The year 2025 was a turbulent time for China’s entertainment industry, with several young actors seeing their once-promising careers collapse as scandals erupted one after another. Some went from rising stars to public enemies almost overnight, while others faced accusations so severe that they were effectively blacklisted from the industry.
Below are the five most hated Chinese actors of 2025, as ranked by Sohu.
5. Li Mingde
Once a beloved rising star recognized for his roles in Lovely Us and Go Go Squid 2, Li Mingde started 2025 with one controversy after another.
His downfall began with intense conflict during the filming of Three’s Company, where he repeatedly livestreamed criticisms toward co-star Ma Tianyu and the production team. His social media account was eventually suspended indefinitely.
But things escalated further. In late January, Li Mingde was arrested for vandalism after he admitted to kicking a Mercedes-Benz, breaking its side mirror, and prying off the logo because he was angered by “improper parking.” Although he initially agreed to compensate the owner 90,000 RMB, he later reneged on the promise, prompting legal action and sealing the end of his career.
4. Na’er Naqian
Gaining popularity from The Litchi Road, Na’er Naqian quickly fell out of favor after becoming embroiled in a major exam fraud scandal.
On June 21, Inner Mongolia’s Department of Education launched an official investigation into allegations that she used family connections to secure preferential admission status reserved for minority students from disadvantaged regions. Despite the controversy breaking just as her drama premiered, she continued attending press events and interacting with fans as though nothing had happened.
Under public pressure, the production had to erase her name and image from promotions. She was also suspended from her assistant teaching role at her former school while the investigation proceeded.
3. Zhao Yingzi
Zhao Yingzi became a laughingstock after her chaotic appearance at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Over just two days, she posted 11 exaggerated updates, including deliberately spilling coffee on her gown to “ask for cleaning tips,” and bringing her younger brother onto the red carpet for awkward poses.
The most controversial moment came when she aggressively squeezed through crowds to approach Tom Cruise, exploiting his politeness to snap photos. Security eventually asked her to leave, yet she bragged online about being the “first person to shake Tom Cruise’s hand on the red carpet.”
Chinese netizens harshly criticized her behavior as embarrassing, attention-seeking, and disrespectful.
2. Esther Yu
Once one of the top post-95 actresses, Esther Yu faced a massive collapse of public favor in 2025.
On the variety show Class One: University Season, actress Zhang Haoyue accused Esther Yu of hair-pulling, verbal abuse, and workplace bullying, claiming it caused her severe depression and psychological trauma.
Following the revelations, large brands terminated contracts, deleted advertising content, and distanced themselves from Esther Yu. More unflattering incidents with colleagues also resurfaced, fueling public anger.
She was further condemned for appearing at a Thailand event during a national mourning period while wearing a revealing blue evening gown — a look many deemed disrespectful.
According to QQ and 163, Esther Yu was officially listed as a “high-risk artist,” with her career in jeopardy.
1. Tian Xuning
Despite being a newcomer, Tian Xuning became the biggest scandal magnet of the year after skyrocketing to fame with the BL drama Revenged Love.
In just one night, 15 trending topics surfaced surrounding his private life. Allegations included impregnating a girlfriend, fathering a child out of wedlock, and simultaneous romantic involvement with at least five women — many of whom provided intimate evidence.
One alleged victim revealed that Tian Xuning wanted her to bear a child whose “destiny aligned with his” to boost his career. His public statement claiming he was “still single” was ridiculed as manipulative, and his tearful moment on a plane after being confronted by a fan was dismissed as staged.
As China tightens restrictions on BL dramas, Tian Xuning was quickly scrubbed from television and film projects, with reports claiming the “Big Four” entertainment conglomerates had effectively banned him.
Sources: Sohu,QQ,163
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