From the bustling heart of Chengdu's old teahouses to lively performances during senior dance club sessions, a new kind of musical star has emerged.

Wen Hao, or MasterWen as he's known on social media, is a singer from Hechuan District, Chongqing, who's become a viral sensation, capturing millions of hearts across the globe – not with flashy production, but with captivating music videos and a voice that transcends language barriers.

Growing up in Helong Town, he was a shy child, enchanted by the melodies of cartoons and TV dramas but too shy to sing aloud at home.

In middle school, music remained a private joy for him, until a tape recorder – meant for English lessons – became his gateway to the world of pop. In the early 2000s, the sounds of pop groups like AQUA and the Backstreet Boys, discovered by chance in a local music store, ignited a passion that would shape his life.

"I thought they sounded amazing, so I bought two tapes to take home. Every night after my family had gone to sleep, I would put on my headphones and sing along with the music. That's how my passion started to grow, bit by bit," he said.

After graduating from Shenyang Conservatory of Music, he worked at his alma mater before resigning in 2016 to teach singing to children in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province. In his spare time, he began recording videos of himself playing piano and singing simple, heartfelt performances that unexpectedly attracted a devoted online following.

He later moved to Chengdu, Sichuan Province, where he started collaborting with friends who shared his passion for music.

Today, MasterWen (39) continues to teach pop singing, balancing his roles as educator, performer, husband and father.

His pop influences, from boy bands like Backstreet Boys, NSYNC and Westlife, as well as icons Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, are a testament to his eclectic taste. Nowadays, his style is a blend of different genres, especially R&B and rap.

Perhaps most remarkable is MasterWen's mastery of English-language songs, despite not speaking the language fluently.

"Not being able to speak English doesn't mean I can't sing in English," he said.

Through relentless practice, memorizing, and a love for the music, he delivers covers with striking accuracy and emotion.

"Pronunciation is something I set as a personal standard for myself, I always try to do it as well as I possibly can."

Learning a new song typically takes him just a day or two, though rap tracks, with their rapid-fire lyrics, require more time.

While recently his most notable performance online has been his rendition of Drake's song, "Nokia," with over 16 million views on TikTok, MasterWen hasn't been flying under the radar all this time, experiencing several waves of going viral on social media in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

"At the beginning, of course, I was surprised, happy, and even a little shocked – it felt unreal at times. But deep down, what mattered most was the feeling that people are finally hearing my voice and that the singing style I worked so hard to create has proven successful."

In March this year, his cover of Bobby Caldwell's "What You Won't Do for Love" also went viral. The song showcased his natural charm and drew in viewers on TikTok, garnering nearly 8 million views on the platform. Yet, he remains grounded.

"In my daily life, nothing has really changed that much," he said. "But I now have a much clearer sense of direction in both my life and my career."

Social media has been the bridge connecting MasterWen to a global audience. Fans from around the world, many who've never set foot in China, are drawn to his performances posted online, enticing them to visit China. Some have even begun learning Chinese, inspired by his music and as way of communicating with him.

"It's not just about gaining more fans, it's about using my videos to help more people abroad understand what China truly is," MasterWen said.

But it's not just the online community who are interested in his videos. The eager and excited co-stars in his videos, whether through dancing along or just watching in awe, are keen participants and fans.

"We usually communicate with them in advance. Most older people don't mind and are quite willing to participate, because they feel that being involved makes them feel more energetic and happier," he said.

With how brutal online spaces can be, MasterWen welcomes constructive criticism, but malicious comments are shrugged off.

Instead, he focuses on learning new songs and connecting with those who genuinely appreciate his art.

Looking ahead, MasterWen's ambitions are clear: to create high-quality original music, release an album, collaborate internationally and perform live for audiences both in China and abroad.

He has already co-written a Chinese song with a producer friend and hopes to do more.

"I want to introduce Chinese music to the world in the best possible way. Social media has turned my music from something personal into something we can share together," he said.

Outside of music, MasterWen enjoys acting – mostly in front of the mirror – and playing video games, embracing his self-described "homebody" nature. His family and friends have always supported his musical pursuits, believing in his talent even when he doubted himself.

And for aspiring musicians, MasterWen offers simple yet profound advice: "No journey in life is a waste – every step molds who you become."