During this period, several familiar faces have returned to the Chinese entertainment industry after long hiatuses caused by previous controversies. The unexpected comebacks have stirred public discussion online, with some jokingly remarking, “Is April the season of celebrity comebacks?”
Jenny Zhang
Recently, actress Jenny Zhang, a strong visual rival on “Sisters Who Make Waves 2023,” caused a stir with her appearance at a public event. The Story of Yanxi Palace beauty wowed fans with her sharp, mature features and charismatic presence. What caught even more attention was her position in the center of the group photo, ahead of currently trending stars. Despite being out of the spotlight for nearly two years, Jenny Zhang still enjoys notable favor from event organizers.
At the end of 2023, Jenny’s social media accounts were suspended after she was seen attending BLACKPINK Lisa’s controversial Crazy Horse show in Paris. Since then, the actress vanished from upcoming film and television projects, sparking speculation that she had been “soft banned” in China for supporting the polemic performance. Her social media accounts were not reactivated until late 2024, leading to this surprising comeback.
Opinions remain divided: some believe she should not return to the entertainment scene, while others argue her “mistake” was not serious enough to warrant total banishment, especially considering she has already paid the price by disappearing for so long.
Li Yifeng
Once considered one of Chinese entertainment’s “Top Four Traffic Stars,” Li Yifeng lost his career after being caught violating the law for repeatedly soliciting prostitution. Recently, he launched a world tour titled “The Covenant Of The Green Sea,” with the first concert held in Thailand.
Reports say tickets for the event were priced at 3,500 CNY (approx. 480 USD), yet sold out in just 30 seconds. At the concert, the “Swords of Legends” actor knelt onstage, emotionally apologizing for his past misconduct. He stated that while he still loves acting, he currently has no opportunity to return to the Chinese screen.
His concert in Thailand marked a return to the public eye after being effectively banned in China. Li Yifeng knelt on stage and tearfully apologized to fans for his wrongdoings.
His apparent attempt to skirt the entertainment ban by staging overseas concerts has sparked widespread controversy. While some fans accepted his apology and hoped he could start anew, others criticized his “sneaky” comeback and called for regulatory agencies to enforce stricter guidelines. Many believe that celebrities embroiled in serious scandals should not be allowed to continue profiting under the guise of fame.
Song Zu’er
Song Zu’er also joined the list of returning stars when her drama “The Demon Hunter’s Romance” was finally released. As of now, she is the only actress tied to a tax evasion scandal to return to the screen. Her return to the entertainment industry came as a surprise to many.
In mid-2024, Song Zu’er was accused of tax evasion, though there was no formal notice issued by authorities. She also did not face an official “ban” from Chinese cultural regulators. Despite this, she disappeared from the spotlight for an extended period, and her drama projects were shelved, until now.
Netizens speculate that while she did make mistakes, she may have resolved the legal matters, thereby earning a chance to return. However, these remain assumptions, as no official confirmation has been released.
There has been no official announcement of a ban against Song Zu’er, despite her lengthy absence from the screen.
You must be logged in to post a comment.