A Chinese singer-songwriter currently on a concert tour, Xue Zhiqian, recently announced in the preview of the third season of the variety show “Music Fate Plan” that he intends to retire in six years. This announcement has caught the attention of his fans, sparking both interest and a sense of loss among them.
At 44 years old, Xue reflected on the passage of time during the program, stating, “I have six years left until retirement.” In fact, he had mentioned the idea of retiring at the age of 50 during a live stream two years ago. However, most fans perceived it as a joke at the time. With this new formal announcement on the show, it is evident that he has a concrete plan in place, leaving fans astonished by the revelation.
Xue Zhiqian explained that his retirement plans are motivated by a desire to witness more exceptional original musicians rise to prominence in the Chinese music industry before he steps down completely from the stage and retreats into the background.
Media and fans speculate that the “retirement” he refers to is unlikely to mean a total departure from the music scene. Instead, it is more likely to signify an end to the intense demands of frontline work, including the cessation of large-scale concert tours. In the future, he may shift his focus toward behind-the-scenes single songwriting and music production, or even occasionally hold small meet-and-greet events.
Xue made his debut as a singer in 2005 and gained widespread fame in 2015 with his song “Actor.” Since then, he has released numerous popular tracks, such as “Ugly” and “What Do You Want Me to Do,” earning him considerable acclaim.
Known as a top-tier streaming artist in the Chinese music scene, his songs have garnered over 100 billion plays across various platforms, and he boasts more than 20 million followers. Notably, he is the only male artist in the Chinese music world to have completed over 100 stadium-level concert tours in a single cycle.
Within the landscape of pop music across Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China, Xue challenges the traditional biases that portray the region as predominantly controlled by Taiwanese and Hong Kong artists, with mainland artists leaning more toward folk rock. He not only has a prolific output himself but has also been actively promoting and supporting original music newcomers through programs like “Music Fate Plan.” His increasing role behind the scenes as a bridge between generations in the music industry is becoming more pronounced.
The day after the preview aired, Xue Zhiqian’s “King of Beasts” tour arrived in Xiamen. During an interactive segment, fans cried out to him: “You said you would retire at 50, but we hope you can sing until you’re 100!” Struggling with emotion, Xue responded, “I will try my best. I know your intentions; I will take care of my body. If I can no longer sing, I won’t. But while I can sing, I will do my utmost.”
Earlier reports indicated that to maintain the signature white-haired look for the “King of Beasts” tour, Xue underwent repeated high-intensity hair bleaching before performances, which led to chemical burns on his scalp. The distressing images of his damaged scalp even trended on Weibo at one point.
Though Xue Zhiqian debuted as a singer in 2005, it wasn’t until 2015, when his humorous posts on Weibo captivated a wide audience, that the public once again took notice of his singing career. Coming from a modest background, he reflected on his childhood experiences, stating, “When I was young, I thought the world was very unfair. Later, I realized that the world is indeed unfair. But that unfairness is a good thing; it makes you work harder.”