlapping dialogues create hilarious chaos. Even minor characters like the nosy landlady (played by veteran Hong Ying) add depth to this rom-com universe.

As someone who analyzed both the novel and adaptation frame by frame, I can confirm the casting director understood the assignment. Zhang Yixing doesn’t just play the male lead—he embodies the character’s growth from a commitment-phobic goofball to someone genuinely vulnerable. Yang Zi’s performance shifts subtly across episodes; watch how her voice softens in later scenes when she thinks no one’s listening.

The real revelation is the supporting cast. Wang Yanlin’s improv skills added unscripted jokes that made the final cut, like mocking the leads’ matching pajamas. Li Xian’s character required precise physical acting—notice how he always stands exactly 1.2 meters away in confrontations, mirroring the novel’s description. Even episodic characters matter: the bakery owner (played by stage actor Zhao Qiusheng) appears for just 8 minutes but establishes the neighborhood’s warmth through his raspy laughs and flour-dusted apron.

What elevates this adaptation is how actors enhance the material. The novel’s slapstick humor becomes more poignant with Zhang’s ability to switch to quiet devastation mid-scene. Yang’s real-life singing talent got incorporated into a key karaoke sequence, turning what was a paragraph in the book into a viral moment. The cast’s social media interactions—like Wang and Li’s fake feud over dumpling recipes—extend the show’s charm beyond the screen.

Let’s geek out about the casting choices! Zhang Yixing was born to play this role—his background in music adds authenticity to those studio scenes where his character fumbles with guitar chords. Yang Zi’s wardrobe alone tells a story; her early outfits are all sharp angles and dark colors, gradually shifting to flowing dresses as she opens up emotionally.

The genius move was casting Wang Yanlin against type. Known for villain roles, here he’s the sarcastic voice of reason, dropping truth bombs with perfect deadpan delivery. Li Xian’s subtle micro-expressions make his character unpredictable—is he a threat or just socially awkward? The answer changes every episode.

Smaller roles deserve shoutouts too. The child actor playing Young Yang Zi (Ma Qianhui) mirrors her adult counterpart’s mannerisms eerily well. Even the cat cafe’s Persian cat (played by feline actor Dumpling) became a meme for judging the leads’ fake dates with actual disdain. This adaptation proves casting isn’t about star power—it’s about who can make fictional souls feel lived-in.