Overseasidol.com — In a move that has caught widespread attention, 29-year-old actor Xu Peng from Qingdao recently announced via social media his decision to leave the entertainment industry.
He return to his hometown to take over his elderly grandfather’s market stall.
On April 14, the retirement news quickly climbed to the top of Weibo’s trending list, sparking heated discussions online.
Xu Peng graduated from the Central Academy of Drama with a degree in acting. Since his debut in 2018, he has appeared in 16 film and television projects.
In a video statement explaining his decision, Xu revealed deep disillusionment with the hidden rules of the industry.
He said he no longer wished to compromise his principles and wanted to live authentically at the age of 29.
According to entertainment blogger “Yule Xiaozhu Mei,” Xu faced a difficult experience while filming a historical drama.
After refusing inappropriate advances from an assistant director, his role was drastically reduced, and he only appeared as a silhouette.
In an interview, Xu further disclosed that during an audition, a producer bluntly told him that drinking companionship would guarantee a role an offer he declined.
As a result of standing his ground, he found himself marginalized, submitting 20 resumes a day for three consecutive months but only receiving three minor background roles.
In March 2025, after completing what would be his final scene, Xu terminated his contract with his agency.
In his farewell video, he remarked that the entertainment industry’s “rules for survival” were suffocating.
He concluded it was better to return home and sell honest goods than to wait endlessly for roles while eating 15-yuan boxed meals in Hengdian.
Xu officially began his new journey as a market vendor on April 5.
His decision reflects a broader trend within China’s entertainment landscape. Commentator “Bagua Xiaowo” noted that Xu’s shift from obscure supporting roles to a bargaining stall owner is symbolic of the challenges faced by many in the industry.
As of 2024, data shows that among 200,000 registered actors in China, over 60% have seen their incomes fall, with many earning less than 3,000 yuan per month (about 411 USD).
Xu is not alone. In March, a similar story went viral when 26-year-old Fei Yu dropped out of Fudan University’s public health program to sell mashed potatoes in Chengdu.