Victor Ma (马伯骞)

Victor Ma (simplified Chinese: 马伯骞; traditional Chinese: 馬伯騫) is a Chinese-American singer, songwriter, rapper, and actor under WAJIJIWA Entertainment. He attended University of Southern California. In 2018, he released his solo debut single, "I Am Awake". In 2021, he featured in the Chinese film, Detective Chinatown 3.

Victor Ma Boqian is a quintessential multifaceted artist who has successfully navigated the intersection of music and acting. First rising to prominence as the runner-up of the 2017 talent show The Coming One, he steadily built his career before achieving widespread recognition through his role as Sang Yan in the 2023 hit youth drama Hidden Love. What makes him a fascinating figure, however, is the constant public conversation surrounding his path — from his elite educational background at the University of Southern California, to his prominent family lineage, and his ongoing evolution from idol to actor.

Breakthrough Role

Ma‘s acting breakthrough came with the 2023青春校园剧 Hidden Love (偷偷藏不住), in which he played Sang Yan, the protective and slightly aloof older brother of the female lead. The series became a massive phenomenon, amassing over ten billion views domestically and achieving global distribution on Netflix. While his character was a supporting role, Ma’s portrayal of the cool yet caring elder brother resonated strongly with audiences. This performance was a major step in his acting career, following his earlier appearances in the web series Detective Chinatown (2020) and the film Detective Chinatown 3 (2021). The role of Sang Yan helped him shed his “idol” label and gain recognition as a serious actor.

Public Perception

Victor Ma occupies a uniquely controversial space in the Chinese entertainment industry. On one hand, he is often labeled a “resource king” (资源咖) due to his family background — his grandfather was the first head coach of China‘s women’s national volleyball team, his grandmother played for the Bayi basketball team, his father is the dean of the USC School of Architecture, and his mother is a Tsinghua University alumna. This has led to debates about whether his opportunities are earned or inherited. On the other hand, audiences who have followed his journey see a different picture. His participation in the acting competition show Every Actor, Take Two (2020) showcased his willingness to be critiqued and to grow. His role as Chen Huoju in the 2025 film The Sparring Partner (替身拳手) further demonstrated his commitment — he trained in boxing for two years to prepare for the role. Public opinion on Ma is polarized. Some view him as a hardworking artist who is sincere and “real”, while others dismiss him as a privileged star who benefits from nepotism. His candid personality, occasional fashion controversies, and humorous public appearances have, however, won him a loyal fanbase who appreciate his authenticity. Ultimately, Victor Ma remains a compelling figure precisely because of this duality — a talented artist perpetually striving to prove that his achievements are his own.