Mao's discography also includes over a dozen theme songs from original soundtracks for television dramas, movies, and video games.
His appearance, characterized by "round faces, large glasses, and some slightly crooked teeth", contrasted with the more elaborate costumes and makeup of his fellow contestants.
His musical repertoire, diverging from traditional themes of romance, focused on topics like hopelessness, frustrated ambition, and aspirations for financial success.
[9] On May 31, Mao released his debut album, Perfect Day (平凡的一天), produced by singer and songwriter Li Jian.
[17] On July 16 and 23, Mao appeared in the lifestyle reality show "Back To Field" for the fourth time and sang "In This Mountain", a track from the album Lonely Planet, at the concert of the final episode of season 5.
[20] This album was released on September 23, 2024。[21] Mao has been likened to the younger Li Zongsheng and the "Chinese version of Bob Dylan".
Listeners believe that his songs capture a certain sentiment of the era, some comments refer to him as a "voice of the youth," while others call him the "spokesperson for the ordinary people".
As a fourth-year nursing intern at university, he penned the song "If One Day I Became Rich" in his modest rental apartment, as a response to the financial struggles he was facing at the time.
Although he was referred to as a "music genius" by senior songwriters Li Jian and Pu Shu, he attributes the supposed talents to his small-town upbringing and his laid-back lifestyle.
[25] Albums On September 11, 2018, Mao attended the 6th season of the Charity Stars-To Dream Designer ceremony and Luohu Fashion Night as a public welfare ambassador.
[30] In July 2021, Mao participated in CCTV's "Together with You" charity show and sang "Perfect Day"(平凡的一天) in tribute to the heroes among ordinary people.