Post by : Badri Ariffin

A restaurant co-owner in northwest China has become an internet sensation after people noticed his striking resemblance to tech billionaire Elon Musk. The man, Ma Jianping, has gone viral across social media, with many visitors travelling to his restaurant just to see the lookalike in person.

Videos of Ma Jianping serving customers at his restaurant have spread widely online. Many viewers say his facial features, hairstyle, and overall appearance closely resemble Elon Musk. Some people have also pointed out that his surname, "Ma," sounds somewhat similar to "Musk" in Chinese, adding to the online excitement.

Viral Fame Brings Crowds to the Restaurant

Since the videos gained popularity, large crowds have started gathering outside Ma Jianping's restaurant. One widely shared video shows dozens of people surrounding him while trying to take photos and videos.

The attention created an atmosphere similar to a celebrity appearance, with many people holding up their phones to capture the moment. Despite the excitement, Ma Jianping remained calm. He greeted visitors by shaking hands and even accepted a bouquet of flowers from one of his admirers.

From Electrician to Internet Celebrity

Ma Jianping is a co-owner of Yilan Restaurant in Tongchuan, Shaanxi province. Originally from Gansu province, he previously worked as an electrician before entering the restaurant business.

According to reports, Ma said the unexpected popularity has made him feel "shy and nervous." However, the viral attention has also increased the number of customers visiting the restaurant, with many arriving mainly to meet him and take photographs.

Business Opportunities Increase

The restaurant owner's resemblance to Elon Musk has also brought him new business opportunities. Reports say he has received offers related to his growing popularity.

Despite the public interest, Ma reportedly has no plans to start live-streaming. He continues to focus on his restaurant, working from 9 a.m. until after midnight on most days.

Social Media Users React

The internet has embraced Ma Jianping's resemblance to Elon Musk. Some users have even created AI-generated videos featuring him alongside Jensen Huang and Tim Cook.

Online comment sections are filled with jokes, conspiracy theories, and humorous suggestions. One user wrote, "This is not an AI face-changed video, this is real!"

A customer told Bailu Video, "I have only seen Musk grilling meat in AI-generated videos. This is my first time meeting 'Musk' in real life, and I'm thrilled."

Another social media user joked, "There is a 'conspiracy theory' that Elon Musk was cloned in China when visited there once."

Another commenter said, "Strong resemblance but somehow it looks better on him."

Chinese social media users have also suggested that Ma rename his restaurant to "SpaceX Barbecue."

Not the First Elon Musk Lookalike

This is not the first time a Chinese lookalike has attracted attention. In 2022, another man named Ma Yilong was widely referred to by local media as "China's Elon Musk."

At the time, Elon Musk responded online, saying, "I'd like to meet this guy (if he is real). Hard to tell with deepfakes these days."

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