. Hu started his transition from the fashion runway to the TV screen in 1996 and became a household name after the success of the TV drama "Love Talks" (1999), in which he played the male leading role. Continuously from 2000 to 2005, Hu was voted one of the four most popular young actors in China (Hu left China to further strengthen his performing aptitude in an American institute in 2005). Hu is known for his on-screen portrayals in both China and Japan as an actor, and as a fashion icon all across Asia.