LayarHijau— The Chinese entertainment industry in 2026 is witnessing a surge where supporting actors are “flipping the table” and stealing the spotlight from the leads. This phenomenon is vividly seen in the urban romance Love Between Lines, where Dai Xu delivered a high-tension performance without a single line in a pivotal elevator scene. Similarly, the historical fantasy Pursuit of Jade, which currently leads the 2026 popularity charts, has successfully launched the careers of Deng Kai and Kong Xueer, as well as an entire ensemble of male actors known as the Pursuit of Jade Boy Group, creating a massive wave of internet engagement.
The primary reason for this shift in popularity lies in the audience’s evolving preference for character depth over star billing. Viewers increasingly find that supporting roles are often written with more experimental flair and complex backstories, whereas lead roles can sometimes fall into repetitive and predictable tropes. This “table-flipping” trend is driven by actors who take risks with morally ambiguous or charismatic antagonistic roles, offering a refreshing contrast to the traditional hero and heroine archetypes that have dominated the screens for years, leading to a more meritocratic appreciation of acting talent.
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This newfound popularity has translated directly into commercial value, disrupting the traditional hierarchy of brand endorsements. Dai Xu has secured ambassadorships for skincare brands and collaborated with luxury fragrance labels. Deng Kai has become a favorite in the fashion world, invited to prestigious offline events and securing makeup brand deals after his complex antagonist role in Pursuit of Jade resonated with female audiences. Kong Xueer is also expanding her commercial footprint with makeup and food brand partnerships, proving that supporting roles can now secure resources that were once exclusive to top-tier leads, provided the character leaves a lasting impact.
Rongrong, a business lead at Shining Entertainment, noted that the market currently favors male actors due to the high purchasing power of female fans. “While top actresses like Yang Zi, Dilraba Dilmurat, and Chen Duling maintain high priority for brands, rising male supporting actors offer a unique instant traffic spike for mass-market products,” she explained. However, she emphasized that high-end luxury brands remain cautious, often granting only short-term titles or event-based invitations while observing the actor’s long-term sustainability and future project pipeline before committing to deeper partnerships.
Caicai, an artist management professional, highlighted the rise of “anti-explosion” tactics used by lead actors’ teams to suppress the rising popularity of their supporting cast. She revealed instances where lead teams demanded that production houses downplay the presence of supporting cast members during promotions to prevent them from outshining the stars. “Some lead teams even try to block supporting actors from attending promotional events. However, audiences today value performance over forced marketing. Trying to suppress a co-star’s popularity often backfires, as viewers gravitate toward talent and compelling character arcs regardless of billing status,” she remarked.
The long-term viability of these breakthrough actors depends on their upcoming work and their ability to transition from temporary viral stars to consistently bankable talents. Deng Kai has titles like Liaozhai and Huan Yan in his pipeline, while Dai Xu is set to appear in high-quality productions such as Scent of Women and Qin Mi. Kong Xueer appears to have the most balanced trajectory with leading roles in Princess Zhao Yang and key supporting roles in Blossoms of Power. As the industry faces a period of tighter resources, these actors must prove their artistic and commercial depth to maintain their standing in a highly competitive market.
