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A university graduate gave up her glamorous life in the finance industry to embark on a new journey as an actress, stating that she values freedom above all else. Zeng Shuangyi, 30, gained public attention after taking part in the Chinese talent show Produce Camp 2020. She stood out as the only one among the 101 idol trainees not signed to a talent agency and was also notable for being a graduate of China’s prestigious Peking University. Zeng ranked 75th in her first stage performance and was eliminated in the second round. She described this as the lowest score she had ever attained. In 2013, she was the top scorer in her hometown of Fuding in southeastern China’s Fujian province, during the competitive gaokao, China’s national college entrance exam. As a result, she was admitted to Peking University’s Yuanpei School, which allowed her the freedom to choose any major that sparked her interest. After graduating with a degree in economics, Zeng secured a job at a finance company in Hong Kong. While many considered it a prestigious position, Zeng reflected that the well-paying job led her to experience “the darkest time of her life.” She remarked that she could only find meaning in pursuits that ignite her passion, particularly acting. Zeng realised her interest in acting at the age of five, when she empathised deeply with a female character from a television drama. She grew up taking dance lessons, but her mother declined the teacher’s recommendation for her to train as a professional dancer, believing her impressive academic performance should take precedence. After changing her career, Zeng experienced a significant shift in her quality of life. She moved from a studio in downtown Beijing to a shared room on the outskirts, switched from taxis to the metro for commuting, and rarely bought high-end clothing. She expressed clarity in knowing “what I want and what the worst outcome could be, but I am willing to carve my own path, even if it is fraught with pain and challenges.” Zeng relinquished a lucrative job and a vibrant lifestyle, but in return, she attained what she described as “freedom of life.” Initially, Zeng chose to downplay her educational background, worried that casting directors might typecast her as suited only for intelligent roles. Now, she has come to terms with her identity as a Peking University graduate, recognising that it aids in her visibility and provides her with audition opportunities. Zeng has amassed 260,000 followers on a social media platform and has played supporting roles in several successful dramas, including Under the Skin 2 (2024) and The Burning River (2020). She aspires to create representative works that might one day allow her to shed this label. “Everyone has the freedom to explore different roles in their lives. Being a Peking University graduate, as prestigious as it may sound, is merely one role,” remarked an online observer.
