In a move that stunned fans and fellow industry players, 29-year-old Chinese actor Xu Peng has officially retired from the entertainment world. The Qingdao-born actor, once seen as a rising star, made the announcement on 14 April via his personal social media.
Watch: Chinese Actress Caught in Affair Scandal with Police
Rather than seeking another role, Xu chose to return to his hometown and help run his family’s stall in a traditional local market.
The reason? To take over the business from his ageing grandfather and, as he puts it, “start living life on my own terms.”
The news quickly shot to the top of trending topics on Weibo, igniting widespread conversation about the pressures of fame and the darker underbelly of showbiz.
A graduate of the esteemed Central Academy of Drama, Xu Peng debuted in 2018 and built an impressive CV of 16 films and TV dramas. Yet behind the screen, his journey was far from glamorous.
In a heartfelt post, Xu revealed his growing frustration with toxic industry norms. He admitted to becoming emotionally drained and disillusioned by the often murky and unspoken demands of maintaining an acting career in China.
One especially troubling incident occurred on the set of a historical drama, when Xu rejected an inappropriate advance from an assistant director. As a result, his role was heavily slashed—he was barely visible on screen.
Xu also recounted how, during auditions, he was once offered a part on the condition that he accompany a producer for drinks—something he flatly refused.
That decision cost him dearly. Even after sending out 20 applications a day for three straight months, he landed only three background roles.
By March 2025, Xu completed his final project and terminated his agency contract. In his words, “I’d rather sell fruit honestly at the market than wait around eating 15-yuan box meals in Hengdian for the chance to maybe appear on screen.”
On 5 April, Xu officially began his new life as a vendor. Dressed in a plain apron and managing a modest stall, he now sells household goods and produce with the same dedication he once gave to his scripts.
Entertainment blog “Bagua Xiaowo” highlighted Xu’s decision as part of a growing trend among struggling actors in China. With over 200,000 actors registered in 2024, more than 60% reported significant drops in income. Many earn less than 3,000 yuan per month.
Xu Peng’s story echoes that of Fei Yu, a 26-year-old public health student at Fudan University, who went viral last month after quitting school to sell mashed potatoes on the streets of Chengdu.
Xu’s departure has sparked debates about the sustainability of the entertainment industry and the sacrifices expected of new talent. While some fans expressed heartbreak, many praised Xu’s bravery for stepping away from the spotlight to preserve his dignity and mental well-being.
In a final note on his post, Xu wrote: “I don’t regret a single second. Not leaving showbiz, not rejecting the system. I’ve found peace in simpler things. And for me, that’s more than enough.”
His stall has since become something of a local landmark, with visitors from nearby towns stopping by not just to shop—but to thank him for telling the truth.