Recently, well-known Chinese actor Lei Jiaxin made public appearances at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament looking unkempt and noticeably heavier, quite a departure from his role as “Chen Junsheng” in the popular drama “The First Half of My Life.” This stark contrast in his appearance has sparked discussions among netizens, with related topics trending on social media platforms.
Photos and videos posted by netizens show Lei Jiaxin at the Shanghai Masters tournament sporting shoulder-length curly hair, a beard, circular glasses, and a visibly fuller face, presenting a casual and somewhat sloppy look. This unpolished “lazy uncle” image stands in sharp contrast to the clean-cut and elite “brother ex-husband” character he portrayed in “The First Half of My Life,” leading many netizens to jokingly dub him as the “transformed homeless man.”
Netizens were taken aback by the photos, with many exclaiming disbelief and urging Lei Jiaxin to revert back to his former on-screen persona of Chen Junsheng. Some even humorously remarked that his current appearance is starting to resemble the writer Liu Zhenyun.
Subsequently, in a reunion photo shared by the producer of “The First Half of My Life,” Huang Lan, Lei Jiaxin appeared with the same long hair, adopting a light-hearted and comical style. Huang Lan jokingly remarked that the long hair made Jiaxin appear lazy yet handsome.
Sources claiming to be familiar with the situation revealed that amidst the chill in the Chinese film and television industry, Lei Jiaxin has not been filming for almost half a year, opting for a phase of personal rest and leisure, without the need to meticulously manage his screen image. Consequently, he carries no burdens of stardom in his private life, living authentically and relaxed.
Many netizens speculate that this unique and rare appearance may be a deliberate transformation by Lei Jiaxin in preparation for an upcoming role in a new project, possibly involving weight gain and growing out his hair. However, neither Lei Jiaxin nor his team has publicly addressed this change in appearance, and there is no authoritative confirmation on whether his weight gain is intentional for a role.
Reports from mainland Chinese media indicate that as a renowned actor with prestigious accolades, Lei Jiaxin’s extended hiatus and unkempt appearance are largely influenced by the current macro-environment of the film and television industry in mainland China. The industry is currently undergoing a major reshuffle, with industry insiders revealing that the overall production volume of Chinese dramas in 2026 is only about 30% of previous years, as numerous projects remain stalled due to insufficient funding, including many top-tier projects facing midstream withdrawal or suspension.
Furthermore, there are reports of many top-tier celebrities in China experiencing substantial decreases in their remuneration from tens of millions to the million-level range, leading to an overall industry phenomenon of overworking and underpayment. Not only are many mid-level actors facing unemployment, but even middle-aged actors at the top of the pyramid are finding it challenging to secure high-quality projects with substantial investments, as the industry landscape has significantly shrunk compared to the booming period of past years.
Lei Jiaxin’s prolonged absence from filming reflects the tightening investment and diminishing quality projects in the Chinese film and television industry. Nevertheless, his ability to confidently embrace a relaxed and unpolished vibe showcases his strength and qualification as a top-tier actor in the Chinese entertainment industry, where he does not have to worry about survival anxieties and holds the authority to choose his scripts.