A high-profile contract dispute involving Chinese actress and idol Ju Jingyi and her former management company Siba Media has once again ignited public debate over so-called “slave contracts” in the Chinese entertainment industry.

In recent days, the conflict has resurfaced after legal documents related to Ju Jingyi’s exclusive artist contract were made public. According to Siba Media, the company signed an exclusive management agreement with Ju Jingyi in 2013, followed by an additional agreement in 2018. Combined, the documents allegedly extend the contract’s validity until 2033 amounting to nearly 20 years of exclusive control.

Under the agreement, Siba claims it retained full rights to Ju Jingyi’s name, image, likeness, and voice throughout the contract period.

Siba Claims Heavy Investment and Financial Risk

Siba Media stated that even after Ju Jingyi established her personal studio and began operating independently in 2017, the company continued to shoulder 100% of the financial risk related to her career. According to the agency, more than 160 million yuan (approx. $22.4 million) was invested in developing her film and television career.

One key project cited was the historical drama Legend of Yunxi, a 40-episode series reportedly tailored specifically for Ju Jingyi and widely regarded as a major turning point in her acting career.

Regarding compensation, Siba disclosed that it paid Ju Jingyi a total of 139 million yuan (approx. $19.5 million) before tax as of May 2024, with signed financial documentation provided. The company also stated that, at Ju Jingyi’s request — to meet Shanghai’s “high-level talent residency” requirements — it provided a fixed monthly salary of 250,000 yuan (approx. $35,000), a luxury vehicle with a dedicated driver, and long-term residence at a premium property in Shanghai’s Bund district.

Ju Jingyi Firmly Rejects the Claims

Ju Jingyi has strongly refuted Siba’s version of events. Through her studio, she asserted that the management contract was legally terminated on June 15, 2024, citing multiple serious breaches by Siba Media.

She further accused the company of forging a so-called “Supplementary Agreement to the Exclusive Artist Contract,” arguing that such actions directly violated her legal rights and interests.

Unable to tolerate further violations, Ju Jingyi officially issued a Contract Termination Notice to Siba Media on June 15, 2024, demanding immediate dissolution of the management relationship. Under Chinese law, the contract is considered void from the moment the notice is received.

Why the Public Reaction Is Divided

Out of respect for their long professional relationship, Ju Jingyi initially refrained from publicly detailing the termination or its causes, stating only that her contract had ended and would not be renewed. However, her studio later alleged that Siba continued to spread misleading information and obstruct her artistic activities.

As financial figures surfaced, netizen reactions grew increasingly critical. Online users calculated that Ju Jingyi’s reported income when averaged across years amounted to just over about USD $160K per month before tax, which many argue is disproportionately low given her workload and commercial value.

For years, Ju Jingyi maintained an intense schedule spanning dramas, variety shows, music performances, and endorsements, widely regarded as one of Siba’s primary revenue pillars.

A Fandom That Refuses to Stay Silent

Currently, Ju Jingyi boasts approximately 33 million followers not the highest among China’s top-tier actresses, but her fandom is widely recognized as one of the most aggressive and loyal in the industry.

This powerful fan base has helped propel the dispute beyond a standard contractual disagreement into a full-scale public confrontation between a former agency and one of C-entertainment’s most fiercely defended female stars.

Sources: K14