43YO Wang Leehom Fired From 20-Year Role As Ambassador Because He Is Too Old

He is widely hailed as one of the Four Heavenly Kings (四大天王) of the new age of Mandopop alongside JJ Lin, Jay Chou, and Show Luo.

He is Wang Leehom, who we all know and love (well, except my mum for some reason).

He has come a long way since his debut in 1995 and is one of the most influential and famous Mandopop stars of our era with few that can rival him.

Nothing can go wrong for him, right?

Endorsement requests should be pouring in and any he already has should be clenching onto him tightly.

Well, Wahaha thinks otherwise.

Wahahahahahahahahaha.

Kiss Goodbye

Wang Leehom has been the ambassador of Wahaha mineral water for 20 years now.

Seriously, that’s older than some of my friends.

Just look how young he was in that photo.

Unfortunately, he now has to kiss goodbye to this brand which I’m sure is more of a friend than some actual humans.

The reason for it? “He’s getting old”, apparently.

Are you kidding?! This face doesn’t even look a day over 30. And he’s actually already 43!

But wait, there’s more to all the things you never knew.

All The Things You Never Knew (你不知道的事)

In an interview with Kelly Zong, the ‘Princess’ of the Wahaha Group, as reported by Sina, stated that: “Can I say [the reason]? It’s quite harmful.”

“He’s getting old. There’s some aesthetical exhaustion. Do you think it’s fun to see the same ambassador every day for all these years?”

We were never sick of seeing Vivian Lai mah.

She even added that the success of the Wahaha mineral water has nothing to do with Wang Leehom, but all credit goes to her dad, who is the founder.

On top of that, Wang Leehom has apparently maintained his original endorsement fees for the twenty years despite his massive rise in fame since then.

Talk about 过河拆桥 (cross river destroy bridge).

Needless to say, the fans were not happy.

Translation: “Low EQ is apparent now – you kept on stating your dislike of Wang Leehom, stating how you would not hire him again due to his old age. Please, you’re not much younger than him yourself, are you still planning to celebrate Children’s Day? Twenty years of friendship and win-win isn’t worth a single cent to her.”

The comment also brought in Kelly Zong’s previous behaviours, where she apparently insulted a variety show, causing awkwardness for the host.

Still In Love With You (依然爱你)

Well, regardless of the possible financial consequences, I’m fairly sure I can say that this will be a huge PR disaster that’s going to be heavy on Kelly Zong, who’s in line to take over the Wahaha Group.

But I’m sure if they look to rehire him, Wang Leehom will still welcome them back with open arms, saying “我依然爱你” (I’m still in love with you).

But if they don’t, so be it. Wang Leehom is still one of the most successful Mandopop stars of all time. He isn’t worried about a lack of endorsement deals.

So will Wang Leehom or Wahaha get the last laugh?

Wahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.