LayarHijau – Although the drama Shadow Love (与晋长安), starring Cheng Lei alongside Song Yi and Bi Wenjun, concluded some time ago, the actor’s name continues to spark conversations among fans. In an exclusive interview with Sohu Entertainment, Cheng Lei revealed a side of himself far more intricate than the calm charm seen on screen. Beneath his composed demeanor lies a reflective, artistic, and quietly poetic soul. Here are eight fascinating facts about him that go beyond his drama roles.
He’s a painter who loves gifting his artwork to friends
Outside of acting, Cheng Lei finds serenity in painting. Interestingly, most of his works are no longer in his possession.
“I used to give my paintings to friends,” he said with a soft laugh. “Now I don’t even have one left at home.”
One of the lucky recipients was actor Zeng Shunxi. “He once told me his wall looked too empty. I knew what he meant—so I painted something for him.”
He has a unique philosophy about photography and time
Cheng Lei also enjoys photography and dreams of publishing a photobook someday.
If he ever does, he wants to open it with a quote from Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time.
“Proust writes like he’s unfolding memories—softly, one frame after another,” he explained. “I want my photos to feel like that too—not frozen moments, but living fragments of time.”
Motorcycles are his emotional escape
Ever since he was a child, Cheng Lei has been fascinated by miniature sports bikes. Now, he channels that passion into his real-life hobby. “Sometimes I ride alone at night on empty roads,” he shared. “The vibration, the sound—it’s like my companion. When the world goes quiet, it’s just me and the bike. It feels peaceful.”
For him, starting the engine isn’t about image or style—it’s a ritual of calm and release.
He has a nameless motorcycle group in Hengdian—just emojis
When asked about his riding buddies, Cheng Lei grinned. “Yeah, we’ve got a few groups,” he said. “What are they called? Just motorcycle emojis.” He explained that the group is made up of friends who ride together around Hengdian. “We all wear helmets, so no one really knows who’s who. That’s part of the fun.”
When it comes to fashion, comfort always comes first
Despite looking effortlessly stylish in public, Cheng Lei insists he doesn’t overthink fashion.
“My principle is simple: comfort first,” he said. “I like plain, easy clothes. But sure, I keep a few suits—just in case I ever need them.”
When the interviewer joked that many fans wanted to dress their boyfriends like him, Cheng Lei replied playfully, “As long as they’re comfortable, go ahead. I’m comfortable in my clothes—but their boyfriends might not be.”
He was nervous about recording the drama’s OST
Cheng Lei revealed his humble side when recalling the moment he was asked to sing for Shadow Love’s soundtrack.
“At first I thought, ‘Seriously? Can I even do that?’” he laughed. “But my vocal coach was patient, and after some practice, it turned out okay.”
He mentioned he’d love to learn from singers like Liu Yuning, but added, “They’re busy, so I’ll study on my own first. Once I’m ready, maybe I’ll ask for guidance.”
He loves traveling—and once became a real tour guide
Cheng Lei admitted that he could easily see himself as a travel blogger.
“I want to travel the world and tell each place’s story from my own perspective,” he said. “It’s like learning while wandering.”
He even got to experience being a “tour guide” during the program Random Tour (旅行任意门). “It was tiring but fun. The schedule was too short though—I wanted to stay longer in every city.”
Beneath his calm surface lies a poetic and introspective spirit
Whenever Cheng Lei speaks, there’s a depth to his thoughts that’s rare among young actors. He views his hobbies and work as ways to understand himself better.
“The things I love all become emotional companions,” he said softly. “Painting, photography, motorcycles—they’re my ways of talking to myself.”
With his gentle honesty and imaginative way of seeing the world, Cheng Lei embodies the soul of an artist unconfined by the label of “handsome actor.” He finds beauty in quiet details—light, motion, the hum of an engine, or even stillness itself. And perhaps, that’s where his true charm lies.
