Chinese actor Xu Peng has become a hot topic after he decided to return to his hometown and sell vegetables after losing his job in the entertainment industry. This decision comes as artificial intelligence (AI) technology is increasingly used in short drama productions in China.
Xu Peng was previously known for his various roles as CEOs in short drama series. His career skyrocketed, leading him to filming schedules of 15 to 16 hours per day due to high production demands.
However, that situation changed drastically when the industry began to adopt AI on a large scale. In the first quarter of 2026, approximately 122,000 of the 128,000 short dramas released in China were reportedly produced with the help of AI technology, reducing the need for actors.
After his last acting project wrapped up in early 2026, Xu Peng decided to leave Hengdian, the center of China's film and television industry. He then returned to his hometown in Shandong Province to help his family sell vegetables at a traditional market.
Despite changing careers, Xu Peng admits he's not ashamed of his current job. "Being an actor is just a profession. If there were no acting jobs, I'd find another way to make a living," he said.
He added that any job has value as long as it's done honestly. "As long as I can earn a living through my own hard work, there's no obstacle I can't overcome," Xu Peng said.
Xu Peng's story illustrates how AI developments are transforming the creative industries, particularly the entertainment sector. Automation in content production is seen as increasing efficiency, but it also presents new challenges for the creative workers who depend on it.
However, Xu Peng insists he hasn't completely abandoned acting. He hopes to return to acting if the opportunity arises, while still working as a vegetable vendor to make ends meet.
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