According to Chinese media reports on June 17, screenwriter Meng Qiqi released a statement admitting that her earlier accusations that Bai Lu had used her influence to replace the writing team of the drama The First Jasmine were unfounded and based on assumptions rather than verified facts.

In her apology, Meng Qiqi explained that past experiences and misunderstandings led her to incorrectly believe Bai Lu was responsible for the screenwriter changes.

She stated: “I am Meng Qiqi, and I would like to sincerely apologize to Bai Lu. Due to past experiences related to another project and changes in communication regarding this production, I initially believed the replacement of the screenwriting team was caused by Bai Lu. After verifying the facts through multiple sources, I confirmed that the matter had nothing to do with her.” The screenwriter also urged the public not to spread rumors and to remain rational when discussing the issue.

Shortly after the apology was published, Meng Qiqi’s social media account was reportedly restricted from posting. According to Chinese media outlets, the action was taken because she publicly spread unverified accusations that damaged another person’s reputation.

Critics argued that, as a public figure with influence, Meng Qiqishould have verified the facts before making allegations that could affect Bai Lu’s career and public image. The controversy also intensified tensions between Bai Lu’s fanbase and online critics, leading to widespread arguments across social media platforms.

The controversy has now escalated into legal action. Bai Lu’s side announced plans to pursue legal proceedings against Meng Qiqi, arguing that the screenwriter’s claims were irresponsible and caused reputational harm. The actress reportedly decided to take legal action after the allegations gained significant traction online and negatively impacted public perception of both her and the drama.

However, some internet users have questioned whether restricting Meng Qiqi’s account was too severe a punishment, while others have speculated—without evidence that Bai Lu may have used her influence behind the scenes. No proof supporting such claims has been presented.

The dispute began shortly after the release of The First Jasmine. At the time, Meng Qiqi publicly claimed that Bai Lu had leveraged her industry influence to replace the drama’s screenwriting team shortly before filming began. Although several industry professionals later came forward to defend Bai Lu, the accusations generated substantial discussion and cast doubt over the production. As a result, both the actress and the drama became the subjects of intense scrutiny.

The timing of the allegations proved particularly damaging for Bai Lu. Prior to the screenwriter controversy, the actress had already been facing criticism related to comments and behavior on the variety show Keep Running, where some viewers felt she appeared disrespectful toward senior entertainers. As a result, public sentiment surrounding The First Jasmine was already fragile before the screenwriter dispute emerged. The controversy further fueled negative discussion online and increased pressure on the actress.

Beyond the off-screen drama, The First Jasmine has also faced criticism regarding its content. Some viewers argued that the story relied too heavily on familiar historical romance tropes, including:

  • A neglected female protagonist mistreated by her family
  • A “marriage before love” relationship dynamic
  • Traditional palace and aristocratic conflicts

Critics also offered mixed reactions to Bai Lu’s performance, with some viewers commenting on her styling and character portrayal. The combination of production controversies and lukewarm audience reception reportedly affected the drama’s performance, with viewership and character popularity metrics falling short of expectations.

Born in 1994, Bai Lu rose to fame through popular Chinese dramas including: Arsenal Military Academy, One and Only, Till the End of the Moon and Story of Kunning Palace. Despite the recent setbacks, she remains one of the most recognizable actresses in the Chinese entertainment industry.

As legal proceedings move forward, attention is now focused on whether the dispute between Bai Lu and Meng Qiqi will be fully resolved through the courts.

Sources: Weibo