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Are Xiao Zhan, Wu Lei, Wang Yibo and Cai Xukun the new ‘4 Heavenly Kings’ of Chinese pop music?

China’s generation Z heavenly kings – Cai Xukun, Wang Yibo and Xiao Zhan. Photo: @xukunofficial/@yibo.85__w/@xiaozhan.daytoy/Instagram
Chinese audiences like to nominate by public decree the four most popular singing idols of a given generation. In the 80s and 90s Hong Kong stars Andy Lau, Leon Lai, Aaron Kwok and Jacky Cheung were regarded as the “four heavenly kings”, and while Chinese millennials are nostalgic about Jay Chou, Eason Chan, Leehom Wang and David Tao, the younger Gen Z generation has a new crop of fresh faces to worship.

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Below, we take a look at some of the most popular male figures in China today who can each stake a claim to be one of the new kings.

Cai Xukun

 

Cai's popularity exploded in 2018 after he took part in Idol Producer, a reality competition in which he came first, earning him the centre and leader positions in idol group Nine Percent.

In the following year, he brought his One tour to North America and the UK. His EP “Young”, released later that same year, sold an astonishing 12 million copies, topping the sales record of 2019.

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Earlier this year, he took on the role of youth representative on iQiyi's Youth With You season 2, alongside well-known mentors such as Blackpink's Lisa.

Wang Yibo

 

Many know Wang Yibo as the star of The Untamed. Beyond his role as an actor, the multi-hyphenate is also the main dancer of Korean-Chinese boy group Uniq, the co-host on popular variety show Day Day Up and a professional motorcycle racer.

He is currently taking part in Street Dance of China season 3, which began airing in July, as a mentor alongside Exo's Lay and Got7's Jackson Wang. He is also expected to star in upcoming dramas The Legend of Fei, Being A Hero and Super Talent.

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Wu Lei

 

Leo Wu Lei, also affectionately known as the “nation’s little brother”, has come a long way since his child star days, having appeared in his first commercial at the tender age of three and his first drama at seven.

After his role in the immensely successful historical drama Nirvana in Fire in 2015, Wu quickly climbed the ladder of fame, making the Forbes China Celebrity 100 list in both 2017 and 2019. In recent years, he continued to make headlines with his notable roles in Magic Star, Battle Through the Heavens and Tomb of the Sea.

He is currently studying at the Beijing Film Academy, after earning himself a place in 2018 as the top scorer for his major in the academy’s entrance exam. 

Xiao Zhan

 

Xiao Zhan is undoubtedly one of the fastest rising stars in China after his breakout role in The Untamed last year, where he received widespread critical acclaim for his impressive performance.

His career in the entertainment industry began in 2015 after he took part in the reality programme X-Fire and subsequently debuted in boy group X Nine. Eventually, he gained recognition as an actor after his charismatic roles in Oh! My Emperor and The Wolf.

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His newest single Light Spot, released in April this year, has sold more than 38.3 million copies, breaking several records to become the first Chinese single to exceed a billion dollars in sales and the fastest-selling digital track in China, with 25.4 million downloads in 24 hours.

However, over the first half of the year, he has been embroiled in an unfortunate series of scandals involving fans and netizens and has largely remained out of the public eye.

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The 80s and 90s was ruled by Hong Kong’s Andy Lau, Leon Lai, Aaron Kwok and Jacky Cheung, before Chinese millennials fell for Jay Chou, Eason Chan, Leehom Wang and David Tao in the 2000s – how does the latest line-up of male singing sensations measure up?