Remember the desert photography series Cheng Lei recently shared with the caption “Sharing a shepherd boy”? Today his assistant posted a BTS video showing how he actually captured those photos, and I love getting to see the process behind the final shots.

The video follows him as he searches for the composition he wants; positioning himself, kneeling down, squatting, shifting around and repeatedly adjusting his angle until he finds the perspective that works.

I think that's why I like this BTS footage. When we only see the finished image, particularly something as seemingly spontaneous as a shepherd boy and a flock of sheep crossing the desert, it's easy to think he simply happened to be standing in the right place at the right time and pressed the shutter. There was actually a lot of thought and effort involved in capturing those shots.

Source

During the recording of Hi6, Xueqin was already saying she was looking forward to having a one-on-one deep conversation with Cheng Lei on "Our Dormitories" lol. Poor Cheng Lei looked completely lost at first and only belatedly realised that the girls had been talking and giggling about him the whole time. His confused expression before it finally clicked was hilarious. Source

Anyway, Xueqin finally got her wish! On "Our Dormitories", the conversation between Cheng Lei and Li Xueqin revealed how curious and open Cheng Lei is towards life. He refuses to chase a supposedly perfect life and accept that mistakes, uncertainty, and difficult experiences are all part of what makes life meaningful.

His interest in a number of hobbies makes much more sense after hearing him explain. It doesn’t seem like he takes them up just to become good at everything; it's to discover new ways of looking at the world. I think that is also why he loves spontaneous trips, photography, astronomy, motorcycles, and learning unfamiliar things etc.

I also found his attitude towards challenges interesting. When life becomes too comfortable, he deliberately finds something difficult to learn so that he can humble and challenge himself again. Speaking for myself, I would enjoy the peaceful period instead lol, but I admire how he constantly pushes himself beyond what is familiar.

The contrast between him and Xueqin made the conversation especially engaging. She seems more inclined to start over, whereas he would rather accept the life he has already lived and continue moving forward. I think that line sums up his philosophy beautifully. Life does not need to be perfect to remain worth exploring.

In one of the segments in the variety show "Our Dormitories S2" which aired yesterday, everyone was asked to choose between two difficult scenarios:

>Black card: Everyone genuinely cares about you, but you spend your whole life doubting their sincerity.

>Red card: Everyone is only pretending to care about you, but you never discover the truth.

Everyone else except Cheng Lei and Wu Zelin chose the black card option, and what followed became a thoughtful discussion and even debate at some point. Cheng Lei questioned the assumptions behind the dilemma. He argued that if people could successfully maintain the illusion of kindness for their entire life without them ever finding out, then all the warmth, care, and support they experienced would still have been real. From their perspective, their lives would still have been filled with love, meaningful relationships, and genuine experiences.

He also made an interesting point: if someone devoted an entire lifetime to treating you well without ever revealing their true intentions, they would have invested an extraordinary amount of effort into making your life a happy one. In the end, the experiences you lived through and the kindness you felt would still shape who you became.

Even when another guest challenged his view, he stayed composed, acknowledged the opposing perspective, and continued building his argument step by step instead of getting flustered. He's just so darn eloquent!

Which option would you choose, and why?

1. Option A: Everyone genuinely cares about you, but you spend your whole life doubting their sincerity.
2. Option B: Everyone only pretends to care about you, but you never discover the truth.

I would love to hear everyone's thoughts

Cheng Lei just shared a new photography series on Weibo with the caption: "Sharing a shepherd boy." Source

Cheng Lei's assistant also shared BTS photos of him taking these images, so I have added them to this post. Source . Refer to images 5-10.

I have also included screenshots of some of his replies to fans in the comments, as they are just as wholesome as the photos themselves 😍😻

The series captures a flock of sheep moving through the desert at golden hour, with dust illuminated by the setting sun. My favourite shot has to be the silhouette of the shepherd boy with his arms outstretched. It almost looks like he's dancing with the sunset and captures a sense of freedom against the golden desert sky.

Which photo is your favourite?

Cheng Lei just shared a new photography series on Weibo with the caption: "Sharing a shepherd boy." Source

I have also included screenshots of some of his replies to fans in the comments, as they are just as wholesome as the photos themselves 😍😻

The series captures a flock of sheep moving through the desert at golden hour, with dust illuminated by the setting sun. My favourite shot has to be the silhouette of the shepherd boy with his arms outstretched. It almost looks like he's dancing with the sunset and captures a sense of freedom against the golden desert sky.

Which photo is your favourite?

In today's Episode 6 of Our Dormitories Season 2: Back to Heart, Cheng Lei decided to cook sweet, sour, and spicy spare ribs using orange juice, hawthorn, dried tangerine peel, and chili.

He confidently declared that the dish represented "the many flavours of life", but the taste might have been errrrr unique, so we got comments like:

• "Maybe let it simmer a bit longer..."
• "Don't judge it by the sauce"
• "I've never had orange-flavoured ribs before..."

Even Cheng Lei admitted he created a "dark cuisine" dish. Bonus points to everyone who tried so hard to spare Chef Cheng Lei's feelings while struggling to describe the flavour!

Fun fact: Despite how it sounds, dark cuisine doesn't simply mean "bad food." The term originated from the manga Chuuka Ichiban! (Cooking Master Boy) and has since become a popular phrase in Chinese internet culture. It refers to dishes with bizarre or unconventional ingredient combinations that look (or sound) questionable but might actually taste much better than expected. Source

Not a fan edit! Cheng Lei's assistant shared this on Weibo just 2 hours ago. He posted "Yes... But" memes featuring Cheng Lei's different looks as Captain Cheng from The Leading Stars.

For anyone wondering, the "Yes... But" format comes from illustrator Anton Gudim's webcomic series, where each two-panel comic highlights the funny contradictions of everyday life. It has since evolved into a meme format where people compare two equally good options with "Yes... but...", implying there's really no wrong choice.

The auto-translation is pretty funny ("all attractive Cheng teams"), but the Chinese actually means: "Yes... but every Captain Cheng is so charismatic."

Which version of Captain Cheng gets your vote? Desert survivor, off-road driver, sunset silhouette, or all of the above?

Source

Source

This interaction is incredibly wholesome because the story about Cheng Lei checking in on Zhang Yun Long 3 days in a row after his injury, offering to buy medicine, and even going through the staff to find his address just so he could send milk tea, fruit, food, and drinks says a lot about his thoughtfulness and the kind of friend he is. Those small, quiet acts of kindness is so typical of CL.

For those unfamiliar with their friendship, Zhang Yunlong and Cheng Lei were both cast members of the 2024 variety show Random Tour, where they became very close. It's lovely to see that their friendship has continued long after filming wrapped through their interaction in events like Tencent Starlight Awards or iQiyi Scream Night where he patted Zhang Yunlong on his way to the stage.

FYI, Zhang Yunlong will be making a guest appearance in The Lament of Autumn as Yu Mingxuan, the older brother of Cheng Lei's character Yu Changxuan. I won't be surprised if the reason why Zhang Yunlong made time for a guest appearance was due to his friendship with Cheng Lei.

Before Cheng Lei drove an hour after filming to fulfil his promise of filming a stargazing vlog, he had already shared another photography vlog where he went out to capture the sunset.

I really enjoyed all his quieter, slice-of-life vlogs because they show how genuine his love for photography is. It's clearly more than just a passing hobby. It's also fun seeing the photos he took at the end of the vlog.

Source

iQiy had a 717 Membership Festival livestream event yesterday (July 17th) and Cheng Lei was among the stars who attended the event!

Shen Yujie was describing her character as a free-spirited woman who drives an off-road vehicle and has travelled to many places. However, she revealed that she didn't have a driver's licence, which could easily have been taken out of context or twisted in an edited clip.

Cheng Lei immediately stepped in and reminded her that she does have a licence. She then realised she had meant to say that she didn't have one before taking on the role, but later obtained it. Cheng Lei really saved the day and deftly smoothed things over!

Source

Official Statement Regarding Issues with the Production of A Thousand Miles of Your Miles (《许你星河千里》)

To:
The production team of A Thousand Miles of Your Miles, iQIYI, and Hainan Super Upward Culture Media Co., Ltd.

The Cheng Lei Official Fan Support Association has observed the following issues throughout the filming and production of A Thousand Miles of Your Miles. We hereby formally express our concerns and request that these matters be addressed.

I. The male lead's core storyline and characterization have been severely weakened.

The drama has made inappropriate alterations to the original male lead's narrative, including but not limited to:

• modifying the father-son reconciliation storyline;
• altering the logical progression of the romance between the male and female leads;
• diminishing the male lead's authority as commander of the rescue team.

As a result, the male lead's screen time has been substantially reduced. Many pivotal scenes have been marginalized, and the character has effectively become little more than a device for advancing other characters' storylines.

II. The male lead's characterization is one-dimensional, lacks quality, and is inconsistent with the character's established identity.

The styling relies on a repetitive, formulaic template that ignores both the actor's own strengths and the character's profession.

As a rescue team captain and geologist, Cheng Zhuo (程琛) should be presented with styling and makeup that reflect his professionalism, composure, and calm temperament—not treated with the same generic look throughout the entire drama.

III. Both the production and promotional content fail to place the male lead at the center.

Since filming began, the official promotional materials have repeatedly failed to reflect Cheng Zhuo's role as the drama's central protagonist.

The focus of publicity has become scattered, while the male lead's presence has been noticeably weakened. This demonstrates that the production has failed to give proper importance to the male lead's narrative position in its overall promotional strategy.

Regarding these issues, fans have repeatedly communicated through official channels, yet no substantive response has been received.

>"A tiny crack in the embankment can lead to the collapse of the entire dike."

Long-term silence and failure to make improvements are, in themselves, a form of response.

Our intention is not to interfere with the creative process or engage in disputes over artistic intent. Rather, our concern is whether the production has given its lead actor and the audience the respect they deserve in the details of the production.

To ensure the quality of the finished drama, respect the actor's creative efforts, and faithfully present Cheng Zhuo's character and story, the Cheng Lei Official Fan Support Association formally submits the following requests to the production team and publicity department.

Our Requests

1. Rebuild the main narrative around Cheng Zhuo as the central protagonist.

The story should revolve around Cheng Zhuo's:

• characterization,
• personal growth,
• and core storyline.

His role should lead the narrative progression throughout the drama.

Screen time should be appropriately balanced, his characterization should be complete and three-dimensional, and his character arc should be fully realized.

He should not be sidelined or reduced to merely serving supporting storylines.

2. Comprehensively improve the male lead's styling so it better reflects his character.

The makeup and styling should convey Cheng Zhuo's calm, composed personality.

His appearance should match his professional identity as both a rescue team captain and a geologist, incorporating appropriate variation and depth rather than relying on a single, repetitive styling throughout the series.

3. Establish a unified promotional strategy centered on the male lead.

All official promotional materials should consistently position Cheng Zhuo as the core of the drama.

Specifically:

• Promotional copy should revolve around Cheng Zhuo's storyline and character growth.
• On posters featuring the two leads, the male lead should occupy the fixed position on the left, with his character name correspondingly placed in the upper-left.
• On ensemble posters, the male lead should be positioned in the center of the composition.
• The official Weibo post announcing the start of filming on 2 June should remain permanently pinned and should not be replaced later.
• The selection of promotional topics and publicity angles should consistently reinforce Cheng Zhuo's role as the central figure of the drama.

Closing Statement

As the undisputed male lead of this drama, the completeness and depth of Cheng Zhuo's characterization will directly determine the overall quality and market competitiveness of A Thousand Miles of Your Miles.

Respecting the lead actor's professional dedication and creative effort, respecting the script's positioning of its core character, and respecting the audience's reasonable expectations are the most basic professional standards and contractual integrity expected of any film or television production.

Cheng Lei devoted himself wholeheartedly to this role, carefully refining every aspect of the character and investing tremendous sincerity and hard work.

The above requests are based on objective facts and reasonable expectations. We ask the production team, creative staff, and publicity department to acknowledge these issues and make timely, comprehensive corrections.

Final Notice

We sincerely hope that you will value the dedication and goodwill shown by both the actor and his fans, prioritize the quality of the production, and make prompt corrections.

If these requests continue to receive no response or meaningful improvements, we will no longer participate in any subsequent promotional activities or support for A Thousand Miles of Your Miles**.**

Support should never be taken for granted. It must be nurtured through respect, not exhausted through neglect.

— Cheng Lei Official Fan Support Association
17 July 2026

Source: Official Cheng Lei Fan Club

Cheng Lei's "pre-reading prep" is way too relatable 😂 After all that preparation, he was asleep under a blanket within 10 seconds lol. His deadpan delivery makes the whole thing even funnier. We've all been there!

Source

I recently watched an older interview in 2023 where Cheng Lei was asked about his favourite actress. I found it really cute that he answered "Tang Wei" almost immediately and then blushed lol. There was no overthinking or trying to give a diplomatic answer. He was completely straightforward about it.

I got the impression that what he finds attractive isn't someone who's loud or constantly chasing attention, but people with quiet confidence. As someone who followed Tang Wei's rise to stardom after Ang Lee's Lust, Caution (2007), I couldn't help but think about her journey. She was effectively blacklisted in mainland China because of the film's explicit scenes, yet she chose to spend that period studying in the UK before building an illustrious international career. Tang Wei is also humble and keeps a low profile, insisting that she's more than the film star Tang Wei. I wonder if that resilience resonates with Cheng Lei, especially considering his own perseverance through more than 30 failed auditions before finally finding success.

It also feels very consistent with Cheng Lei's own personality. He never tries to be the loudest person in the room, and you can see that in variety shows. He doesn't fight for the spotlight or try to dominate the conversation. CL is someone who values depth over flashiness, so it didn't surprise me at all that Tang Wei is his favourite actress.

The latter part of the interview shifted to the type of woman he likes, and, unsurprisingly, Cheng Lei didn't start listing physical features or say she had to look a certain way, but simply said that if he likes someone, then it doesn't matter what she looks like.

I know plenty of celebrities have given similar answers before, but it felt different coming from him. He seems like the kind of person who's drawn more to someone's character and presence than to whether they fit a particular beauty standard.

Of course, this interview is from 3 years ago, and people's preferences naturally evolve over time. Still, I think it's a lovely little snapshot of the qualities Cheng Lei admired back then and perhaps still does today.

He didn't show it clearly in his vlog, so I made a separate post for the photos. In the last image, you can see that the stargazing vlog was a promise he made to his fans, awwwww.

Source: Cheng Lei's Weibo

During the blessing ceremony for *The Leading Stars*, Cheng Lei mentioned a few things he wanted to do for his fans, including riding a motorcycle, filming Natasha, and trying astrophotography. I'm so happy he kept that promise!

He apparently drove for about an hour to Dunhuang to get the best shots. Can you imagine how exhausted he must have been? He filmed this after wrapping up for the day, and you can tell he was tired, which makes me appreciate the effort even more.

I also love seeing Cheng Lei like this, completely natural and bare-faced.

I compiled Cheng Lei's photos spanning his childhood through 2023, and it was fascinating to see how he has grown over the years.

Despite the obvious physical transformation, some things haven't changed at all. His expressive eyes and slightly shy, reserved demeanor are surprisingly consistent across the years. Looking at the childhood photos, you can already see traces of the face that would eventually become so recognizable. If you click on the 3rd image, you'll notice that his laugh as a child is quite similar to the way he laughs as an adult. It's also a nice reminder that he was just an ordinary kid who grew up chasing a dream.

Which photo is your favourite? My pick is definitely the 17th image. It has a nostalgic 80s/90s Hong Kong movie vibe. The cool blue tones, grainy aesthetic, and pensive gaze make it feel like a frame from a Wong Kar wai film. It's tinged with nostalgia.

Source

I really enjoy seeing Cheng Lei's photography because his photos find beauty in quiet landscapes, soft light, and the subtle textures of nature. My favourite is the desert series, where the rolling dunes almost resemble waves or sculptures shaped by the wind. The patterns of light and shadow make the dunes look like works of art. It's always nice to see this quieter, artistic side of him beyond acting. The photos were likely taken during the filming of "The Leading Stars".

Source

I love how she's the one who initiates the kiss first! She just leans in and goes for it. But then, when she pulls away and looks ready to leave, Cheng Lei is basically like, "Excuse me, we're not done here,” pulls her right back and goes in for round two 😘😘

I put together a short compilation of Cheng Lei speaking in an interview with People's JoyWorks in June about his own experiences and outlook on life.

Source

He talks about the self-doubt he struggled with after graduating, how he has gradually learned to have fewer distracting thoughts and focus more on the present, and how it is sometimes only after experiencing setbacks that we begin to see what truly matters to us. Here are the timestamps:

• 0:00–0:53 — reflection on the self-doubt he experienced after graduating
• 0:59–1:59 — how he has gradually learned to quiet distracting thoughts
• 2:00–2:43 — how setbacks helped him recognise what truly matters to him

I really love listening to Cheng Lei express his thoughts. He articulates himself so well, and the way he speaks is very reflective and sincere. His words never feel like empty motivational platitudes to me because they seem shaped by his own experiences, uncertainties, and the setbacks he has gone through.

There's so much inspiration to draw from his interviews, and it helps that his voice is so incredibly soothing. I could honestly listen to him talk about life for hours. His calm delivery, the way he pauses to gather his thoughts, and how thoughtfully he chooses his words make these interviews such a pleasure to listen to.