The Chinese entertainment world is in turmoil following the leak of an explosive audio file allegedly involving renowned director Wong Kar Wai and screenwriter Qin Wen, in which the two can be heard making disparaging and sexually inappropriate comments about several major celebrities.
The incident has shattered Wong Kar Wai’s long-standing image as a refined, intellectual auteur. Once celebrated as one of China’s most respected directors, his reputation has plummeted as online outrage continues to mount.
Before this controversy, Wong was regarded as one of Asia’s most influential filmmakers, known for masterpieces like In the Mood for Love, Chungking Express, Happy Together, and Days of Being Wild. Time magazine once called him “the most romantic filmmaker in the world.” Qin Wen, too, had been considered one of the most talented female screenwriters in the Chinese industry.
Who Leaked the Audio?
According to Sohu, the recording was leaked by screenwriter Gu Er, who allegedly wanted to expose Wong Kar Wai and Qin Wen’s unethical behavior after years of professional conflict surrounding the drama Blossoms Shanghai.
Gu Er claimed he was the true original writer behind Blossoms Shanghai and accused Wong Kar Wai and Qin Wen of stealing his creative work. He had reportedly sent his script to Wong Kar Wai in 2019, only for it to be rewritten and credited entirely to Qin Wen when the project went into production.
When the drama aired and received critical acclaim, Gu Er’s name was nowhere to be found in the credits — nor did he receive any compensation, despite multiple scenes allegedly being adapted directly from his script.
Frustrated by what he described as “brazen plagiarism,” Gu Er had spoken out in 2023, but his claims were ignored. Finally, in September 2025, he decided to leak the private recording of Wong Kar Wai and Qin Wen, vowing a “mutually destructive end.”
Sohu further reported that Gu Er, who suffers from muscular atrophy and faces financial hardship, said he released the recording out of desperation for justice.
A-List Stars Mocked in the Leaked Recording
The audio captures Wong Kar Wai and Qin Wen gossiping about several top Chinese actors:
Chen Daoming and Jin Dong were both mocked for being arrogant and pretentious. Qin Wen allegedly called Chen “fake intellectual” and “old-fashioned,” while Wong Kar Wai added that Jin Dong was “no different from Chen Daoming.”
The remarks sparked fury online because Chen Daoming — chairman of the China Film Association — was once Qin Wen’s mentor and had supported her early career.
The pair also made negative comments about Tang Yan, the female lead of Blossoms Shanghai. Wong Kar Wai allegedly said: “*Tang Yan loves showing off too much. Don’t let her arrive on set early — others should come first.”*
Qin Wen reportedly laughed in agreement, calling him “a man who understands human psychology too well.”
Their conversation went on to include Liu Shishi and Ni Ni. Qin Wen boasted about transferring Liu’s important dialogue in My Best Friend’s Story to Ni Ni, implying that Ni Ni had powerful backing in the industry: “*Ni Ni doesn’t need to come to me. I always have to take care of her affairs.”*
The revelations infuriated fans, who accused the duo of hypocrisy and favoritism.
Sexual Harassment Comments About Actress Jin Jing
The most disturbing part of the leaked recording involves comments directed at actress Jin Jing, who appeared in Blossoms Shanghai but was reportedly cut from the final version without explanation.
Wong Kar Wai allegedly made crude, sexual remarks about Jin Jing’s body, while Qin Wen could be heard laughing along instead of intervening. These statements, widely condemned as harassment, have drawn severe backlash from both the public and women’s rights advocates.
Public Outrage and Silence from Wong Kar Wai
The recording has sparked one of the biggest scandals in Chinese entertainment this year. Online users and industry peers have flooded social media with demands for accountability, calling Wong Kar Wai and Qin Wen’s actions “disgusting” and “a betrayal of artistic ethics.”
Despite the firestorm, both Wong Kar Wai and Qin Wen have remained silent, offering neither clarification nor apology — even to the victims of their insults and harassment.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the once-legendary director now faces the most severe reputational crisis of his career, with his legacy under intense scrutiny.
Sources: Sina,Sohu
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