A growing number of Chinese celebrities, including Dylan Wang, Bai Lu, Zhao Lusi, Esther Yu, and Zhang Linghe, have recently found themselves at the center of public criticism. The controversies have sparked heated debate online and, in some cases, significantly impacted their careers.
Dylan Wang is currently facing one of the biggest crises of his career. Over the past few months, several popular young stars, including Esther Yu, Zhao Lusi, Bai Lu, Zhang Linghe, and now Dylan Wang, have all encountered major public backlash.
The situation has raised concerns about the stability of a generation of Chinese entertainment stars. At the same time, it has prompted broader discussions about celebrity behavior and public expectations in the entertainment industry.
The Controversy Surrounding Dylan Wang
The recent controversy involving Dylan Wang and actress Shen Yue has become a hot topic across Chinese social media platforms. What began as a seemingly harmless moment on a variety show quickly escalated into a major public debate.
According to reports from Epoch Times, the incident originated during the final episode of The Inn 2026, which aired on May 22. During a lighthearted awards segment among the cast members, Shen Yue presented Dylan Wang with a humorous award titled “The Outstanding One Is Simply Dylan Wang.” While keeping the atmosphere lively, host Wu Zelin jokingly added, “We have a private group chat, but he’s not in it.”
The camera immediately focused on Dylan Wang’s reaction. Although he maintained a smile, many viewers felt his expression appeared noticeably uncomfortable, leading to speculation that he was genuinely bothered by the joke.
In the early hours of May 23, Dylan Wang posted on Weibo, writing: “At first, I thought I was being overly sensitive. But after reading everyone’s analysis throughout the day, I have to admit that I genuinely felt uncomfortable at that moment.”
Just minutes later, the actor’s studio reposted the statement and emphasized that Dylan Wang’s feelings deserved respect. The response further intensified discussions across Chinese social media.
Some netizens argued that Dylan Wang overreacted to what appeared to be a friendly joke between colleagues. Others defended him, saying that being publicly excluded from a group chat could understandably make someone feel isolated or embarrassed.
Later that morning, Shen Yue released a lengthy apology. She explained that the phrase “Simply Dylan Wang” originated during filming as an inside joke meant to help him feel more comfortable in his role as a program leader. According to Shen Yue, the phrase represented positive qualities such as versatility, energy, and charisma.
Regarding the group chat comment, Shen Yue also shared screenshots showing that the chat was actually created to secretly organize tickets for Dylan Wang’s new movie as a surprise gift for him.
Despite the explanation, the controversy continued to spread. Chinese social media users began creating memes based on Dylan Wang’s phrase “felt uncomfortable,” applying it to countless everyday situations and turning it into a viral internet trend.
Soon after, internet users revisited several of Dylan Wang’s past appearances on other programs, accusing him of awkward behavior and, in some cases, allegedly mistreating fellow celebrities. According to China-based media outlets, the actor reportedly lost approximately 200,000 Weibo followers within just two days.
Epoch Times further reported that the backlash extended to his family’s fried food business in Sichuan. The restaurant, operated by Dylan Wang’s father, was suddenly flooded with negative reviews linked to the controversy. Chinese media claimed that revenue dropped by nearly 40%, with daily orders declining significantly.
Speaking to local media, Dylan Wang’s father admitted that he did not fully understand the entertainment industry controversy but felt helpless as his family business became caught in the fallout.
A Difficult Period for Young Chinese Stars
Dylan Wang, Zhang Linghe, Zhao Lusi, Bai Lu, and Esther Yu are among the most popular young celebrities in China, supported by large fan bases and extensive industry resources. However, each of them has faced growing criticism for different reasons in recent months.
Bai Lu has been subjected to boycott campaigns, with some viewers even calling for her removal from Keep Running due to behavior they considered inappropriate and self-centered. One frequently cited example involved the actress referring to veteran cast members Li Chen and Zheng Kai as “old men,” a phrase some viewers viewed as disrespectful toward her senior colleagues.
Zhang Linghe also faced criticism following his portrayal of a general in Pursuit of Jade. Viewers complained that his heavy makeup, red lipstick, eyeliner, smooth skin filters, and carefully styled appearance failed to capture the image of a traditional military commander. Critics argued that the portrayal distorted historical aesthetics. Around the same time, the actor was also criticized for several controversial remarks.
The controversy surrounding Zhang Linghe coincided with reports that Chinese broadcasting authorities held discussions about discouraging excessive appearance-focused standards and distorted beauty ideals in television productions.
Meanwhile, Zhao Lusi has faced criticism from some netizens who accused her of using her health issues for publicity and media attention. Esther Yu became embroiled in controversy related to her family and was also criticized after old comments and actions resurfaced online, with some viewers accusing her of showing disrespect toward colleagues. Actress Zhang Haoyue even alleged that Esther Yu had bullied her during a television program, although no conclusive evidence was presented.
Commenting on the growing number of celebrity controversies, Sina noted that public figures inevitably face intense scrutiny, with every statement and action subject to amplification. Variety shows, in particular, often involve scripted scenarios, close interactions among guests, and extensive post-production editing, all of which can heighten potential conflicts and misunderstandings.
Media experts also pointed out that audience expectations for Chinese variety shows are gradually evolving. The previously popular style of spontaneous teasing and highly individualistic behavior appears to be losing favor. In its place, professionalism, emotional intelligence, and greater awareness of public conduct are increasingly becoming the new industry standard.
As a result, entertainment figures are being urged to exercise greater caution with their words and actions in all public settings to avoid controversies that could damage their careers.
Sources: Znews
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