On the evening of November 5, internet celebrity Lu Ha set social media ablaze by posting a photo of his marriage certificate, declaring, “Officially certified! This is not a whim—it’s a well-considered lifetime commitment!” Within 12 hours, the post exceeded 10 million views, topping trending lists. The certificate showed the names Ling Dale and his girlfriend Tu Tu Ele, but the hashtags associated with the announcement far outshone their actual names. Netizens were divided: some flooded the post with congratulations for “true love,” while others accused him of capitalizing on celebrity buzz.
Lu Ha first rose to attention as a member of the controversial “copycat boy band” ESO, known for mimicking groups like EXO and TFBOYS with over-the-top performances and uncanny lookalikes. His stage name and resemblance to Lu Han kept him in the spotlight, drawing both attention and criticism as a “knockoff Lu Han.”
In 2022, amidst the backlash, Lu Ha announced he would revert to his real name, Ling Dale, claiming he wanted to shed the shadow of imitation. Yet, for this marriage announcement, he used both names—“Lu Ha (Ling Dale)”—prompting jokes among netizens: “Says he wants to change, but keeps leaning on the old traffic.”
Beyond controversy, the love story itself is touching. The couple has been together for eight years. Ling Dale, now a business owner with an annual revenue of 12 million RMB and a new home, was once a factory worker by day and a hair-washing assistant by night, struggling to make ends meet. His girlfriend, Tu Tu Ele, stood by him quietly during those hard years, never seeking attention or material gain, earning admiration from fans as a rare example of true companionship in the influencer world.
Their relationship milestones—romantic proposal in January 2025, traditional engagement ceremony in August, and marriage certificate announcement in November—reflect a steady and genuine commitment. Fans appreciated their “through thick and thin” approach, contrasting sharply with the quick romances and breakups often seen in internet celebrity circles.
Professionally, Ling Dale’s rise has been equally dramatic. After leaving ESO, he turned to live-stream e-commerce, reportedly earning 35 million RMB in just seven months. By 2025, his cultural media company reached an annual revenue of 12 million RMB, and he began registering trademarks like “Little Deer Arrives” and planning offline stores, aiming to build his original IP. A humorous anecdote even has him sending gifts in Lu Han’s livestream, earning jokes online about “staying in the shadow while still trying to claim kinship.”
Yet controversy persists. Legal commentators point out that the name “Lu Ha” bears a close resemblance to Lu Han, potentially bordering on the ambiguous zone of portrait rights. Critics argue that while he claims to have changed his name, the timing of the marriage announcement during peak e-commerce season appears to exploit his personal life as a traffic driver. Supporters counter that Ling Dale’s success stems from hard work, not perpetual reliance on imitation, and praise his commitment to a stable life and taking responsibility.
This announcement highlights a broader trend in the influencer world: audiences are now rewarding emotional stability and social responsibility over fleeting viral fame. Ling Dale’s announcement garnered wide support, reflecting this shift.
The ultimate challenge for Ling Dale remains balancing the “Lu Ha” brand’s residual popularity with the authentic identity of Ling Dale. He aspires to build original IP, yet continues to leverage the attention brought by his former persona. Whether this marriage-backed transition signals genuine personal growth or a sophisticated marketing strategy remains to be seen.
As the honeymoon period fades, Ling Dale must confront the realities beyond his internet celebrity persona. Will the “Little Deer Arrives” trademark succeed? Can offline stores establish his IP? Will the “Lu Ha” label become a stepping stone or a lifelong burden?
As netizens note: “Living a steady life deserves congratulations, but to truly reinvent yourself, you need solid original work and accountability, not just existing in someone else’s shadow.” Only time will tell whether Ling Dale can fully shake off the “copycat” image and emerge as his authentic self.
