Reliving Leo Wu's Cuteness and Charm as Yang Guo in The Romance of Condor Heroes (2014)

Wu Lei (also known by his English name, Leo Wu) is one of the most talented and popular young actors in the Chinese entertainment industry today.

He started as a commercial endorser on television at the age of two and made his television acting debut in 2006 in the drama, The Young Warriors, playing the role of a young Yang Yanzhao (Hu Ge in adulthood).

His film debut was also in the same year (2006), playing the role of the young Tuo Baxun in the Legend of Northern Wei. Wu Lei was born on December 26, 1999, in Shanghai, mainland China.

Breakthrough in Acting

However, his breakthrough role was in the television drama, "Mischief Maker Ma Xiaotiao", playing the role of a naughty kid. He won the Best Young Actor award at the prestigious Flying Apsaras Television Awards, in 2011.

His rise to stardom continued when he played remarkable roles in two historical/wuxia drama. As young Yang Guo in "The Romance of Condor Heroes" (2014-2015) and Fei Liu in "Nirvana in Fire (2015).

Wu Lei playing the role of young Yang Guo, played by Chen Xiao in adulthood

Wu Lei and Chen Xiao in The Romance of Condor Heroes

Following the success of his television series, Wu Lei earned the moniker, the "nation's little brother", and became a household name. Drama viewers loved the fresh energy he exemplified in his portrayal, his great acting skills, and his ability to make people laugh with his good sense of humor.

Wu Lei as the mischievous and adventurous Yang Guo in Romance of Condor Heroes

Wu Lei's good vibes

Wu Lei's meteoric rise to international stardom began in Nirvana in Fire (2015) when he played Fei Liu, the highly-skilled martial artist sidekick of Mei Changsu, portrayed by Hu Ge.

However, before Fei Liu captured the hearts of drama fans, Wu Lei first impressed television viewers with his charm, cuteness, and hilarious antics in The Romance of Condor Heroes, playing the role of the young Yang Guo (played by Chen Xiao in adulthood).

The young Yang Guo was a mischievous orphan boy who likes to create trouble while having his childish adventures in the martial arts world. His character was so full of energy, and good vibes, providing the viewers with highly entertaining episodes.

You will love the teenager Wu Lei here because his acting was so natural, so authentic, hilarious, and charming. He brought so much fun to the series as he had so many naughty adventures along the way. He was eventually taken by the mysterious, Xiao Longnu (played by Taiwanese actress, Michelle Chen) as her student/apprentice.

Wu Lei only appeared in seven episodes (4-10) because he was only portraying the role of the young Yang Guo, who eventually grew up and was portrayed by Chen Xiao. But his acting was remarkable, providing the series with a lot of fun and entertainment value.

Chen Xiao (left) and Wu Lei (right) both playing Yang Guo

Chen xiao and Michelle Chen, the main leads in Romance of Condor Heroes

Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu eventually fell in love in the story but had to conceal their relationship due to their teacher-student situation, which in today's time might be a sort of a scandalous thing.

Wu Lei as the mischievous Yang Guo

The Long Ballad casts

Interestingly, two co-stars of Wu Lei in The Romance of Condor Heroes became his co-stars also in The Long Ballad (2021). Yang Ming Na and Li Long.

Yang Ming Na in Romance of Condor Heroes (left) and in The Long Ballad (right)

Li Long in Romance of Condor Heroes (left) and in The Long Ballad (right)

Yang Ming Na portrayed Huang Rong in The Romance of Condor Heroes. Huang Rong and her husband, Guo Jing (played by Zheng Guolin), adopted the young Yang Guo when he became a vagabond following the death of his parents.

By the way, Yang Guo's mother, Mi Nuanci, was played by Zhao Liying (only one episode), who is a good friend of Wu Lei in real life.

Yang Ming Na and Wu Lei in Romance of Condor Heroes

Yang Ming Na and Wu Lei in The Long Ballad

Yang Ming Na played Princess Yicheng/Khatun in The Long Ballad. He was the wife of the Great Khan, the adoptive father of Ashile Sun (Wu Lei). She became one of the enemies of Ashile Sun towards the end of the story.

While Li Long portrayed Da Er Ba in The Romance of Condor Heroes. In The Long Ballad, he portrayed Tu Ka She, the head of the Bear division of the Ashile Tribe. He was Ashile Sun's enemy.

Wu Lei as Yang Guo (left) and Ashile Sun (right)

You can watch the complete episodes of The Romance of Condor Heroes for free with English subtitles HERE. You will love Wu Lei's portrayal, and the way he manifested good vibes in the drama. Full of energy and so much fun!

TRIVIA

Romance of Condor Heroes' main leads, Chen Xiao and Michelle Chen, fell in love while filming this series in the early part of 2014. They eventually got married in July 2016, and Michelle gave birth to their son in December that year.

Chen Xiao just appeared recently in A Dream of Splendor.