From Stage To Screen: Zhou Keyu

At just 24 years old, Zhou Keyu is building a name for himself among Gen Z C-drama stars. Also known by his English name Daniel, Zhou has emerged as a breakout star in the past year, landing leading roles in a number of television series. Beyond acting, Zhou has lent his vocals to several of his projects, including his latest modern romance, Never-Ending Summer, whose opening theme song has garnered attention from fans.

Zhou’s off-screen life gradually emerged into the forefront as his popularity grew. Zhou was born in the United States in 2002 and spent a majority of his childhood in Beijing. Following their parents’ separation during Zhou’s childhood, his eldest brother played an important role in his formative years, serving as his primary guardian for most of his and his other brother, short-form actor Zhou Haoshan‘s lives.

Zhou is not a new face in the industry and has been steadily working to establish himself in entertainment for quite some time now. He began as an idol in 2019 before stepping into acting in 2021. However, few people know where he truly got his start! Want to dive into the world of Zhou Keyu but don’t know where to begin? Don’t worry, EnVi has covered everything you need to know about him, from his time as an idol to his current acting career.

Debuting as an Idol

Zhou gained his start in the entertainment world as a singer. He made his debut in the five-member Chinese boy group B.E.S.T in December 2019 under Jay Walk Studio, releasing only one digital single, “BEST,” before quietly disbanding a short time later.

Zhou’s hope was not lost, as he tried his hand at debuting again by competing in the survival show Produce Camp 2021, commonly known as Chuang 2021. Chuang 2021 was the fourth season of the Chinese idol competition, featuring 90 trainees from various countries, including China, Japan, Thailand, and the United States, with the aim of developing an international boy group from 11 of them. 

Throughout the show’s two-month broadcast, each trainee was subjected to a series of evaluations as well as live stage presentations of their vocals, dancing, and overall stage presence by a panel of judges. What was the ultimate result of the show? The boy group INTO1. It was on Chuang 2021 that fans saw Zhou’s determination, as he finished tenth place and made his debut as the group’s rapper and vocalist. INTO1, like most project groups, had a limited promotional phase that lasted two years before disbanding in April 2023.

Throughout their time together, the project boy group released a variety of singles, EPs, and albums. Personal favorites that I recommend checking out are “The Storm Center” and “Winter Fairy.” Even after the group disbanded, Zhou continued pursuing music as a solo artist , releasing the single “R.O.T.Y” in 2021 and his debut studio album, If I May, in May 2023.

Remember My Boy (2021)

If you’ve been looking for a youthful, coming-of-age story told through the perspective of high school students, look no further than Zhou’s acting debut production, Remember My Boy. The 24-episode series focuses on high school classmates Zhang Yang (Zhou Keyu) and Zhou Jingmang (Zhu Linyu). Zhang Yang is renowned for his rebellious personality and mischievous pranks, frequently teasing Zhou Jingmang, who’s more studious and reserved in nature.

Their intertwining stories ignite when Zhang Yang pranks Zhou Jingmang by embarrassing her on the school’s operating speaker. The two’s witty banter gradually blossoms into something more as the story follows from their first encounter in 2007 in school through adulthood!

Always Home (2025)

Always Home, like Remember My Boy, is a coming-of-age tale that spans across several years. The 2025 series is another drama I would recommend adding to your watchlist if you’re interested in Zhou’s television artistry, particularly his venture into more character growth in his acting. Always Home follows a group of friends as they embark on their adolescent journey, beginning with student Chen Huaner (Yang Xizi) who relocates to Tianhe from the countryside in the summer of 2007.

While transferring schools, she meets athlete, Jing Xichi (Zhai Xiaowen), and the studious Song Cong, played by Zhou. The show emphasizes the layers of growing up by exploring unique challenges that the group of friends face in their friendships, romance — and more introspectively — as individuals.

Sniper Butterfly (2025)

Sniper Butterfly, which was released around the tail end of 2025, showcased one of Zhou’s more mature performances to date. Arguably, Sniper Butterfly was the push that highlighted Zhou as a topic of conversation among both avid C-drama fans and casual viewers.

The story follows a young thirty-something Cen Jin (Michelle Chen) as she navigates through a difficult period in her life, dealing with a recent divorce and facing a career crossroads. She then reconnects with a student, Li Wu (Zhou Keyu), whom she had sponsored as he struggles to finish his education following the death of his grandfather. Cen Jin eventually decides to support Li Wu in his academic endeavors, and as the years pass and the two of them separate, fate brings them together once more, leading them to rekindle and hash out old wounds.

Never-Ending Summer (2026)

Never-Ending Summer is Zhou’s most recent creation, and it is more of his somber works. Never-Ending Summer follows the determined student Zhou Wan (Bao Shangen) in 2016 as she navigates finding financial freedom for herself and her ill grandmother. Zhou Wan’s family history is complicated as her mother abandoned her after her father died.

In an act of vengeance and to cover her grandmother’s mounting medical expenses, Zhou Wan approaches rebellious and headstrong classmate Lu Xixiao (Zhou Keyu). Lu Xixiao is her mother’s new stepson, and in order to reach her mother, Zhou Wan attempts to form a connection with the family by offering to tutor him. 

While Zhou Wan’s motives were apparent, the two gradually developed feelings for one another, but they were plagued by external influences that inevitably strained their relationship. Their story continues 10 years later, when the two are reunited as adults in the workplace, attempting to start over again.

Zhou Is Just Getting Started

As his acting career progresses, Zhou hopes to broaden his range of characters and take on more complex roles. Zhou is a versatile talent whose personality shines through in the roles he portrays while also fully embodying each role and making it his own. Fans also admire his professional path, from being an idol on stage to now pursuing acting opportunities. Whether he’s a bright, gifted student, or a longing creative artist, Zhou will transport you to the world of the character he portrays. It’s safe to assume he’s not finished building a name for himself; rather, it’s just the beginning! 

Curious about more actors whose works could be added to your show watchlist? Check out EnVi‘s ENCORE piece on Show Kasamatsu!