Who Is Xu Kaicheng? Dramas, Cheating Controversy, and Current Status
By David Miller
Xu Kaicheng did not follow the traditional drama conservatory pipeline that produces many of China's screen actors. Born on August 8, 1990, in Shanghai, he spent over a decade training in classical dance at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, earning a degree from the College of Dance. That rigorous physical discipline translated into an imposing screen presence, standing 187 cm tall with the upright posture characteristic of seasoned dancers. He made his television debut in the 2012 series The Queen of SOP II, working steadily through supporting parts before catching the industry's attention.
His breakthrough arrived in early 2019 with the low-budget web drama Well-Intended Love. Playing Ling Yizhou, an authoritarian corporate executive navigating a faux-marriage arrangement, Xu tapped directly into an escalating appetite for escapist romance. The drama generated billions of views across Chinese streaming platforms and developed a dedicated overseas following on international platforms like Netflix. Overnight, Xu transitioned from an ensemble cast member to a hot-ticket romantic protagonist.
Top-tier casting directors took notice immediately. Tencent Video and allied production units cast him across major period projects. In Novoland: Pearl Eclipse (2021), he starred opposite Yang Mi and William Chan as the brooding, unpredictable Emperor Dixu, proving his range extended well beyond contemporary boardroom melodramas. That same year, he headlined A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College alongside Zhao Lusi, anchoring Tencent's prime historical comedy lineup. By early 2022, Xu sat comfortably on the A-list of bankable romantic television actors.
David Miller brings 15 years of experience in global economics, personal finance strategy, and market dynamics. He specializes in turning complex economic trends into actionable insights for everyday readers.
