Wang Kai
王凯
Wang Kai at an event in Shanghai in 2017
Born	(1982-08-18)August 18, 1982 (age 42) Wuhan, China
Alma mater	Central Academy of Drama
Occupation	Actor
Years active	2006–present
Musical career
Also known as	Nick Wang
Labels	Deshe Film and Television Co., Ltd.
Musical artist
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese	王凯
Traditional Chinese	王凱
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Wáng Kǎi

Wang Kai (born August 18, 1982) is a Chinese actor. He is known for his television roles inAll Quiet in Peking (2014),The Disguiser (2015),Nirvana in Fire (2015),Ode to Joy (2016),When a Snail Falls in Love (2016),Stay With Me (2016), andLike a Flowing River (2018), as well as his film role inThe Devotion of Suspect X.^[1]

Wang was born inWuhan inHubei Province. Although he wanted to become an actor after performingThunderstorm in school, his father wanted him to do sports while his mother wanted him to find a stable job.^[2] As a result, he worked as a book porter atXinhua Bookstore after high school.^[3] During his free time, he took on side jobs such as attending activities organized by TV stations, taking model-training courses, and shooting commercials. In 2002, during the shooting of a commercial, the director suggested Wang attend an acting academy. Wang resigned from his job and moved to Shanghai to take courses on acting at theShanghai Theatre Academy in 2002.^[3] The next year, he applied for theBeijing Film Academy and theCentral Academy of Drama. Wang received offers from both academies, and chose to attend the latter.^[4]

While a student at the Central Academy of Drama, Wang received his first acting role inCold Autumn (2006), upon recommendation of his professor Zhang Xiaolong (张晓龙).^[5] In 2006, he participated in his first filmMiao gou renxin (妙狗人心, 2007), an animal movie which focuses on dogs.^[6]

In 2007, Wang graduated from the Central Academy of Drama and signed withHuayi Brothers.^[3] During his first year with Huayi, he received no roles except for a minor role inWater Point Peach Blossom by Ma Lujian, the director ofCold Autumn.^[3] He also had a minor role in the romantic comedy dramaCalling For Love. As the series would be aired in Taiwan, he learned to speak with a Taiwanese accent for the role.^[7][8]

Wang's first breakthrough in the industry was his casting inUgly Wudi, adapted from the American comedy seriesUgly Betty.^[3] The TV series was a commercial success, with all four seasons being the highest viewed in its time slot.^[9] Although he tried out for the male lead, he was instead offered the role of Chen Jiaming, a sassy advertising director.^[10] Wang continued to play the role for all four seasons of the series’ run between 2008 and 2010. While filmingUgly Wudi, he leftHuayi Brothers and signed with the series’ production company, Nesound International.^[6]

After the success ofUgly Wudi, Wang found himself offered roles similar to his role in the series. Unwilling to be typecast, he rejected them all. Finally, he was offered the role of the a rugged and uneducated youth inYouth (2012).^[11][12] He then starred inNew Detective Squad (2013), a Republican-era detective series loosely based onThe Three Heroes and Five Gallants.^[13] The series had high viewership in mainland China and developed a small cult following online.^[14][15]

In 2013, with the disbandment of Nesound's management department, Wang joined Shandong Television & Film. His first role under the company was a police officer in the critically acclaimed historical dramaAll Quiet in Peking, which was released in 2014.^[16] This marked a turning point in his career. Wang was praised for his ability to hold his own ground against multiple acclaimed veteran actors.^[17] The same year, he starred in the historical film,A Murder Beside Yanhe River, where he plays aChinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army officer who becomes a murder suspect.^[18] The film premiered in December 2014, and Wang received his first acting award, the Best New Actor Award at the 9th Chinese Youth Film Forum for his performance in the film.^[19]

In December 2014, when producer Hou Hongliang resigned from Shandong Film & Television to focus on Daylight Entertainment Ltd., Wang left with him for Daylight Entertainment.^[20] He then starred in three television series produced by Daylight Entertainment:Nirvana in Fire,The Disguiser, andLove Me If You Dare. Wang played a loyal and capable triple agent inThe Disguiser, the neglected princeXiao Jingyan who climbs his way to the throne with the help of his best friend inNirvana in Fire and the protagonist's best friend inLove Me If You Dare.^[21][22][23]

Following the airing of these dramas, Wang experienced a sharp rise in popularity.^[10][24] He was nominated for the Best Actor award at theHuading Awards andShanghai Television Festival for his performance inThe Disguiser andNirvana in Fire respectively, and won the Best Supporting Actor award at theAsia Rainbow TV Awards. Wang had become a regular in both magazines and fashion events, and also received several endorsement deals.^{[25][26][27][28][29]}

In 2016, he featured in metropolitan romance dramaOde to Joy.^[30] Although he did not appear until episode 11, Wang in association with the show was one of the most discussed topics on social media.^[31] He reunited with hisOde to Joy co-starWang Ziwen in crime thrillerWhen a Snail Falls in Love, adapted from Ding Mo's novel of the same name.^[32] The same year, Wang starred alongsideJoe Chen in romance dramaStay with Me^[33] and inJackie Chan's action comedy filmRailroad Tigers.^[34]

In 2017, Wang starred in mystery-thrillerThe Devotion of Suspect X, adapted from theJapanese novel of the same name.^[35] The film was a box office success.^[36] The same year, he was announced to be playingCao Cao in the upcoming film adaptation of popular RPG gameDynasty Warriors.^[37]

In 2018, Wang starred inA Better Tomorrow 2018, directed byDing Sheng and a remake of theoriginal classic.^[38] He returned to the small screen with the period dramaLike a Flowing River, based on the novelDa Jiang Da He written by A Nai and set during Chinese economic reform in 1978.^[39] The drama was a critical and commercial success, receiving positive reviews and topping ratings in its time slot.^[40] Wang received acclaim for his portrayal of a talented young man who fought against all odds to eventually becomes a technical engineer.^[41] He was nominated for theMagnolia Award for Best Actor in a Television Series.^[42] In addition to being an actor, he also made a music debut, in the form of his crossover albumWorld of One, which sold well.^[3] One of the songs in the album, "Loneliness for One", is speculated to be a reflection of his early state of mind when he made his acting debut.^[3]

In 2020, Wang starred in historical dramaHeld in the Lonely Castle, portrayingEmperor Renzong of Song.^[43] The same year, he starred in the crime thriller dramaHunting as a police officer.^[44] He guest starred as Secretary Pan in 2021'sMinning Town.^[45]

In February 2016, Wang co-founded Deshe Entertainment (Tianjin) Ltd. The company's co-investor is Daylight Entertainment, and its legal representative is Hou Hongliang.^[46]

Wang was part ofHan Hong's charity campaign to provide medical assistance in Gansu.^[47] He was made ambassador of "1219 Long Love" public event in Beijing,^[48]Estée Lauder Companies' Greater China's Breast Cancer AwarenessPink ribbon program^[49] and appointed the Traffic Safety Ambassador forBeijing.^[50]

• Wang Kai onWeibo

• 1982 births
• Male actors from Wuhan
• Living people
• Chinese male film actors
• Chinese male television actors
• Central Academy of Drama alumni
• 21st-century Chinese male actors

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