1. Early Life and Background
Darren Wang Talu was born on May 29, 1991, in Taipei, Taiwan. He attended Toko University. Wang comes from an affluent family, being the second-generation heir to a major business in Taiwan. His father is a renowned antique collector in Taiwan and holds significant influence within both the antique collecting and art circles.
1.1. Aliases
Wang is known by several names, including Darren Wang, Dalu Wang, and Talu Wang.
2. Career
Wang Talu began his career in 2008, making his acting debut in the drama series Mysterious Incredible Terminator. He later transitioned to the big screen with his first film role in In Case of Love in 2010. His career saw a significant turning point in 2015 with his starring role in the hit high school romance film Our Times, which brought him widespread fame and established him as a prominent actor. Following this success, he was honored as GQ's Man of the Year. Wang has also contributed several songs to the soundtracks of films he has starred in. In 2019, he took on the male lead role in Fall in Love at First Kiss, a romantic film that is a remake of the popular Taiwanese series of the same name.
2.1. Filmography
Wang Talu has appeared in numerous films throughout his career, showcasing his versatility across different genres.
| Year | English Title | Chinese Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | In Case of Love | 街角的小王子Chinese | Lu Lu | |
| 2012 | Love's Two Faces | 愛情的兩張臉Chinese | Xiao Jie | |
| 2014 | A Choo | 打噴嚏Chinese / 不倒侠Chinese | Ye Jianhan | Filmed in 2014, released in 2020 due to legal issues. |
| 7 Love Design | 相愛的七種設計Chinese | Chen Hongyi / Ah Qiang | ||
| 2015 | Our Times | 我的少女時代Chinese | Hsu Taiyu / Xu Taiyu | |
| 2016 | Suddenly Seventeen | 28歲未成年Chinese | Yan Yan | |
| Railroad Tigers | 鐵道飛虎Chinese | Da Guo | ||
| Yo-Kai Watch Movie: It's the Secret of Birth, Meow! | 妖怪手錶電影版：誕生的秘密喵！Chinese | Tianye Jingcang | Voice-dubbed | |
| 10,000 Miles | 一萬公里的約定Chinese | Sean Fang / Ah Xuan | ||
| 2017 | Legend of the Naga Pearls | 鮫珠傳Chinese | Ni Kongkong | |
| 2018 | A Better Tomorrow 2018 | 英雄本色2018Chinese | Ma Ke | |
| 2019 | Fall in Love at First Kiss | 一吻定情Chinese | Jiang Zhishu | |
| The Rookies | 素人特攻Chinese | Zhao Feng / Zhou Feng | ||
| The Last Wish | 小小的願望Chinese | Xu Hao | ||
| Super Me | 超級的我Chinese | Sang Yu | ||
| 2023 | No More Bets | 孤注一擲Chinese | Gu Tian Zhi | |
| TBA | Wolf Hiding | 新秩序Chinese | Ma Wen Kang |
2.2. Television Series
Wang Talu has also taken on various roles in television dramas, ranging from guest appearances to leading roles.
| Year | English Title | Chinese Title | Role | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Mysterious Incredible Terminator | 霹靂MITChinese | Yang Shengkai | FTV | Cameo, Episode 8 / 13 |
| 2009 | Latter Days | 閃亮的日子Chinese | Young Lin Guangfu (Li Zhifeng) | CTV | |
| 2010 | Gloomy Salad Days | 死神少女Chinese | Xiao Hai | PTS | Cameo, Episode 15-16 |
| Channel-X | 國民英雄Chinese | Gu Yongen | TTV | Cameo, Episode 8 | |
| Teenager's Break Time | 下課後的青春Chinese | Liu Daren | DaAi TV | ||
| 2011 | Bei Ying | 背影Chinese | Da Ying | PTS | |
| 2014 | High Heels and a Scalpel | 白袍下的高跟鞋Chinese | Ke Yuhao | PTS | Guest appearance (Episodes 2-4, 6) |
| 2015 | Tou Kui Xin Shi | 偷窺心事Chinese | Ah Guo / Wang Dalu | TV Film | |
| 2017 | Stairway to Stardom | 逆襲之星途璀璨Chinese | Himself | Tencent | Cameo |
| Candle in the Tomb: Mu Ye Gui Shi | 鬼吹燈之牧野詭事Chinese | Hu Tian | iQiyi | ||
| 2019 | Reset Life | 未来的秘密Chinese | Luo Zhishi | Cameo | |
| 2020 | The Wolf | 狼殿下Chinese | Zhu Youwen / Lang Zai / Bo Wang | iQiyi, Tencent, Youku | |
| TBA | Quiet Among Disquiet | 安静Chinese | |||
| TBA | WU XING SHI JIA | 五行世家Chinese | Huo Xiao Xie |
2.3. Variety and Reality Shows
Wang Talu has participated in several variety and reality television programs, showcasing his personality beyond acting roles.
| Year | English Title | Chinese Title | Role | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Give Me Five | 高能少年团Chinese | Cast member | Zhejiang Television | Appeared in Episodes 4-12 |
| 2018 | Give Me Five season 2 | 高能少年团第二季Chinese | Cast member | Zhejiang Television | Appeared in Episodes 1-10 |
| 2020 | Produce Camp 2020 | 创造营2020Chinese | Guest appearance | Tencent Video | Appeared in Episode 8 |
| 2020 | Not A Loner | 看我的生活Chinese | Himself | Youku | |
| 2020 | Day Day Up | 天天向上Chinese | Guest | Hunan TV | |
| 2021 | A Journey for Love | 怦然再心动Chinese | Himself | Hunan TV, Mango TV | 8 episodes |
| 2021 | Happy Camp | 快乐大本营Chinese | Guest | Hunan TV | |
| 2022 | Call Me by Fire (season 2) | 披荊斬棘Chinese | Participant | Mango TV | |
| 2024 | Ai's Kitchen | 艾嘉食堂Chinese | Himself / Bartender | SET Metro / Netflix Asia |
2.4. Music Video Appearances
Wang has also made appearances in music videos for various artists.
| Year | Song Title | Artist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "Suddenly missing you so bad" | Mayday | |
| 2009 | "Lock the Time" | S.H.E | |
| "Beautiful Day" | Cyndi Wang | ||
| 2011 | "Listen to You Say" | Yisa Yu & Freya Lim | |
| "I'll Always Be With You" | Magic Power | ||
| 2016 | "Here after us" | Mayday |
3. Discography
Wang Talu has contributed his vocals to several film and television soundtracks.
| Year | English Title | Chinese Title | Album | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | "Big Brother" | 大哥Chinese | Railroad Tigers OST | with Wang Kai, Wu Yonglun & Sang Ping |
| "Playing My Beloved Folk Lute" | 弹起我心爱的土琵琶Chinese | with Wang Kai, Wu Yonglun & Sang Ping | ||
| 2017 | "Proud Youths" | 骄傲的少年Chinese | Give Me Five OST | with Zhang Yishan, Wang Junkai, Dong Zijian & Liu Haoran |
| 2019 | "We Won't Be Sad in the End" | 最后不会有悲伤Chinese | The Last Wish OST | with Peng Yuchang & Wei Daxun |
4. Awards and Nominations
Wang Talu has received several awards and nominations throughout his career, recognizing his performances and contributions to the entertainment industry.
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | GQ Man of the Year Awards | Fashion Award | - | Won |
| 4th iQiyi All-Star Carnival | Newcomer Film Award | Our Times | Won | |
| 2016 | 20th China Music Awards | Popular Star Award - Film | Our Times | Won |
| 18th Taipei Film Awards | Best Actor | Our Times | Nominated | |
| 5th APAN Star Awards | Rising Star Award | - | Won | |
| 2017 | 2nd Fashion Up Awards | Popularity Award - Male | - | Won |
| Men's UNO YOUNG Red Awards | Best Actor | - | Won | |
| GQ Man of the Year Awards | Fashionista of the Year | - | Won | |
| 2018 | 4th Jackie Chan Action Movie Awards | Best New Actor In Action | A Better Tomorrow 2018 | Nominated |
| 2019 | 11th Macau International Movie Festival | Best Supporting Actor | The Last Wish | Nominated |
5. Personal Life
Wang Talu's personal life has garnered public attention, particularly concerning his relationships. He has been linked to several public figures, including South Korean actress Kang Han-na, with whom he reportedly had an "overseas" relationship. Despite being seen together on multiple occasions, Kang Han-na consistently denied the romantic nature of their relationship. Wang was also rumored to be involved with actress Zhang Tian'ai and was reportedly seen entering a hotel with another unidentified woman while still linked to Kang Han-na, leading to a public perception of him as a "playboy" in the entertainment industry.
