On April 18, 2026, He Rundong appeared at the Su Chao host match in Suzhou, dressed as the Western Chu Overlord Xiang Yu, riding a war chariot and shouting “I, Xiang Yu, have returned” and “Suzhou children, where are you?” The scene instantly went viral online as Suzhou defeated Nanjing 2-0, securing their first home win of the season.
The event was not planned by officials but originated from netizens who, after He Rundong’s image from the 2012 drama Chu Han Zhengxiong resurfaced as a contrast to the “powder foundation general” controversy in Zhu Yu, began urging Suzhou’s cultural tourism bureau to invite him. The bureau responded quickly, coordinated with JD.com, and confirmed his participation within days.
He Rundong’s sudden popularity stems from netizen-driven rediscovery of his rugged portrayal of Xiang Yu, which gained nearly 2 million new followers on Douyin in under a month. His appearance in Suzhou was framed as a homecoming, leveraging the city’s identity as Xiang Yu’s birthplace to activate a long-dormant cultural IP.
Suzhou, located in northern Jiangsu along the Huai River, has long held titles such as “hometown of fine liquor,” “land of fish and rice,” and “home of the Yang tree,” but its most enduring symbol remains Xiang Yu. The city invested approximately 4 billion yuan in 2011 to expand the Xiang Yu Hometown scenic area to 5A-level standards, yet the site had remained largely underutilized as a static historical attraction.
By integrating He Rundong’s appearance into the Su Chao football match, Suzhou transformed the IP into a live, interactive experience. The city simultaneously launched a series of complementary activities, including free admission to state-charged scenic areas for the first ten days starting April 18, aiming to convert online buzz into sustained cultural and economic engagement.
The moment likewise reignited regional historical rivalries, with netizens now calling for Liu Bang — portrayed by Chen Daoming in past adaptations — to appear at the upcoming Su Chao match between Suzhou and Xuzhou on May 9, highlighting the shared Chu-state origins of both figures and their key allies like Xiao He and Han Xin.
From an entertainment industry perspective, He Rundong’s resurgence reflects a broader shift in audience demand. His rugged, emotionally direct persona — exemplified in roles like Bu Jingyun in Feng Yun and Lü Bu in Xin Sanguo — contrasts sharply with the polished, introspective leads dominating recent idol dramas, signaling a market appetite for more visceral, traditional masculinity in male-led narratives.
His renewed appeal has already translated into commercial opportunities, including endorsements with King of Glory, Alipay, and JD.com, with netizens joking that he may soon be called upon to “knock on Zhang Linghe’s door” during the May Day holiday to deliver two boxes of Mengniu yogurt.
What triggered He Rundong’s recent surge in popularity?
Netizens rediscovered his 2012 portrayal of Xiang Yu in Chu Han Zhengxiong as a contrasting image to the “powder foundation general” controversy in the drama Zhu Yu, prompting widespread sharing and renewed appreciation for his rugged acting style.
How did Suzhou benefit from He Rundong’s appearance?
The city activated its Xiang Yu Hometown IP by turning a static historical symbol into a live, interactive event tied to the Su Chao match, launched free admission campaigns for scenic areas, and aimed to convert viral attention into lasting cultural and economic engagement.
Why are netizens now calling for Liu Bang to appear at the next Su Chao match?
Due to the shared Chu-state origins of Xiang Yu and Liu Bang, and the historical resonance of their rivalry, fans see the Suzhou-Xuzhou matchup as an opportunity to reenact the Chu-Han contention culturally, especially given that key figures like Xiao He and Han Xin also came from the region.