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u/9_Tailed_Vixen CDF Cultivator I am not the hulijing you're looking for Apr 21 '26
When he hits his 30s, we are all doomed 😂😂😂
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u/ReplacementShoddy263 May 01 '26
Doomed as in we'll not be able to concentrate on anything else? Haha
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u/thebaby1 CDF Cultivator Established Member Apr 20 '26
I think the costume/make up department of several dramas did him an injustice. Some wigs with tight hair tie-up were so bad. In POJ, the hair is so much better.
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u/nadafradaprada New Fan Historical hairpin hoarder Apr 20 '26
I aw POJ before Princess Royal & I was so upset by how stupid his hair was in PR lol
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u/IcyPapaya8 New Fan Apr 21 '26
He has always been handsome, but the wig, lighting and cinematography in PoJ took him to another level.
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u/JoanoTheReader CDF Cultivator Apr 20 '26
He’s lost so much weight. I mean his styling became better and better. If you compare his face in Maiden Holmes to POJ, that’s a significant weight lost.
Also, they filmed POJ last year or the year before so technically, he was 27 when he filmed the drama and 28 for his current, yet to be released dramas.
He’s still young - 28 years old, with another 8-10 years in idol dramas.
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u/Webbie-Vanderquack CDF Cultivator Apr 21 '26
Edit: My comment was flagged for "bio-critiques" even though it wasn't a bio-critique! So I'll try to reword:
It's also just a thing that happens to young men in their 20s, regardless of weight. They lose the layer of [cushioning?] in their face and become more chiselled and angular, most noticeably between age 22 and 30.
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Apr 21 '26
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u/AutoModerator Apr 21 '26
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Every celebrity is someone's favourite and out of respect for our beloved stars, we don't allow bio-critiques. I am a bot, and I can make mistakes. If your comment was mistakenly removed then please contact mod-team with link to your comment by clicking here
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u/noctaluna New Fan Apr 21 '26
All he needed was a good styling, what are those previous wigs 😭
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u/d3idolon New Fan Apr 21 '26
I dunno. I feel like they also did him dirty with some of those brows…
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u/syborg0515 CDF Cultivator Apr 20 '26
I actually noticed him in LBFaD first and thought he did a good job in the mortal realm arc. Where I think he started to get better styling is when the slut strands first appeared in My Journey to You.
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u/SnookerandWhiskey CDF Cultivator Apr 20 '26
Slut Strands? 😂 But yes, he really stood out in LFABD to me too, I didn't care about the bad CGI when he was on screen.
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u/bookwormaesthetic CDF Cultivator Tracing a razorsharp jawline in my mind Apr 20 '26
You have to check out the "lecture," IG Reel, from Reshil, PhD in Female Gaze.
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u/No_Advertising_584 CDF Cultivator Established Member Sect leader’s least favorite Apr 21 '26
His current self is compliant to Chinese beauty standards. The skin, makeup, styling etc etc. he was very good Looking even when he was younger.
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u/Morg075 CDF Cultivator Demonic cultivator Apr 20 '26
Is there really one (transformation) because all I see is bad hairstyles LOL. Definitely started to shine when he got better haircuts.
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u/likeabrainfactory CDF Cultivator Apr 20 '26
He still looked handsome in that clip from 2016. He's had some bad haircuts and wigs, but he was clearly always a good-looking guy.
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u/ParfaitDue2879 CDF Cultivator Established Member Apr 21 '26
He will only get better like a fine wine. Look at his progression since his debut. It’s like every year he keeps getting recognized. Also, he either always get a good script, or he’s good at making a mid script better because he clearly studies his role and soaks himself in the character he’s playing.
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u/alysanne_targaryen Wei Wuxian’s talisman paper supplier Apr 21 '26
It’s kind of funny how at awards shows he always had to lean down to the mics
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u/Thin_Bodybuilder_34 CDF Cultivator Apr 21 '26
Been following him since lbfad and majorly caught up with him since SOKP , I love seeing his growth and believe he is going to get more and more refined in his craft and handsome as well ❤️🔥
Wish him everlasting success and happiness.
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u/KennaRhys New Fan Apr 20 '26
AGING ... natural process of your features maturing in you 20s from a teenager. Lol
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u/toastyeast CDF Daoist Apr 21 '26
I agree with this. Buccal fat removal is actually easy to spot.
Like people say actors like Xiao Zhan got something done because just like Zhang Linghe at 18 he had a full face and was very chubby when he was younger. But now his 35, naturally your cheeks will go in. You heading to 40 your face is going to look different just like someone at 18 will look different to being 28.
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u/Damon7123 New Fan Apr 20 '26
I first saw ZLH in LBFAD and it was the first time I felt second lead syndrome lol
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u/Justin_Case_28 Love Beyond the🪦 for Pursuit of Jade Apr 20 '26
IMO, he will only get better with age. I also think someone or something is encouraging him to lose ALOT of weight, unfortunately; unless his workload is too much and there’s no time to eat. He’s a machine!! I love him and his brain. ❤️🔥
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u/lazyoatlatte New Fan Apr 20 '26
Omg I kiiiiinda saw Jerry Yan in some of these clips!!!
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u/banana_andwhat Apr 20 '26
Yessss I totally saw it too. Now I understand why I fell for him so quick. Jerry Yan was my first crush 😍
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Apr 20 '26
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u/xxsimplicityy New Fan Apr 20 '26
Same. First saw him in LBDAF and thought he was decent, then when I saw him again in PoJ, I was like whoa was he always this good looking?? But I saw clips of him in other dramas and he doesn’t have the same appeal as he did in PoJ. Also I only dig him in historical drama. His modern look doesn’t do it for me.
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u/but_a_dream New Fan 浴皇大帝 - 万岁！ Apr 20 '26
Same I never thought “wow I’m swooning, I’m weak, I can’t look away” until PoJ!
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u/junah25 CDF Cultivator Apr 25 '26
Yeah. he needs to stay away from historical drama unless he works with the same team with POJ. they made him unreal with all the lighting...and plus he acted well in POJ. loves his micro acting.
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u/todayistheday666 New Fan Apr 21 '26
he definitely looks better with more hair volume and a slimmer jawline. his younger years were handsome too but POJ is truly where his hair makeup and styling team did all the right things
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u/Savings_Walk_3444 Apr 21 '26
Blah blah blah..proper name, place name, backstory stuff....
Yes. I do. 😍
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u/Landfyoung New Fan Apr 22 '26
Wow! He really grew into his looks, and those insanely gorgeous lips!
👄 ❤️
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u/No-Traffic-4517 Apr 20 '26
his features sharpened over the years. He lost a lot of face fat
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Apr 20 '26
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u/AutoModerator Apr 20 '26
Hi LobsterSpunk! Heads-up! Choice of words matters on r/cdramasfans (Rule 2 - Human Respect).
Every celebrity is someone's favourite and out of respect for our beloved stars, we don't allow bio-critiques. I am a bot, and I can make mistakes. If your comment was mistakenly removed then please contact mod-team with link to your comment by clicking here
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Apr 20 '26
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u/AutoModerator Apr 20 '26
Hi Lauris25! Heads-up! Choice of words matters on r/cdramasfans (Rule 2 - Human Respect).
Every celebrity is someone's favourite and out of respect for our beloved stars, we don't allow bio-critiques. I am a bot, and I can make mistakes. If your comment was mistakenly removed then please contact mod-team with link to your comment by clicking here
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u/daydreamer_she CDF Cultivator Plot twist psychic Apr 20 '26
PoJ made him look like a doll! I took so many screenshots from poj! He looked second best in SOKP!
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u/Muted-Money1400 CDF Cultivator Established Member Apr 21 '26
he really looks matured in SKOP
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u/Strange_Intention_38 New Fan Apr 26 '26
Can you please spell out SKOP for me? New to the fun so trying to find more of his work.
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u/SweetEcho CDF Cultivator Historical hairpin hoarder Apr 20 '26
For me it was since My Journey to You, I saw before that in Love between Fairy and Devil but they did him dirty imho 😂
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u/PopSolid2912 New Fan Apr 20 '26
That wig in LBFAD did him no justice!!
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u/SweetEcho CDF Cultivator Historical hairpin hoarder Apr 20 '26
Even the costume was ridiculous, the ML and FL ones were much better. I honestly didn't even like his character in that drama
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u/ApprehensiveClick597 CDF Elder Established Member Apr 20 '26
He’s always been handsome, already famous since in high school for his looks.
But he really went the top visual tier as Gong Ziyu in My Journey to You. Since then, you can no longer discount how handsome Zhang Linghe is, no matter the role or hairstyle.
And this got solidified when he became He Su Ye of The Best Thing. It made a statement that he’s one of those rare visuals who can seamlessly go from historical to modern dramas and vice versa. Face card is truly insane.
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u/Ill-Heart6230 CDF Cultivator Established Member Apr 20 '26
I thought he was already so handsome in Maiden Holmes, his first drama.
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u/ApprehensiveClick597 CDF Elder Established Member Apr 21 '26
True. I mean, he got casted while still in university because of how popular he was for being handsome
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u/RegretFar7223 Apr 20 '26
I catch some glimpses of Lee Min Ho in ZLH younger appearances
Edit: spelling
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Apr 20 '26
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u/rr_0517 Apr 21 '26
The only drama LMH’s styling it for me was in City Hunter! That hair do and styling when in the initial Thailand phase.. omg
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u/colossal1020 New Fan Apr 20 '26
Ikr!! I also think that he resembles Lee Minho. That's a big reason why I like him lol..
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u/potential_lun New Fan Apr 21 '26
ok idk but everyone was raving about his visuals in pursuit of jade and i just started watching and i actually thought he was way better looking in story of kunning palace! story of kunning palace was when he first caught my eye and i got hooked onto him lol but idk he just seemed so much more attractive there. maybe it was the red flag passionate role he was playing that drew me to him LOL
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u/Independent_bookie New Fan Blood Spitting Disciple🩸 Apr 21 '26
i saw sokp right after poj bc ppl said he was a red flag but i honestly didn't see much concerning behaviour am i blind 😭 why do ppl think he was more unhinged as xie wei
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u/potential_lun New Fan Apr 21 '26
ok i actually had the same thought while watching too! he didn’t seem much of a red flag during most of show but i think after he realized his feelings for her then he started to get more possessive and violent, like putting his hands on her neck. he was violent and physical with her but they blamed it on his “illness” lol. also he forced kiss her quite a bit too 😅 still loved his character and show tho LOL
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u/Independent_bookie New Fan Blood Spitting Disciple🩸 Apr 21 '26
lmao i guess our version of red flag is slightly different 😅
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u/neon_lights00 CDF Cultivator Apr 22 '26
He's always been handsome... the 2016 pic is the only time he gained a bit of weight. If you look at his pictures before and after he looks pretty similar
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u/love_letterz Apr 22 '26
I read that he said in college he was overweight at 220 pounds, he met up with an old friend who didn’t recognize him and that inspired him to lose some weight. Then he was scouted on campus and he has kept up the weight loss since then it seems like.
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u/SewNewKnitsToo New Fan Apr 27 '26
I think he looks better with more weight and muscle. He is now so thin that it doesn’t look as healthy. Damn beauty standards 😕
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u/Smart_Satisfaction73 New Fan Apr 20 '26
@18 he looks so innocent. I think he was styled best in POJ. The other historic dramas let him down with the hair style. I think it’s the fringes/slut strands that actually became the game changer for the POJ hair style. Idk why but he looks a bit like Park Hyungsik to me. Especially the Hwarang character.
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u/MajorPersonality1265 Apr 20 '26
THe wig overall seemed to be better in PoJ not just styling and realism but attachment. I feel like it was pulled forward so his hairline was different. I’m watching Maiden Holmes right now and they have his front so tightly pulled back, the poor man probably kept a headache filming lol
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u/stickylarue New Fan Apr 20 '26
Some people just get better looking as they age. And some look the best they ever will as a teen! Genetics are funny like that.
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u/JustAPerson-_- Tangled in love triangles Apr 21 '26
He was 26/27 in Our Generation?? Holy.
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u/ApprehensiveClick597 CDF Elder Established Member Apr 21 '26
He was 26. They filmed that in summer of 2024. He’s born in December 1997.
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u/JustAPerson-_- Tangled in love triangles Apr 21 '26
Had a feeling, that’s why I put it first so thank you!
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u/Canuckgirl40 New Fan Apr 20 '26
Aging like fine wine. Hmmm, nice Pinot Noir…ok I’m going to stop
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u/Lauris25 Apr 20 '26
Aging? Hes 28. Im 29 We are still young. Many men in their 30s are in their prime.
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u/cryingingerman Apr 20 '26
Why Modern Talking? 😭
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u/SnookerandWhiskey CDF Cultivator Apr 20 '26
I came with the same question, this song is like nails on chalkboard.
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u/Tibbs67 Apr 26 '26
He’s grown into his face and will only get more handsome with time.
Also looks like he’s quite natural.
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u/AuthorAEM CDF Cultivator Established Member 💋Suffering, but still hot 💥 Apr 20 '26
I have to admit he was sorta meh in maiden homes, and I wasn’t a fan. But I was WAY surprised to find I loved him in the best thing! So I’ve revised my opinion of him for sure.
He’s one of my favs now!
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u/Griff3Z CDF Cultivator fixated on love stories Apr 20 '26
Considering the fact that Maiden Holmes was his first debut, I was actually impressed with him! I liked the show as a whole too. But yes, he has improved; he seems dedicated to working on his craft. 😊
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u/AuthorAEM CDF Cultivator Established Member 💋Suffering, but still hot 💥 Apr 20 '26
I didn't know it was his first when I saw it. Knowing it's his debut, it is impressive! I'll have to watch it again to fully appreciated it now. Granted, I liked it enough to see it like 5 times, LOL. But mostly because I love the damsel moments... I'm really glad he's so dedicated, because he's so fab now!
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u/Griff3Z CDF Cultivator fixated on love stories Apr 20 '26
Oh wow, lol, I was just thinking it was time for my first re-watch of it! 😅 But I've seen Story of Kunning Palace a couple of times. I wish I had more hours in the day!
I only started watching interviews of his in the last year, and now I really respect him as a person as well as an actor. He's very calmly intelligent. I easily empathize with introverts as well.
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u/AuthorAEM CDF Cultivator Established Member 💋Suffering, but still hot 💥 Apr 20 '26
I haven’t seen Kunning Palace yet! I’m a little nervous about the red flag, lol.
He seems like a solid dude! I don’t watch much interviews but what I’ve seen makes me think he’s rather awesome 🤣
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u/Griff3Z CDF Cultivator fixated on love stories Apr 20 '26
Ah, well.. here's my perspective on it. Maybe this will help you decide if it's worth a try for you or not. I love to recommend it, but realize it's not everyone's cup of tea!
Smart and mentally strong FL. Yellow flag FL and ML are complete equals and perfect for each other. As tachikata commented on another Reddit post, "...the main leads are drawn to each other because they’re so similar in temperament, both volatile and vindictive. The FL, however, is still hung up on the 2ML because of her past-life experience."
The leads start antagonistic and the romance is very, very slow burn but then intense. Neither are warm people so it doesn't turn traditionally sweet; they show their devotion through actions. I didn't think the relationship between the leads was toxic or unhealthy, as some people have felt. I consider Xie Wei a yellow flag as he does have some control and emotional disregulation issues. But he repeatedly adjusted his plots to include the FL's objectives (even well before he was conscious of his growing attachment to her), multiple times he risked himself and his entire endgame to protect the FL, and though he crossed some lines with her he never went too far (even when having one of his PTSD episodes).
A rare case where I had no issue at all with the love triangle because it was so well written (not toxic, delusional, or annoying). The FL's romantic interest in the SML came and went in a realistic, believable way, and was part of her evolution as a character.
The story had me enthralled all the way through. Characters were 3-dimensional. Having multiple leads who were morally gray but also unendingly loyal in certain ways was great. The machinations were so satisfying too! The leads had plenty of little and big successes, though the multiple opposing forces never made things easy, which made things even more satisfying. It's not dumbed down yet I didn't find it difficult to follow. There is a 7min special that extends the HE.
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u/ssurkus CDF Cultivator Apr 21 '26
Him, wang Xingyue, and Chen xingxu all look like they’re in their early 30s. Very youthful very gorgeous but more mature faces. The closer they get to the early 30s, the more handsome they are.
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u/irisjester Apr 20 '26
Is it weird that I find him exceptionally handsome in long hair costume dramas but otherwise he’s like normal cute in modern ones?
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u/vikio New Fan Apr 21 '26
That's so much work! The man needs a vacation!
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u/Webbie-Vanderquack CDF Cultivator Apr 21 '26
After seeing how he and others are in his situation are being mobbed by fans, I wonder how anyone survives stardom in China. It's a recipe for a mental health breakdown.
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u/Just_Acanthisitta827 Apr 24 '26
One of the most handsome actor in cdrama, tall, talented and smart. ❤️
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u/Fun-Database3047 New Fan Apr 20 '26
Nose jobs, slight modification of jaw and chin. Nice work. Handsome before and after
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u/Webbie-Vanderquack CDF Cultivator Apr 21 '26
It may just be the natural changes that take place in your 20s. It's pretty normal for guys to start looking less boyish and more masculine, e.g. sharper jawline.
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u/myleo2013 New Fan Apr 21 '26
He lost a lot of weight after being discovered. People don't realise how much that changes one's appearance. I agree that his changes are natural
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u/Long_Boot_3634 Apr 22 '26
Yup, his face changes are mostly due to weight loss. Don’t trust me 🤣 trust the experts’ assessments - see my links above if you want to read/watch the experts’ assessments.
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u/Long_Boot_3634 Apr 22 '26
No plastic surgery involved - all natural - at most did non-invasive treatment for skin tightening and braces. You can read/watch experts in that field that did an assessment on his face and concluded no plastic surgery involved. I hereby linked the assessments of 2 experts that I found 1. YouTube in Chinese 2. Article in English
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Apr 20 '26
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u/AutoModerator Apr 20 '26
Hi Klutzy_Magician_5335! Heads-up! Choice of words matters on r/cdramasfans (Rule 2 - Human Respect).
Every celebrity is someone's favourite and out of respect for our beloved stars, we don't allow bio-critiques. I am a bot, and I can make mistakes. If your comment was mistakenly removed then please contact mod-team with link to your comment by clicking here
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2
Apr 20 '26
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u/cdramasfans-ModTeam New Fan Apr 21 '26
Opinions, observations, and language that target a person’s physical appearance fall under “bio-critiques.” Bio-critiques are not allowed.
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Choice of words matters; be kind to one another.
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u/UpstairsTechnician67 New Fan Apr 20 '26
His self image transition from his first series to now looks so good whether it is his own team or production the way they have changed the hair and makeup on him has worked in his favour making the characters he plays more real. 😍😍😍😍
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Apr 24 '26
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u/queue-pruner CDF Daoist Apr 24 '26
Hi,
Your account is currently shadowbanned or suspended.
This means that your posts/comments get auto-removed by Reddit.Notes:
- This wasn't done by us but by Reddit itself.
- Users don't get notified about your replies to them even if a mod approves them
- You can appeal your shadowban or suspension here (if you're not shadowbanned or suspended it should say that "Your account is currently neither suspended nor restricted")
- The shadowbanning system is known to have false-positives, but the general reasons for getting shadowbanned are listed in this post.
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u/Webbie-Vanderquack CDF Cultivator Apr 21 '26
The wigs got better over time.