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Yu passed away on Thursday, and police have ruled out foul play in the incident. His family and management company have not disclosed further details surrounding his death.

The news of his passing shocked fans, garnering tens of billions of views on Weibo, as Yu had appeared vibrant and positive in recent social media posts and public appearances, showing no signs of illness or personal struggle.

According to SwampYu spent most of the past six months on set. In late June, he completed filming for the fantasy period drama “Journey to the End of the Night.” This year, he had two films slated for release, “The Fated General” and “Traditional Chinese Medicine.”

Yu had been open about the toll his busy schedule took on his health. In an interview with Nandu Entertainmenthe said acquaintances often remarked on his thinning appearance. Standing 1.83 meters tall, he weighed less than 70 kg. He explained: “Running between filming crews is exhausting and tiring, so I’ve become thinner. I wish I had more time to rest without falling behind on work.”

His last public appearance was on May 31, when he performed during CCTV’s Dragon Boat Festival program. Viewers praised his appearance, noting that he radiated Eastern charm in a Tang Dynasty-inspired costume.

Yu was one of China’s most-followed stars, with over 26 million followers on Weibo. His posts, often featuring gym workouts, flower walks, and daily strolls, typically received over 10,000 comments. In recent months, many of his followers had commented on his thin appearance and encouraged him to take care of his health.

Starting his career as a singer, Yu transitioned into acting and worked hard to prove his abilities. During filming of “Xuan-Yuan Sword: Han Cloud” in 2016, he sustained an injury while hanging on a cable. Despite the injury, he continued filming, even shooting scenes from a wheelchair. He did not blame the production team, although safety precautions were lacking.

In 2018, while filming “The Love Lasts Two Minds,” Yu was accidentally injured in the eye by a prop. Though some viewers noted his “dull and lifeless” eyes when the drama aired, he did not publicly explain the injury, instead writing on social media: “It’s true that my performance wasn’t perfect, but I will work harder.”

Yu also often spoke about managing his emotions.

“Negative feelings don’t last long because I can stabilize myself,” he once said. “The next day, looking at the sun, I realize yesterday’s problems aren’t that big.”

Born in 1988 in Xinjiang, Yu began pursuing his passion for the arts at a young age. In 2007, he competed in Dongfang TV’s talent show, reaching the top 16. His career took a significant turn in 2015 when his song “Go Home and Have the Spring Festival” became a hit, especially popular among young people for its festive tone during the Lunar New Year.

That same year, Yu starred in “Go Princess Go,” a drama that gained widespread popularity in China and across Asia, propelling him to international fame.

Yu achieved widespread recognition in 2016 for his role as Bai Chen in “Eternal Love,” where he starred alongside Yang Mi and Mark Chao. In the later years of his career, he appeared in several television series, including “Xuan-Yuan Sword: Han Cloud” and “The Legend of White Snake.” Before his death, Yu had completed three films, including “The Fated General” and “Traditional Chinese Medicine,” though their release dates have yet to be announced.

Yu was also involved with two companies, one of which deregistered its business in 2024, while the other ceased operations in July of this year.