For Cheng Lei, his first trip to Indonesia was more than just a visit—it was a chance to finally meet the fans who have been following his journey through some of his most popular Chinese dramas.

The Chinese actor and iQIYI International Global Ambassador made a special appearance at iQIYI Starship 2026 in Jakarta, where he met and interacted with Indonesian fans at Gandaria City on Saturday, September 12, 2026.

The event is part of iQIYI’s global initiative to bring Chinese artists closer to fans around the world. For Indonesian fans, Cheng Lei’s appearance offered a rare opportunity to see the actor up close, while for Cheng Lei, it became a memorable introduction to Indonesia and its enthusiastic C-Drama community.

Cheng Lei Is Moved by the Warm Welcome

Cheng Lei admitted that he was excited to finally visit Indonesia and meet his fans in person.

“This is my first time coming to Indonesia, and I’m very happy to finally meet my fans here in person. I’ve heard a lot about Indonesia and the warm welcome from the fans, so I was really looking forward to this opportunity,” Cheng Lei said.

Being able to experience the enthusiasm of Indonesian fans firsthand made the visit particularly meaningful for him.

“I’m very happy to know that many fans in Indonesia have been following my work. Their support truly means a lot to me, and seeing their enthusiasm directly today makes me very happy. Thank you for always supporting me. I hope we can continue to share many wonderful moments together,” he added.

Fans from different parts of Indonesia attended the event, creating an energetic atmosphere throughout the day. Their enthusiasm also highlighted the growing international reach of Chinese dramas and the strong connection between C-Drama stars and audiences outside China.

Stories That Connect People Across Borders

As an iQIYI International Global Ambassador, Cheng Lei has had opportunities to meet fans from a wide range of countries and cultural backgrounds.

For the actor, those differences are not barriers. Instead, he believes stories can serve as a bridge connecting people who may speak different languages or come from completely different cultures.

“Being an iQIYI International Global Ambassador gives me the opportunity to get to know more fans from different countries. Even though we may speak different languages and have different cultures, the stories we enjoy together can become something that connects us,” Cheng Lei explained.

He hopes to continue sharing more stories and Asian productions with audiences around the world.

His appearance in Jakarta was a perfect example of that idea in action. A shared love for Chinese dramas brought Cheng Lei and Indonesian fans together, creating an intimate moment that went beyond the screen.

From Fan Letters to Bola Bekel

The iQIYI Starship event was not simply a traditional fan meeting.

Cheng Lei took part in several interactive activities designed to bring him closer to his Indonesian supporters. From playing a picture-guessing game to trying bola bekel, a traditional Indonesian game, the actor got the opportunity to experience a small part of local culture.

He also sampled Indonesian food and read fan letters during the event. The fan letters created one of the more heartfelt moments of the gathering, allowing supporters to share their messages directly with the actor.

The activities gave fans a glimpse of Cheng Lei’s more playful and relaxed side, while also making his first visit to Indonesia feel much more personal.

Cheng Lei Talks About His Beloved Cat, Natasha

Away from drama sets and red carpets, Cheng Lei also gave fans a glimpse into his life at home by talking about his beloved cat, Natasha.

When asked about his pet during the fan meeting, Cheng Lei described Natasha as affectionate when he is at home but independent when he goes to work.

“Natasha, first, when I’m at home, she really likes me. But when I go to work, she’s also very independent,” he said.

Despite his busy schedule, Cheng Lei tries to return home every day after finishing work so he can spend time with his furry companion.

“I go home every day. After I work, I go home, and I spend time with her. So it’s okay,” he said, adding that Natasha is quite comfortable with his routine.

The story quickly became another endearing moment between the actor and his fans, offering them a glimpse of the person behind the characters they see on screen.

Cheng Lei Indonesian Food Adventure Begins With Nasi Goreng

Cheng Lei’s first Indonesian food experience also got off to a promising start.

After arriving in Jakarta, the actor tried nasi goreng, one of Indonesia’s most iconic dishes, and apparently enjoyed it quite a bit.

“I tried nasi goreng yesterday, and I really liked the one with fried shrimp,” Cheng Lei told Kompas.com on Saturday.

He also enjoyed the fresh vegetables served with the dish. But nasi goreng was only the beginning of his Indonesian culinary adventure.

There was still one drink high on his list: Indonesian coffee.

“One thing I haven’t tried yet is coffee. Maybe later, when I have some time, I’ll try it,” he said.

Cheng Lei also expressed interest in exploring Jakarta, particularly its historic buildings, local snacks and other Indonesian specialties.

From A Familiar Stranger to International C-Drama Recognition

Born in Dongguan, Guangdong, China, on December 18, 1993, Cheng Lei began attracting wider attention after starring in the 2022 drama A Familiar Stranger.

His popularity continued to rise following his role as Gong Shangjue in My Journey to You in 2023. Since then, he has appeared in a growing list of productions, including Follow Your Heart, The Queen Attack, We Are Not Brothers, Legend of the Female General, Shadow Love, Footprints of Change and How Dare You!?.

Among his recent projects, How Dare You!? has become one of the titles that further strengthened his international profile.

The drama premiered on February 6, 2026, and remained in the iQIYI International Global Weekly C-Drama Top 10 for seven consecutive weeks, including four consecutive weeks at No. 1.

In the series, Cheng Lei plays Xiahou Dan, a character who crosses into another world and eventually becomes a tyrant. The contrasting elements of the role gave Cheng Lei another opportunity to demonstrate his versatility as an actor.

Shadow Love and the Challenge of Playing Three Characters

Another major title in Cheng Lei’s growing international portfolio is Shadow Love, which was released in 2025.

The drama remained in the Global Weekly C-Drama Top 10 for 12 consecutive weeks, highlighting its strong appeal among international viewers.

One of the most talked-about aspects of Cheng Lei’s performance was his portrayal of three different characters. Each character came with distinct personalities and backgrounds, allowing viewers to see the actor explore very different sides of his performance.

Meanwhile, Legend of the Female General also achieved a notable milestone by entering the iQIYI International Global C-Drama All-Time Top 10.

With his growing list of successful projects, Cheng Lei has become one of the Chinese actors attracting increasing attention from audiences outside China.

What’s Next for Cheng Lei?

The actor’s international journey is showing no signs of slowing down.

Fans are eagerly anticipating his upcoming projects, including The Lament of Autumn and The Leading Stars. These new titles add to a busy slate of projects as Cheng Lei continues to expand his presence among C-Drama audiences worldwide.

His growing international popularity also makes appearances such as iQIYI Starship increasingly meaningful. Events like the Jakarta gathering allow fans to connect with their favorite actors beyond the characters they watch on screen.

For Cheng Lei, his first Indonesian visit offered exactly that kind of connection.

From meeting fans and reading their heartfelt letters to playing a traditional Indonesian game, trying nasi goreng and talking about his beloved cat, Natasha, the actor’s Jakarta appearance was filled with memorable moments.

More importantly, it showed how stories can travel far beyond borders. A drama made in China can find an audience in Indonesia, and that shared love for storytelling can ultimately bring an actor and his fans together in the same room.

For Cheng Lei, the journey may have started with his first visit to Indonesia—but judging by the warm reception, it certainly did not feel like the last.