Wen gained recognition for his role in the TV drama
Romantic Life. He had his breakthrough for his role in the TV drama
Struggle (2007), adapted from the popular novel by
Shi Kang, followed by another major hit show
Dwelling Narrowness (2009). Wen made his film debut in
A Tale of Two Donkeys, directed by
Li Dawei, a black comedy film set in the
Down the Countryside Movement, for which Wen won the Best New Actor at the
China Movie Channel Media Awards. Wen had his first major screen role in
Xue Xiaolu's art-house film,
Ocean Heaven (2010), portraying a 21-year-old man on the autism spectrum whose greatest joy is swimming. Initially rejected for not meeting the production’s expectations, Wen trained intensively, mastering four swimming strokes within a week to secure the role. He subsequently underwent rigorous preparation, including daily 5,000-meter swim training and a six-month immersion living among individuals with autism, an experience he later said helped him better understand their inner world. His performance received widespread critical acclaim, earning him the Best Actor award at the
China Movie Channel Media Awards. The same year, Wen won the Best Actor award at the
Sichuan Television Festival and
Audience's Choice for Actor at the
Golden Eagle Awards for his role as a war-time hero in
Snow Leopard. In 2011, Wen starred in the romantic comedy
Love is Not Blind alongside
Bai Baihe. Produced on a modest budget, the film became a surprise commercial success, grossing over ¥350 million at the Chinese box office. Wen won the Best Actor award at the
Hundred Flowers Awards for his performance. He also received the Best Actor award at the China TV Drama Awards for his role in
Naked Wedding (2011). which broke box-office records to become the highest-grossing Chinese film at the time. He also starred in action comedy
Badges of Fury alongside
Jet Li. That year, Wen made his television directorial debut with
Little Daddy, in which he also starred, winning Best Television Series and Best Actor awards at the LETV Awards. Wen's career was significantly derailed by an extramarital affair in 2014. After a long break, Wen directed his first feature film,
When Larry Met Mary (2016). Although the film received positive critical reviews, it underperformed commercially. Wen received the Best Directorial Debut award at the Golden Rooster Awards. Later that year, he returned to television with
Young Marshal, a biographical drama of
Zhang Xueliang. However, following his comeback, Wen did not regain his previous level of popularity. Amid stricter censorship and morality campaigns in China, he was removed from the television drama
Zhuang Tai (2020), which aired on CCTV-1, suggesting he had been blacklisted from television. Wen continued to work in theatre and appeared in minor or cameo roles in films. ==Personal life==