Deng Kai has risen to newfound fame for playing the silver-haired villain Qi Min in Pursuit of Jade. It was a role that fell into his lap. He had previously worked with the director, who needed someone to step in as a replacement after the actor originally cast in the role dropped out. As it turns out, Qi Min was just the breakout role that he needed.
The 31-year-old actor also gained many fans for his couple pairing with idol-turned-actress Snow Kong Xue’er. Then there’s his bromance with Lin Muran, a former child actor also drawing attention for his role in the drama.
And it looks like the ill-effects of fame have quickly caught up. Deng Kai recently flew from Hangzhou to Changsha for the variety show Hello Saturday. It’s his first public schedule since going viral from Pursuit of Jade. At the airport, the 189cm tall actor was literally swarmed by fans. While he accepted fan letters, he could also be heard laughing at the situation, running to the bathroom and letting out a groan and pleading with the crowd, “you’re tired already, just go home.” Some stalker fans even followed him to his airplane seat, so he pleaded with them to leave. When finally left alone, he rolled his eyes in frustration, a moment that prompted yet another trending topic on the hot search.
Early this morning, Deng Kai posted on Weibo: “Can’t sleep, but I have to.” Many found it relatable as an honest reaction to the high-pressure work conditions he’s facing and no doubt also part of the challenges of fame. Deng Kai has been acting for eight years, often in supporting roles. Among his notable performances is the role of Chi Wang in The Blood of Youth.
Coralie
deng kai is good, no doubt about it. I’ve always liked his acting, but he gets pigeonholed into villainous roles. and though he’s still a villain in here, at least his character has dimension and sufficient screen time to showcase his acting skills. im glad he’s winning.
similarly wow what a knockout star Lin Muran is! he totally blew my mind with his acting talent (honed thru many years of child-acting, but still!). im greatly looking forward to his next projects. hope he’s getting swarmed too in a good way
avarachika
Agree! They always give him intense or villianous roles. I want to see him play a soft and good boy role lol.
Ash
A soft and good boy role is just so uninteresting.
Dee
He is phenomenal not a second lead at all.…he completely mesmerizes you every second he is one screen. The only reason I even watched Jade was for his character.…
Dxc
I actually really like all the roles he had. Short dramas are so cringey but only checked it out for him. He was the highlight for me in TWD. Would really like him to play male lead in a long form drama one day.