Hundreds of Indonesian fans screamed with excitement as Cheng Lei made his highly anticipated first appearance in Jakarta.

The Main Atrium at Gandaria City, South Jakarta, turned into a sea of cheers on Saturday, September 12, 2026, when Chinese drama star Cheng Lei, also known as Ryan Cheng, arrived to meet his Indonesian fans.

The How Dare You!? star was in Jakarta for iQIYI Starship 2026, and judging by the crowd, fans had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

Even before the fan meeting officially started at 2 p.m., hundreds of fans had already packed the venue from around 1 p.m. Many came armed with banners, photos and other fan-made items dedicated to their favorite actor.

And when Cheng Lei finally appeared, the wait was more than worth it.

The Moment Cheng Lei Appeared, Jakarta Screamed

The anticipation reached its peak at around 2:15 p.m.

Cheng Lei appeared from the upper floor and descended on an escalator located right beside the stage. The second fans spotted him, the entire atrium erupted.

Cheers and excited screams filled the mall as Cheng Lei smiled and waved at the crowd before briefly heading backstage for his final preparations.

But fans did not have to wait long.

When the stage screen moved and Cheng Lei appeared again, the screams became even louder. He greeted fans with his signature smile and waved toward every corner of the venue, including fans on both sides of the stage and those watching from the upper levels.

For the crowd, seeing Cheng Lei in person was a completely different experience from watching him on screen.

Cheng Lei Was Clearly Touched by His Indonesian Fans

During the fan meeting, Cheng Lei opened up about his feelings after experiencing the overwhelming welcome.

Speaking through an interpreter, the actor admitted that he never expected his work to become so popular among viewers around the world.

“I’m incredibly happy because I never imagined that my work could be loved by people around the world. It’s amazing,” Cheng Lei said.

The international response to his dramas has apparently become a major source of motivation for him.

“As a way of expressing my gratitude, I want to give everyone even better work in the future,” he added.

For Indonesian fans, the moment was especially meaningful. Many have followed Cheng Lei through dramas including A Familiar Stranger, My Journey to You, Legend of the Female General, Shadow Love and How Dare You!?

Now, instead of seeing him through a screen, they were cheering for him from just a few meters away.

Cheng Lei Wants to Explore Jakarta—and Try More Indonesian Food

It turns out Cheng Lei was not only excited to meet his fans. He was also curious about Jakarta itself.

The actor said he wanted to explore the city, visit its historic buildings and take plenty of photos.

“Since I’m in Jakarta, I want to look around because Jakarta has many historic buildings. I want to visit those places, take photos, and try Indonesian snacks and local food,” he said.

His enthusiasm for Indonesian food also became one of the charming highlights of his visit.

During his time in Jakarta, Cheng Lei had the opportunity to sample local treats and dishes, giving fans another glimpse into his personality outside his acting career.

And judging by his reaction, Indonesian cuisine seems to have made a good first impression.

From C-Drama Heartthrob to Global Star

Cheng Lei has steadily built his name in the C-Drama world over the past few years.

Born in Dongguan, Guangdong, China, on December 18, 1993, he first gained attention through the 2022 drama A Familiar Stranger.

His popularity grew significantly after he portrayed Gong Shangjue in the 2023 hit My Journey to You. Since then, he has appeared in several notable productions, including Legend of the Female General, Shadow Love and How Dare You!?

His role in How Dare You!? further strengthened his international profile, while Shadow Love allowed audiences to see another side of his acting through a challenging multi-character performance.

With an increasingly global fanbase, Cheng Lei has become one of the Chinese actors attracting attention far beyond the domestic C-Drama market.

One Afternoon, Hundreds of Happy Fans

The iQIYI Starship fan meeting eventually wrapped up with more games and interactions between Cheng Lei and his fans.

But the excitement did not disappear when the event ended.

For Indonesian fans, Cheng Lei’s first visit to Jakarta was a chance to turn their online fandom into a real-life experience. For the actor, it was an opportunity to finally see the faces behind the messages, comments and support he has received from Indonesia.

And perhaps that was the most special part of the day.

Cheng Lei came to Jakarta as a C-Drama star.

He left having experienced the unmistakable enthusiasm of Indonesian fans—complete with deafening screams, endless smiles and plenty of love.

Jakarta definitely gave Cheng Lei a welcome to remember.