On October 18, mainland Chinese actress Zhou Xun celebrated her 50th birthday. Her studio posted a congratulatory message exactly at midnight. Zhou Xun’s longtime friend Chen Kun also posted online: “You, the beautiful soul, happy birthday!” This marks the 15th year that Chen Kun has posted to congratulate Zhou Xun on her birthday.
In August 2023, paparazzi revealed that Chen Kun has two children, sparking discussions among netizens. On the same afternoon, Chen Kun responded to the rumors of him being married to Zhou Xun, saying, “I can respond both to the recent outlandish news. I am very close friends with Zhou Xun, but we are not married.”
The identity of the mother of Chen Kun’s children has been a mystery in the entertainment industry. Despite various speculations over the years, Chen Kun has remained silent. While there were rumors linking Zhou Xun as a possible mother of the children, over time, these speculations gradually faded as indications suggested that this secret may not be related to Zhou Xun.
Chen Kun and Zhou Xun, both talented actors, first met in 2000 while filming the TV series “Like Mist, Like Rain, Like Wind”. They later collaborated on several other TV series and films such as “The Banquet” and “Painted Skin”. They share common interests, mutual respect, often go shopping or have tea together, and occasionally gather for chats or participate in charity events.
Although they were once rumored to be a couple, Chen Kun publicly stated in an interview that he would not date anyone from the entertainment industry. The relationship between Chen Kun and Zhou Xun is often labeled as “more than friends, but not quite lovers”. There is a widely circulated saying online that goes, “There exists a kind of friendship in this world called Chen Kun and Zhou Xun!”
In public appearances, they often display an extraordinary intimacy and understanding. On set, the crew would refer to Zhou Xun as “Brother Xun”, showcasing her stature. However, when spoken by Chen Kun, Zhou Xun becomes “Little Xun”, with a gentle and affectionate tone.
Zhou Xun, who has been in the entertainment industry for over 30 years, rose to fame in 1998 for her role as the “Princess Taiping” in the TV series “The Palace of Desire”. She has won numerous awards, including Golden Horse and Hong Kong Film Awards, and has been dubbed the “Queen of Chinese-language Cinema”. On June 28 of this year, at the 29th Shanghai Television Festival, Zhou Xun won the Best Actress award for her performance in “The Imperfect Victim”.
From the Weibo accounts of Zhou Xun and Chen Kun, it is evident that not only does Chen Kun never miss wishing Zhou Xun on her birthday, but he also ensures to comfort her immediately with messages like “You are the best, no doubt” whenever she misses an award at a ceremony.