The internet's ability to uncover lookalikes knows no bounds, and the latest sensation capturing attention worldwide is Yilong Ma, a man whose resemblance to tech mogul Elon Musk is nothing short of astonishing.
Once again, the realm of social media is abuzz with videos and images of Ma, sparking a blend of amusement and intrigue among viewers as they contemplate whether he is a genuine doppelgänger or a cleverly orchestrated AI trick.
Ma, who has amassed an impressive following of over 1 million on TikTok and more than 400,000 on Instagram, has become a prominent figure in the digital landscape, often dressing in a suit that mirrors Musk's style and sporting a hairstyle to match the billionaire himself.
One of the video clips that sky-rocketed his popularity features Ma stepping out of a sleek Tesla vehicle, clad in a black suit while cheerfully proclaiming, "Hi everyone, I'm Elon Musk."
@mayilong0 #elonmusk Today is Chinese New Year. I sincerely wish you all happiness, good luck, happiness and health every day. wow!#tesla ♬ original sound - Yi long ma
From his initial rise to fame in late 2020, Ma has captivated audiences with what some describe as "chaotic genius".
His content includes Musk-inspired dances, playful shoutouts to X, and enthusiastic endorsements for Dogecoin and Tesla.
Even the real Elon Musk has taken note of this uncanny resemblance, joking on X in 2023, “Still don’t know if it is real or AI-generated,” as the public grapples with the question of authenticity.
Still don’t know if real or AI-generated 😂
The first mention of Ma caught Musk's attention in 2021 when Musk jokingly speculated that he might be “partly Chinese” in light of Ma’s viral popularity.
By 2022, the billionaire expressed genuine interest in meeting his lookalike - if he is indeed real.
Yet, observers remain captivated by the enigma surrounding Ma, with sceptics questioning whether this charismatic figure is merely an elaborate deepfake.
YouTuber Xiaoma endeavoured to shed light on the matter in an exclusive virtual interview, stating, “I wanted to get to the bottom of this ... this is the first interview he’s ever granted to anybody, so I’m really excited to find out what Yilong Ma is all about.”
During their chat, Ma revealed his admiration for Musk and voiced his aspirations of meeting the entrepreneurial icon.
However, Xiaoma remained non-committal, struggling to discern whether he was conversing with a real individual or a sophisticated digital illusion.
The comment sections of Ma's videos are often filled with perplexed viewers questioning their perceptions, with remarks ranging from “This Elon actually makes sense” to “Error Musk”.
As Ma’s videos continue to spread like wildfire across the internet, it remains to be seen just how far this resemblance will take him.
Could this lead to a crossover promotional event featuring Musk himself, or will the fascination fade like so many trends before it?
One thing is certain: the internet's love for a humorous narrative will continue to place this lookalike at the heart of attention for the foreseeable future.