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| TNT Star Ma Jiaqi Completes University Journey and Sparks Excitement Over His Acting Future. (Sina) |
Ma Jiaqi’s university days are officially over, but the conversation around his future is only getting louder. On 23 June 2026, Ma Jiaqi celebrated his graduation from the prestigious Central Academy of Drama, marking the end of a four-year journey that saw him balance lecture halls, stage performances and an increasingly busy entertainment career. While graduation ceremonies are usually a moment to look back, many fans seemed far more interested in looking ahead.
The young Chinese idol and actor joined fellow classmates for graduation photographs, closing the chapter on his time in the Theatre and Film Acting programme.
For supporters, however, the occasion felt bigger than a simple academic milestone. It represented the completion of a transformation that began when Ma Jiaqi entered the academy as one of the most highly regarded students of his intake.
His academic record has become part of the story. Before even stepping onto campus, Ma Jiaqi earned attention by ranking first among male candidates in his acting specialisation during admissions.
Four years later, he leaves with a degree in hand after successfully completing his thesis defence on 9 May 2026. Not bad for someone who spent those same years juggling filming schedules, music projects and public appearances that would make most students immediately ask for an extension.
Outside the academy, social media quickly filled with congratulatory messages. Thousands of fans, entertainment accounts and observers joined discussions about the significance of the moment.
Graduation news can sometimes disappear within hours online, but Ma Jiaqi's milestone managed to dominate conversations throughout the day, showing the level of public interest surrounding his next move.
The most eye-catching scenes unfolded outside the campus itself. Fans transformed the area into a vast display of purple flowers, creating elaborate floral walls, bouquets and decorative installations dedicated to the star.
Character-inspired artwork and themed displays added to the atmosphere, while an unexpected black cat wandering through the celebration became an instant talking point among attendees. In true internet fashion, the cat received nearly as much analysis as some celebrity appearances.
Adding to the emotional mood, Ma Jiaqi personally shared graduation photographs on Weibo wearing his academic gown. Rather than letting images emerge through unofficial channels, he posted them himself alongside a message about carrying forward dreams and ambitions into the future.
Fans interpreted the gesture as a sign of appreciation towards those who have followed his journey from student life to professional performer. Yet beneath the celebrations, one theme dominated fan discussions more than any other.
Many supporters are increasingly focused on Ma Jiaqi's development as an actor. While his popularity as a performer remains strong, conversations online repeatedly highlighted hopes that he will continue building a serious acting career.
Upcoming project "We Live in Nanjing" has become a particular source of anticipation, with fans eager to see his portrayal of Bai Yang and assess how his formal training translates onto screen.
Others pointed to his achievements beyond acting. His music releases have attracted significant attention, reinforcing the perception that he possesses skills across multiple areas of entertainment.
Still, many supporters believe his graduation represents the perfect moment for a new chapter, one where professional acting becomes an even larger part of his public identity.
Reactions from fans and netizens have varied, although the overall mood remains overwhelmingly positive. Supporters praised his ability to complete his studies while maintaining a demanding career, describing the achievement as proof of dedication and discipline.
Others focused on his growth over four years, arguing that graduation symbolises a transition from youth idol to mature performer. Some online observers also suggested that graduation removes one of the final excuses often used by critics who questioned whether young stars could fully commit to professional training.
Their view is simple: the degree is finished, the coursework is complete, and now the spotlight shifts entirely to the work he delivers on screen. Fair or not, expectations appear to be rising alongside the congratulations.
There has also been growing discussion about what comes next from a business perspective. Some fans hope Ma Jiaqi will eventually gain greater control over his individual projects and career planning, while others simply want to see him take on more acting roles that match the skills developed during his years at drama school.
For many, the equation is straightforward: spend four years studying acting, then give audiences plenty of acting. Perhaps the most striking aspect of the graduation celebrations was the sense of long-term commitment expressed by fans.
Messages shared across social platforms repeatedly spoke about accompanying Ma Jiaqi into the next stage of his career, supporting future projects and witnessing his growth over the years ahead.
What began as admiration for an idol now appears, for many supporters, to have evolved into support for a young actor whose biggest opportunities may still lie ahead.
With university now behind him, Ma Jiaqi faces a new challenge: turning academic achievement into lasting industry success. Judging by the reaction online, fans are ready for that next chapter to begin immediately.
The question is whether his future will be defined by acting, music, or a combination of both. What do you think should be his next big move? Is this the moment Ma Jiaqi becomes one of the defining young actors of his generation, or are there still bigger surprises waiting around the corner?