In the 2025 drama 《轧戏》- Zha Xi, actor Dai Xu portrays Pei Zhen, a key character whose presence significantly shapes the story’s direction. Holding dual identities as the CEO of the Zhuling Group and a reconstructive plastic surgeon, Pei Zhen embodies the drama’s central tension between emotion, power, and professional ambition.
Pei Zhen’s complicated relationships with Hu Xiu, Xiao Zhiyu, and the NPC character Qin Xiaoyi run through the main narrative. As secrets are gradually revealed and conflicts within the architectural industry intensify, he functions both as an emotional disruptor and a strategic catalyst. His actions subtly but consistently alter the balance between characters, sustaining dramatic momentum.
One standout moment—the elevator scene between Pei Zhen and Hu Xiu—quickly gained attention online. The restrained performance, marked by controlled expressions and minimal gestures, left a strong impression on viewers and became one of the drama’s most discussed scenes.
Narratively, Pei Zhen is positioned as a calculated antagonist rather than a conventional villain. He intervenes in relationships with composure and emotional distance, creating tension through quiet pressure instead of overt confrontation. This approach aligns closely with Dai Xu’s established screen image.
Born in 1989 and trained at the Central Academy of Drama, Dai Xu entered the industry in 2010 and has steadily built a career known for grounded, morally complex roles. From Burning Ice to Dream of Splendor and The Ideal City, he has consistently portrayed characters operating in gray areas rather than clear-cut heroism.
Pei Zhen in Zha Xi represents a continuation of this trajectory—a character defined not by emotional excess, but by restraint, ambition, and ambiguity. Dai Xu’s performance further reinforces his strength in portraying layered male roles that quietly drive conflict from within.
