Journalism of Courage
A Chinese influencer has sparked disbelief after claiming he spent 4 million yuan (about Rs 46 crore) on hyaluronic acid injections to create artificial eight-pack abs — a procedure he says makes him “the first such case in China.”
Recently, Hao had drawn attention for spending millions on 40 injections into his shoulders, collarbones, chest, and abdomen to sculpt a muscular physique that, he admits, he could not achieve through exercise. “I totally agree that muscles do not grow on cowards,” he said in one video. “But I’ve had so many injections — I’m no coward anymore. Could you dare to do the same?”
According to SCMP report, Hao insists that his new abs look “more natural” over time and says he’s so confident in the results that he plans to apply for a Guinness World Record if the artificial abs last three years. “I’ll do a live-stream cracking walnuts on my abs for everyone to see,” he said.
However, medical experts have raised alarm over the extreme cosmetic procedure. Talking to SCMP, Dr Li Jialun, a plastic surgeon at Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College in Wuhan, warned that injecting such large quantities of hyaluronic acid could cause skin damage, blood vessel necrosis, and bone erosion. “While the muscles may look realistic when still, they will appear distorted during movement,” Li said, adding that fillers could also weaken natural muscle over time and potentially shift under the skin.
Despite the online criticism, Hao appears unfazed. In a recent video, nearly five months after the procedure, he said he remains “completely satisfied” with his designer abs — confident that his muscles of money, not sweat, are here to stay.
