Lance Joseph Martinez

Inside the Personal Lives of Chinese Drama Stars: Hobbies and Interests

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<p>Celebrities, particularly Chinese stars, are known for their packed schedules, especially now as <strong>Chinese dramas</strong> continue to enjoy a global resurgence and dominate online conversations across various platforms.</p><p>With their growing popularity, many fans have become curious about how these actors spend their time away from the spotlight. Despite their demanding careers, these celebrities make room for activities that help them unwind, pursue personal passions, and maintain a balanced lifestyle beyond filming sets and promotional events.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781139080422[image] - 617658.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Wang Yibo during Asia Road Racing 2019 | Photo from @yibo.w_85</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>From adrenaline-filled adventures and sports to creative pursuits and simple leisure activities, these hobbies offer a glimpse into a different side of their lives—one that fans rarely get to see on screen.</p><p>With that,<strong> here’s a closer look at some Chinese drama actors and the hobbies and interests that keep them busy when the cameras stop rolling.</strong></p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Ao Ruipeng</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781132403388[image] - 6615950.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @ao.ruipeng1995</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Born on October 6, 1995, in Chongqing, Ao Ruipeng is now 30 years old and has steadily built a name for himself as one of China’s rising stars. He gained widespread recognition through his standout performances in the hit dramas <strong><em>The Blood of Youth</em></strong> and <strong><em>Moonlight Mystique</em></strong>, both of which are regarded among the most defining projects of his career.</p><p>Away from the spotlight, Ao Ruipeng showcases a more artistic and adventurous side. The actor is known to enjoy <strong>traveling</strong>, expressing his creativity through <strong>painting</strong> a</p><p>nd staying active by playing <strong>basketball</strong>.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Deng Kai</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781132553049ab5815adgy1idbxi2q43qj21w02ioqv7.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from Weibo: @邓凯-Kai</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Born on February 8, 1995, in Dalian, Liaoning, China, Deng Kai gained widespread attention for his portrayal of Qi Min, also known as Sui Yuanhuai, the fan-dubbed <strong>“walking red flag”</strong> in the hit Chinese drama <strong><em>Pursuit of Jade.</em></strong></p><p>Beyond acting, Deng Kai possesses a strong artistic background. He studied <strong>Visual Communication Design </strong>at <strong>Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts</strong>, where he developed exceptional sketching skills and showcased his talent in <strong>visual arts. </strong>Adding to his diverse skill set, the actor also has formal training in <strong>martial</strong> <strong>arts</strong>.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Dylan Wang</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781132706270[image] - 3784990.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Dylan Wang with his basketball idol, Stephen Curry of Golden State Warriors | Photo from @warriors</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>At 27 years old, Wang Hedi, internationally known as Dylan Wang, has become one of China’s most recognizable young stars. Born in Sichuan, China, the actor shot to fame with his breakout role as Daoming Si in <strong><em>Meteor Garden</em></strong>, which also marked his acting debut.</p><p>When he’s not busy filming, Dylan enjoys spending his downtime pursuing a variety of interests. The actor is known for his love of <strong>music</strong>, <strong>basketball</strong>, <strong>fitness</strong>, and <strong>travel</strong>, often embracing an active lifestyle whenever he gets a break from the spotlight.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Hu Yi Tian</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781132873448[image] - 4685109.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @hu_yitian</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Hu Yitian, at the age of 32, has established himself as one of China’s most beloved actors. Born in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, he rose to widespread fame through his breakout role as Jiang Chen in the hit 2017 web drama <strong><em>A Love So Beautiful</em></strong><em></em><em>.</em><em></em><strong><em></em></strong></p><p>Beyond his acting career, Hu Yitian has a creative side shaped by his academic background. He studied <strong>Landscape Architecture </strong>at <strong>Hangzhou Wanxiang Polytechnic</strong>, a field that helped spark his interest in <strong>crafting</strong>. During his downtime, the actor enjoys exploring his passion for <strong>cooking</strong>, while also staying active through one of his favorite hobbies, playing <strong>basketball</strong>.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Lin Yi</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781138494960[image] - 8313305.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @iam_linyi</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Born on January 11, 1999, in Hebei, China, Lin Yi first captured widespread attention after starring as Gu Wei Yi in the romantic comedy web series <strong><em>Put Your Head on My Shoulder</em></strong>, adapted from Zhao Qianqian’s novel of the same name. </p><p>With an academic background from<strong> Beijing Sport University</strong>, where he majored in <strong>Dancesport</strong>, Lin Yi has long nurtured a strong passion for <strong>dancing</strong>. Outside of acting, he also enjoys <strong>swimming, basketball</strong>,<strong> </strong>and<strong> reading comic books</strong>.<strong></strong></p><div style="text-align:left"><strong></strong></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Li Xian</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781132315730[image] - 3279385.jpeg" style="width:700px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @mr.lixian</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Hubei-born actor Li Xian, 34, rose to widespread popularity after starring in the 2019 esports romance comedy series<strong><em> Go Go Squid!,</em></strong> which significantly boosted his mainstream recognition.</p><p>Off-screen, Li enjoys spending his downtime <strong>underwater</strong> <strong>diving</strong> and <strong>swimming</strong>, while also pursuing his passion for <strong>travel</strong> and <strong>photography</strong>.<strong></strong></p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Song Weilong</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781138610000[image] - 9193625.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @songsongswl</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Born in Dalian, Liaoning, China, Song Weilong has carved out a name for himself as a versatile leading man in Chinese television dramas, earning recognition for his standout performances in hits such as the record-breaking workplace romance <strong><em>Shine on Me </em></strong>and the critically praised family drama <strong><em>Go Ahead</em></strong><em></em><em>.</em><em></em><strong><em></em></strong></p><p>Off-screen, Song maintains a more introspective side, with a strong interest in <strong>reading</strong>, <strong></strong>particularly <strong>novels</strong> and <strong>fantasy</strong><strong> wuxia literature</strong>.<strong></strong> He is also known to have trained in various <strong>martial arts</strong> disciplines.</p><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Wang Yibo</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781138735539[image] - 7360492.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Wang Yibo during Asia Road Racing 2019 | Photo from @yibo.w_85</span></span></span></strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781687842619[image] - 7040765.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Wang Yibo wearing blue racing gear | Photo from @yibo.w_85</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Henan-born 28-year-old actor Wang Yibo has built a dynamic career across multiple genres, appearing in wuxia epics, historical mysteries, and modern spy thrillers. His breakout global success came in<strong><em> The Untamed</em></strong><em></em><em>,</em><em></em><strong><em></em></strong> where he portrayed the composed and righteous cultivator Lan Wangji.</p><p>Beyond acting, Wang Yibo is equally known for his high-energy lifestyle and diverse passions. He is deeply involved in <strong>professional motorcycle racing</strong> and <strong>skateboarding</strong>, while also exploring interests such as <strong>breakdancing</strong>,<strong> video games</strong>,<strong></strong> and occasional extreme sports like <strong>rock climbing</strong>.<strong></strong></p><div><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Xu Kai</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781138860981[image] - 2322878.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @sosoalive7</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Guangdong-born actor Xu Kai, 31, has emerged as one of China’s most recognizable leading men. He first gained widespread attention for his breakthrough role in the 2018 hit historical drama <strong><em>Story of Yanxi Palace</em></strong>, which propelled him into mainstream fame.</p><p>Outside of acting, Xu Kai leads a balanced and relatively active lifestyle. His hobbies include<strong> reading</strong>,<strong> watching films</strong>,<strong> cycling</strong>, and playing <strong>basketball</strong>. During his leisure time, he also enjoys <strong>traveling</strong>, <strong></strong>often choosing beach destinations as a way to relax and unwind.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong>Zhang Linghe</strong><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781138954000[image] - 8819871.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @zhanglinghe__1230</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Jiangsu-born actor Zhang Linghe has continued to expand his rising profile across both domestic and international audiences, with a string of notable projects in recent years.</p><p>In 2025, he gained increased global attention after portraying He Suye, a traditional Chinese medicine doctor in the modern romance drama <strong><em>The Best Thing</em></strong>. By March 2026, Zhang took on the role of Xie Zheng in the historical romance series <strong><em>Pursuit of Jade. </em></strong>The drama achieved strong digital performance, recording heat indexes surpassing 31,000 on <strong>Tencent</strong> and 10,000 on <strong>iQIYI</strong> within its first week, and even debuted at No. 6 on <strong>Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non-English Shows chart</strong>.<strong></strong></p><p>Outside of acting, Zhang brings a distinctly multifaceted background to his public image. Despite holding a degree in <strong>Electrical Engineering</strong>, he maintains a wide range of interests that span both creative and technical fields, including <strong>online gaming</strong>, <strong>playing musical instruments</strong>,<strong></strong> and exploring topics related to <strong>aerospace</strong> and <strong>physics</strong>. He&#x27;s also into <strong>photography</strong> and collects cameras!</p><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>@zhanglinghe__1230 </strong>and<strong> @iam_linyi</strong></p>

<p>From adrenaline-fueled adventures and creative passions to quiet leisure pursuits, these hobbies reveal a rarely seen side of Chinese drama actors when the cameras stop rolling.</p>

From adrenaline-fueled adventures and creative passions to quiet leisure pursuits, these hobbies reveal a rarely seen side of Chinese drama actors when the cameras stop rolling.

Inside the Personal Lives of Chinese Drama Actors: Their Hobbies and Interests

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Inside the Personal Lives of Chinese Drama Actors: Their Hobbies and Interests

Lance Joseph Martinez

Published June 17, 2026 04:40 PM PHT

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Updated June 17, 2026 05:18 PM PHT

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Zhang Linghe

Lin Yi

Song Weilong

Deng Kai

Xu Kai

Wang Yibo

Li Xian

Hu Yi Tian

Dylan Wang

Ao Ruipeng

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