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One of Mandopop king Jay Chou's many lookalikes recently closed one of his pancake shops due to dwindling interest and an inability to cover rent. Renowned for his humble and hardworking nature, the doppelgänger has amassed 3 million followers on mainland social media platforms.
Bai Xianying, 43, a stuffed pancake vendor from northern China's Hebei province, rose to fame in 2020 after customers noticed his striking resemblance to the Taiwanese singer. Fans affectionately nicknamed him Zhou Binglun, a playful moniker meaning "Porridge and Pancake Jay," in homage to Chou.While making pancakes, Bai often played Chou's music and repeated his beloved catchphrases to entertain fans.
In an interview with mainland media outlet Dingduan News, he stated that he never intended to imitate the singer; his goal was simply to spread joy. Despite receiving multiple offers from multichannel network companies to transition into a full-time influencer or live-streamer, Bai declined. He remarked: "I cannot sing or dance. I'm just a guy selling pancakes."
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Many fans appreciated Bai's modest demeanour and work ethic, with some travelling across China to support his business. His pancakes, priced between 8 and 30 yuan (US$1 – US$4), often drew queues lasting over an hour as eager customers waited to taste them and snap a selfie. One diner praised the pancakes for being crispy, flavourful and generously portioned.
Bai acknowledged that online fame is fleeting, emphasising that his true motivation lies in selling pancakes, one at a time. He also hopes to someday send local produce to Chou as a gesture of gratitude. "Jay Chou has everything, but I owe it all to him and my fans. I must be grateful," Bai said.
In September 2023, Bai and his wife fulfilled a dream by attending a Jay Chou concert. Last year, he was invited by malls across China to launch a nationwide pancake tour. While Bai has never disclosed his monthly income, he mentioned that his earnings were directed towards his home loan and his children's education. By the end of 2024, he had opened several pancake shops in Hebei and Tianjin, with one location reportedly selling over 900 pancakes a day when Bai was in the kitchen. However, as his online fame dwindled, one of his shops in Shijiazhuang city shut down in July.
Source :
Editor: Crystal H
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