Are Xiao Zhan, Wu Lei, Wang Yibo and Cai Xukun the new ‘4 Heavenly Kings’ of Chinese pop music?

Aug 12 , 2020

China’s generation Z heavenly kings – Cai Xukun, Wang Yibo and Xiao Zhan. Photo: @xukunofficial/@yibo.85__w/@xiaozhan.daytoy/Instagram

The 80s and 90s was ruled by Hong Kong’s Andy Lau, Leon Lai, Aaron Kwok and Jacky Cheung, before Chinese millennials fell for Jay Chou, Eason Chan, Leehom Wang and David Tao in the 2000s – how does the latest line-up of male singing sensations measure up?

Chinese audiences like to nominate by public decree the four most popular singing idols of a given generation. In the 80s and 90s Hong Kong stars Andy Lau, Leon Lai, Aaron Kwok and Jacky Cheung were regarded as the “four heavenly kings”, and while Chinese millennials are nostalgic about Jay Chou, Eason Chan, Leehom Wang and David Tao, the younger Gen Z generation has a new crop of fresh faces to worship.

Below, we take a look at some of the most popular male figures in China today who can each stake a claim to be one of the new kings.

Cai Xukun

Cai's popularity exploded in 2018 after he took part in Idol Producer, a reality competition in which he came first, earning him the centre and leader positions in idol group Nine Percent.

In the following year, he brought his One tour to North America and the UK. His EP “Young”, released later that same year, sold an astonishing 12 million copies, topping the sales record of 2019.

Earlier this year, he took on the role of youth representative on iQiyi's Youth With You season 2, alongside well-known mentors such as Blackpink's Lisa.

Wang Yibo