Beijing, en.SERU.co.id — Just a year ago, Xu Peng was living the dream of many young actors. The 30-year-old, known for playing arrogant, domineering CEOs in China’s wildly popular micro-dramas, was shooting 15 to 16 hours a day at the peak of his fame in 2025. Now, in mid-2026, he’s back in his rural hometown in Shandong province, driving an electric family vehicle loaded with fresh vegetables to sell at the local traditional market.
The shift came after the explosive rise of artificial intelligence in the short-drama industry dramatically reduced acting opportunities. Once a staple of fast, addictive vertical content on platforms like Douyin, many productions are increasingly using AI-generated characters, virtual actors, and AI-assisted production tools, reducing demand for some acting roles and lowering production costs, slashing production costs.
“I may have changed professions, but I’m still the same person,” Xu Peng said calmly in a statement reported by outlets including CNA Lifestyle and The Straits Times.
A graduate of the prestigious Central Academy of Drama, Xu built his popularity on a winning formula: wealthy, overbearing bosses in romantic, high-stakes micro-dramas. But by early 2026, the landscape had shifted. After wrapping his last drama in March, new offers dried up almost completely.
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“AI-generated productions have severely affected his career,” reported VnExpress International and AsiaOne, echoing the actor’s own reflections.
Xu’s story is far from unique. The rapid adoption of AI has disrupted hundreds of thousands of jobs in China’s booming short-drama sector, which had become a major engine of quick, addictive entertainment.
A Viral Return to Roots
Footage and photos of Xu Peng loading and selling vegetables quickly went viral on Weibo and Xiaohongshu. Netizens in China and abroad praised his humility and grounded attitude, choosing honest manual work to support his family rather than waiting for the spotlight to return.
As of now, Xu has not announced whether he is leaving acting for good or simply taking a break while waiting for the industry to stabilize and new opportunities to emerge.
His graceful pivot has resonated widely, turning a personal career setback into an inspiring story of resilience in the face of technological disruption.
