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Chinese actor now sells vegetables at market after AI dries up acting jobs

The Straits Times

July 06, 2026

Chinese actor Xu Peng has put his showbiz career on hold and returned to his home town in rural Shandong, where he is now selling vegetables at a local market.

Chinese actor now sells vegetables at market after AI dries up acting jobs

The 30-year-old, who found fame through China’s thriving vertical short-drama industry, recently revealed that the rapid rise of artificial intelligence-generated productions has severely affected his acting career.

Xu said that after wrapping up his last drama in March, acting offers all but dried up, prompting him to return home and help with the family business.

This story is from the July 06, 2026 edition of The Straits Times.

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