Artist Profile
- Full Name: Chen Xiang
- Native Name: 陈翔
- Nicknames: Sean Chen
- Birthday: Dec 13, 1989 (36 years old)
- Blood Type: B
- Height/Weight: 176 cm (5’9”) / 62 kg (136.4 lbs)
- Gender: Male
- Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
- Chinese Zodiac: Snake
- Debut: 2010
- Birthplace: Tianshui, Gansu, China
- Ethnicity: Han Chinese
- Nationality: Chinese
- Profession: Singer, Actor, Songwriter
- Language Skills: Mandarin (Native)
- Current Agency: EE-Media
- Active Years: 2010–present (16 years)
- Fanclub: Xiang Cheng / 香橙
Chen Xiang (English: Sean Chen) is a Chinese singer and actor. Born on December 13, 1989, in Tianshui, Gansu, China, Chen Xiang has been active in the Mandopop music industry and the film and television sector in mainland China since 2010.
Early life
In 1989, Chen Xiang was born in Gansu Province as an only child and was raised by his grandfather. He demonstrated musical talent from a young age and began his musical path after his family purchased a guitar for him.
In 2002, the financial situation of the family became difficult following the unemployment of both parents; subsequently, his father worked as a laborer, yet Chen Xiang continued to pursue music.
In 2007, while in the 11th grade in April, Chen Xiang secretly traveled to Xi’an to participate in the Hunan TV competition Happy Boys, but he was unable to register as he was two months under the required age. His dedication persuaded his family to support his career, leading them to hire a music teacher for formal training.
In 2009, Chen Xiang was admitted to the Mianyang Art Academy of the Sichuan College of Culture and Arts. Despite high tuition fees and financial constraints, his family supported his continued education in music.
Career
In 2010, Chen Xiang participated in the music talent competition Super Boy, winning the Chengdu regional championship and placing fifth nationally. On July 8, he appeared in the short film I Want to Make a Film. On September 20, he released his debut solo single “Fireworks” and the duet “My Stage.”
In 2011, Chen Xiang released the single “Trees” on July 12. On October 11, he debuted his first EP, First Confession. On October 21, he held his first solo concert in Beijing. On November 18, he received the awards for Most Promising New Artist and Most Popular Male Singer at the China Top 10 Songs charts.
In 2012, Chen Xiang starred as Han Shiying in the web series Secret Angel on March 21. On March 28, he released the song “Eighteen Seasons.” In April, he received the Best Newcomer award at the 19th Oriental Billboard Awards and the Outstanding New Artist award from MusicRadio China. He subsequently participated in several short film projects, including Crispy Love Letter (May 31), Rampage (July 19), Campus Sweetheart Party (August), and Love Planning Bureau (December 7). He also appeared in the romance film Naked Love in June.
In 2013, Chen Xiang starred in the idol drama Runaway Sweetheart, which aired on Hunan TV starting February 17. On March 27, he released his second EP, Floating, serving as the music producer for the album.
In 2014, Chen Xiang portrayed Huang Di in the drama Scarlet Heart 2, released on April 22. On April 26, he was awarded Most Popular College Male Singer in Mainland China. In August, he joined the period project Beauty Maker. On October 18, he held the “Breaking the Cocoon and Making a Sound” concert at the Beijing Workers’ Stadium and released the eponymous album on October 28. On December 3, he appeared as Lu Zhanyuan in the wuxia series The Romance of the Condor Heroes.
In 2015, Chen Xiang participated in the comedy Hot Blood Band (January 29) and the television series Lady’s House (February 27). In March, he starred as Wang Mang in Love Weaves Through a Millennium. On April 13, the album Breaking the Cocoon and Making a Sound received the Most Popular EP award at the 15th Billboard Music Awards. On July 7, he took the role of Fang Tinghao in The Whirlwind Girl.
In 2016, Chen Xiang starred in The Adventure for Love (January 20). He reprised his role as Fang Tinghao in The Whirlwind Girl 2 and made a guest appearance in Shuttle Love Millennium. On December 23, he released his first full-length studio album, Whirlwind.
In 2017, Chen Xiang starred as Bai Ze in the fantasy period drama Magic Star (January 3). On April 9, he won the Outstanding Crossover Idol award at the 17th Billboard Music Awards. In September, he became a regular cast member of the Hunan TV reality show Dear Inn.
In 2018, Chen Xiang starred as Xiang Shaolong in A Step into the Past, released on January 18. On May 28, he starred in the culinary-themed drama Like Us Young. On September 8, he participated in the program PhantaCity.
In 2019, Chen Xiang appeared in several Hunan TV programs, including the Spring Festival Gala (February 5), Day Day Up (February 10), and the Lantern Festival Gala (February 19). On October 25, he attended the China Online Film Week and performed the song “Ask the World.”
In 2021, Chen Xiang appeared in the television series Tempered Steel as Ma Shao on June 13.
In 2024, Chen Xiang participated in the music program Singer 2024 beginning April 29.
In 2025, Chen Xiang directed and starred in the action-comedy web film Chen Xiang Six Point Half: Zhong Lou Bie (also known as Crazy Code), which premiered on August 28.
Fun facts
- He can play the hulusi, vertical flute, and erhu.
- He is famous for the song “Super Idol’s Smile”, which became the “Super Idol” meme in 2021.
- He released this song for a Watsons water advertisement in 2019, but it only went viral in mid-2021.
- He became a meme phenomenon after a user posted a video of themselves singing while splashing a water bottle toward the camera.
- He had his original video deleted from Douyin, but copies continued to spread rapidly.
- He has lyrics that are used as a spam copypasta within the Chinese meme community.
- He had his meme combined with Rick Roll by the Vietnamese community, gaining over 540,000 views in one week.
- He met IShowSpeed in China in 2025, which caused the song to go viral again.
- He participated in Happy Boys in 2007 but was disqualified for being two months under the age limit.
- He secretly entered the competition while in the 11th grade to avoid being stopped by his family.
- He continued to pursue music despite his parents losing their jobs in 2002.
- He was raised by his grandfather and is an only child.
- He persuaded his family to hire a music teacher after failing to enter the competition in 2007.
- He was admitted to the Mianyang Art Academy in 2009 despite difficult financial circumstances.
- He taught himself to play the guitar after his family bought him one.
- He used to use a flashlight as a fake microphone to sing for his family as a child.
- He was invited to China’s Got Talent after becoming a meme.
- He has engaged in livestream selling and sold food at night markets to make a living.
Photo gallery
