Song Wei Long’s comeback: Peak heartthrob energy

Song Wei Long has risen as a prominent C-drama star, first captivating audiences years ago with his breakout role in Go Ahead and more recently dominating charts with Shine on Me.

The tall, dark and handsome heartthrob blends brooding intensity with effortless charm, solidifying his status in modern idol dramas. Fans are dubbing him the ultimate “gege” — the emerging equivalent of “oppa” — capturing his swoon-worthy, protective big-bro energy that has everyone calling him their ideal older-brother crush.

Born in 1999 in Dalian, China, Song entered the entertainment industry after gaining attention in 2015 through a reality show and modeling. His major breakthrough came in 2020 as Ling Xiao in Go Ahead, a heartfelt family drama about three unrelated youths forming a chosen family amid dysfunctional homes.

In Go Ahead, Ling Xiao is a tormented teen grappling with deep family trauma, whose rare smiles surface only for his “sister” Li Jianjian. Song’s subtle expressions of sadness and his emotive gaze earned widespread praise, cementing the role as one of his most iconic performances. The series — boasting over 70,000 watchers on MyDramaList — remains beloved for its emotional exploration of family bonds and healing.

Recent hit

Song’s 2025 comeback peaked with Shine on Me (骄阳似我), released on iQiyi and Tencent Video, where he plays Lin Yu Sen, a former surgeon who transitions into an elite figure in the solar energy industry. Paired with Zhao Jin Mai as the bubbly Nie Xi Guang, whose relationship with him evolves from a campus crush into a workplace romance, the drama adapts Gu Man’s novel Blazing Sunlight and quickly became Tencent’s top modern idol series.

In Shine on Me, optimistic college student Nie Xi Guang first encounters the aloof Lin Yu Sen during a solar energy project presentation. Years later, she unknowingly joins his company, gradually uncovering his hidden past as sparks fly in a sweet, slow-burn office romance filled with misunderstandings and heartfelt revelations. Viewers praised Song’s “perfect chaebol heir” aura — polished, charismatic and refreshingly non-greasy — which elevates the drama’s addictive, stress-free appeal. The series earned strong audience response, including a 7.4 rating on Douban. It capped a stellar year for the actor, who released four projects in 2025, including Everlasting Longing, Youthful Glory and The Seven Relics of Ill Omen.

From Go Ahead’s tear-jerking family narrative — which has since inspired a K-drama adaptation — to the radiant romance of Shine on Me, Song has evolved into a versatile leading man with growing global appeal, underscored by fan events in Bangkok. His prolific 2025 output set new benchmarks, blending striking visuals with emotionally grounded performances that continue to keep audiences hooked.

Song Wei Long’s C-drama career spans from his 2016 supporting role as Ying Long in Demon Girl Season 2 (7.2 rating on MyDramaList) to early lead roles such as Gu Shi Yi in Long for You (2017, 7.1), Rong Zhi in Untouchable Lovers (2018, 7.4) and several pivotal performances in 2020, including Lin He Ping in Beautiful Reborn Flower (6.3), Yuan Song in Find Yourself (7.9), Feng Cheng Jun in In a Class of Her Own (8.1), and his defining role as Ling Xiao in Go Ahead (8.9). Later highlights include Zhang Ping in A League of Nobleman (2023, 8.3), Cheng Nuo in The Bionic Life (2023, 7.6), and his 2025 quartet of roles: Luo Ren in The Seven Relics of Ill Omen (8.3), Jiang Xu in Youthful Glory (8.1), Xuan Lie in Everlasting Longing (7.9), and Lin Yu Sen in Shine on Me.