Cai Zhengjie (蔡正杰)

At just 16 years old, Cai Zhengjie embarked on his entertainment career as a member of the boy group Odyssey, debuting with quirky viral singles like Piao Piao Bu (《飘飘布》) . While the public first noticed him for his standout looks on The Next and Produce Camp 2019 talent shows, his fame has been partly defined by the intense challenges he's faced behind the scenes. Forced to take on ordinary jobs like working as a store cashier to survive while locked into a restrictive 12-year contract with his agency, his story of perseverance through hardship won him empathy and attention beyond his screen work . Breakthrough Role While Cai has steadily built his acting resume with roles in shows like Ride the Wind (《乘风少年》) (2020) and the short drama Kryptonite Boyfriend (《氪金男友》) (2023) , a notable turning point came with the historical romance Wan Wan Ru Meng Xiao (《婉婉如梦霄》) (2024), where he took on the lead role of Ling Xiao . However, it's his role in the 2026 hit drama The Tale of the Lost Land (《莫离》) that has recently expanded his visibility. His performance as part of the main cast, alongside established stars Bai Lu and Cheng Lei, has showcased his growing presence in major productions, even as critics noted his character struggled somewhat in the narrative . Public Perception Public perception of Cai Zhengjie is a true story of sympathy and talent. After his participating on Produce Camp 2019, his story of being abandoned by his management company and forced to work as a store clerk to afford his rent went viral online, earning him the reputation of the "cashier idol" . Nowadays, the public sees him as a resilient underdog who has persevered through immense hardship. While he continues to build his acting chops, many fans and critics root for his success, admiring his ability to earn on-screen parts based on his natural good looks, charisma and raw determination . Standing at 185cm with a skill set that includes dancing, singing, and playing guitar and basketball, he represents one of the industry's young actors still fighting for his big break, but one who has already won hearts by never giving up .