Yu Menglong died at 37 after falling from a tall building on 11/9. Police have ruled out foul play. His family and management company have not commented further on the cause of death.

News of Yu's death has garnered tens of billions of views on Weibo, shocking many fans. His recent social media posts and public appearances projected a positive image, with no indication of illness or hardship.

Yu Menglong filming in June. Photo: Weibo

The actor's last public appearance was on 31/5, singing on CCTV's Dragon Boat Festival program. Viewers praised his handsome appearance and Eastern charm in a Tang Dynasty-inspired embroidered outfit.

According to Sohu, Yu spent most of the last six months on set. He finished filming the fantasy period drama "Chang Ye Xing" in late June. This year, he starred in two released films: "Heroes" and "Lin Jiang Xian".

In an interview with Nandu Entertainment, Yu mentioned that acquaintances often commented on his weight loss. Standing at 1.83 m, he weighed under 70 kg. He explained, "Honestly, rushing between film sets is exhausting, so I've been losing weight. I wish I had more time to rest without missing out on work."

With over 26 million Weibo followers, Yu was a popular star. He occasionally posted photos of himself working out, admiring flowers, or taking walks. Each post typically received over 10,000 comments. In his posts from the past two months, many fans remarked on his thinness and encouraged him to take care of his health.

A casual photo Yu Menglong posted on his personal page in July. Photo: Weibo

Starting his career as a singer before transitioning to acting, Yu worked hard to prove his acting skills. While filming "Xuan-Yuan Sword: Han Cloud" in 2016, he injured his bone after a fall from a wire stunt. Despite this, he continued filming, even performing some scenes in a wheelchair. He didn't blame the production team, even though their safety measures were lacking.

In 2018, while filming "Luong The Hoan", he suffered an eye injury from a prop. He blamed himself for the accident. When the film aired, some viewers commented that his eyes looked "dull and lifeless." He didn't explain the injury at the time, simply posting, "I didn't perform well, I will work harder."

He once claimed to have good emotional control. While facing career difficulties, he admitted to feeling discouraged and doubting his abilities. "But the negativity doesn't last because I can stabilize myself. The next day, seeing the sun, I feel like yesterday's problems aren't so significant," he said.

Following his death, many actors shared tributes and memories. Colleagues remembered him as kind and gentle. Dilraba Dilmurat, his co-star in "Eternal Love," wrote, "In my memory, you were always the sincere and gentle Bai Zhen. When I saw you again on the TV show, you were still the same kind and gentle person. Rest in peace, I will miss you." Yu played Bai Zhen in the drama.

Yang Mi, the female lead of "Eternal Love," addressed him by his character's name: "Fourth Brother, I hope you find peace in the next world."

Zhang Tianai, who worked with Yu in "Go Princess Go," recalled their first meeting in the summer of 2015. He offered her a juice with a gentle smile. She wrote, "I can't believe I have to say goodbye to you today, I can't do it."

Born in Xinjiang in 1988, Yu pursued his artistic passions from a young age. In 2007, he participated in a music talent show organized by Dongfang TV, reaching the top 16. 2015 marked a turning point in his career when his song "Go Home for the New Year" became a hit, resonating with young people during the Lunar New Year season.

That same year, "Go Princess Go," in which he starred, became a sensation in China and several other Asian countries and territories. He also left his mark in "Eternal Love" and "The Starry Night, The Starry Sea". Yu was associated with two companies, one of which canceled its business registration in 2024, and the other ceased operations in July of this year.

According to Yangcheng Evening News, the actor's mother, a fan of Qiong Yao's novels, named him after the film "Moon Misty, Bird Misty," adapted from one of the author's works. Yu later created a music video with the same title as a tribute to his mother and himself. Many listeners noted the lullaby-like quality of the song's lyrics and melody, aligning with Yu's on-screen and off-screen persona. The song includes the lines:

"Moon misty, bird misty

Fireflies twinkle in the night

Mountains misty, trees misty

Insects chirp in autumn

Flowers misty, night misty

Lights misty, people misty

Wishing to enter a dream together."

Nhu Anh (according to Ycwb, Sohu)