Chen Xingxu (陈星旭)

A former child star discovered at age three in a zoo parking lot, Chen Xingxu has grown into one of the most gifted actors of his generation. His 2019 performance as the ruthlessly ambitious yet heartbreakingly devoted Crown Prince Li Chengyin in the period tragedy Goodbye My Princess earned him widespread acclaim. Many considered him the character lifted directly from the pages of the original novel. Nicknamed the "Involution King" of C-ent, he’s famous for getting by on pure skill — not buzz. Constantly transforming himself for his roles, he once lost over 20 pounds in just six weeks to more accurately portray Li Chengyin's ruthless persona. Breakthrough Role Chen’s career-defining moment came with Goodbye My Princess. In this performance, he brought to life the dual identities of the innocent Gu Xiaowu and the calculating Li Chengyin. The raw emotional intensity he delivered as the show’s tragic male lead earned the series its title as “the pinnacle of tragic beauty” in the genre, and Chen was singled out for an acting nomination at the 26th Huading Awards. Beyond this breakthrough, he has proven his range, notably tackling four different characters in the fantasy series The Starry Love. Public Perception Now 30, Chen is a captivating paradox. Blessed with a chiseled 186 cm frame and the prestige of being the top-scoring entrant into the Central Academy of Drama, he nevertheless chooses to remain fiercely independent. The industry respects his dedication, and he boasts a loyal fanbase. Yet his career has seen a complex and contradictory public narrative. Some viewers have criticized him for a perceived lack of ambition, while others have pointed out that he has yet to find another role that can fully match the monumental success of Li Chengyin. For now, the public sees Chen Xingxu as a gifted talent standing on the cusp of greatness — an actor whose future potential remains his greatest asset.