In 2012, Zhang won the Best Actor award at the Beijing Student Original Film Competition for his performance in Love Express.
[3] He continued to appear in small but notable supporting roles in the dramas Destined to Love You and The Interpreter and the film Forever Young.
Pride vs Miss Prejudice,[9] and won the Best Chivalry award at the China Britain Film Festival for his performance.
[10][11] The same year, he headlined the fantasy action drama Xuan-Yuan Sword: Han Cloud;[12] as well as featured in the Disney-made romantic comedy film The Dreaming Man.
[17] Zhang received positive reviews for his performance, as well as chemistry with co-star Hu Yitian; and gained wider popularity as a result.