On the morning of April 1, according to Sohu, Jiro Wang unexpectedly revealed that he would be stepping away from showbiz. In a brief post on his personal page, he reflected on his journey: “After more than 20 years in the entertainment industry, from difficult beginnings to achieving the recognition I have today, I have always longed to pursue pure and genuine art. However, I have now discovered a new passion and inspiration. I want to follow it to rediscover myself and my original ideals. After much consideration, I have decided to retire. Thank you to everyone who has supported and loved me throughout the years.”

Jiro Wang also shared that he plans to pursue a completely new path research in artificial intelligence after leaving the industry. The timing of the announcement, coinciding with April Fools’ Day, quickly sent shockwaves across social media. The news rapidly climbed to the No.1 spot on Weibo’s trending searches, with longtime fans expressing disbelief over the sudden decision.

Born in 1981, Jiro Wang was once considered one of the most charismatic and ruggedly handsome stars in Chinese-language entertainment. He built a notable career across both music and acting, gaining widespread fame throughout Asia.

He became a household name through his role as Jin Yuanfeng in the hit idol drama It Started With a Kiss, starring alongside Ariel Lin and Joe Cheng. In addition, he was a member of the popular boy group Fahrenheit, alongside Aaron Yan, Wu Chun, and Calvin Chen. During his peak, he was regarded as one of the defining “youth heartthrobs” of his generation.

In recent years, however, Jiro Wang has reduced his public appearances. During a rare outing in April 2025, he drew attention for his dramatically altered appearance, with many viewers struggling to recognize him.

Observers noted that his facial features appeared stiff and unnatural, drawing comparisons to a wax figure. His sharply defined chin and nose sparked widespread speculation about excessive cosmetic procedures. Some netizens even described his look as “snake-like,” while others expressed regret over the loss of his former natural visuals.

His personal life has also been a topic of controversy. One of the most talked-about incidents involved his former bandmate Aaron Yan, who reportedly harbored unrequited feelings for Wang for six years. The situation escalated when Wang publicly accused Yan of cosmetic surgery addiction and a complicated dating life, ultimately contributing to tensions that led to the group’s disbandment and a permanent fallout between the two.

Now in his mid-40s, Jiro Wang remains unmarried. He was once rumored to be dating Japanese model Lena Fujii, but little has been confirmed about his romantic life in recent years.

Sources: K14