Who Is Xu Kai? Get to Know the ‘Spring of the Blade’ Lead Star Through These Facts

A Chinese drama has recently captured the attention of audiences around the world. Spring of the Blade, the 2026 historical revenge drama directed by Pan Anzi, is currently streaming on iQIYI and has been gaining international buzz.

Historical Chinese dramas have long found a dedicated following among global audiences, and Spring of the Blade adds romance and revenge to the mix, making for a compelling period drama that keeps viewers hooked.

The series follows Shen Run (Xu Kai), a ruthless yet brilliant strategist, who joins forces with Xie Qingyuan (Zhou Ye), a strong-willed woman determined to uncover the truth behind her mother’s death. Their paths are further intertwined by a childhood bond formed when they were both struggling to survive.

As Shen Run, Xu Kai has been winning over viewers with the character’s intelligence, composure, and ruthless charm, bringing renewed attention to the Chinese actor through the series.

With that, let’s get to know Xu Kai, the Spring of the Blade star behind Shen Run, through these fun facts.

Chinese actor and model Xu Kai was born on March 5, 1995, making him 31 years old and a Pisces.

Beyond his acting projects, Xu Kai also gives fans a glimpse into his life through Instagram, where he regularly shares updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and snippets from his latest projects. Fans can follow him on Instagram at @sosoalive7.

Xu Kai was born and raised in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, alongside his older brother.

A major high-tech metropolis in southeastern China, Shenzhen is known for its remarkable transformation from a small fishing village into a global hub for technology and manufacturing.

Beyond its thriving industries, the city is also a popular shopping destination, with spots like Luohu Commercial City offering a wide range of goods, from custom-tailored clothing to designer-inspired finds.

Before venturing into acting, Xu Kai initially planned to pursue a career in finance. He studied finance at South China Agricultural University in Guangzhou, Guangdong, but eventually dropped out in 2016 to follow his passion for acting.

South China Agricultural University is a public agricultural university in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, known for its programs in agriculture and related fields.

Not many may know that years before making his acting debut, Xu Kai had already taken his first steps into the entertainment industry as a model.

In 2013, he began his modeling career by winning first place in the Print Ads/Graphic category at the China International Model Contest held in Guangzhou. 

Three years after his modeling competition win, Xu Kai signed with Huanyu Film, a talent management and production company founded by Chinese producer Yu Zheng, marking his official entry into the entertainment industry in 2016.

That same year, Xu Kai was cast in what was supposed to be his first television series, Zhaoge. However, the historical drama was never released. He eventually made his official acting debut in the 2018 historical romance drama Untouchable Lovers, marking the beginning of his career on screen.

The same year he made his acting debut, Xu Kai landed what would become his biggest role at the time, joining the cast of the hit historical Chinese drama Story of Yanxi Palace.

His portrayal of Fucha Fuheng catapulted him to mainstream recognition, with the series becoming a major success both in China and internationally. Story of Yanxi Palace also became a global streaming sensation, ranking No. 1 among the most-searched dramas worldwide and further establishing Xu Kai as one of the industry’s rising stars.

While Xu Kai is best known as an actor and model, he has also explored his musical side by lending his vocals to the soundtracks of some of his dramas.

In 2019, he collaborated with Bai Lu on “Entering a Dream,” which was featured on the Arsenal Military Academy OST. Two years later, he teamed up with Cheng Xiao for “Soulmate,” a track from the Falling Into Your Smile OST.

With his rising popularity, fashion influence, and star power both in China and overseas, Xu Kai has also become a sought-after name among major international brands.

Over the years, the actor has worked with an impressive roster of luxury and global labels, including Givenchy, Adidas, Versace, Tom Ford, Tiffany & Co., Roger Dubuis, Ralph Lauren, Bvlgari, and Brunello Cucinelli.

Among his notable fashion partnerships is Fendi, which Xu Kai has worked with since 2018. His relationship with the Italian luxury house reached another milestone in August 2021, when Fendi officially named him one of its brand ambassadors.

Since rising to fame through Story of Yanxi Palace, Xu Kai has remained a prominent name in China’s entertainment scene, consistently appearing in various rankings that highlight his popularity, star power, and visuals. His continued presence in these lists reflects the actor’s growing influence not only in China but also among international audiences.

Xu Kai was included in Forbes China’s “Top Influential People under 30 years old,” recognizing his impact on the entertainment industry. By February 2023, he had amassed more than 20.4 million followers on Weibo.

His popularity has also earned him several notable spots in entertainment rankings. He placed second on the “Most Handsome Chinese Idol 2021” list and ranked second in “Best Chinese Actor.” He has also been recognized as a “Popular Actor” based on media index rankings and placed second in the “Most Handsome Chinese Actor 2023” list.

Following his breakthrough in 2018, Xu Kai quickly began earning recognition for his performances. His first acting award came at the 7th iQIYI All-Star Carnival, where he received the “Promising Actor Award.”

His performance in Arsenal Military Academy further solidified his standing as an actor, earning him two Best Actor honors. He received the awards from the 6th Hengdian Film and TV Festival of China (Wenrong Awards) and StarHub Night of Stars 2019.

Xu Kai continued to add to his growing list of accolades, later taking home the “Most Popular Drama Actor” award at the 8th iQIYI All-Star Carnival. He was also recognized as “Television Actor of the Year” at the 16th Esquire Man At His Best Awards.

Lead photos from @sosoalive7