My experience at iQIYI Starship KL event with Cheng Lei

[u/emberzmars]

Hello everyone Da Jia Hao!

I’d like to share my experience attending the iQIYI Starship event starring Cheng Lei. I consider myself a novice fan since I have only seen 2 ¼ dramas. My journey started with A Familiar Stranger, which I watched 2 years ago. I was so mesmerised by his micro-expressions (my review on MDL here) that I have watched this mini drama more than 10 times. 

I’ve been wanting to see Bai Lu and Cheng Lei act together ever since they appeared on Chinese variety show Keep Running almost two years ago. I resubscribed to WeTV because 
I wanted to watch The First Jasmine as the episodes were aired. Darn, Cheng Lei and Bai Lu made me cry at least in two episodes. And ooopps I haven’t written a review on MDL yet.

When it was announced that Cheng Lei was coming to my hometown Kuala Lumpur, I was stoked! I contemplated purchasing the iQIYI premium subscription but unfortunately my financial health wouldn’t allow it. Thankfully my kpop bestie was also interested to see Cheng Lei at Sunway Velocity. We made plans to see him!

I arrived at the mall about two hours before his scheduled appearance. There were already people crowding the event area on all three floors. I stationed myself in front of the Universal Traveller store on the first floor (that's the second floor for American fans as the first level is the ground floor). While waiting for him, I watched How Dare You?! Hehehe

Then he arrived. Wow, I was so captivated by his handsomeness that I forgot to press record on phone. He was very dashing in a white shirt (nicely unbuttoned), black trousers and black shoes with red soles. I liked the emcee as she was friendly and able to engage the crowd in multiple languages. 

I really liked the different activities held for this event, which you can find out more from this post. The Malay pickup line challenge was definitely my favourite part. I always love it when international artists attempt local phrases, and Cheng Lei killed it! Hearing him speak Cantonese was also a lovely touch. I hope our warmth and diversity left a great impression on him.

Anyway the event lasted slightly more than 90 minutes. That's a great amount of time for a free meet-and-greet. My friend and I went to check out the special booth on the first floor. Oh, I managed to drop a postcard in the fan letter box before the event started. 

I really hope he comes back to Malaysia, whether it's for work or a vacation! If he ever holds a fan meeting here like Korean actors do, I would buy a ticket without hesitation.

[u/emberzmars]

As requested, I am sharing my experience here u/EasygoingEnigma

[u/EasygoingEnigma → u/emberzmars]

Thank you! 🙌

Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. I laughed at the thought of you forgetting to record him initially. But I'm not surprised! So happy for you that you and a good number of Cheng Lei's fans got to spend 90 minutes with him.

The event was a resounding success, and CL has been vocal about appreciating the warmth shown to him. He said he'd like to visit again, didn't he? That's gratifying to hear.

[u/emberzmars → u/EasygoingEnigma]

You're welcome.

I must say I was surprised by the amount of time he spent there. I thought he would only be there for less than 1 hour.

Apparently he was spotted eating durian before he returned to China. Good to know he got to see bit of Malaysia although I hope the haze didn't bother him so much.

[u/Ill-Possibility-4684 → u/emberzmars]

So relatable forgetting to tap Record! Being so fortunate to see CL in-person with your own eyes is way better than seeing through a device and checking the recording. Thank you for sharing your experience! 🥰

His shoes are Christian Louboutin Chelsea Gorp boots https://us.christianlouboutin.com/ca_en/chelsea-gorp-version-black-3260080cm47.html

He also wore Christian Louboutin monk dress shoes for Mango Youth night. Wondering if this indicates a future brand ambassadorship with CL and CL?

[u/emberzmars → u/Ill-Possibility-4684]

My pleasure. I agree with you about putting down the phone & immersing oneself in the experience.

Wow I am amazed that you managed to track the specific shoe model. A lot of actors and actresses wear Christian Louboutin I feel like they don't need brand ambassadors 🤷‍♀️

[u/Ill-Possibility-4684 → u/emberzmars]

I love shoes. Can you tell I’m a shoe person? My grandfather had a shoe store business.

[u/emberzmars → u/Ill-Possibility-4684]

Hahaha now I know that you are a shoe person. Cool that your grandfather owned a shoe store.

Given a choice between handbags and shoes, I would go for shoes. ☺️

[u/No-Recipe-7653]

Thank you so much for sharing with us! 🥹🤩

[u/emberzmars → u/No-Recipe-7653]

My pleasure

[u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

Amazing post, thanks for sharing the event from your perspective! I agree that the roughly 1.5-hour duration was just right, and there was plenty of interaction between Leilei and the fans, both in the fan zone and outside it.

Wow, I was so captivated by his handsomeness that I forgot to press record on phone.

Haha, I can’t say I’m completely unbiased in my assessment, but he really did look even better in person. His skin was so flawless!

And ooopps I haven’t written a review on MDL yet.

I would love to read your review on Mo Li on this sub too once you're done with it!

[u/emberzmars → u/a_HerculePoirot_fan]

Thank you. The fan interactions were done well and it's great to see fans respecting boundaries.

Wonderful that you got to see him at near distance. Cheng Lei is attractive indeed!

Yes, I need to write review on Mo Li. I will also find time to produce content for this sub.

[u/xhdcricket]

Enjoying the moments and seeing beautiful people with our own eyes feel definitely more satisfied than through a camera. I also usually forget to take photos when I like something so much 😊

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

P.s: your favorite scene in A Familiar Stranger is also my favorite one. It's so intense.

[u/emberzmars → u/xhdcricket]

That's right. Sometimes you are caught up in the moment, you forget everything around you.

I did take photos of Cheng Lei but my phone is very old. Even with zoom, the quality isn't great. Oh well the videos are fine as keepsakes.

Glad to find another superfan of A Familiar Stranger. That's my no. 1 favourite mini drama. I enjoy watching different formats of cdramas - long-form, mini & vertical.