29-year-old male actor from Qingdao retires and goes back to hometown to set up a stall, trends on social media

Recently, 29-year-old actor Xu Peng from Qingdao made a public statement on social media announcing his decision to step back from the entertainment industry and take over his grandfather’s stall at the local market, who is in his 80s. On April 14th, the news of “Actor Retires and Returns to Hometown to Run Market Stall” trended on Weibo, sparking widespread discussion and debate.

Xu Peng graduated from the Performance Department of the Central Academy of Drama and has appeared in a total of 16 film and television works since his debut in 2018.

Regarding his decision to leave the industry, Xu Peng revealed in a video that he was deeply hurt by the hidden rules of the industry, did not want to compromise, and wanted to live life for himself at the age of 29.

According to blogger “Entertainment Xiaochunmei,” during the filming of a period drama, Xu Peng refused a “special service” request from the assistant director of the production team, resulting in his role being cut down temporarily, appearing only as a silhouette in the final cut.

“In one audition, the producer directly said, ‘Accompanying drinks can get you into the production team,’ these kinds of things are too common in the industry,” Xu Peng revealed in an interview, disclosing that after refusing to adhere to the industry’s hidden rules, he was marginalized. He spent three months continuously sending out 20 resumes per day, but only received three extra roles invitations.

In March 2025, after finishing his final scene, Xu Peng decisively terminated his contract with the talent agency. In his retirement video, he candidly admitted, “The ‘survival rules’ of the entertainment industry suffocate me. Instead of waiting for opportunities while eating a $2 meal in Hengdian, I’d rather go home and sell real ‘honest goods’.”

On April 5th, Xu Peng officially began his career as a market stall owner.

Commenting on the matter, entertainment creator “Gossip Nest” stated that Xu Peng’s transformation from an unknown supporting role actor to a market stall owner facing price bargaining not only signifies a personal turning point but also reflects a facet of the entertainment industry ecosystem and the era. Data from 2024 shows that over 60% of the more than 200,000 registered actors nationwide are experiencing income declines, with monthly earnings of under 3000 yuan for low-level actors.

However, Xu Peng’s choice is not unique. In March this year, news of 26-year-old Fei Yu dropping out of the Public Health Department of Fudan University and selling mashed potatoes at a stall in Chengdu also sparked discussions online.

According to the latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics of the People’s Republic of China, by the end of 2024, the number of flexible employees in China had exceeded 200 million, with the majority being individuals under the age of 35. In this scenario, more and more young people are beginning to pursue a “low-desire lifestyle.” Career planner Wang Lin analyzed, “From seeking the spotlight to seeking inner peace, this is an inevitable choice amidst the intensified job competition.”