Infancy and Adolescence
Tan Jian Ci was born in Beihai, a coastal city in southern China, on October 5, 1990. From an early age, his path already suggested something singular. At six, he moved with his family to Kumamoto, Japan, where he lived for about a year. During this period, he adopted the name Kenji (健次), inspired by his admiration for Kenshiro, the protagonist of the manga series "Fist of the North Star".
After returning to China at the age of seven, he attended Beihai No. 3 Primary School in Guangxi. From childhood, he showed a restless and creative energy that did not fit well with more contemplative activities. It was through dance that he found his ideal form of expression — free, intense, and deeply creative.
Influenced by Michael Jackson, he began practicing dance in his free time, taking his first steps toward the stage. At 13, he was admitted to the Beijing Dance Academy, where he specialized in Latin dance. In 2006, he won first place at the Taoli Cup National Dance Competition – Latin, in the under-16 category, standing out among young talents nationwide.
That same year, he was selected from over 20,000 candidates to join the trainee program at Taihe Rye Music, beginning an intensive three-year training period that would lead to the formation of the group MIC. During this time, he adopted the stage name JC-T.
He made his acting debut in 2008 with the film "Lost, Indulgence", marking the beginning of a path he would later revisit with greater strength. In 2010, he officially became the leader of MIC, which debuted by winning the final of the MIGU Star Academy.
Alongside his artistic formation, Tan Jian Ci has also cultivated a personal side marked by sensitivity and affection. Known among fans and friends by the affectionate nickname “Duo Duo” (多多), he reveals in his daily life a gentle attention to small gestures and bonds. His two pets, Tan Li Qiu and Tan Xiao Dai, are constant presences on his social media — inseparable companions that reflect his softer, more intimate side.