Ma Haowen (played by Deng Chao) is a protagonist in Looking Up.
A brilliant but disgraced civil engineer whose bridge collapse ruins his reputation and leads to prison. After returning home in 1997, he struggles with public hatred and unemployment while fiercely dedicating himself to raising and educating his son, Ma Fei. He teaches independent thinking, challenges the school system, and eventually uncovers the truth behind the bridge collapse to clear his name. Gu Xinghe (played by Shao Bing) appears in Looking Up.
An experienced fourth-time astronaut aboard the Shuguang No. 16 spacecraft. During the 2019 mission crisis, he initially forbids Ma Fei from conducting a dangerous external antenna repair, representing institutional caution, but ultimately witnesses his junior’s independent decision-making. Lu Datou (played by Wang Ge) appears in Looking Up.
Ma Haowen’s former apprentice who secretly provides housing for the disgraced engineer and his son. Years later, he is exposed as the true saboteur behind the bridge collapse, having orchestrated the disaster to steal Ma Haowen’s chief engineer position. His deception is uncovered, leading to his arrest and Ma Haowen’s full vindication.
Looking Up (2019) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Ma Haowen
(played by Deng Chao) — protagonist
A brilliant but disgraced civil engineer whose bridge collapse ruins his reputation and leads to prison. After returning home in 1997, he struggles with public hatred and unemployment while fiercely d...
Gu Xinghe
(played by Shao Bing) — supporting
An experienced fourth-time astronaut aboard the Shuguang No. 16 spacecraft. During the 2019 mission crisis, he initially forbids Ma Fei from conducting a dangerous external antenna repair, representin...
Lu Datou
(played by Wang Ge) — supporting
Ma Haowen’s former apprentice who secretly provides housing for the disgraced engineer and his son. Years later, he is exposed as the true saboteur behind the bridge collapse, having orchestrated the...
Key Relationships
Gu Xinghe → Ma Haowen
(Professional Veteran Colleague)
Ma Haowen → Lu Datou
(Professional Former Apprentice)
Story Analysis
A narrative exploring engineering legacy, personal betrayal, and aerospace mission resilience through unconventional mentorship.
