LayarHijau – Deng Kai is quickly becoming a name to watch following his breakout performance in the costume drama Pursuit of Jade (逐玉), starring Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwei. In the series, he plays the deranged prince Qi Min—a villainous character whose dark charisma has captivated viewers.
Thanks to this role, Deng Kai’s popularity has surged dramatically. Within just one week, his Weibo following increased by more than 500,000, with his name repeatedly trending on the platform.
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Interestingly, Qi Min was not originally meant to be his role. The actor initially cast for the character withdrew just before filming began. In a last-minute decision, the director brought Deng Kai in as a replacement. With limited time to prepare, he had to quickly absorb the character’s backstory and lines—yet his performance exceeded expectations, turning Qi Min into one of the most talked-about figures in the drama.
In Pursuit of Jade, Qi Min is the legitimate son of the late Crown Prince Chengde, who died tragically. After his father’s death, the political landscape shifts dramatically, forcing him to hide his identity and live as the son of Prince Changxin while plotting revenge. His traumatic childhood—including being burned in the Eastern Palace and witnessing his mother’s suicide—shapes his obsessive and unstable personality.
Despite his thirst for revenge, Qi Min also has a deeply emotional side. He searches for his concubine, Yu Qianqian (played by Kong Xue’er), who fled while pregnant with his child. Their intense relationship adds another layer of complexity that has drawn viewers in.
Although his screen time is relatively limited, Deng Kai leaves a strong impression with his striking silver-white hair and sharp, calculating expressions. His attention to detail—from subtle eye movements to the tension in his throat and even trembling fingertips—has been widely praised for capturing both the character’s cruelty and vulnerability. Many viewers described his performance as perfectly balanced: “not excessive, yet far from flat.”
His chemistry with Kong Xue’er has also sparked major buzz. Their intimate scenes, including a bathing sequence paired with a passionate kiss, went viral and trended online, further boosting their popularity.
Behind this sudden rise, Deng Kai’s journey in the industry has been far from easy. The 31-year-old actor has spent eight years building his career since debuting in 2018 with the historical political drama Secret of the Three Kingdoms (三国机密之潜龙在渊). A graduate of the Luxun Academy of Fine Arts, he initially started out as a model before transitioning into acting.
Over the years, he mostly took on supporting roles in popular dramas such as The Blood of Youth (少年歌行), Destined (长风渡), Immortal Ascension (仙台有树), Strange Tales of Tang Palace (唐宫奇案), and My Huckleberry Friends (暗恋橘生淮南).
Known for his dedication, Deng Kai once shaved his head during an audition for The Blood of Youth in hopes of landing a specific role, though he ultimately ended up playing a different character—a dark and obsessive prince.
Despite having both strong acting skills and visual appeal, Deng Kai spent years in the position of “hit dramas, but an underrecognized actor.” At one point, he reportedly had as little as 300 yuan left in his bank account.
Now, an unexpected opportunity in Pursuit of Jade has become a turning point in his career. His portrayal of Qi Min has not only brought him widespread recognition but also marked the end of his long journey as an overlooked actor—opening the door to a new chapter in his life and career in the entertainment industry.
