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Zoey Zhang

Chinese Mandopop star Lu Han received lavish gifts valued at 66,000 yuan (US$9,000) from his impersonator during a live-stream, igniting widespread discussion online about the phenomenon of celebrity lookalikes.
Lu, who was once a prominent member of the internationally acclaimed K-pop boy band EXO, showcased his talents as the main dancer and vocalist. After departing from the group at the end of 2014, he successfully transitioned into a solo artist.
The singer and actor, 34, boasts an impressive following of 63 million on Weibo.
On November 29, during a live-stream, Lu appeared to be in a “slightly tipsy” state, speaking somewhat unclearly, which led many viewers to speculate about his well-being and even question the authenticity of his presence on camera.
Seemingly frustrated by these doubts, Lu challenged his impersonator to call in and provide proof of his identity.
Shortly thereafter, his impersonator, Ling Dale, joined the live-stream, presenting 22 lavish gifts valued at 3,000 yuan each, and quickly became the top fan.

The 24-year-old Douyin influencer Ling Dale has gained notoriety for his striking resemblance to Lu, amassing 7.7 million followers through his impersonations of Lu’s singing and dancing.
Ling Dale hails from a rural area in Hunan province in southern China, where he previously worked in both a barber shop and a bubble tea shop.
In 2022, he became a member of the boy group ESO, composed of internet celebrities who resemble EXO members, and went viral for his spot on mimicry of their iconic stage performances. The group, however, disbanded due to a copyright controversy.
After leaving ESO, Ling Dale pivoted to live-streaming to sell snacks, reportedly earning a monthly income of up to 5 million yuan (US$680,000). Last year, he established his own company, which generated an impressive 138 million yuan in live-streaming sales within a year.
Reports from mainland sources indicate that Lu’s annual income in 2017 was 210 million yuan (US$28 million), primarily derived from endorsements and his music career.
Following Ling Dale’s generous gift-giving during the live-stream, Lu’s fans humorously dubbed him “well-behaved”, suggesting he was there to pay the “copycat tax”.
On November 30, Ling Dale released a video referring to Lu as his “benefactor”, stating, “Without Lu, no one would know who I am.” He expressed a desire to continue sending gifts to Lu as a gesture of gratitude for his influence.

As of now, Lu has not publicly responded to Ling Dale.
The legal implications of profiting from impersonating Lu have sparked extensive discussions across mainland social media platforms.
One observer noted: “Lu Han has 11 million followers on Douyin, while Ling Dale boasts over 7 million. Their popularity is nearly equivalent. Ling Dale has profited significantly from Lu’s fame, yet Lu has not filed any copyright complaints. Is that fair?”
Another commenter remarked: “Lu Han is so famous that countless individuals impersonate him. As long as they don’t engage in illegal activities under his name, there shouldn’t be any issue.”
Born in Beijing, Lu is celebrated as a leading figure in the Chinese pop music scene, captivating fans with his musical prowess and striking looks. He was ranked second on the 2017 Forbes China Celebrity 100 list.


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‘Copycat tax’: China KOL presents lavish gifts to pop star he imitates, expresses gratitude

Ling Dale, right, has built a highly lucrative career by impersonating the famous Mandopop star Lu Han, left. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo

Mandopop singer and actor Lu Han boasts an impressive following of 63 million on Weibo and was ranked second on the 2017 Forbes China Celebrity 100 list. Photo: Weibo/@M鹿M

Before finding stardom as a Lu Han impersonator, Ling Dale worked in both a barber shop and a bubble tea shop. Photo: Douyin

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Their online interactions spark extensive discussions about legal implications of profiting from celebrity likenesses


Their online interactions spark extensive discussions about legal implications of profiting from celebrity likenesses.


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