AI Quits His Acting Career – Now This Chinese Actor Sells Vegetables At Local Market | Today’s news
The Chinese actor temporarily left the entertainment industry. His reason? The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI). According to several local media reports, Xu Peng, who has established himself in China’s short drama industry, is now selling vegetables at a local market in his hometown.
According to CNA Lifestyle, the 30-year-old Central Academy of Drama graduate rose to fame playing a stereotypical arrogant CEO in short dramas.
He previously appeared in TV series, but switched to short dramas during the micro-drama boom in China in 2025 after fans encouraged him to make the move.
This decision proved successful and his performances helped him secure a number of lead roles in short dramas. At the height of his career, he reportedly shot 15 to 16 hours a day to keep up with his busy shooting schedule.
Its success was short-lived, however, as the rapid rise of AI-generated productions reshaped the industry.
CNA Lifestyle reported that approximately 128,000 short dramas were released in the first quarter of 2026, of which nearly 122,000 were created using artificial intelligence. This meant that AI-produced titles accounted for more than 95 percent of all new releases in the period.
The rapid shift to AI-generated content brought Xu Peng’s acting career to an abrupt halt. After finishing his last short drama earlier this year, he left Hengdian in Zhejiang province, widely considered the center of China’s film and television industry, and returned to his hometown in rural Shandong.
Xu Peng has since started working at the local market, where he helps his grandfather sell vegetables. Once a familiar face on screen, he now drives the family’s electric vehicle to the market and spends his days selling fresh produce.
His return surprised some relatives while several fans visited the market to meet him and have their photos taken with him.
“Being an actor is just a profession”
Despite the dramatic career change, Chinese media reported that Xu Peng remained optimistic.
“Being an actor is simply a profession. If there are no acting jobs, I will find another way to support myself. As long as I make an honest living through my own hard work, there is no obstacle I cannot overcome,” he said.
He added that he does not see his current situation as a complete retirement from the entertainment industry.
“Even if my profession changes, I’m still the same person,” he said.
Xu Peng’s experience reflects a broader trend in China’s entertainment sector, where the rapid adoption of short-form AI-generated dramas has disrupted employment across the industry.
