My Imperial Bestiary: 10 Quirky Animals Inspired by C-Drama Actors

Ao Ruipeng 🦜

✒️ Common Name: Yellow-Crested Cockatoo of the Royal Aviary

📜 Scientific Name: Cacatua galerita protervus

⏳ Conservation Status: 🛡️ Protected Species

🌏 Natural Habitat: subtropical forests, elegant aviaries and movie sets that feature enough other specimens to engage in their absurdities. He prefers lively and stimulating environments, where he can make his gags, attract the attention of others and stick his nose into any situation.

🔍 Why the Yellow-Crested Cockatoo?

Because Ao Ruipeng isn't just funny: he's also a master clown. At first glance, he looks like a serious, impeccable protagonist: tall, charming, and perfectly capable of acting like a star, but he seems to enjoy much more using his handsome face to do silly things. He enjoys attracting attention, but not through theatrical poses or exhibitionist behavior: he prefers to deliberately act absurd, provoke reactions from others, and turn every situation into an opportunity to cause trouble. Sociable, unpredictable, and sometimes provocative, he has that energy of someone who seems to think, "What if I did this completely senseless thing?" It's precisely this contrast that makes me associate him with the yellow-crested cockatoo: an elegant and imposing-looking animal, but extremely curious, nosy, and playful, with a notable propensity for sticking its beak where it shouldn't be. In short, Ao Ruipeng could easily be the perfect romantic lead, but he prefers to be the comic relief of the group. And he seems to be having a lot of fun doing it.

💪🏻 Special Abilities:

• Attracting others' attention simply by acting bizarrely.
• Turning every situation into an opportunity to show everyone his latest joke.
• Perfectly imitating the flawless and charming ML.

🩸Weaknesses:

• It's impossible for him to remain serious for too long.
• In the presence of another specimen willing to follow him, he tends to elude any attempts at containment.

Bai Lu 🐶

✒️ Common Name: Yorkshire Terrier of the Imperial Parlors

📜 Scientific Name: Canis yorkshire energicus

⏳ Conservation Status: 🛡️ Protected Species

🌏 Natural Habitat: TV parlours, large gardens, and movie sets of any kind, as long as she has enough space to roam, explore, and cause mischief. She is a highly social creature, tending to seek the company of others and thriving in stimulating environments. She is particularly active when she finds someone willing to join her in her games, but she can alternate sudden bursts of energy with long periods spent seeking attention and cuddles.

🔍 Why the Yorkshire Terrier?

The Yorkshire Terrier is a dog with a delicate and refined appearance, yet possesses a surprising energy and personality for its size. Lively, curious, and playful, it can switch from an elegant pose to an uncontrollable burst of enthusiasm in an instant. Like the Yorkshire Terrier, Bai Lu has a graceful and almost ethereal appearance, but hides a much livelier personality than you might expect. Her expressive face and tender appearance suggest a creature to be cuddled, but behind that adorable appearance lies an inexhaustible energy, capable of transforming even the most ordinary moments into something surprisingly fun. Her vitality almost seems at odds with her delicate appearance, making her a little bundle of grace and sweetness... at least until she decides to let loose.

💪🏻 Special Abilities:

• A puppy-like charm that guarantees her a greater amount of indulgence than is normally granted to other actors.
• Instant socialization that allows her to quickly establish a connection with other colleagues on set.
• Contagious vivacity that makes it difficult for anyone to maintain a serious attitude in her company.

🩸Weaknesses:

• Her energy and natural sociability can make it difficult for her to maintain a composed demeanor.
• Her size sometimes leads viewers to underestimate her.

Bai Shu 🦎

✒️ Common Name: Leopard Gecko of the Forbidden City

📜 Scientific Name: Eublepharis macularius subridens

⏳ Conservation Status: 🐾 Common Species

🌏 Natural Habitat: rocky areas, ravines, and drama sets characterized by a level of seriousness often too high for him. He prefers backstage where he can calmly observe what's happening around him, only to reemerge during filming with the expression of someone who's just witnessed the funniest thing in the world.

🔍 Why the Leopard Gecko?

Because Bai Shu is the epitome of quirkiness, even though he doesn't seem to be aware of it. His defining characteristic is that mocking, barely concealed smile that seems to appear in every situation, regardless of the character he's playing. Whether he's a hero or a villain, whether the scene is dramatic or comical, he always seems on the verge of bursting out laughing and has to make a huge effort to contain it. His most iconic phrase, "我不知道你在说什么" (I don't know what you're talking about), has even become a meme for this very reason: despite the gravity of the situation, his attitude while delivering it is so mock-innocent that it makes it clear he's making fun of everyone. It is precisely this ability to inadvertently transform even the most solemn scenes into something comical that made me think of the leopard gecko: a small animal with a perpetually amused and vaguely mocking expression, which seems almost incapable of appearing serious.

💪🏻 Special Abilities:

• Assuming a seemingly serious expression while the face betrays a desperate attempt not to laugh.
• Turning a dramatic scene into something comical without saying a single line.
• Retaining his quirkiness while playing completely different characters.

🩸Weaknesses:

• He is particularly vulnerable in scenes where the actors have to keep a perfectly straight face.

Chang Long 🐀

✒️ Common Name: Quokka of the Imperial Zoo

📜 Scientific Name: Setonix brachyurus hilaris

⏳ Conservation Status: 🐾 Common Species

🌏 Natural Habitat: marshy areas, thickets, and backstage areas densely populated with other animals. He prefers film sets where he can interact with the rest of the pack and help maintain a high level of humor, especially when the drama threatens to become overly serious.

🔍 Why the Quokka?

Because Chang Long seems to have the rare talent of lightening the mood on any occasion. Both on set and in BTS, he's the one who jokes with everyone, never takes himself too seriously, and seems perfectly at ease playing the funny or slightly awkward character. He's a brilliant character actor and has made this natural predisposition one of his trademarks: he's not the quintessential romantic lead, but the one who manages to break the tension and give viewers a moment of levity. So much so that even when he plays dramatic scenes, he never takes on the aura of the tormented and solemn hero. And just like the quokka, with his constant smile and irresistible friendly demeanor, he manages to win over the audience without being the protagonist: a few lines are enough to grow fond of his character.

💪🏻 Special Abilities:

• Quickly reducing tension in the environment through funny expressions, jokes, and an innate predisposition for lightheartedness.
• Transforming a secondary character into an unforgettable presence.
• Captivating the attention of other specimens without having to assume a dominant role.

🩸Weaknesses:

• His excessive tendency toward lightheartedness can lead viewers to underestimate his acting abilities.
• Prolonged exposure to overly serious environments can cause him to suddenly feel the urge to lighten the mood.

Li Yitong 🐭

✒️ Common Name: Flying Squirrel of the Japanese Courts

📜 Scientific Name: Pteromys momonga spontaneus

⏳ Conservation Status: 🛡️ Protected Species

🌏 Natural Habitat: boreal forests, evergreen woods, and film sets where she can play roles that allow her to unleash her overwhelming spontaneity. She's particularly comfortable in environments that allow her to socialize and let herself be carried away by events, openly expressing every emotion without worrying too much about the consequences.

🔍 Why the Japanese Dwarf Flying Squirrel?

Because, like the Japanese dwarf flying squirrel, Li Yitong possesses a charmingly funny and cute appearance, coupled with a natural sense of humor and vivacity that make her instantly likeable. What makes her irresistibly quirky, however, is her expressiveness: every emotion seems to flow across her face without encountering the slightest obstacle, giving the impression that her face has decided to express everything that's on her mind before she does. Curiosity, amazement, amusement, and even the most insignificant reactions end up transforming into small displays of involuntary comedy, making her seem like a character plucked straight from the pages of a manhua. It's precisely this combination of sweetness, awkwardness, and spontaneity that makes her so lovable, both in real life and on set. Even when the situation calls for composure and seriousness, Li Yitong seems incapable of maintaining self-control, turning every reaction into a funny expression and every ordinary moment into something delightfully over the top.

💪🏻 Special Abilities:

• Ability to communicate any state of mind without uttering a single word.
• Spontaneous charm that allows her to win over others without appearing forced.
• Power to make even the funniest expressions believable.

🩸Weaknesses:

• She's incapable of stopping being funny even in the most dramatic situations.
• Her ability to convey every emotion through a funny expression can make it difficult to take her seriously.

Liu Guanlin 🐂

✒️ Common Name: Shetland Bull of the Eastern Ranges

📜 Scientific Name: Bos taurus extravagans

⏳ Conservation Status: 🐾 Common Species

🌏 Natural Habitat: green ranges, grassy hills, and quiet backstage. Often spotted on the sets of historical dramas, where he can maintain a seemingly impeccable demeanor, only to surprise the other specimens with completely bizarre reasoning.

🔍 Why the Shetland Bull?

Because Liu Guanlin appears serious, imposing, and perfectly aware of his own dignity, yet at times seems completely oblivious to it. It's precisely this contrast that makes him resemble the Shetland bull: a majestic-looking animal, with a thick coat that even gives him a vaguely aristocratic air, yet whose behavior can be decidedly more foolish than his appearance would suggest. Liu Guanlin possesses a unique ability to transform his characters into surreal figures, with reactions and reasoning that seem to follow a logic all their own. And, just like the Shetland bull, he manages to combine an imposing presence with an unexpected dose of adorable silliness.

💪🏻 Special Abilities:

• Inscrutable expression that allows him to maintain a perfectly serious demeanor while formulating arguments bordering on the absurd.
• Authoritative stage presence that allows him to appear trustworthy even when his logic isn't always impeccable.
• Reassuring face that encourages anyone to place their trust in him, even if he doesn't always deserve it.

🩸Weaknesses:

• His questionable logic often draws ridicule from the other specimens, causing him to go from a majestic animal to a creature who seems to have realized he's made a foolish statement.
• His stubbornness sometimes prevents him from backtracking even when he realizes he's made a mistake.

Wang Hedi 🦝

✒️ Common Name: Raccoon or the Primal Chaos

📜 Scientific Name: Procyon lotor chaoticus

⏳ Conservation Status: 🛡️ Protected Species

🌏 Natural Habitat: urban outskirts, chaotic backstage areas, television studios, and stimulating environments filled with subjects easily involved in his gags. He's particularly at home on crowded and bustling sets, where he can seamlessly transition from superstar mode to mischievous raccoon mode, finding endless opportunities to play, pull pranks, and cause mischief.

🔍 Why the Raccoon?

Because alongside his undeniable beauty and superstar charm, Wang Hedi maintains a chaotic, unpredictable, and irresistible energy. On set, he seems incapable of taking himself seriously for too long: he often turns the filming area into a giant playground, where he never misses an opportunity to crack a joke, make a funny face, or improvise one of his gags, dragging his colleagues into his game. He might momentarily assume the serious air of a heroic protagonist, but it doesn't take long for his raccoon soul to resurface: quirky, chaotic, and always up to something.

💪🏻 Special Abilities:

• Turning a serious scene into a memorable moment.
• Going from intimidating to ridiculous in seconds.
• Winning over the audience with his exuberant energy.

🩸Weaknesses:

• His playful attitude can occasionally be perceived by viewers as lacking seriousness.

Wang Yilun 🐰

✒️ Common Name: Bunny of the Royal Gardens

📜 Scientific Name: Oryctolagus cuniculus perturbator

⏳ Conservation Status: 🐾 Common Species

🌏 Natural Habitat: perfectly manicured lawns, royal pavilions, flower-filled courtyards, and any environment quiet enough to allow him to stand aside peacefully and plan his pranks. Frequently spotted near backstage areas where he can hide while he causes mischief, quickly turning the set into a zone of moderate chaos.

🔍 Why the Bunny?

Because on the surface, he's the very embodiment of softness. His reassuring, spontaneous smile, the dimples that appear on his cheeks when he laughs, and his generally sweet and charming demeanor bring to mind the classic, lovable bunny, seemingly incapable of causing trouble. But a closer look reveals that beneath that tender exterior lies a decidedly more chaotic creature. He's the kind of bunny who appears perfectly serious and calm when he's probably about to jump somewhere he shouldn't, gnaw on something, or get involved in some absurd situation. In this sense, he's reminiscent of Wang Hedi: both belong to that rare breed of animals who manage to appear adorable while being the epitome of chaos. And perhaps, considering their shared last name, chaos is simply written in their DNA.

💪🏻 Special Abilities:

• Disarming dimples.
• Strategic cuteness that leads observers to underestimate his level of potential chaos.
• A reassuring presence that immediately makes you think he's a creature with whom it would be pleasant to spend an afternoon.

🩸Weaknesses:

• Questionable self-control, which lets its chaos emerge at the most inopportune moments.
• His acting potential is a bit underrated, due to the fact that he is considered more quiet and predictable than he actually is.

Wang Yuwen 🐕

✒️ Common Name: Jack Russell Terrier of the Royal Kennels

📜 Scientific Name: Canis russelli exuberans

⏳ Conservation Status: 🐾 Common Species

🌏 Natural Habitat: hunting reserves, woods, and film sets where she can vent her innate energy. She prefers busy television studios populated by other specimens who can easily be involved in unscheduled activities.

🔍 Why the Jack Russell Terrier?

Because Wang Yuwen has that air of an innocent little creature, standing aside and observing what others are doing... only to be the first to jump into the most chaotic situation possible. Spontaneous, energetic, and anything but calm, she seems to have a knack for taking the initiative and involving everyone around her. And when she finds someone willing to follow her lead — her partner in crime par excellence is Ao Ruipeng — the situation can quickly escalate into something far more chaotic than expected. It's precisely this combination of vivacity, resourcefulness, and a gang leader's spirit that makes the Jack Russell Terrier a perfect match for her: a small but incredibly feisty, intelligent, and proactive dog, rarely content to simply stand by and watch. In short, despite her harmless puppy face, Wang Yuwen has the attitude of someone who, five minutes after arriving, has already joined the chaos.

💪🏻 Special Abilities:

• Innate authority that allows her to take command in chaotic situations.
• Natural charm that allows her to engage others without having to force them.
• Ability to hide her quirky nature behind a calm and innocent appearance.

🩸Weaknesses:

• She's incapable of standing by and watching a chaotic situation without diving in headfirst.
• Her natural assertiveness sometimes makes her look less composed than her appearance suggests.

Xu Zhengxi 🦚

✒️ Common Name: Royal Peacock of the Palace

📜 Scientific Name: Pavo cristatus spectacularis

🌏 Natural Habitat: imperial gardens, refined palace courtyards, and any environment elegant enough to allow him to display his magnificence. He naturally prefers areas where the light enhances his plumage and where there is at least one reflective surface on which to test the suitability of his funny faces.

🔍 Why the Peacock?

Xu Zhengxi possesses an extremely scenic beauty. His is a presence that seems born to be admired, like that of the peacock which, when it unfurls its tail, seems perfectly aware of being the most spectacular animal in the room. At first glance, he may seem vain, but behind that composure and almost aristocratic appearance lies a man who doesn't take himself too seriously. Xu Zhengxi, in fact, seems to enjoy assuming comical expressions and attitudes that clash completely with his star-like appearance, making the characters he plays more spontaneous, accessible, and down-to-earth. Just like the peacock, which sometimes trips over its own tail and ends up looking comical, Xu Zhengxi manages to be simultaneously elegant and irresistibly hilarious. And it is precisely this contrast that places him among the quirky animals: despite having all the makings of an unattainable star, he seems to enjoy demonstrating how little he cares about being one.

💪🏻 Special Abilities:

• Elegance beyond scale.
• Impeccable bearing.
• Funny expressions.

🩸Weaknesses:

• On set, he can make anyone suddenly feel inadequate.
• He risks throwing fans into despair by announcing his retirement from the scene again.