[4][5] With the recommendation of the Chinese Idol judge, Han Hong, who is the general agent of SM Entertainment in China, Yu became a trainee at SM Entertainment in South Korea,[6] but failed to debut as an NCT member after multiple rumors surfaced, including allegations of him sending unwanted nudes.
[7] After returning to China, in 2017, he was invited to audition for a training camp for the film series Creation of the Gods on the strength of his advertisement for Jordan Brand titled Victory Is Decided by Me: The Day of Decision.
In April 2023, at the 3rd Guangdong Provincial Equestrian Festival, Yu won an award in the Riding and Shooting Championship Invitational.
[13] His debut film, Born to Fly, co-starring Wang Yibo, Hu Jun, and Zhou Dongyu, was released on April 28, 2023.
[21] On April 20, 2024, Yu was selected to become the Chinese brand ambassador for French luxury jewellery house Chaumet.