The year 2025 has marked a significant downturn for China’s entertainment industry. Box office revenues have slumped, audiences are shifting away from traditional TV dramas, and short-form content has become the new trend. Amid these changes, several rising stars saw their careers abruptly collapse, including Na’er Naqian, Li Mingde, and Zhao Yingzi.
Li Mingde Shocks the Entertainment World
In January, actor Li Mingde livestreamed allegations that the production team of The Triple Echo of Time mistreated him, leaving him cold and hungry during filming. His social media revelations earned him millions in viewer support.
However, the production team released evidence suggesting Li Mingde had psychological issues, exhibited reckless behavior, and damaged production property.
In June, a screenwriter accused Li Mingde of deliberately damaging a Mercedes-Benz while intoxicated. He initially admitted fault and agreed to compensate, but later reneged on part of the payment. Ultimately, he received a six-month prison sentence and a 200,000 CNY (≈$30,000) civil fine.
According to QQ, Li Mingde’s reputation in the industry has plummeted. Producers avoid hiring him due to his aggressive behavior and history of legal trouble, effectively ending his acting career.
Na’er Naqian Removed for Academic Privilege Scandal
In June, CCTV deleted videos of actress Na’er Naqian congratulating students on their exams. Similarly, influential state media removed posts featuring the star of The Legend and the Hero 2. These actions signaled a de facto ban following accusations that she exploited family connections to gain academic privileges.
Born in 1989, Na’er Naqian allegedly used minority quotas from Inner Mongolia to enroll in university, despite growing up and studying in Beijing. She violated service obligations post-graduation by studying abroad and later entered the entertainment industry.
Her public image collapsed, and she was removed from upcoming projects, including Blades of the Guardians. Once praised as a “screen heroine,” she has disappeared from the entertainment scene.
Zhao Yingzi Draws Criticism for Public Romances
Actress Zhao Yingzi, known for dramas like The Romance of the Condor Heroes (2014) and The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber, attempted to gain attention by broadcasting live streams and publicly expressing affection toward male co-stars, including Cheng Yi and Chen Xiao. She even fabricated a dating rumor involving Korean star Cha Eun-woo.
Her behavior has been widely criticized as exploiting co-stars for personal fame, damaging others’ reputations. Audiences called for her social media accounts to be removed, and she has since been blacklisted by producers, effectively halting her career.
2025 has thus proven a harsh year for these Chinese stars, with public scrutiny, legal issues, and industry blacklisting leading to sudden and dramatic career collapses.
Sources: kenh14
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