Ryan Cheng

Cheng Lei (Ryan Cheng / Cheng Lei), born Yang Huixiang on December 18, 1993, in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, entered the entertainment industry after graduating from the Environmental Design program at Hebei Academy of Fine Arts. Although academically trained in a specialized field, he was discovered by a director while serving as a background actor in a campus short film, leading to his first agency contract in 2017. In 2021, he established his personal brand and management entity, Cheng Lei Studio, transitioning to full autonomy over his career and branding.

His early appearances included youth web series such as Rules of Zoovenia and We Are Not Brothers, where lively character portrayals earned early fan recognition. In 2021, he starred in Mango TV’s web series The Queen of Attack, playing Emperor Jing Qing—an icy yet commanding character that marked a breakout role. That same year, he explored urban romance in My Husky Boyfriend, demonstrating versatility.

In 2022, he starred in the short web drama A Familiar Stranger as Xiao Hansheng, portraying a reserved yet emotionally rich persona that earned acclaim. He also participated in multiple web series, expanding his acting range. In 2023, his notable role in iQiyi’s costume strategy romance My Journey to You as Gong Shangjue displayed both dramatic depth and stage presence, significantly elevating his public profile. He also led the youth web drama Exploration Method of Love, further solidifying his fanbase and media attention.

In 2024, he took on cross-genre challenges with the modern short drama Follow Your Heart and the fantasy mini-series Fangs of Fortune. In 2025, he starred in the full-length period drama Legend of the Female General, portraying General Xiao Jue in a broadcast co-produced by Hunan TV and Tencent Video—a career milestone marked by breakout quality and exposure. His upcoming period dramas, including Shadow Love, How Are You?, Zu Ji, and Mo Li, continue his path toward stylistic breadth and script quality.

On the variety front, he has appeared in shows such as Youth Tour Season 4 and Begin Reasoning, and participated in high-profile events like Weibo Night and iQIYI Scream Night, emphasizing his visibility as a young talent. In 2024, he received awards such as “Breakthrough Actor of the Year” at Weibo Night and “Potential Actor of the Year” at iQIYI Scream Night, reflecting recognition of his skill and potential.

Standing at 181 cm with a background in art and science, Cheng Lei brings both aesthetic grace and analytical presence to his performances. He excels at conveying emotional nuance through subtle expressions and pacing. Whether playing a modern sunny youth or a brooding medieval general, his adaptability and growth in role portrayals are evident. If he continues to pursue diverse roles and extended productions, he is poised to become a mainstream male star in Chinese-language television and film.