Gong Jun
Gong Jun, also known as Simon Gong, is a Chinese actor. He gained attention for his roles in Lost Love in Times and Begin Again, and achieved breakout success with [Word of Honor (brand)|Honor (TV series)|Word of Honor].
Early life
Gong was born on November 29, 1992, in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. After graduating from the Performance Department of Donghua University in Shanghai, he moved to Beijing to pursue opportunities in the entertainment industry. He initially signed with a management company that promised him monthly assignments and living allowances, but when no jobs or wages materialized, he terminated the contract. Before making his acting debut, Gong modeled for numerous advertising campaigns.Career
2015–2018: Acting debut and early beginnings
In 2015, Gong made his acting debut in the historical drama Sword Chaos. In 2016, he co-starred in the youth drama Advance Bravely, adapted from Chai Ji Dan's novel Shi Bu Ke Dang, playing Xia Yao, a role for which he was personally selected by the author after she saw his photos on Weibo. On August 23, he appeared in the urban adventure comedy film Lost in Japan.In 2017, Gong starred in the youth fantasy drama The Player, based on the online game Fantasy Westward Journey, playing the game expert Ren Yi Xia. He gained wider recognition for his role as the frank, loyal, free-spirited 11th Prince Yuan Che in the fantasy historical drama Lost Love in Times, adapted from Shi Siye's novel Drunken Exquisiteness. Following the drama's success, he starred in a 12-episode spin-off as the main character alongside Xu Mu Chan. On September 19, Gong appeared in the reality show The Cute Teacher Arrives. On September 29, his science fiction film Rebirth Partner, co-starring Wang Wan Zhong, was released on Tencent Video, in which he played the helpful and endearing student Yi Sheng. In December, he filmed the campus idol inspirational drama Shining Like You, which was later released in 2021.
In 2018, Gong co-starred in the ancient costume drama Unique Lady ''Part 1 and 2 based on the visual novel game Lust for Gold'', playing the domineering yet affectionate Prince Zhong Wu Mei. These projects helped Gong build his early industry experience and lay the foundation for his rising career.
2019–2020: Rising popularity
In 2019, Gong dubbed the voice of Apollo in the French fantasy adventure animated film Tall Tales from the Magical Garden of Antoon Krings, which was released in mainland China. On November 7, he starred in the urban romance drama Flavor It's Yours, which was broadcast on iQIYI; he played Lu Wei Xun, a genius wine critic who is cold and unapproachable.In 2020, Gong starred in the campus youth drama The Love Equations alongside Liu Renyu, portraying Zhao Fan Zhou, a dedicated forensic science student. The series was adapted from Zhao Qian Qian's novel The Sweet Love Story. On October 29, the urban emotional drama Begin Again, co-starring Zhou Yutong, was broadcast, in which he played Ling Rui, a mature and kind surgeon. The series attracted wide attention, boosting Gong's popularity, and garnered 1.8 billion views on Mango TV. On December 24, Unique Lady 2, co-starring Zheng Qiu Hong, was broadcast on Youku and was well-received by audiences.
2021–2024: Breakthrough & Stardom
Gong rose to prominence in 2021 for his role as the complex and morally ambiguous Chief of the Ghost Valley, Wen Ke Xing, in the Wuxia drama Word of Honor, adapted from Priest's novel Faraway Wanderers and broadcast on Youku. The series became a surprise hit, earning high ratings on Douban and generating significant online engagement, marking Gong’s breakthrough into mainstream stardom.Following the success of Word of Honor, Gong remained highly active across television series, variety shows, and public appearances. In the same year, four additional dramas across different genres were released, including the romantic suspense drama Dream Garden, in which he portrayed the professional psychological counsellor Lin Shen, and the rescue-themed emotional drama The Flaming Heart, where he played the introverted and determined firefighter Huo Yan. Two series filmed earlier in his career, The Player and Shining Like You, were also released that year, further expanding his screen presence.
Between 2022 and 2024, Gong headlined multiple high-profile productions, including the historical drama The Legend of Anle '', adapted from Xing Ling's novel The Emperor's Book, in which he portrayed Crown Prince Han Ye; the contemporary urban workplace romance drama Rising With the Wind, based on Wei Zai's novel of the same name, where he played the investor Xu Si; and Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red-Moon Pact, adapted from Tuo Xiao Xin's comic Hu Yao Xiao Hong Niang .'' He also filmed two realism-based dramas scheduled for 2026: The Truth as the officer Ye Qian, adapted from Jiu Di Shui 's novel Shi An Diao Cha Ke and Hold a Court Now as a judge Shen Xie Zhi.
From 2022 to 2024, Gong maintained a strong presence in major variety programs and nationally televised events, including the China Dragon TV Spring Festival Gala, the Hundred Flowers Welcome Spring Gala organized by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, the CCTV Lantern Festival Gala, the Beijing TV Spring Festival Gala, the Global Chinese Music Chart on CCTV-15,and China Online Audio-Visual Ceremony. He was a regular cast member of the reality shows Chinese Restaurant 5 and Go Fighting!. During this period, he also released seven inspirational and celebratory singles, including Gong Xi Fa Cai, Blessings in Spring, Youth Speaks, Little Shoulders, More Youthful With Ideal, Chasing the Wind and Breaking the Waves, and Be With You.
In 2022, Gong won the Golden Bud Network Film and Television Festival’s Most Popular Actor of the Year award. In 2023, he received the Popular Actor of the Year award at Weibo Night 2022. His mainstream recognition was further reflected in 2023 when Madame Tussauds Shanghai unveiled his wax figure in the museum’s E-Fashion Zone, making him the first actor featured in that section.
2025–Present: Steady Development & Peak
In 2025, Gong’s career reached a new high. His outstanding performances in variety shows such as Wow the World and Divas Hit the Road: United Season earned him multiple honors, including Tencent Video’s “Program of the Year Star” and “Tencent Video VIP Star”, highlighting his growth in acting, variety shows, and commercial value. His wuxia costume drama Blood River , which aired in October 2025 became a major hit, surpassing 1 billion views with online popularity continuing to rise. In the fourth quarter of 2025, Gong filmed and wrapped another wuxia drama, Blade of Vengeance, which won Tencent Video’s “Most Anticipated Drama” even before airing, demonstrating his strong market appeal and solidifying his top-tier celebrity status.On September 29, 2025, Hong Kong’s Madame Tussauds announced that Gong Jun officially joined the museum’s Fashion Zone, becoming a shining new member of the International Celebrity Hall of Fame.
Endorsements and ambassadorships
Endorsements
In 2019, Gong was named as brand ambassador for men's care products Mentholatum. He was chosen as brand ambassador for skincare Little Touch, spokesperson for clinical skincare DR. WU, and officer for Youku in 2020.With the success of the series Word of Honor, Gong commercial resources have been soaring. Partnered with 31 brands, his endorsements covered multiple categories such as sunscreen protection L'Oréal Paris, health supplements products Centrum, car brand Roewe, fast food KFC, dairy company Mengniu Dairy's ice product brand Green Mood ice-cream, beauty cosmetics 3CE Stylenanda, fruity instant coffee Nescafé, smartphone Honor, and sportswear 361 Degrees. He is also the face of luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co.
In April 2021, Gong was announced as spokesperson for Vita lemon flavored drink, but in July Gong ceased his commercial cooperation with Vitasoy after an employee circulated a memo online offering condolences to the family of a worker who stabbed a Hong Kong policeman, then committed suicide. In the same month, Gong was announced as the global spokesperson for the Roewe, an automobile brand. This announcement came alongside the release of the Roewe RX5 PLUS Limited Edition, with Gong's image prominently featured in the campaign.
On his birthday, November 29, Gong was promoted to brand spokesperson for Ya-Man and was awarded the brand ambassador title by Tiffany. On December 1, Honor launched the Honor 60 series in China and announced Gong as the Honor 60 series global spokesperson.
In February 2022, Italian luxury brand Hogan announced Gong as its global ambassador. The shoes Gong endorsed sold out at the brand's Tmall flagship store in six hours, demonstrating his substantial influence on the luxury brand. By May 2022, Gong became brand spokesperson for 5 more brands such as Colgate, Safeguard, Mujosh, Charlotte Tilbury, and Honor 80 series.
In March 2023, Deeyeo announced Gong as its brand spokesperson. In the same month, Gong was promoted to brand spokesperson for L'Oréal Paris. In April, a global online luxury fashion retailer Net-a-Porter announced Gong as its brand ambassador. In May, Mengniu Dairy's milk beverage line Real Fruit Milk Drink announced Gong as its brand spokesperson. In May, an Italian fashion brand RA-RE announced Gong as its global ambassador. On August 29, 2023, GXG has announced Gong as its global ambassador. On September 6, 2023, Tissot has announced Gong as its global brand ambassador. On December 11, 2023, PRSR Eyewear has announced Gong as its global brand spokesperson.
As a brand spokesperson for L'Oréal Paris, Gong was invited to attend Cannes Film Festival for three consecutive years, and made his red carpet debut wearing the first custom-made menswear design by Taiwanese-Canadian designer Jason Wu - a suit adorned with sophisticated embroideries.
In May 2024, the French high-end diamond jewelry brand Messika announced Gong as its first APAC brand ambassador.
In April 2025, Gong was appointed as the global brand ambassador for Baojun, a Chinese automotive brand known for its innovative designs and technology.
Commercial influences
In 2021, Honor launched the Honor 50 series in China and announced Gong as their smartphone spokesperson. This was the firm's first major smartphone release since it was sold by Huawei. The series sales exceeded ¥500 million in one minute. This led to their market share rising by 14.6% and helped them return to the top three brands in China's mobile market. Similarly, after 361 Degrees announced Gong as their global spokesperson, their stock price soared by 14.37%. By the first half of 2021, their net profit rose 32.9% into ¥401.4 million, gained 15.7% in revenue and 28.0% in gross profit. On June 17, Roewe announced the release of 500 Roewe RX5 PLUS Limited Edition and Gong was their global spokesperson. The first batch of 100 cars sold out within 9 minutes 20 seconds, achieving a new record for cars sold every 2 seconds in a single day. After selling 100 cars per day for 5 consecutive days, the series completely sold out with a total pre-sale value of ¥644 million. On June 23, Gong was announced as brand ambassador for luxury fashion brand Louis Vuitton. On October 15, Gong was chosen as beauty ambassador for the 18th Cosmo Beauty Awards.In March 2023, Deeyeo broke their sale record; ¥20 million of disposable hygiene products were sold within 24 hours after Gong was announced as brand ambassador.
Recognitions
In the first half of 2021, Gong gained over 8 million followers and became the most-followed and most-searched artist on Sina Weibo platform, appearing 187 times on their real-time hot search trends list. Gong was named as the hottest actor of the second quarter and was listed as one of 23 GQs "Men of the Year".Gong has graced the front covers of various magazines such as Harper's Bazaar, SE Weekly, OK!, Madame Figaro, Elle, Glitz, Lifestyle, Esquire, T Magazine, Cosmopolitan, L'Officiel, L'Officiel Hommes, Wonderland, GQ, and Vogue+.
Philanthropy
In 2018, Gong released his first photobook, "1129". All proceeds from the book were donated to charity to support the development of public welfare undertakings. In 2020, Gong donated ¥150,000 to China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation to equip three rural schools in Nanjiang County, Sichuan Province with kitchen equipment. He was also chosen as Moji Weather Charity Ambassador and Officer for two consecutive years.In 2021, Gong was appointed as Hello Childhood Charity Ambassador, Charity Promotional Ambassador for World Book Day, Charity Communication Ambassador for International Day for Biological Diversity, and Charity Advocacy Ambassador for World Environment Day.
In April 2021, Word of Honors outfits were sold through online auction. Among them, the red costume of Wen Ke Xing played by Gong Jun was sold at the highest price ¥224,601 Yuan, the auction earned total ¥584,207 Yuan for Wen's costumes and accessories. After the event, his red costume proceeds were donated towards China Social Assistance Foundation as part of public welfare project. On July 21, Gong donated ¥500,000 Yuan to China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation for flood relief efforts in Henan. Gong's studio reached out to Lock & Lock donated 10,000 water bottles, 1000 blankets, 200 quilts, and 200 sets of bedding supplies to support the flood victims and disaster areas. Gong's studio and Unif Beef jointly donated further 5000 boxes of noodles to support the frontline disaster relief. Gong joined hands with 361 Degrees donated ¥10 million Yuan in cash and materials to help with flood relief and future restoration work. On July 27, as part of the sustainability program "L'Oréal for the Future", the Group has set up €50 million Euro to help with the restoration of ecological.
In April 2022, Gong donated 65,000 medical and N95 masks to help out the pandemic situation in China. He donated an additional 3,536 rapid COVID-19 antigen kits and hand sanitizers, plus 950 boxes of milk and snacks to his alma mater, Donghua University. On September 8, Gong donated ¥500,000 to support Sichuan earthquake relief efforts. In November, Gong donated the compensation amount of ¥40,000 from the defamation lawsuit and personally topped up ¥20,000 to the "Love Kitchen" project that serves free meals for students at a rural primary school in Guangnan County, Yunnan Province; the donation was made in the name of his fans "JunWeiXian".
In April 2023, Gong donated the compensation amount of ¥30,000 from the defamation lawsuit to the Stars and Rain Special Fund of the China Charity Aid Foundation for Children and in May he donated another ¥200,000 to the dame charity in the name of his fans "JunWeiXian". In August, Gong donated ¥300,000 to China Foundation for Rural Development in the name of his fans "JunWeiXian" for the purchase of more than 60,000 catties of rice and more than 6,500 liters of cooking oil to support flood relief in Hebei and Heilongjiang provinces.