Ao Ruipeng rose to fame with *The Blood of Youth*, but his recent collaboration with Bai Lu in *White Moon Brahma Star* struggled upon release. The drama faced poor reception and was overshadowed by *National Beauty*, starring Yang Zi and Li Xian, ultimately ending in disappointment. Bai Lu, the top-billed actress, faced criticism for losing her “goddess of Chinese dramas” charm. However, Ao Ruipeng’s popularity soared instead, with his Weibo following increasing by a staggering 2.79 million in January alone, making him the most-followed celebrity of the month. Analysts attribute this surge to his well-received character and solid acting, which won over many fans.
Before its premiere, *White Moon Brahma Star* generated significant buzz. While it performed decently in terms of viewership, its story—an interspecies romance between an immortal and a demon—was deemed formulaic, resembling Bai Lu’s previous hit *Till the End of the Moon*. The lack of originality led to a poor reputation compared to *National Beauty*, and it failed to become the anticipated blockbuster. The drama received a mediocre 5.8 rating on Douban, with Bai Lu facing criticism for her repetitive roles and assembly-line acting style, signaling a need for a career shift.
Conversely, Ao Ruipeng’s acting received growing acclaim. His portrayal of the demon king Fan Yue, particularly in emotional battle scenes, won unanimous praise. Viewers were moved by his heartfelt performance of Fan Yue’s love for Bai Luo (played by Bai Lu), describing it as deeply poignant and filled with raw emotion. Even small details, such as his tearful, puppy-eyed expression when worried about his comrades' fate or his anxious reaction to holding Bai Luo in distress, were lauded as nuanced and skillful.
Despite the drama’s underwhelming performance, Ao Ruipeng’s popularity skyrocketed. He gained over a million followers on Douyin (TikTok’s Chinese counterpart) and topped Weibo’s actor popularity rankings in January, solidifying his status as a rising C-drama heartthrob.
The 29-year-old Ao Ruipeng entered the entertainment industry through the reality dating show *Dream Space* and later gained recognition for his role as Lei Wujie in *The Blood of Youth*. Reports suggest that the director of *White Moon Brahma Star* cast him as the male lead after being impressed by his performance in *The Blood of Youth*, citing his exceptional dedication. Although he has yet to star in a drama with his original voice, the Chongqing-born actor reportedly went to great lengths to improve his pronunciation—getting two bone screws inserted in his mouth, removing two wisdom teeth, and even cutting his tongue tie—all to perfect his enunciation. His dedication has been widely praised, further cementing his reputation as an up-and-coming star in Chinese dramas.
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