Ryan Cheng (丞磊)

Cheng Lei, aka Ryan Cheng, is a Chinese actor and model. He was born in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China on December 18th 1993. He graduated from Hebei Academy of Fine Arts with a degree in Architectural Design. He gained recognition for playing the role of Xiao Hansheng in the drama A Familiar Stranger (2022) and Gong Shangjue in My Journey to You (2023).

Cheng Lei is the embodiment of an accidental acting success story. Discovered by chance while accompanying a friend to an audition, this Hebei Academy of Fine Arts design graduate‘s transition from sketching blueprints to stealing scenes has captivated audiences. Rising from the trenches of short dramas, he steadily built his reputation through a series of notable supporting roles. However, it was his breakthrough performance in the 2023 hit drama My Journey to You that truly launched him into the mainstream, turning this non-traditional actor into one of the industry’s most intriguing rising stars.

🎭 Breakthrough Roles: The "Short Drama" Kingpin

Cheng Lei‘s path to fame is marked by key, scene-stealing roles. He first gained significant attention in 2022 with the historical short-form drama Deceitful Love, playing the cold general Xiao Hansheng, which earned him widespread recognition for his “high-cold yet devoted” performance. His major breakthrough arrived in 2023 with My Journey to You, where his portrayal of Gong Shangjue, the calm and ruthless "second male lead," won over countless fans. Cheng then solidified his top-tier status in 2025 with the hit dramas Legend of the Female General and Shadow Love, a show where he took on the monumental challenge of playing three different characters.

🌟 Public Perception: A Respected, Hard-Earning Talent

Cheng Lei is widely praised by audiences as a "golden supporting actor" who steals every scene. Known for his powerful presence and deep voice, he commands attention on screen. This public goodwill is bolstered by a backstory that resonates with many: the son of blue-collar workers, he endured hundreds of rejections and years of struggle before achieving success, a story of perseverance that has earned him immense respect. His respected status has also been validated by the industry, as he has won major awards from 2024 to 2025, including at the Weibo Awards and iQiyi‘s Scream Night.