Xiao Zhan participated in the tribute music album “Youth Sings for the Motherland”, created to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China. In it, he performed several songs, showcasing youthful positive energy and a deep sense of patriotism.
On September 15, 2019, Xiao Zhan recorded “The Best of Summer”《最好的夏天》MV and completed a photoshoot which was later shared online by In Famous magazine.
Promo
1. Core information about the song “The Best of Summer”
Creation and theme
This song is a youth, campus-themed duet released on November 5, 2019, included in “Youth Sings for the Motherland”《青春为祖国歌唱》(Vol. 2), and performed by Xiao Zhan and Song Zuer. The lyrics convey positive youthful energy and evoke memories of school life.
The MV was filmed on a school campus. Xiao Zhan appears as a “senior student,” wearing a school uniform, playing guitar, and using a bubble machine—scenes filled with a strong sense of youthfulness. Fans even nicknamed him the “dream senior.”
Lasting influence
Years after its release, the song remains popular. In 2026, some people mentioned choosing it at KTV, with friends admiring Xiao Zhan’s school-uniform look in the MV as “full of youthful vibes.”
2. Fans’ emotional projection onto “summer”
Connection between roles and seasons
Fans often associate Xiao Zhan’s works with specific seasons. For example, The Untamed 《陈情令》is seen as “a memory of summer 2019,” while Legend of Zanghai 《藏海传》 is regarded as “something to look forward to in summer 2026.”
Stage performances like “The Summer the Wind Blew By”《被风吹过的夏天》, with its fresh melody and Xiao Zhan’s soothing voice, are described as “a summer limited edition wrapped in the scent of fresh grass.”
Personal symbolic meaning
Fans often liken Xiao Zhan to elements of summer—such as “the gentlest summer breeze” —highlighting his warm and refreshing qualities.
Even his work ethic is tied to seasonal imagery. For instance, his intense training in horseback riding and martial arts during the summer of 2023 was praised as being “as resilient as Guo Jing.”
3. Related trending discussions
Contrast and growth of the artist
Over the past years, Xiao Zhan has transformed from the pure, clean-cut “senior in white” image in “The Best of Summer” into a deep and complex strategist in Legend of Zanghai. The wide range in his acting has sparked admiration from audiences.
