Chinese actor Cheng Lei brought excitement to Indonesian C-Drama fans as he arrived in Jakarta for iQIYI Starship 2026 on Saturday, September 12, 2026.

The actor, who also serves as an iQIYI International Global Ambassador, has become a familiar face among C-Drama audiences through popular titles such as Legend of the Female General and Shadow Love. More recently, he starred in How Dare You!?, one of iQIYI’s highly popular dramas and a title that reached the top of the platform’s global C-Drama chart.

During his Jakarta visit, Cheng Lei met with the media and opened up about his experiences portraying different characters, the challenges that come with each role, his excitement about exploring Indonesia, and his upcoming project The Leading Star.

Every Character Comes With a Different Challenge

For Cheng Lei, there is no single formula for preparing for a role. Every character demands a different approach, depending on the story and the skills required.

He explained that physical roles, for example, require extensive preparation and training.

“If the role involves kung fu, then we have to train in kung fu so we can perform the character well,” Cheng Lei said.

However, he emphasized that acting challenges are not limited to physically demanding scenes. Romantic stories, for instance, can require actors to explore deeper emotions, particularly when portraying moments of heartbreak.

“If it’s a romantic story and the character is heartbroken, that also requires deep acting,” he explained.

Because of this, Cheng Lei believes that every character presents its own unique challenge. Preparation is essential to ensure that he can portray each role convincingly while staying true to the story and emotions that the production wants to convey.

“In fact, every character I play has its own challenges,” he said.

His approach highlights the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes of C-Dramas—whether an actor is learning physical skills for an action sequence or digging deeper into the emotional world of a romantic character.

Cheng Lei Wants to Explore Jakarta—and Its Food

While his main purpose for visiting Jakarta was to meet fans, Cheng Lei also had another goal: exploring the city and trying Indonesian food.

He said he was interested in seeing Jakarta’s historic buildings and sampling local snacks and dishes during his stay.

“I heard that Jakarta has many historic buildings. I want to see those historic buildings and try Indonesian snacks and restaurants,” Cheng Lei said during his fan meeting at Gandaria City Mall.

He even got an early taste of Indonesian cuisine during the event, sampling lemper, klepon, beras kencur jamu, and luwak coffee.

And his verdict on lemper?

“Very delicious. Because I like rice and chicken,” said the actor, who was born in Guangdong on December 18, 1993.

His curiosity about Indonesian food added another charming element to his first trip to Jakarta, especially as fans introduced him to some of the country’s traditional flavors.

Cheng Lei Is Surprised by His Growing International Fanbase

Cheng Lei’s popularity has continued to expand internationally over the past few years.

He first gained recognition through the 2022 short drama A Familiar Stranger and became even more widely known after playing Gong Shangjue in the 2023 drama My Journey to You.

He subsequently appeared in productions including Legend of the Female General, Shadow Love, and Footprints of Change, further strengthening his presence among C-Drama viewers.

Despite his growing international recognition, Cheng Lei admitted that he never expected his work to reach and resonate with audiences around the world.

“I never imagined that my work could become something people around the world would enjoy. It’s amazing,” he said.

For Cheng Lei, that international support also comes with a sense of responsibility. He promised to continue working hard and delivering better projects for his fans.

“As a way of saying thank you, I will continue to bring better works to all of you,” he added.

What to Expect From The Leading Star

During his Jakarta appearance, Cheng Lei also gave fans a glimpse of his upcoming project, The Leading Star.

According to the actor, the project will take viewers on a journey through China while showcasing some of the country’s beautiful landscapes and tourist destinations.

Cheng Lei hopes the combination of an engaging story and breathtaking scenery will make the project appealing to audiences, including his fans in Indonesia.

“I believe The Leading Star will definitely be highly anticipated by all of you, because China has so many beautiful tourist destinations,” he said.

In the project, Cheng Lei plays a captain, while the female lead portrays a tour guide. The two characters embark on a journey together, encountering various experiences along the way.

Their journey becomes an important part of the story while also allowing viewers to discover different destinations and scenic locations across China.

“They go through many experiences together while enjoying the scenery. The story also introduces the beautiful tourist destinations in China, and all of that is brought into this film,” Cheng Lei explained.

With travel, romance and breathtaking scenery woven into the story, The Leading Star offers another opportunity for Cheng Lei to explore a different kind of character and narrative.

A Memorable First Visit to Jakarta

Cheng Lei’s trip to Indonesia was part of the iQIYI Starship 2026 series of events. Following his press conference, he met Indonesian fans at a special gathering at Gandaria City.

For the actor, being able to experience the enthusiasm of Indonesian fans firsthand was one of the highlights of his visit.

“I’m really happy to be here in Jakarta today. I’m so happy to meet friends who have welcomed me with such enthusiasm,” Cheng Lei said.

More than simply meeting fans, he hoped the occasion would create a lasting memory for everyone involved.

“I hope today we can create an unforgettable memory between you and me,” he said.

And judging by the warm reception from Indonesian fans, Cheng Lei’s first Jakarta visit appears to have done exactly that.

From talking about the challenges behind his roles and teasing The Leading Star to tasting traditional Indonesian snacks, his Jakarta appearance offered fans a closer look at the actor beyond the characters they see on screen.

For Cheng Lei, it was a new destination. For Indonesian fans, it was a chance to finally welcome one of their favorite C-Drama stars home—even if only for a day.