Hou Xiang’s youthful appearance recently became a hot topic in China after photos of the 40-year-old actor and his bride went viral on social media, many years after their wedding. Some people mocked the couple, saying that they looked more like mother and son, but Hou didn’t let the criticism get to him. After all, he’s been dealing with it for most of his life.
According to Chinese media sources, Hou Xiang was born prematurely after his mother suffered from malnutrition during her pregnancy. He was always smaller than the other kids his age, but around the age of nine, his physical development stopped, and he was left looking like a young boy for the rest of his life.
For most of his adult life, Hou Xiang has been confused with a pre-teen and asked questions like ‘where do you study?,’ but he didn’t let that affect his ambition and his desire to make it in life. Supported by his family, he pursued acting and landed his breakout role in 2005, playing a primary school student in the hit sitcom Home with Kids. He was 19 at the time.
Over the years, Hou appeared in popular dramas including Stepfather, Chuang Guandong, and Tunnel Warfare, where he played a variety of youthful characters. Directors praised his acting skills and his capacity to follow instructions to the letter, something that kids can struggle with.
The 40-year-old actor admitted that his boyish appearance and child-like voice severely limit the kind of roles he can take on, but added that he always strives to perfect the roles offered to him.
“For me, it is not easy to come across a script and a role that I truly like,” Hou said. “I hope I can fully master every role within this range. That, too, counts as a kind of success for an actor.”
Hou has always lived a quiet, stable life with his wife, preferring to focus on his family and acting, instead of clinging to the spotlight and the attention that comes with it.
