[7] In 2004, due to the outbreak of SARS and a lack of job offers, the other members of the band decided to leave the entertainment industry and pursue stable careers.

[9] Ma accepted the offer and starred as Malasun, a Hakka alcohol salesman,[10][11] which brought him widespread recognition in Taiwan due to his iconic performance and the film's popularity.

[5][7] Ma subsequently received numerous film role offers and made his television debut in the same year, portraying Feng Pai-hsiung in Time Story [zh].

[3][9] In 2011, Ma was approached by his high school classmate and assistant director, Lishu Lin, to star in a leading role in The Killer Who Never Kills [zh].

[19] That same year, he released his first individual music album, Mama Jeans and Daddy Shoes, and received a nomination for Best Male Mandarin Singer in the 33rd Golden Melody Awards.

[9][20] In 2023, Ma starred in the lead role as police captain Chang Yung-kang, who is mistakenly perceived as a mole, in the supernatural comedy film Marry My Dead Body.