In China’s entertainment industry, talent, beauty, or powerful connections don’t guarantee public affection. Some celebrities—despite starring in hit dramas, boasting strong industry ties, or earning praise for certain roles—have become deeply unpopular with audiences.
From accusations of “green tea” behavior to poor acting, family scandals, and disrespect toward colleagues, these 10 most hated Chinese drama actors illustrate how hard it is to win over the public.
1. Jacky Heung
Son of Hong Kong entertainment mogul Charles Heung, Jacky entered the industry with significant family support but never achieved notable acting success. After starring in From Vegas to Macau III and The Investiture of the Gods , critics labeled his acting “disastrous.” His comedy film Treasure Under the Gate flopped, losing over 200 million RMB, and his exaggerated performances drew scorn. Off-screen scandals—including cheating while his wife was pregnant—fueled public disdain.
2. Zhao Lusi
Once adored as the “time-travel romcom queen,” Zhao’s reputation plunged amid accusations of creating publicity scandals and “riding” other stars’ fame. Her acting has been criticized for poor diction and overacting. Recent dramatic claims of illness and agency mistreatment initially drew sympathy, but erratic livestreams and constant public spats have drained goodwill.
3. Zhou Yutong
Known for solid acting, Zhou has been accused of fake friendliness, exaggerating her education, and “shipping” herself with co-star Hou Minghao for attention. Alleged rude behavior toward colleagues and invasive comments about others’ health have damaged her image.
4. Liu Haocun
Handpicked by director Zhang Yimou, Liu’s rise was overshadowed by her parents’ alleged negligence in a student injury case. She’s also been criticized for refusing certain scenes in Falling Into Our Passionate Love , seen as unprofessional.
5. Liu Yuning
A former livestream singer turned actor, Liu has been slammed for weak acting in dramas like One Thought Guan Shan. AI edits replacing his face went viral, and an awkward joke at Weibo Night 2024 worsened his image.
6. Adam Fan (Fan Chengcheng)
Despite a strong family connection to his famous sister, Fan’s acting in People in the Alley was widely panned for exaggerated expressions. His Golden Rooster nomination drew criticism, with many questioning his talent.
7. Yang Yang
One of China’s most handsome stars, Yang has struggled to shake off his “idol actor” label. Poor performances in Fireworks of My Heart and dating rumors with co-stars have eroded his reputation, while critics accuse him of being unapproachable.
8. Esther Yu
Yu has faced accusations of sabotaging colleagues and manufacturing dating rumors for publicity. Alleged diva behavior, including unapproved scene changes in Double Shadows , has shattered her sweet public persona.
9. Nashi (Na Er Na Qian)
Formerly known for Creation of the Gods Trilogy , Nashi’s career is mired in controversy over alleged exam cheating and benefiting from her parents’ powerful positions. Viewers also accused her latest drama of cutting other characters’ scenes to favor her.
10. Cheng Yi
Praised for roles in Love and Redemption and Mysterious Lotus Casebook , Cheng has nonetheless faced backlash for ignoring toxic fan behavior and allegedly prioritizing his own screen time over co-stars’.
In China’s drama world, public opinion can shift in an instant. For these stars, scandals, controversies, and disappointing performances have made them cautionary tales reminding everyone that maintaining audience trust is far harder than winning initial fame.
Sources: K14
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