Former EXO member Tao (Huang Zitao) is facing harsh criticism following reports that his lavish wedding with former SM trainee Xu Yiyang turned into what netizens are calling a “sales event disguised as a ceremony.”
According to Sports Chosun and Chinese outlet Sohu, Huang Zitao and Xu Yiyang held their wedding on October 16 in Sanya, Hainan Province, with a theme titled “Star of the Ocean.” Chinese media initially described it as a luxurious, galaxy-themed celebration, but on-site photos and eyewitness reports painted a very different picture.
Fake Flowers, Fake Diamond, Real Backlash
Despite claims of grandeur, the wedding reportedly featured simple blue curtains, balloons, and plastic animal figures scattered across the lawn. A wall made of artificial hydrangeas replaced what would normally be a fresh flower arch or LED display seen at other celebrity weddings. One event planner remarked, “A typical celebrity wedding in Sanya easily spends hundreds of thousands of yuan just on floral decorations.”
What sparked the biggest backlash, however, was Huang Zitao’s 500-carat “diamond ring”—which turned out to be a glass imitation. Xu Yiyang was reportedly unable to wear it due to its enormous size and had to hold it in her hands throughout the ceremony.
Adding to the controversy, Huang Zitao stated during the event that he had “prepared the proposal event, while Xu Yiyang handled the wedding planning — as a way to repay the favor,” a comment many online users found condescending.
Witnesses also described Huang Zitao’s bizarre behavior during the ceremony — twisting his neck and waist in odd dance-like movements, throwing a bunch of broccoli as a bouquet, and pouring champagne over Xu Yiyang’s head and face at the end of the ceremony.
The Wedding That Felt Like a Livestream Event
The event’s most shocking moment came afterward when guests discovered that the wedding venue had turned into a mini pop-up shop. Chocolates, alcoholic beverages, and other products were displayed with “special benefits” tags, and attendees were offered souvenir sets — including wedding posters, Polaroid photos, and signed pictures — sold for $9.9 per pack.
Many netizens criticized the move as “a marketing stunt exploiting marriage for profit.” One online comment read, “It looked less like a wedding and more like a livestream sales event.”
Love or Marketing?
Critics accused Huang Zitao of turning his wedding into a publicity stunt, calling it “a cringe-worthy mix of influencer culture and business promotion.”
“He turned love into a marketing campaign,” one user wrote. “Even for a celebrity, this is embarrassing — it’s not romance, it’s retail.”
While some fans defended the couple, arguing that Huang Zitao’s playful personality has always been part of his charm, others said the spectacle “brought shame to both families” and “cheapened the meaning of marriage.”
Huang Zitao, who debuted with EXO under SM Entertainment in 2012, left the group in 2015 and filed a lawsuit against SM to terminate his contract, which he eventually lost. Xu Yiyang, once part of SM Rookies, returned to China and joined Huang Zitao’s agency L.TAO Entertainment to pursue her entertainment career.
The couple confirmed their relationship in July 2024 and officially registered their marriage later that year. Huang Zitao has since expanded into multiple business ventures, including construction, F&B, esports, and feminine hygiene products. Recently, one of his sanitary pad brands faced controversy after reports of foreign substances found inside the product.
As the wedding footage continues to circulate online, public opinion remains divided — with many calling Huang Zitao’s conduct “embarrassing for both families” and accusing him of “turning love into a marketing gimmick.”
Sources: Sports Chosun,Sohu
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