The sudden death of actor Yu Menglong has shocked China, but outrage has grown over individuals exploiting the tragedy for personal gain.
On September 11, Yu Menglong reportedly died after falling from a building. Blogger Jiang Xiaoyan was the first to break the news on social media, but her post included suggestive keywords such as “not a criminal case” and claims that “two Rolex watches belonging to a friend were found in his bag.” These remarks fueled confusion and public speculation.
Chinese outlet 163 noted that Yu’s death was an accident that required proper police investigation before any official conclusion. Yet Jiang, an online commentator with no authority, made premature claims that risked misinforming the public. Her insinuation about the Rolex watches further worsened matters, with some even speculating that Yu had stolen them. The blogger later deleted the post, and Sina Weibo banned her from making further statements.
This incident highlights a troubling trend in Chinese entertainment media, where anonymous or semi-anonymous social accounts spread sensationalized, unverified claims about celebrities to generate clicks and revenue. These accounts often profit by capitalizing on scandals, regardless of truth or accuracy.
Following Yu’s death, some even spread baseless rumors alleging he was assaulted, threatened by wealthy figures, or deliberately pushed out of the industry. Netizens condemned such bloggers for “profiting from blood” and “making money off the deaths of artists.”
The issue has become so widespread that the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) announced an investigation into Xiaohongshu, criticizing the platform for negligence in content management. The app has repeatedly pushed sensational celebrity-related keywords, including false or defamatory stories about stars like Zhao Lusi and Yu Shuxin.
China’s chaotic online ecosystem continues to allow opportunists to exploit the pain and reputations of public figures, turning celebrity tragedies into a business model.
Sources: kenh14
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