Reclusive math prodigy Wei Dongyi recently made headlines after launching his first social media accounts, drawing an outpouring of public admirations but also concern over his health. On June 4, the 33-year-old assistant professor at Peking University’s School of Mathematical Sciences posted a four-second self-introductory video on Douyin and RedNote. The clips went viral, racking up over one million comments within 24 hours. By June 19, he had amassed 24.6 million followers on Douyin.
Born in 1992 in Jinan, Shandong Province, Wei is a household name in China for both his genius-level mathematical talent and his ascetic lifestyle. He won back-to-back gold medals with perfect scores at the 49th and 50th International Mathematical Olympiads in high school. He went on to earn a doctorate at Peking University and joined the faculty in 2019.
Wei first captured national attention in 2021 after an interview showed him carrying a plastic water bottle and two steamed buns. With his unkempt hair and humble demeanor, netizens were quick to nickname him “God Wei,” admiring his academic devotion and disregard for material comfort.
But the recent video raised fresh concerns. Viewers noticed that Wei appeared extremely thin and pale, and that several of his upper teeth were missing. On June 7, Zhao Pu, a former anchor with China Central Television, posted a video on Douyin urging Peking University to take better care of Wei and address his health issues.
In response, a representative from the School of Mathematical Sciences told Xinhua News Agency on June 9 that Wei suffers from severe periodontitis, which led to the loss of his teeth. The representative, who was not named, said that Wei has undergone annual physical checkups for the past three years, and aside from his dental issues, his results have all been normal. The university has arranged for staff to accompany Wei to several hospital visits for treatment and pledged to continue supporting him in managing his health.
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