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Lu Han
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Lu Han (Chinese: 鹿晗; born April 20, 1990), also known mononymously as Luhan, is a Chinese singer, actor, and dancer. He was a member of the South Korean-Chinese boy group Exo and its sub-group Exo-M, before leaving the group in October 2014.[1] That year, he was ranked the sixth most popular entertainment star in China by China National Radio.[2] In 2017, Lu Han was listed as the second highest-paid celebrity in the Forbes China Celebrity 100, behind only Fan Bingbing.[3]
Key Information
Lu Han released his solo debut album Reloaded in 2015, and has starred in several box office hits such as 20 Once Again (2015), The Witness (2015), and Time Raiders (2016). In 2017, he starred in his first television series, Fighter of the Destiny.
Early life
[edit]Lu Han was born on April 20, 1990, in Haidian, Beijing. He graduated from Beijing Shida Middle School and attended Beijing Haidian Foreign Language Shi Yan School before leaving for South Korea to attend Yonsei University as an exchange student. He majored in Applied Music at the Seoul Institute of the Arts.
In 2008, Lu Han unsuccessfully auditioned for JYP Entertainment at their global audition in China. In 2010, while studying in Seoul, he was scouted while in Myeong-dong by an SM Entertainment representative who recommended he audition for the company; after which he became a trainee under the agency.
Music career
[edit]2011–2014: Exo
[edit]
Along with Tao, Chen, and Kai, Luhan made his first televised performance at the SBS Gayo Daejeon on December 29, 2011. Following this appearance, he was the second member of Exo to be officially introduced, as one of the four Chinese members of the group and its Mandarin-language sub-group Exo-M.[4]
On October 10, 2014, Luhan filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment to nullify his contract and effectively left Exo.[1]
2015–2016: Solo debut and first tour
[edit]Luhan often contributed to the soundtracks of movies he participated in. He sung the theme song for 20 Once Again, titled "Our Tomorrow". The music video of the song surpassed 1 million views in 47 minutes, setting a new record.[5] He then released a rendition of "Tian mi mi" for the film Comrades: Almost a Love Story. Director Peter Chan is said to have asked Luhan to participate due to his gentle and clear voice as he felt it would be effective in expressing the emotions of the song.[6]
Luhan first announced his solo album in July 2015, where he collaborated with famous producer Djemba Djemba. This was also Djemba's first time producing an album for an Asian artist. The same month, he collaborated with David Tao in a bidding song for the 2022 Winter Olympics held in Beijing.[7]
Luhan's first digital album Reloaded I was released on September 10, 2015, via QQ Music charts. It sold 880,000 copies on the first day, the highest recorded sales number on the first day of official release. Reloaded I also reached over one million sales on QQ Music, setting the record for fastest digital album sales.[8] In November, he released the single "Medals", which also serves as the soundtrack for the 2015 film The Witness. Medals topped the V Chart as well as Billboard Hot 100, becoming the first Mandarin single to top the latter.[9] In December, he released "Deep", a promotional song for the Chinese version of Kungfu Panda 3.[10]
Luhan's first studio album, Reloaded was released on December 14, 2015. The album topped the Tower Records chart in Japan, and became the only album from mainland China to enter the Top 5 of Taiwan's G-Music year-end chart.[11][12] Reloaded sold over 3 million copies and was also certified platinum by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, becoming the first album in mainland China to do so.[13]
Luhan attended the QQ Music Awards, winning the Best Digital Album of the Year for Reloaded as well as the Best Male Singer of the Year. He then embarked on his first solo concert tour, the "Luhan Reloaded: 2016 Luhan 1st China Tour".[14] The tour traveled to Beijing on March 26, Guangzhou on April 2, and Shanghai on April 9. The same month, he won the All-round Artist of the Year and Media Recommended Album of the Year awards at the Chinese Golden Charts Awards; and the Album of the Year and Artist of the Year awards at the 4th V Chart Awards. He is also the first Chinese singer to achieve a double platinum record, having sold over 2 million copies of Reloaded I.[15][16]
2016–present: XXVII (27)
[edit]
Starting from late 2016, Luhan announced that he will be releasing a series of albums under the theme "XXVII", which stands for "Xperience", "Xplore", "Venture", "Imagination" and "I". The albums are meant to document Luhan's growth story at the age of 27.[17]
On October 21, 2016, Luhan unveiled his third digital album Xperience with the track "Catch Me When I Fall". The song is jointly produced by Santell, whom participated in Luhan's first solo album Reloaded, and the Picard Brothers, a French producer team who has crafted songs for Diplo and Chris Brown.[18] On December 27, 2016, he published his fourth digital album Xplore, containing the tracks "Winter Song" and "Skin to Skin".[19] "Skin to Skin' is Luhan's second English-language song, and incorporates various genres such as R&B, Future Bass, Electro and House.[20]
On February 21, 2017, Luhan unveiled his fifth digital album Venture with the songs "What if I Said" and "Roleplay".[21] He participated in writing the lyrics for the track "Roleplay", which details his own experience in dealing with harassment from the paparazzi.[22][23] "Imagination" was released in April 2017 and consisted of two tracks – "On Call" (his first attempt at the fusion jazz genre) and "Say It".[24] "I", the last part of the album series, was released in June 2017 with two songs "Set It Off" and "On Fire".[25]
On July 20, 2017, Luhan won the "Album of the Year" award at the Asian Music Gala for the XXVII album series.[26] On September 9, 2017, he released a single for the soundtrack of the film Sky Hunter.[27]
On April 17, 2019, Luhan released a single album, π-volume.1, which sold over 3.4 million copies.[28] On August 30, 2019, he released a second single album, π-volume.2, which sold over 1.2 million copies.[29]
On January 17, 2020, Luhan released a single, "Dream Up", to promote his third concert tour.[30]
Television and film career
[edit]Luhan made his film debut in the 2015 film 20 Once Again, the Chinese remake of the Korean hit movie Miss Granny.[31] It topped box office charts and broke records to become the highest-grossing Korean-Chinese co-produced film.[32] For his performance, he won the "Newcomer of the Year" award at the Beijing International Film Festival, as well as the "Most Popular Actor" award at the Beijing College Student Film Festival.[33][34] The same year, he joined the cast of Hurry Up, Brother, a spin-off from the original South Korean variety program Running Man.[35] Luhan then starred opposite Yang Mi in the crime thriller The Witness, a remake of the 2011 Korean movie Blind.[36]
In 2016, he starred in the fantasy-action-adventure film Time Raiders, based on the online novel series Tomb Raiders. The film premiered on August 5 and topped box office charts, becoming the biggest summer hit of 2016.[37] He then featured in The Great Wall, a historical epic directed by Zhang Yimou.[38]
In 2017, Luhan starred in his first television drama Fighter of the Destiny, a fantasy wuxia series based on the novel of the same name.[39] In June, he was cast in the youth sports drama Sweet Combat alongside Guan Xiaotong.[40] In September, it was announced that Luhan was cast in the upcoming science fiction film Shanghai Fortress alongside Shu Qi. The film is adapted from the 2006 novel Once Upon a Time in Shanghai and was released in 2019.[41]
In the media
[edit]Luhan has been dubbed by foreign media as the Chinese counterpart of popular pop star Justin Bieber, due to his massive popularity and dedicated fandom in China. The term "Luhan effect" was used to describe his massive influence among fans.[42][43] He currently holds the Guinness World Record for the "Most Comments on a Weibo Post", which was established in August 2014 and subsequently surpassed by Luhan himself in September 2015.[44][45] In 2016, he set a second Guinness World Record for the "Largest gathering of people wearing antlers" at the 2016 LuHan Reloaded China Tour, in Beijing, China.[46] He is also noted for his achievements in both music and film, holding records on Chinese digital music platforms; and ranking at the top of the Star Box-office Chart on nuomi.com, one of the country's largest online ticket-buying platforms.
Yan Siwei, a broker who works in the entertainment industry, opined that Luhan stands for a new fandom model; in this model, the artist uses social media data instead of works to galvanize fans, and the fans are well-organized to protect the artist and maintain the fandom.[47] GQ did an investigation on the fandom and call it "a systemic, detailed social labor division and powerful execution empire."[48] After Luhan outsold Jay Chou by several million albums, some raised concerns about whether Mandopop has "died" or become over-commercialized.[49][50] In 2019, the failure of Shanghai Fortress made some question if Luhan and this model would flop soon. A guest in a talk program opined that these kind of artists are "meteors" instead of "stars."[51]
Luhan first appeared on the Forbes China Celebrity 100 in 2015, ranking 37th.[52] He rose up 35 spots to rank 2nd in 2017, becoming the highest ranked male celebrity in China.[3] In 2016, Luhan was featured on Business of Fashion's "BOF 100" rankings, becoming the only Chinese celebrity to make it onto the rankings, and was given the title of "Most Anticipated Chinese Star".[53][54] He is also the first celebrity born after 1990 to be named the "Artist of the Year" by China Newsweek.[55]
Endorsements and ambassador roles
[edit]Luhan is one of the most in-demand brand ambassadors in China, particularly among the younger generation. His endorsement ranges from local products such as Oppo mobile phones and Baidu interactive maps to international ones like Puma and Cartier SA, of which he is their first Asian endorser.[56]
On December 1, 2015, Luhan was announced to be the official China ambassador of Star Wars.[57] He released a single titled "The Inner Force", which is the official Chinese promotional theme song for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.[58]
From 2015 to 2016, Luhan appeared on the cover of more than 20 magazines. He became the first Chinese celebrity to grace the covers of Elle China, GQ Style, Forbes China, Harper's Bazaar, and Cosmopolitan. He broke the record for having more than 200,000 people buy out a 20,000 limited edition run of a magazine cover in one second.[54]
Personal life
[edit]Relationship
[edit]On October 8, 2017, Luhan and Chinese actress Guan Xiaotong admitted that they were dating.[59][60]
Activism
[edit]In August 2019, during the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests, Luhan shared photos of the Chinese flag accompanied by the hashtags "the Chinese national flag has 1.4 billion flag bearers" and "I am a flag bearer" on his official Weibo account.[61]
Discography
[edit]- Reloaded (2015)
- XXVII+ (2017)
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 20 Once Again | Xiang Qianjin | |
| 12 Golden Ducks | K-pop dancer | Cameo | |
| The Witness | Lin Chong | Lead role | |
| 2016 | Time Raiders | Wu Xie | Lead role |
| The Great Wall | Peng Yong | ||
| See You Tomorrow | Ma Li (young) | Cameo | |
| 2017 | The Founding of an Army | Deng Xiaoping | Cameo |
| 2019 | Shanghai Fortress | Jiang Yang |
Television drama
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | To the Beautiful You | Himself | Cameo; episode 2[62] |
| 2017 | Fighter of the Destiny | Chen Changsheng | |
| 2018 | Sweet Combat | Ming Tian | |
| 2020 | Cross Fire | Xiao Feng | [63] |
| Sisyphus | Zhao Binbin | [64] |
Variety shows
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–2018 | Keep Running | Cast member | |
| 2018 | Hot Blood Dance Crew | Dance mentor | |
| 2020 | Produce Camp 2020 | Mentor | [65] |
Music videos
[edit]| Title | Year | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| "Maxstep" (as part of Younique Unit) | 2012 | |
| "Our Tomorrow" | 2014 | |
| "Sweet Honey" | 2015 | |
| "Please Come to the Great Wall to Ski" (with David Tao) | ||
| "Medals" | ||
| "Deep" | ||
| "The Inner Force" | 2016 | |
| "Back to 17" | ||
| "Let Me By Your Side" | ||
| "Chasing Dream With Childlike Heart" | 2017 | |
| Guest appearances | ||
| "The Last Game" (remake; Kim Min-kyo) | 2014 | |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Nominated work | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 2014 Baidu Moments Conference | Most Valuable Male Star | Won | [66] | |
| iQiyi All-Star Carnival Night | Asia Popular Idol Award | Won | [67] | ||
| Tudou Young Choice Awards | Person of the Year | Won | [68] | ||
| Baidu Fudian | Annual Most Popular Male Artist | Won | [69] | ||
| 2015 | 2014 Sina Weibo Night | Weibo Male God of the Year | Won | [70] | |
| Weibo King | Won | ||||
| 20 Once Again | 5th Beijing International Film Festival | Newcomer of the Year | Won | [33] | |
| 22nd Beijing College Student Film Festival | Most Popular Actor | Won | [34] | ||
| Best Newcomer | Nominated | ||||
| 12th Guangzhou University Student Film Festival | Most Popular Actor | Won | [71] | ||
| 2016 | Reloaded | QQ Music Awards | Best Digital Album of the Year | Won | [72] |
| Best Male Singer of the Year | Won | ||||
| Reloaded | Music Radio Global Chinese Golden Chart | Media Recommended Album of the Year | Won | [73] | |
| All-round Artist of the Year | Won | ||||
| "Medals" | Top 20 Songs of the Year | Won | |||
| Reloaded | 4th V Chart Awards | Best Album of the Year | Won | [74] | |
| Best Male Artist – Mainland | Won | ||||
| Tencent Star Awards | Asia All-Round Artist Award | Won | [75] | ||
| iQiyi All-Star Carnival | Asia All-Rounded Artist | Won | [76] | ||
| 2017 | XXVII | Asian Music Gala | Album of the Year | Won | [26] |
| "Winter Song" | Fresh Asia Chart Festival 2017 | Top 10 Songs | Won | [77] | |
| "What If I Said" | Won | ||||
| "On Call" | Won | ||||
| "Skin to Skin" | Best Music Video | Won | |||
| 2018 | iQiyi Scream Night 2019 | All-round Artist of the Year | Won | [78] |
Forbes China Celebrity 100
[edit]| Year | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 31st | [79] |
| 2017 | 2nd | [80] |
| 2019 | 13th | [81] |
| 2020 | 15th | [82] |
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External links
[edit]- Lu Han on Sina Weibo
Lu Han
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Childhood and family background
Lu Han was born on April 20, 1990, in Haidian District, Beijing, China.[7][1] He grew up in this urban, educationally prominent district of the Chinese capital, which is home to numerous universities and reflects a middle-class environment typical of many Beijing families during that era.[7] From a young age, Lu Han showed interest in performing arts, participating in school events that involved singing and dancing, though detailed accounts of family encouragement remain limited in public records.[3] Specific family details, such as parental professions, are not extensively documented in verified sources, with some unconfirmed reports suggesting ties to military or business backgrounds that may have instilled disciplined traits. His upbringing emphasized self-reliance amid Beijing's competitive urban landscape, shaping early habits like martial arts practice and basketball, which honed physical discipline.[7]Education and pre-debut activities
Lu Han graduated from Beijing Shida Middle School in Beijing, where he completed his early secondary education.[3] He subsequently attended Beijing Haidian Foreign Language Shi Yan School, a boarding institution emphasizing foreign language instruction, though he did not complete his studies there before departing for South Korea.[8] [2] After high school, Lu Han moved to Seoul in 2009 to pursue further education, enrolling at the Seoul Institute of the Arts with a focus on applied music.[2] During this period, he honed his performance skills, including dance training that built on his prior interest in choreography and vocals demonstrated through school activities and informal pursuits in China.[9] In 2008, prior to relocating, he had attempted an audition for JYP Entertainment in China but was unsuccessful.[2] While studying in Seoul, Lu Han was scouted by an SM Entertainment casting agent in Myeong-dong in 2010, who directed him to audition via the company's annual S.M. Casting System; he passed and began trainee activities, marking his entry into professional entertainment preparation.[9] [8] This phase involved intensive development of his singing and dancing abilities, leveraging his emerging talents in performance arts.[2]Music career
EXO era (2011–2014)
Lu Han was introduced as a member of the boy band EXO by SM Entertainment on December 27, 2011, as part of the group's pre-debut teasers.[10] EXO officially debuted on April 8, 2012, with the mini-album Mama, featuring Lu Han prominently in performances alongside the 11 other members divided into Korean subunit EXO-K and Chinese subunit EXO-M, of which he was a part.[11] Within EXO-M, Lu Han served as a lead vocalist, dancer, and was often highlighted for his visual appeal, contributing to key vocal lines and choreography in tracks like the debut single "Mama."[12] The group's popularity surged with the release of the repackaged album XOXO (Kiss & Hug) on June 7, 2013, particularly the lead single "Growl," which Lu Han performed in both Korean and Chinese versions; the Korean version was released on July 31, 2013.[13] "Growl" achieved massive commercial success, topping charts and selling over a million copies for the album, significantly expanding EXO's fanbase known as EXO-L. Lu Han's participation in promotional activities, including music shows and fan meetings, helped solidify his role in the group's rising international profile, especially in China.[14] EXO embarked on their first concert tour, EXO Planet #1 – The Lost Planet, starting in Seoul on May 10–11, 2014, with Lu Han actively performing across Asian dates, including Singapore, before his departure.[15] The group garnered awards such as Best New Artist at the 2012 Mnet Asian Music Awards, with Lu Han contributing to these collective achievements. Individually, he received recognition for the most comments on a Sina Weibo post, earning a Guinness World Record certificate in August 2014 for a 2012 post that amassed over 7.7 million comments.[15] Amid the demanding schedules, Lu Han experienced health deterioration, including anxiety and physical strain from overwork, as cited in his legal filings. On October 10, 2014, he filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment in the Seoul Central District Court seeking to nullify his exclusive contract, arguing unfair treatment, health impacts, and a desire to focus on activities in China.[16] SM contested the claims, asserting contract validity, but the dispute highlighted tensions over member welfare and international operations. The case proceeded to mediation, culminating in contract termination via settlement in July 2016.[17]Solo debut and establishment (2015–2017)
Following his departure from EXO in October 2014, Lu Han transitioned to solo activities in China under his self-established LuHan Studio, marking a shift from K-pop group dynamics to independent Mandopop production.[18] His debut solo mini-album Reloaded I was released digitally on September 10, 2015, exclusively via QQ Music, featuring tracks like "That Good Good" that emphasized upbeat, self-produced Mandarin-language pop with themes of personal reinvention.[19][20] The EP achieved immediate commercial dominance, selling 880,000 copies on its first day—the highest first-day digital sales record in China at the time—and surpassing 1 million units shortly after, underscoring Lu Han's rapid adaptation to the domestic market.[21][22] The full Reloaded album followed on December 22, 2015, compiling the mini-album with additional tracks and physical editions, which collectively sold over 2 million copies, earning Lu Han the distinction as the first Chinese singer to attain double platinum certification for album sales.[23][22] This success reflected a deliberate pivot toward mature, introspective content in Mandopop, distancing from EXO's synchronized idol format while leveraging Lu Han's vocal and production involvement to appeal to broader Chinese audiences.[12] In November 2015, he released the single "Medals," further solidifying his solo branding with motivational themes tied to perseverance.[21] By 2016, Lu Han expanded his output with the "X" single series, including Xperience and Xplore, which maintained high streaming volumes on platforms like QQ Music and emphasized experimental electronic-Mandopop fusion.[12] These releases, coupled with his inaugural solo concert tour—the Reloaded Tour—drove record-breaking attendance and merchandise sales, with events in major cities like Beijing drawing massive crowds and contributing to his Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people wearing antlers.[24] The tour's commercial viability, including rapid sell-outs, affirmed Lu Han's establishment as a standalone artist capable of sustaining fan engagement without group affiliation.[21] Through 2017, follow-up singles like Venture and Imagination continued this trajectory, focusing on thematic depth in relationships and ambition, while amassing millions in digital sales and reinforcing his market position.[12][25]Mature phase and tours (2018–2025)
In 2018, Lu Han released the album XXVII, which concluded a series of digital singles initiated in 2016 and emphasized his thematic exploration of experience, exploration, venture, imagination, and self through varied tracks including remixes.[26] This project marked a shift toward more mature production involvement, with Lu Han contributing to creative decisions amid his transition to independent artistry.[27] Subsequent releases, such as the π-volume.1 EP on May 10, 2019, and π-volume.2 on September 16, 2019, incorporated genre experimentation blending pop, electronic, and experimental elements, reflecting his growing self-production role in songwriting and arrangement.[28] Lu Han conducted multiple Asia tours during this period, building on earlier solo efforts with expansive live shows featuring high-energy choreography and fan interactions. The 2025 Season's Greetings Asia Tour (Season 4), launched in mid-2025, included stops in Shanghai on August dates, Singapore at Arena@Expo on September 27, Macau on October 4, and Hong Kong Coliseum on October 25–26, drawing large crowds and marking his return to international stages post-pandemic.[29] [30] During the Shanghai leg in August 2025, former EXO member Tao joined for a surprise on-stage reunion, performing select tracks together and eliciting strong positive fan responses, with social media clips garnering widespread shares and comments expressing excitement over the rare collaboration.[31] [32] The tour faced disruptions when, on October 6, 2025, organizers announced cancellations for the Kuala Lumpur show (originally October 11 at Mega Star Arena) and Yokohama performance due to Lu Han's health condition, following medical advice prioritizing recovery over continuation.[33] [34] Refunds were processed promptly, with additional compensation offered for travel-related expenses, underscoring logistical challenges in high-demand regional touring.[35] Despite these setbacks, Lu Han's releases maintained significant streaming presence in China, positioning him among top domestic artists by late 2025 metrics.[36]Acting career
Breakthrough roles
Lu Han made his acting debut in the 2015 fantasy comedy film 20 Once Again, a Chinese remake of the South Korean hit Miss Granny, directed by Leste Chen and released on January 8, 2015.[37] In the film, he portrayed Xiang Qianjin, the musically inclined grandson of the protagonist, who discovers and promotes the transformed elderly woman's vocal talents, showcasing his character's youthful energy and comedic interactions.[38] The movie achieved significant commercial success, grossing nearly $60 million at the Chinese box office and holding the top spot for eight consecutive days, outperforming major Hollywood releases.[37] [39] Lu Han's performance earned him the Most Popular Actor award at the 22nd Beijing College Student Film Festival, with recognition for his natural comedic timing and appeal to younger audiences, marking his transition from idol singer to screen presence.[40] Building on this, Lu Han took on more demanding lead roles in 2015's The Witness, a crime thriller remake of the Korean film Confession of Murder, where he played Lin Chong, a detective unraveling a serial killer case. Released on October 16, 2015, the film also became a box office success, contributing to Lu Han's growing reputation for handling suspenseful narratives beyond light comedy.[37] [38] In 2016, he starred as the adventurer Wu Xie in the action-fantasy Time Raiders, adapted from a popular novel series, which emphasized physical performance and ensemble dynamics in a tomb-raiding plot, further demonstrating his willingness to explore genre diversity.[38] By 2017, Lu Han entered television with the lead role of Fang Zhengfeng in the fantasy web series Fighter of the Destiny, his first small-screen project, blending martial arts, destiny-themed drama, and character growth arcs that leveraged his dance-honed physicality.[38] Early critical reception praised his versatility in shifting from musical idol roots to varied roles, attributing box office draws to his fanbase's loyalty and on-screen charisma.[22] However, some observers noted limitations typical of idol-actors, such as reliance on visual appeal over nuanced emotional depth, though these did not hinder his commercial breakthroughs.[41]Major projects and collaborations
In 2017, Lu Han starred as the lead Chen Changsheng in the fantasy drama series Fighter of the Destiny, adapted from Mao Ni's novel Ze Tian Ji, portraying a determined scholar navigating a world of cultivation and political intrigue.[42] The series, co-starring Gulnazar as Xu Yourong and Zeng Shunxi as Luo Luo, aired on Hunan TV from April 17 to June 1, achieving CSM52 urban ratings averaging approximately 1.05% across its initial episodes, reflecting moderate television viewership in China amid competition from streaming platforms.[43] While the production garnered attention for its high-budget visual effects and Lu Han's central role in driving fan engagement, industry critiques noted his portrayal lacked the requisite stoic depth for the character's calm demeanor, attributing this to his idol background prioritizing charisma over nuanced emotional range.[42] Subsequent projects included the 2019 science fiction action film Shanghai Fortress, where Lu Han collaborated with veteran actress Shu Qi, playing a tech-savvy operative in a defense against alien invasion based on Yao Ji's novel.[44] Despite a reported production budget exceeding 300 million yuan, the film underperformed commercially, earning limited box office returns and facing observer commentary on Lu Han's performance as energetic yet insufficiently layered for dramatic tension.[44] These endeavors highlighted Lu Han's pivot toward action-oriented genres, often pairing him with established co-stars to leverage his popularity for broader appeal, though evaluations emphasized his screen presence as a strength in visually dynamic sequences over substantive acting critiques from peers.[45] No major awards for these roles were secured, with success metrics leaning more on initial hype from his fanbase than critical acclaim or sustained ratings.[42]Public image and endorsements
Media portrayal
Following his departure from EXO in October 2014, Lu Han's media portrayal in Chinese outlets shifted from that of a K-pop heartthrob emphasizing youthful visuals and group dynamics to a solo mainstay in domestic entertainment, with coverage highlighting his rapid ascent in Mandopop and acting.[41] Chinese media frequently depicted him as a "little fresh meat" archetype, coining the "Lu Han effect" for his trendsetting influence on fans, evidenced by a 2016 Shanghai mailbox photo sparking a tourist site.[41] This era saw peak volume, including over 20 magazine covers between 2015 and 2017 and a No. 2 ranking on Forbes China's Celebrity 100 list in 2017, underscoring his commercial draw amid 58 million Weibo followers.[41] Public persona coverage emphasized diligence through prolific output, such as album releases and tours, evolving toward a mature artist image by 2020 via complex roles in projects like CrossFire and coaching on Chuang 2020, where he was labeled a "gentle critic."[46] Social media trends amplified fan interactions, with Weibo posts driving high engagement on his work ethic and privacy, though incidents tested this narrative.[47] Positive tones praised him as a "public cultural phenomenon" fostering new star-making mechanisms.[41] Skeptical portrayals emerged post-2017, noting tonal shifts toward waning aura, with critiques like a "mirage built by empty enthusiasm" amid low ratings for shows like Sweet Blow and concert scalping issues.[41] Fan loss of 800,000 after a 2017 relationship reveal and displacement by rivals like Cai Xukun signaled declining dominance.[41] A November 2024 livestream incident, involving intoxication, swearing, and gestures, prompted widespread negative coverage in outlets like Global Times and China Daily, leading to a temporary social media follow ban and public apology on January 6, 2025, highlighting lapses in his private, disciplined image.[48][49] Korean media, by contrast, focused on contractual disputes post-departure, fostering a more adversarial tone absent in Chinese narratives.[50]Brand ambassadorships and commercial ventures
Lu Han has served as a global brand ambassador for Gucci since 2020, prominently featuring in campaigns for Gucci Beauty products such as the Fluide De Beauté foundation and Eternité de Beauté foundation, as well as equestrian-themed collections and Lunar New Year lines.[51][52] He has also endorsed luxury brands including Cartier and Lancôme, alongside beauty retailer L'Occitane, whose China sales increased partly due to his involvement in 2017 promotions.[53][54] Domestic and international partnerships extend to Coca-Cola for China-specific advertising and Puma for sportswear campaigns.[47][55] These endorsements have significantly bolstered Lu Han's commercial value, positioning him second on the 2017 Forbes China Celebrity 100 list with pretax earnings of 210 million yuan (approximately US$31 million), attributed largely to advertising revenue amid his high social media influence.[56][47] Beyond ambassadorships, Lu Han co-founded the streetwear label Un Garçon Club (UGC) in 2021, maintaining anonymity until revealing his role in an i-D magazine interview, marking an extension of his fashion interests into independent ventures.[57] In 2018, he invested in the Chinese esports team Lstars, aligning with the sector's growth and his appeal to younger demographics, though the team later rebranded.[58][59]Personal life
Family and relationships
Lu Han was born on April 20, 1990, in Haidian District, Beijing, China.[60] Public details about his parents are limited, as he has not extensively disclosed their backgrounds or professions, though early reports suggested ties to military families without direct confirmation from Lu Han himself.[61] No verified information exists on siblings, indicating he is likely an only child. His Beijing upbringing provided a foundation for his performing arts interests, with family reportedly facilitating his relocation to South Korea for training after auditioning for SM Entertainment in 2009, though specific parental involvement remains undocumented in primary sources. On October 8, 2017, Lu Han announced his relationship with actress Guan Xiaotong through a Weibo post introducing her as his girlfriend, which she affirmed with a reciprocal response.[62] The couple, who met via collaborations on the variety program Keep Running and the 2019 drama Sweet Combat, maintained visibility through joint public appearances, such as events and social media endorsements, spanning over seven years despite a seven-year age gap (Guan born in 1997).[63] They mutually promoted projects, including Lu Han's music releases and Guan Xiaotong's film roles, fostering a narrative of supportive partnership in Chinese entertainment media. By December 2024, multiple outlets reported the relationship had ended, citing diminished joint outings and unverified personal incidents as evidence, with no official statements from either party refuting the claims as of October 2025.[64][65] Prior to these shifts, the pair's interactions exemplified a stable, publicly affirmed coupling uncommon in the industry, though recent media scrutiny highlights evolving dynamics without resolved confirmation.[66]Health and privacy concerns
In October 2014, Lu Han cited health complications stemming from overwork and exhaustion as a primary reason for his departure from EXO, including symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, dizziness, and accumulated fatigue that required medical rest.[50][67] These issues had previously led to his absence from group concerts and activities, with SM Entertainment attributing them to severe exhaustion necessitating recovery.[68] In December 2015, Lu Han announced a temporary suspension of activities in China due to deteriorating health, further highlighting the toll of his rigorous schedule.[69] These patterns of fatigue recurred in 2025, prompting the cancellation of two stops on his Season 4 Asia Tour—scheduled for October 11 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and a subsequent date in Japan—on medical advice to prioritize recovery.[34][70] Lu Han's studio issued an apology on October 6, confirming the decisions followed expert evaluation of his condition, with full refunds provided to ticket holders, including compensation for travel and accommodations to mitigate fan inconvenience.[35][71] Regarding privacy, Lu Han's accounts on major Chinese platforms, including Weibo, were restricted from gaining new followers starting January 6, 2025, following a livestream where he appeared intoxicated, used profanity, and made obscene gestures toward viewers and critics.[48][72] His team issued an apology on his behalf, acknowledging the violation of platform guidelines and committing to self-reflection, which resulted in a temporary blackout of interactive features to curb further public scrutiny.[73] The accounts were reactivated for public access by July 5, 2025, signaling a managed return to online engagement while emphasizing boundaries against invasive online behavior.[74]Controversies
Departure from EXO
On October 10, 2014, Lu Han filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment in the Seoul Central District Court seeking to nullify his exclusive contract, primarily citing health deterioration from overwork and unequal treatment toward Chinese members of EXO.[75][50] SM Entertainment countered by asserting that Lu Han's unilateral departure breached contract terms, filing its own lawsuit against him in April 2015 for violations including unauthorized independent activities.[76] The agency further pursued multiple legal actions in China, submitting 14 lawsuits by June 2016 alleging continued infringement on exclusive rights through Lu Han's post-departure promotions and performances.[77] The dispute escalated into a prolonged legal saga spanning 2014 to 2016, involving cross-jurisdictional claims over contract validity and profit-sharing, with SM maintaining that Lu Han's actions damaged group cohesion and fan trust.[78] Arbitration proceedings in Seoul recommended a settlement in mid-2016, which both parties accepted by July 21, effectively resolving the core termination demands without full contract dissolution but allowing Lu Han to focus on solo endeavors outside EXO activities.[79][17] The departure polarized fans, with SM highlighting breaches that allegedly fueled division within EXO's international fandom, though specific metrics on opposing petitions remain undocumented in primary reports. Post-resolution, Lu Han achieved commercial success in China through solo music releases, acting roles, and endorsements, amassing significant domestic revenue streams independent of K-pop structures.[80] However, segments of the K-pop community, particularly core EXO supporters, have sustained criticisms framing the exit as disloyalty to the group, evidenced in ongoing online backlash to his occasional nods toward EXO-era material.[81] This reputational rift persists, contrasting his mainland China acclaim with residual distrust among Korean-centric audiences who prioritize group fidelity over individual agency claims.Relationship scandals and rumors
In February 2025, anonymous online claims accused Lu Han of infidelity, identifying him as the male celebrity referenced in a broader exposé about a high-profile cheating scandal involving emotional and possibly physical affairs with multiple parties.[82][83] These allegations, originating from unverified forum posts and social media threads, lacked concrete evidence such as photos or witness accounts but rapidly trended on platforms like Weibo, prompting Lu Han's studio to issue denials and pursue legal action against bloggers spreading related false narratives, including depictions of him appearing intoxicated or unsteady.[84] The claims fueled speculation about strain in his long-term relationship with actress Guan Xiaotong, though no direct link was substantiated, and Lu Han maintained public silence beyond the studio's statements. Breakup rumors with Guan Xiaotong, whom Lu Han publicly confirmed dating in 2017, escalated in April 2025 amid the cheating discourse and observations of reduced joint appearances and social media interactions.[85][83] Further intensification occurred in September 2025, when Lu Han omitted his customary midnight birthday post for Guan Xiaotong on September 17— a tradition observed annually since their relationship began— alongside reports from entertainment journalists claiming the couple had separated as early as December 2024 without reconciliation.[86][65] Additional fuel came from Guan Xiaotong's father, Guan Shaozeng, inadvertently liking a Weibo post alleging the split occurred around Chinese Valentine's Day (Qixi Festival, August 10), which he quickly unliked but which netizens screenshotted and amplified.[87] Neither party has officially confirmed or denied the separation, leading to ongoing fan debates and scrutiny of their individual posts for subtle signals, such as Guan Xiaotong looping breakup-themed songs repeatedly in April.[88] Amid these developments, unverified rumors in September 2025 suggested Guan Xiaotong had secretly given birth to Lu Han's child, speculated to explain her reduced visibility and the couple's alleged relational shifts, though no medical records, photos, or official statements supported this.[89] Similar unsubstantiated claims of secret marriage or parenthood have circulated periodically since 2015, previously refuted by Lu Han's team in July 2015 stating no Korean girlfriend, marriage, or child existed, and by Guan Shaozeng in November 2022 denying wedding rumors.[90][91] No recent legal notices specifically targeting the 2025 child rumors were reported, but the persistent lack of evidence has led to their dismissal in some media analyses as extensions of breakup sensationalism rather than factual disclosures. These speculations have notably impacted Lu Han's public image, with fans expressing concern over his altered appearance—described as gaunt and tearful in public sightings—and his trending status on search engines multiple times in 2025 due to emotional distress narratives.[92][93]Professional disputes and public incidents
In early January 2025, Lu Han encountered significant public backlash following a November 2024 livestream on Chinese platforms where he appeared intoxicated, uttered profanities, and displayed an offensive middle finger gesture toward the camera.[72][94] This behavior violated community guidelines, resulting in the immediate suspension of his accounts across major sites including Weibo, Douyin, and Xiaohongshu, rendering them inaccessible for following or interaction.[48][95] Lu Han's studio issued a formal apology on January 6, 2025, acknowledging that he had set a poor example, expressed regret for the incident, and committed to greater self-discipline moving forward.[48][96] The accounts were reactivated on July 5, 2025, allowing public access once more.[74] In October 2025, Lu Han cancelled multiple dates on his Season 4 Asia Tour, including the October 11 show in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and a subsequent performance in Japan, citing health concerns diagnosed as requiring rest per medical advice.[34][70] His team apologized publicly on October 7, emphasizing the necessity of prioritizing recovery and promising detailed refund information via official channels.[34][97] Ticket holders received full refunds without delay, supplemented by compensation for flights, accommodations, and other verified travel expenses to mitigate fan inconvenience.[35][71] These incidents highlighted operational challenges in Lu Han's solo career, including tensions from his post-EXO fanbase fragmentation, where his expanding Chinese supporter network contrasted with persistent criticisms from international EXO-L communities over his 2014 group exit and independent pursuits.[98][99]Philanthropy and activism
Charitable activities
Lu Han has engaged in philanthropy primarily through donations supporting education and sports access in rural China, as well as disaster relief efforts. Beginning in 2013, he participated in the Asian Dream Cup charity football competition, directing all proceeds to aid victims of the Sichuan earthquake disaster.[100] This marked his initial foray into targeted relief, focusing on children affected by natural calamities.[101] A core aspect of his charitable work involves funding the construction of football fields at under-resourced schools to promote physical education and youth development. From 2016 onward, Lu Han and his studio have donated fields to primary and secondary schools in provinces including Anhui and Chongqing, with the initiative formalized under the "Football First Lesson" project launched in 2018.[102] By 2022, he had contributed to seven such fields, expanding to ten by early 2025, including the latest at a school in Heilongjiang's Suihua city, benefiting thousands of students in remote areas lacking sports facilities.[103][104] In collaboration with the Manchester United Foundation in 2020, his project received donated football kits and equipment for rural schoolchildren, enhancing program reach.[105] He has also supported broader relief initiatives, including a January 2025 donation to the Tomorrow Foundation for recovery efforts following the Tibet earthquake.[106] Earlier, in 2015, Lu Han participated in the Bazaar Charity Night, contributing to fundraising that included ambulance donations, earning him the 24th ranking on China's Philanthropist List that year.[61] These efforts emphasize direct, verifiable infrastructure and aid, with impacts measured in built facilities and recipient communities rather than promotional fan-driven activities.[102]Public stances on social issues
In October 2014, Lu Han filed a lawsuit in Beijing against SM Entertainment to nullify his exclusive contract, arguing that the agency's management exacerbated his health issues, including vestibular dysfunction, and failed to accommodate his physical and mental well-being during intensive schedules.[107] The dispute, settled in July 2016 with a court-recommended reduction of the contract term to seven years, underscored tensions over long-term exclusivity clauses common in Korean entertainment contracts, which Lu Han's representatives described as overly restrictive for Chinese artists pursuing domestic opportunities.[108] This legal action, alongside similar suits by former EXO members Kris Wu and Tao, spotlighted artist autonomy concerns in cross-border entertainment, though it did not directly alter Chinese regulatory frameworks.[109] Lu Han has expressed firm patriotic positions on territorial integrity. In September 2021, he ended his endorsement deal with Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet after its CEO referred to Taiwan as a "country" in an interview, with his studio issuing a statement that the remarks contradicted China's sovereignty claims and Lu Han's personal principles, demanding a worldwide apology in Chinese and English.[110] [111] Supporters praised the move as principled defense of national unity, while critics, including some online commentators, labeled it performative to safeguard his career amid China's regulatory emphasis on patriotic content in media.[112] Similarly, during the 2019 Hong Kong protests, Lu Han posted images of the Chinese flag with captions affirming its dignity and Hong Kong's status as part of China, aligning with state narratives against protest actions like flag desecration.[113] Public commentary from Lu Han on environmental or youth-specific issues remains sparse and promotional in nature. In October 2017, he collaborated with Coca-Cola on a sustainability report highlighting corporate environmental efforts, but observers noted the involvement as commercially driven rather than a substantive policy stance.[47] At a 2018 UNODC event, he advocated for youth social inclusion and avoidance of drugs, yet such remarks have been critiqued by media analysts as superficial endorsements lacking deeper engagement or follow-through.[114] These limited expressions contrast with broader industry trends under Chinese regulations promoting "correct political positions," where Lu Han's overall output prioritizes entertainment over explicit social reform advocacy.[115]Legacy and achievements
Awards and recognitions
Lu Han's major music accolades post-departure from EXO include the Best Male Singer of the Year and Best Digital Album of the Year for Reloaded at the 2016 QQ Music Awards, where winners were selected via a combination of online voting, sales data, and media input.[22][116] Prior to his solo career, as part of EXO, he contributed to the group's win for Artist of the Year at the 2013 Mnet Asian Music Awards, a jury- and performance-based event held in South Korea.[117] In recognition of commercial influence, Lu Han received the Most Valuable Male Star award at the 2014 Baidu Moments Conference, determined by Baidu's analysis of search trends, endorsement value, and market impact rather than artistic merit alone.[118] For acting, he earned the Most Popular Actor award for his lead role in the 2015 film 20 Once Again (Chinese remake of Miss Granny), reflecting audience box-office draw at a student film festival.[119] He also received the 2016 Annual Performing Star Award from China News Weekly, honoring overall entertainment contributions.[120] Influence metrics highlight his earnings prominence: Lu Han ranked second on the 2017 Forbes China Celebrity 100 list with estimated pre-tax income of 210 million yuan (about $31 million USD), surpassing most peers based on revenue from endorsements, performances, and media.[56] He climbed from 37th in 2015, underscoring rapid solo ascent in China's celebrity economy.[121] Many domestic awards, however, prioritize fan votes and streaming metrics over peer or critic evaluation, contributing to perceptions of category proliferation in the industry.[116]Cultural impact and fan reception
Lu Han's prominence has contributed to the expansion of China's fan economy, where organized supporter activities generate billions in revenue through merchandise, events, and endorsements. His career exemplifies the "idol effect" in shaping youth culture, with fans driving viral trends and economic mobilization around his releases and appearances, as seen in large-scale online and offline engagements.[122][80] With over 60 million Weibo followers, Lu Han commands one of the highest social media presences among C-pop figures, facilitating brand collaborations and direct fan interaction that amplify his commercial reach. On global platforms like Spotify, he maintains around 217,000 monthly listeners, indicating persistent appeal beyond China despite a focus on domestic markets. His transition from K-pop group member to solo C-pop artist and actor has highlighted pathways for idols navigating cross-cultural entertainment shifts, influencing subsequent performers in blending music with acting.[123][124][80] Fan reception in China reflects strong loyalty, evidenced by concert tours drawing over 100,000 attendees and records like the 2016 Guinness World Record for 1,731 fans wearing antler headbands simultaneously at a Beijing show. However, among international and EXO-era audiences, opinions divide due to his 2014 exit via lawsuit against SM Entertainment, citing health and discriminatory issues, which alienated some former supporters while solidifying his base in China where he was already the group's most popular member.[125][126][127] Critiques often center on over-commercialization, with observers noting heavy reliance on fan metrics potentially inflated by organized boosting, which some argue prioritizes market saturation over artistic depth when benchmarked against K-pop's structured training. Reports of waning influence since 2019 peaks underscore the transient nature of idol stardom, though his enduring fan mobilization counters narratives of outright decline.[128][41]Works
Discography
Lu Han's solo discography features digital-first releases, predominantly extended plays (EPs) and single albums, distributed via Chinese platforms such as QQ Music, where they have achieved multimillion-unit sales driven by pre-order and streaming metrics. His debut solo EP, Reloaded I, set a benchmark by selling 880,000 copies on its first day of release, the highest for a digital album in mainland China at the time. Subsequent releases in the π-volume series continued this trend, with pre-sales often exceeding 1 million units per installment.[24][5][129] The table below catalogs his major solo albums and EPs chronologically, focusing on verifiable release dates and sales data from aggregated digital platform figures in China.| Title | Type | Release date | Sales (China, digital) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reloaded I | EP | September 10, 2015 | 3,358,873 copies |
| Reloaded + | EP | January 2016 | 1,429,902 copies |
| π-volume.1 | Single album/EP | April 17, 2019 | Over 1,666,667 copies (QQ Music Diamond certification) |
| π-volume.2 | Single album/EP | August 30, 2019 | Over 1,000,000 copies (pre-sales) |
| π-volume.3 | Single album/EP | May 27, 2020 | Not publicly detailed |
| π-volume.4 | EP | November 4, 2020 | 1,511,557 copies |
| Saesons | Album | June 13, 2024 | Not publicly detailed |
Filmography
Lu Han debuted as an actor in 2015 with the lead role in the comedy film Back to 20, a Chinese remake of the South Korean hit Miss Granny.[131] His early film roles often featured him in action-oriented or youthful characters, transitioning to more ensemble casts in historical and sci-fi productions.[131] In television, Lu Han gained prominence with fantasy and sports dramas, portraying protagonists in extended series formats typical of Chinese broadcasting.[131]Films
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Back to 20 | Xiang Qian Jin (Main Role) |
| 2015 | The Witness | Lin Chong (Main Role) |
| 2015 | 12 Golden Ducks | Himself (Guest Role) |
| 2016 | Time Raiders | Wu Xie (Main Role) |
| 2016 | The Great Wall | Peng Yong (Main Role) |
| 2016 | See You Tomorrow | Ma Li (Young) (Support Role) |
| 2017 | The Founding of an Army | Deng Xiao Ping (Liaison Officer) (Support Role) |
| 2019 | Shanghai Fortress | Jiang Yang (Main Role) |
Television series
| Year | Title | Role | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Fighter of the Destiny | Chen Chang Sheng (Main Role) | 52 |
| 2018 | Sweet Combat | Ming Tian (Main Role) | 38 |
| 2020 | Cross Fire | Xiao Feng / "Seven" (Main Role) | 36 |
| 2020 | Sisyphus | Zhao Bin Bin / Fu Ji Liang (Main Role) | 12 |
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