Chen Xuedong

Predebut

Chen was born in Wenzhou, Zhejiang. He worked as a part-time model at the age of 17. He later graduated from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music with a degree in musical drama. Prior to his debut as an actor, Chen trained to be a singer at Cube Entertainment in Korea and was selected to be in the lineup for BTOB.^[2] In 2012, he began filming his first acting role in Tiny Times.^[2]

2013–2015: Tiny Times and Rising popularity

Chen made his big screen debut in the first installment of Tiny Times, directed by Guo Jingming. The film was a huge commercial success and broke various film records in China.^[3] Thereafter, he starred in the subsequent installments of the film series from 2013 to 2015. Tiny Times became a hugely successful movie franchise in China, and propelled Chen into fame.^{[4][5][6][7][8]}

In 2014, Chen also joined Hunan TV's variety show Grade One where he assumed the role of a temporary homeroom teacher.^[9] The same year, Chen starred in his first comedy film, Bad Sister where he acted as a barista.^[10]

In 2015, Chen was announced to be the Chinese dub for Paddington Bear in the comedy film, Paddington.^[11] The same year, he starred in the comedy film Oh My God, produced by Zhang Ziyi.^[12]

2016–present: Mainstream success

In 2016, Chen starred in the youth fashion drama Yes! Mr. Fashion. This marks his first small-screen leading role.^[13][14] The same year, he starred in spy drama, Decoded where he played the role of an autistic mathematical genius.^[15][16] Decoded was a commercial success, and Chen won the Best On-screen Performance award with Ying Er at the China TV Drama Awards.^{[citation needed]}

Chen reunited with Tiny Times director Guo in the fantasy blockbuster L.O.R.D: Legend of Ravaging Dynasties.^[17] The same year, he starred in Zhang Yimou's historical film The Great Wall.^[18]

In 2017, he made his walkway debut at the Dolce & Gabbana Fall runway for the Milan Fashion Week in January.^[19] In June, he starred in the youth melodrama Rush to the Dead Summer.^[20] The same year he starred in the caper film The Big Call, the first Chinese movie to focus on telecommunications fraud.^[21] Chen ranked 40th on Forbes China Celebrity 100 list in 2017.^[22]

In 2018, Chen starred in the wuxia film Kung Fu Monster.^{[citation needed]} The same year, he was cast in the youth musical drama So Young.^[23]

Film

Television series

Variety show