Love ‘The Untamed’? Here’s everything to know about Xiao Zhan
We couldn’t be the only ones who immediately needed to know everything there is to know about Xiao Zhan (肖战 ) after watching The Untamed. He stole our hearts as Wei Wuxian, and we couldn’t wait to see everything else he’s been in.
Lucky for us, the 28-year-old actor and singer has been a big deal in China for the past five years. We can’t wait to tell you what he’s been up to.
The basics
Xiao Zhan was born in Chongqing, China on October 5, 1991. He’s a Libra, a sign known for their thoughtfulness, kindness, and patience. As a child, Xiao Zhan studied drawing and the violin. His artistic skills enabled him to attend the Modern International Art Design Academy of CTBU (Chongqing Technology and Business University).
While at University, Xiao Zhan studied design. By his second year, he and his friend started their own design studio, taking on small projects like logos, Visual Identity design, and photography. He was also on the choir team, winning awards like Top 10 Best Singers on Campus and Top 10 Best Singers of Chongqing – busy guy!
Upon graduating, Xiao Zhan first worked as a photographer and graphic designer before his big break in 2015.
Xiao Zhan’s reality television and music debut
Xiao Zhan first made his mark as a contestant in the reality show X-Fire jointly produced by EE Media, Tencent Video, and SM Entertainment. There he trained to be a pop star alongside 15 other trainees and won a part on the show’s idol group X NINE.
It was through X-Fire that Xiao Zhan first performed on stage at the 2016 Zhejiang TV New Year Concert, where he sang the single “Freeze” as well as the theme song “Be A Man” alongside his teammates. X NINE put out their first mini-album X Jiu in September 2016.
Xiao Zhan’s acting career begins
Xiao Zhan quickly catapulted his reality television star power into an acting career, picking up the lead role in the fantasy web drama Super Star Academy, also produced by Tencent Video. Later that same year, he earned a minor role in the time-travel romance drama Shuttle Love Millennium.
In 2018, Xiao Zhan was able to combine his two major talents by creating songs for the soundtracks of two different shows he appeared in. In historical romance web drama Oh! My Emperor, Xiao Zhan starred as Beitang Moran and sang “Stepping on Shadows”. For the fantasy action drama Battle Through the Heavens, Xiao Zhan played Lin Xiuya, and sang the title song with X NINE members Wu Jiacheng, Peng Chuyue & Gu Jiacheng.
Xiao Zhan becomes an international star
Xiao Zhan’s previous success pales in comparison to the attention he earned after starring in The Untamed, based on the novel Mo Dao Zu Shi. Alongside his co-star Wang Yibo, Xiao Zhan reached superstar status and became one of the most in-demand endorsers.
Everything he touches seems to turn to gold, and his endorsements range from everyday beverages and washing products to jewelry and fashion magazines; with most of them breaking their previous sales record. Forbes China listed Xiao Zhan on their 30 Under 30 Asia 2019 list, and he was named the promotional ambassador for the Beijing Television Spring Gala 2020.
Not letting fame get to his head
By all accounts, Xiao Zhan has managed to keep himself grounded despite his sudden burst into international stardom. He’s often caught performing random acts of kindness, holding open doors and carrying strangers’ suitcases. While Xiao Zhan’s fashion choices are almost always newsworthy, he definitely gives off the impression that he’s just a quiet guy who wants to be at home with his cat, Nut.
