The Heart of Dhevaprom: And the Fairy Tales Continue
Hi everyone, my name is Ari and I teamed up with Cho Na to create a fan guide of the rising star Wang An Yu. From my first encounter with him in Forever Love, I’ve been enamored with and interested in all his acting projects. If you’re also intrigued by this young, attractive, and talented actor, sit back as I take you through his beginning, acting career, recent variety appearances, photoshoots, and trivia.
We picked the title above as wordplay of the drama titles to discuss his previous ("dreaming back") and upcoming ("chasing the future") dramas. If you haven't figured out which ones...
...let's find out!
 | |
Name: Wang An Yu (王安宇) Nickname(s): Buss / Older Brother Wang Fandom Name: Nanako (菜菜子) Height: 183cm (6’0) Birthday: February 3rd, 1998 Zodiac Sign: Aquarius Hometown: Zhejiang, China Career: Actor |  |
Wang An Yu was born in Yuyao, Zhejiang, China on February 3rd, 1998. With an interest in the world of arts, he majored in Broadcasting & Hosting and graduated from the Communication University of China in Beijing, China. His first official appearance on television was while participating in the music variety show The Coming One Season 2 in 2018.
With variety show experience under his belt, An Yu found success by officially signing into Easy Plus Entertainment where he would later be propelled into a promising acting career and start his debut project, Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty in 2019.
 |
 | Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty (2019) |
Modern-day Xiao Wei (Landy Li) is transported in time to the Qing Dynasty where she crosses paths with the 13th prince, Aisin-Gioro Yin Xiang (Wang An Yu). As Xiao Wei begins to shape history with her modern way of thinking, she becomes caught between the palace politics of the Qing Dynasty and her modern reality when she begins to fall for Yin Xiang. Dreaming Back to Qing Dynasty was the second drama starring Wang An Yu that I watched and I was impressed at his excellent ability to deliver emotion. He can convey love, sadness, longing, and turmoil through his facial expressions and eyes. We can see through his debut performance that he was beginning the promising start of perfecting his acting prowess. |
 | Our Shiny Days (2019) |
Chen Jin (Zhou Yi Ran) is a music student who started a Chinese fusion band to popularize Chinese folk music and prove that she has what it takes to go on stage. Our Shiny Days is a journey of music and growth experienced from the lens of Chen Jin and her friends. In this story, Wang An Yu plays Feng An Yu, a pop idol that changes after meeting Chen He Xua (Li Yi Chen), a teacher at the academy and Chen Jin's cousin. The charm of seeing Wang An Yu’s performance in this drama was that we get to experience his talent for singing and performing. |
 | Twenty Your Life On (2020) |
A story told from the perspective of four girls: Liang Shuang, Xiao Guo, Luo Yan, and Duan Jia Bao who are navigating their college experience into adulthood. Twenty Your Life On shows the viewer the experience of four college roommates who are about to graduate. Wang An Yu plays Duan Zhen Yu, the handsome fencer and younger brother to Duan Jia Bao. Although his character isn’t the main focus of this project, his role in this drama is one of many that is embedded with his charismatic charm. |
 | The Heiress (2020) |
Han Yuan Niang (Una You) is the eldest daughter of the Han family who holds military power at the northern border. Yuan Niang disguises herself as her twin brother, Han Shi Yi, to ensure that their family keeps their military power, as they do not have a male heir. Along her journey, she develops a relationship with the 5th Prince, Chen Yan Yi (Jiang Chao), and also meets Wang Zhong Yu (Wang An Yu), the son of the prime minister who discovers her secret. The Heiress is no exception to Wang An Yu’s charm as an actor even when he is the secondary male lead. Although this drama isn’t memorable for its writing, I enjoyed seeing his cute demeanor in another project. |
 | Forever Love (2020) |
Xia Lin Xi (Julia Xiang) is in her senior year of high school when she meets Jiang Zheng Han (Wang An Yu), a troubled youth with an unconventional background. As the two begin to develop romantic feelings through high school, university, and adulthood, they begin to experience hardships that can threaten and strengthen their bond together. Forever Love presents a look at a healthy relationship that develops over time. This was my first drama of Wang An Yu and I remember feeling enamored by how he captured my attention towards his character. His mannerisms, body language, and emotion were spot on with what I enjoyed from an actor. After watching the drama you will begin to discover how easy it is to become a fan. |
 | To Fly With You (2021) |
Shen Zheng Yi (Song Zu Er) is passionate about becoming a professional short-track speed skater. When she faces opposition from her mother on pursuing her passions, she enters the Zhu Feng Sports Club anyway with the hope that she’ll be able to follow her dreams and convince her parents. She meets Shao Beisheng (Wang An Yu), a popular figure skater that initially was her rival but then becomes her closest confidant and lover. With his help amongst her sheer tenacity, she begins to overcome the challenges between her team, aspirations, and family. To Fly With You is my favorite project of Wang An Yu’s to date. The drama was akin to a motivating beacon as it showed me stellar character development and the belief that you can do what you set your mind to. I was dazzled by Wang An Yu’s ability to showcase a figure skater and it showed me his versatility in skill as an actor. |
 | Falling Into You (2022) |
Duan Yu Cheng (Wang An Yu) is interested in becoming a world-class high jumper. While he faces obstacles to his passions due to his height, he never wavers in his determination to follow his dreams. He meets an experienced assistant coach, Luo Na (Gina Jin), who begins to help him turn his lifelong dreams and romance into a reality. Falling Into You similar to To Fly With You is all about following your dreams by any means necessary. I marveled at Wang An Yu’s portrayal of a high jumper as I felt that his character was believable. The romantic elements of this drama were spot on and it became a drama that I couldn’t put down once I started. |
 | The Last Immortal (2023) |
Feng Yin (Zhao Lu Si) is a female spirit who unknowingly goes on a quest to gather fragments of her immortal essence and find her true identity. She meets Gu Jin (Wang An Yu) who is the son of the “true god” and the two begin to go through several trials and tribulations as they develop a deeper bond of admiration and trust. The Last Immortal excels in depicted character development, chemistry, acting, and friendship. I was in awe at Wang An Yu’s ability to deliver harmonious relationships with his co-stars. His dedication to his craft is evident as I notice the growth in his role portrayals and I’m excited to see where his projects will take him next. |
 | Romance in the Alley (2024) |
In the late 1970s, The Zhuang, Lin, and Wu families lived in an alley for families of a cotton spinning factory in Suzhou. This story depicts their life as they navigate through changes in the lives of the parents and their children. Wang An Yu played Lin Dong Zhe, the son of Lin Wu Feng (Li Guang Jie) and the love interest of Zhuang Xiao Ting (Guan Xiao Tong). |
Wang An Yu also appeared in support or guest roles in Go Go Squid 2: Dt. Appledog's Time (2021), Ode of Joy series Season 3 (2022), Season 4 (2023), Season 5 (2024), and Twenty Your Life On Season 2 (2022). I will not discuss these dramas but do check them out if you're interested.
 | Ball Lightning |
After Cheng Guang (Wang An Yu)’s parents were murdered by a strong ball of lightning, Cheng Guang begins to investigate the secret of the mysterious natural phenomena. Along his journey of understanding, he experiences different climates and comes into conflict with various people with motives of their own. |
 | Chasing the Light |
Jiang Cheng (Fan Cheng Cheng) is a rebellious character whose life takes a change after meeting Gu Fei (Wang An Yu). As the two get to know each other they begin to develop a close bond and work towards healing and growing through their personal struggles.  |
 | Be Passionately in Love |
In the rainy city of Qingyi, Chen Lu Zhou, described as “poet Chen” (Wang An Yu) meets Xu Zhi (Liu Hao Cun), described as “President Zhi” through an initial misunderstanding. From their rocky meeting to bickering interactions, the two begin to develop the start of a romance.  |
Trailer
 | Such a Good Love |
Such A Good Love tells the story of a righteous female lead Da Ji (Wang Yu Wen) and a talented male lead Zhou Shui (Wang An Yu) who face the uncertainty of whether love is worth it through an entanglement of fate for over a decade.  |
 | Spring Banquet |
Li Huai Yu (Zhang Ruo Nan) is a princess who dedicates her life to assisting her brother, the emperor Li Huai Lin. When she is framed for the murder of Sima and sentenced to death, she somehow survives with a different appearance. Using her newfound identity, she begins investigating the case behind her murder and meets the royal advisor, Jiang Xuan Jin (Wang An Yu) with whom she begins to investigate the case and slowly falls in love. |
 | Back for You |
In the early years of the Republic of China, A Lai (Wang An Yu) is a police officer in the concession that is hunted down by a threatening gang. He meets Lu Na (Angelababy), a mysterious woman without a searchable identity who seemingly appears out of thin air. Lu Na and A Lai begin to work together to solve major cases and find themselves falling in love in the process.  |
Trailer
 | Shi Lian Hou Ye Bu Bi Zuo De 12 Jian Shi(Not-To-Do List for a Lovelorn) |
Wu Xiaobei (Sabrina Zhuang), a girl born in the 2000s, suffered from a sudden breakup. After falling out of love, she repeatedly jumped into madness and decadence, and finally decided to fight back! Xiaobei stumbled through the "12 things not to do after falling out of love": transform yourself, pretend to be rational, and deal with all kinds of people from the opposite sex... However, can this long list of tips for a lovelorn really lead her out of her heartbreak? |
Ari: The upcoming drama that I'm looking most forward to watching is Back for You. This will be the first of Wang An Yu's modern dramas that are labeled as action and from looking at the trailer, I am pumped to see how well he'll perform in a new type of role.
Cho Na: The promo videos from Such a Good Love are such chaotic fun, so I'm intrigued to watch it when it airs. Besides, I also like Wang Yu Wen. I will also check Back for You because I love the mystery genre.
Which of An Yu's upcoming dramas are you looking forward to watching?
 |
Divas Hit the Road Season 5 (2023)On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the "Belt and Road" Initiative, the Hua Shao team will travel to countries along the Belt and Road. Through a travel-study experience, they will explore China's global network and deeply experience the beautiful new lives that the Belt and Road has brought to local communities. Shedding all pressures and expectations, they will plan their itineraries to complete a meaningful, enjoyable, and surprising journey along the Silk Road, unlocking their unique insights about life.  | Hello, Saturday 2024 (2024)Hello, Saturday is the rebranding of the popular Chinese show Happy Camp, hosted by He Jiong and with a fixed group of regular celebrity members. The program showcases the talent of various stars as well as social topics through creative and diverse content and games. It aims to spread positive energy whilst keeping up with the current trends and leading youth culture.
|
Crazy Treasure Hunt (2024)An original countryside creative real-life treasure-hunting reality show. The show invites seven diverse guests with different personalities and life experiences to stay in a village and embark on three treasure-hunting adventures, each lasting three days and two nights. During the show, they will explore beautiful rural areas of the country and deeply experience the fruits of rural cultural revitalization.  | Natural High 2 (2024)Come and join host Shen Teng and his friends as they step away from the bustling crowded cities and reconnect with the beautiful wild nature. |
 |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |
Wang An Yu announced during a presentation at Huawei’s Pocket 2 Launch Event that he’s always had an interest in photography since college and sees it as a form of expression (source).
Wang An Yu’s parents are very supportive of his acting career and dreams. This can be seen during the taping of the variety show Hello Saturday, where a special clip shows his mother discussing the importance of dreams. (source)
In 2023, Wang An Yu won best-expected Actor of the Year for his performance in Falling Into You at the Weibo TV & Internet Video Summit Awards and New Male Artist of the Year at the Tencent Video All-Star Night (source 1) (source 2)
Wang An Yu has expressed interest in a second drama collaboration with Zhao Lu Si during a Last Immortal press live stream (source).
In 2024, Wang An Yu made his first appearance at Milan Fashion Week (an exclusive fashion show based in Milan, Italy) (source).
Wang An Yu has posed for many well-known brands including One Leaf, MiuMiu, Armani, and Versace
Wang An Yu’s fandom name “Nanako” was named after An Yu’s pet cat of the same name. As fans asked if the name could also be used to refer to fans, he agreed if that was in his fans' interest. Since then, we can find Wang An Yu referring to his fans as “Nanakos” in official chat groups (source).
Wang An Yu was announced as the new spokesperson of the cosmetic brand, One Leaf (source).
In a Vlog with Elle and Versace, Wang An Yu mentioned that traveling is an opportunity to relax, and experience different cultures, environments, and different ways of thinking (source).
I hope you enjoyed learning more about Wang An Yu as he continues to become an even bigger star with an even wider fan base. Please let me know in the comments what your favorite An Yu dramas are, your first introduction to him, and/or your most anticipated project of Wang An Yu.
Thank you to the editor who edited the article! The images are linked to their sources; otherwise, they are taken from the MDL drama page. Feature image: Weibo. Visual design & preliminary editing: Cho Na. | Edited by: devitto (1st editor) |
