The annual marathon broadcast of Empresses in the Palace has once again drawn massive attention during the Lunar New Year season. The rebroadcast, which kicked off at 6 p.m. on January 12, attracted a peak of over 30,000 concurrent viewers online. Alongside nostalgic discussions and humorous memes tailored to current events, one unexpected topic has taken over social media: the striking resemblance between Yu Ying and BLACKPINK’s Jennie.
In the drama, the villainous character Yu Ying (余答应) is portrayed as a low-born concubine who gains the Emperor’s favor after impersonating Zhen Huan in the Plum Garden. However, her arrogance and scheming ultimately lead to her downfall.
The role was played by actress Cui Manli, and viewers recently noticed that certain side profiles and her elongated, fox-like eyes bear a resemblance to Jennie. Screenshots comparing the two quickly circulated on Weibo and other platforms, igniting lively discussions among netizens.
Many commented that while the resemblance is not identical, specific angles make Cui Manli look surprisingly similar to the K-pop star, especially around the eyes and facial contours.
While the online chatter initially focused on visuals, attention soon shifted to a real-life controversy involving Cui Manli.
In early 2025, the actress revealed during a livestream that she had once driven without a license while intoxicated and fled the scene after causing an accident during filming in Hengdian. The shocking confession spread rapidly, prompting public outrage.
However, Cui later retracted her statement, claiming that the story had been fabricated to attract viewers and gain followers.
Authorities subsequently intervened. The Zhejiang Dongyang Public Security Bureau issued an official police report confirming that the drunk driving and hit-and-run claim was false. According to the statement, Cui fabricated the incident during a livestream “to attract attention and increase followers,” causing serious negative social impact. She was placed under administrative detention as a result.
Amid the controversy, viewers noticed that Cui Manli’s scenes were removed from the Beijing TV rebroadcast of Empresses in the Palace. The decision significantly impacted her public image and career prospects.
Although the police clarified that no actual drunk driving incident had occurred, the damage to her reputation appears substantial. Public opinion remains divided, with some criticizing her for irresponsibly fabricating a crime, while others argue that the legal clarification should close the matter.
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