It’s May in Beijing—winter’s chill has passed, and the heat of summer has yet to arrive. The weather is gentle and comfortable, and the rays of the sun are bright without being harsh. One could say it mirrors Song Weilong today. His youthful naivety has faded and his intensity has not quite reached its peak. Everything is in perfect balance. Standing tall at 185cm he moves effortlessly between styles, and a subtle smile in front of the camera reveals a quiet confidence and maturity. It’s clear that at 27-years-old, Song is no longer just a “national heartthrob”, but an actor who knows exactly where he’s headed.
In the drama “Shine On Me”—which aired at the end of last year—Song Weilong played Lin Yusen, who quickly became a national heartthrob in the eyes of many viewers. A former neurosurgeon who transitioned into the corporate world after an accident, Lin is portrayed as cold on the outside but warm within, sharp‑tongued yet tender, paving the way for a healing love story built on mutual understanding.
When asked about the role, Song says earnestly, “From the character’s perspective, I really empathise with him.” He feels he and Lin share similarities in that both have moments of vulnerability, but also carry a strong sense of responsibility. The real challenge in acting, he explains, comes from the dialogue and technical jargon. “Business terms, medical terms… I had to put in a lot of effort to make it convincing.”
Song didn’t “study” techniques to get in character, instead choosing to fully become Lin from the inside out. “I understood his pain at the time, I understood the loss of the career he loved, and I understood his heartbreak. But as Song Weilong, I often didn’t think too much—it was all about empathy.” This ability to step into another’s shoes, to understand and truly feel their emotions is what shapes his acting style. It’s not about piling on the acting techniques, but letting emotions develop naturally from within. In a way, isn’t this a form of mutual understanding?
Our conversation reached a pivotal moment in Song’s acting career: the 2020 drama, “Go Ahead”. He looks back on his role as the pseudo-mature Ling Xaio with warmth. When asked about his own thoughts on naivety and faking maturity, Song smiles and says, “Honestly, I don’t really understand what the definition of maturity or immaturity is supposed to be.”
In his eyes, Ling Xiao is someone successful, intelligent, and able to shoulder family responsibilities, yet someone that also grapples with childhood trauma, moments of vulnerability, and a longing for a home. “I think that’s what makes someone human. Everyone has their own needs and desires,” says Song. “In real life, most people are just pretending to be adults, but deep down there’s still a child living inside them.”
“Most people are just pretending to be adults, but deep down there’s still a child living inside them.” Song Weilong
Song entered the industry at just 16-years-old. Now that he is 27, it has been almost exactly ten years. In reflecting on the biggest change that occurred over the course of that decade, he can’t pinpoint an exact moment but instead says, “It’s only after walking a certain distance and looking back that I realised I had already changed.”
Reflecting on his ten-year acting journey, Song speaks candidly about experiencing periods of inner turmoil. “Back then I would get stuck in those emotions, constantly wondering why I had to feel this way, and why things happened to me. Now, when I encounter something negative, I might worry for a while, but can quickly jump out of that emotional spiral.”
These days, Song has learned to view things from a higher perspective, believing many things happen for a reason and are perhaps a result of the world’s natural rhythm. “I just go with the flow, follow what the world has in store for me,” he says, and even compares life to an online game. “Life is just about taking on little quests—treat it like playing a game. If you feel bad, feel bad; if you’re happy, feel happy. It doesn’t matter, just let it pass naturally.” He recalls a quieter period in his career, but never overthought it. “When you need to recharge, you have to rest. It’s a matter of self-awareness.”
“Life is just about taking on little quests—treat it like playing a game.” Song Weilong
You could credit this shift in Song’s mindset to his childhood martial arts training. Inspired by the “Shaolin Temple” film, he decided to learn kung fu at the Shaolin Temple at the ripe age of nine, saying that he was “quite capable of enduring hardship”. Although life has softened his edges, he believes he is able to withstand tough environments because “it has already become a habit”.
If Song could travel back in time to his younger self ten years ago, when he had just entered the industry and was easily hurt by criticism, he would simply give himself a hug. “Just a hug. Don’t deny yourself, don’t attack yourself.” He describes his current self through the “Soul” and “Inside Out” movies, perhaps to say that he accepts every one of his inner voices and has learned to flow with fate.
Looking ahead, Song doesn’t have an overly specific blueprint for his career, but it’s clear he’s building momentum. Following “Shine On Me”, he has several upcoming projects on the horizon including “Love For You” where he plays a rebellious teen named Chen Yi, and “The Eternal Fragrance” where he steps into his first fantasy role as Lei Xiu Yuan. The road ahead may be long, but after ten years in the industry, Song’s passion for acting burns as bright as ever. Gone is the rush to prove himself, he has embraced his natural path forward, steady and sure.
Photography and Creative: Julian Song
Editorial Director: Jumius Wong
Creative and Styling: Jenine Oh
Production Manager: Coco / C Side Production
Hair Stylist: WOOYOUNG
Makeup: JING
Set Designer: Jiayu Fu
Producers: Yoyo, Sui / C Side Production
Wardrobe Coordinator: Avery Fang
Fashion Assistants: Siyu, Dimo
Art Assistant: Rainy
Photo Assistants: ELEPHOTO
