A street food vendor in China, who bears a striking resemblance to the “King of Mandopop,” Jay Chou, has recently opened an eatery that has become a local sensation. Bai Xianying, a 42-year-old pancake vendor from a small town in Hebei province, has been nicknamed “porridge and pancake Jay” or “Zhou Binglun” (a playful nod to Jay Chou’s name) since 2020, when a video of him selling pancakes went viral online.
Bai’s sudden fame came after a customer uploaded a video of him serving pancakes to the tune of a Jay Chou song, which led to an explosion of interest in his humble stall. Since then, his Douyin account has amassed 1.8 million followers, and his popularity has only grown. Recently, Bai opened his first stuffed pancake store in Tianjin, attracting long queues of customers eager to meet him in person and take photos with him—all while enjoying his pancakes for just 8 yuan (US$1) each.
Despite the attention and opportunities to capitalize on his resemblance to the pop star, Bai has maintained a modest approach to his newfound fame. Numerous multichannel network (MCN) companies have offered him the chance to become a full-time influencer or e-commerce live-streamer, but Bai turned them down, stating that he is simply “a man who makes pancakes.”
In contrast to other Jay Chou lookalikes who have profited from their resemblance, some even sparking controversy for their actions, Bai remains focused on his business. For example, a doppelganger from Shaanxi province charged up to 6,000 yuan (US$840) per performance, more than the cost of a ticket to an actual Jay Chou concert. Another lookalike faced backlash after endorsing a counterfeit iced tea brand, leading to the removal of his Douyin account.
Legal experts have warned celebrity lookalikes about potential legal risks, but Bai has stayed clear of these issues by avoiding performances of Jay Chou’s songs, citing his lack of singing talent. He also refrains from altering his appearance with makeup or cosmetic procedures to resemble the star more closely.
Bai’s success has remained grounded in his humble attitude. He embarked on a national “pancake tour,” selling his stuffed pancakes across China. In addition, he attended Jay Chou’s concerts in September 2022 and May 2023 to show support for the singer who indirectly contributed to his rise to fame.
“I just want to sell pancakes well,” Bai says, remaining true to his roots despite his viral success.
READ MORE: