Chinese Actor He Jiong Reveals Marriage and Fatherhood

Chinese actor and television host He Jiong, known for his role as "Explorer Zhan Zhao" in the popular 1990s television series "The Legendary Siblings," has come forward in a recent interview, admitting to being married and having a daughter. The 49-year-old star has largely kept his personal life private, but he shared candid details about his family in response to rumors that arose after he and his daughter were spotted together on an outing.

The announcement marked a departure from He Jiong's usual reticence about his personal life, as he has historically shied away from discussing his private matters. In the past, he has said that his focus is on his work and creative pursuits, and that he prefers to keep his personal life separate from his public persona.

"I was an actor, and now I'm an entrepreneur," He Jiong said in the interview. "These personal matters have nothing to do with my audience anymore." He clarified that the girl seen with him in the photographs was not his wife, but rather his niece and daughter. He joked about his wife's appearance, saying, "She's not very pretty, but my daughter is!"

Acknowledging that he has a wife and a daughter was not met with shock or surprise, but instead, with an outpouring of support and understanding from fans and netizens. Many users took to social media to express their happiness for the actor, and to express the view that it's perfectly normal for someone of his age to be married with children.

One Weibo user wrote, "Congratulations, and best wishes to He Jiong and his family. There's nothing wrong with having a wife and a daughter. People should respect his decision to keep his private life private." Another user posted, "Already married with a daughter? That's completely normal. So many people at his age are already grandparents!"

Despite the fact that He Jiong's announcement may have been a surprise to some, others pointed out that the actor never explicitly stated he was single or had no children. In fact, many fans felt a sense of nostalgia upon learning about the actor's daughter, remembering how they had followed his work since his early days on television.

"He Jiong was so handsome when he was younger!" tweeted one user. "A textbook example of East Asian good looks - those cheekbones, that jawline. I'm so happy to learn he has a daughter. It's a shame she didn't pursue a career in show business. If she had, He Jiong might have been the fifth 'Heavenly King' of Chinese entertainment by now."

The comments about He Jiong's wife's appearance seem to have been taken in good humor by fans, who appreciated the actor maintaining a sense of humor even when discussing a private matter. Some users even praised him for his honesty, noting that he could have easily avoided the topic altogether.

"I think it's great that He Jiong was so open about his personal life," said one commenter on Weibo. "Not everyone would have the courage to discuss their family so candidly in the public eye."

Despite some pushback from those who believe celebrities should keep their personal lives entirely hidden from view, the majority of comments on social media have been supportive and positive. Many users have expressed their happiness for He Jiong and his family, and reiterated their respect for his decision to keep his private life private.

In an industry where rumors and speculation are often rife, He Jiong's decision to come forward and candidly discuss his personal life is a reminder that celebrities are people too. And while some may choose to keep their private lives hidden from public view, others, like He Jiong, may decide to share their personal stories - even if it means facing the scrutiny that inevitably comes with being in the public eye.

Now that the actor has chosen to open up about his personal life, it remains to be seen whether his work will be affected. However, it seems likely that fans will continue to support He Jiong, as they have done for decades, and that his newfound candor will only make them love him even more.

As one Weibo user put it: "We should respect He Jiong's decision to keep his private life private. But now that we know he has a family, we can only wish them happiness and good health in the years to come."