The issue arose after Swords Into Plowshares, starring Zhou Yutong, recently began airing. Zhang Ruonan was among the first celebrities to publicly promote the drama on social media. During the filming period, Zhang Ruonan reportedly visited the set, treated the cast and crew to milk tea, and later purchased VIP theater screenings with her own money as a show of support when the drama premiered.
Despite this, Zhou Yutong publicly thanked several fellow artists for promoting the drama but did not mention Zhang Ruonan. When fans of Zhang Ruonan pointed out the omission, Zhou Yutong initially remained silent, which further fueled dissatisfaction among netizens. It was only after fans of both actresses became embroiled in heated arguments online that Zhou Yutong left a comment thanking Zhang Ruonan under her promotional post.
The incident sparked widespread criticism, with many netizens accusing Zhou Yutong of being ungrateful and labeling her a “mean beauty.” Following the backlash, Zhou Yutong’s studio issued an apology to Zhang Ruonan, explaining that Zhou Yutong had already expressed her gratitude privately via direct message. The studio stated that the omission was due to staff oversight, which led to Zhang Ruonan’s name being accidentally left out of the public thank-you post.
However, the apology did little to ease public sentiment. The controversy reignited past criticisms of Zhou Yutong, who has previously been accused of displaying unprofessional behavior toward colleagues. In 2024, while appearing on the reality show Divas Hit the Road 6, Zhou Yutong was criticized for allegedly overpowering fellow participants, placing others in uncomfortable situations, and repeatedly positioning herself as the center of attention. These moments led to renewed scrutiny of her interpersonal conduct.
The actress has also faced criticism for allegedly exaggerating her closeness with colleagues. Some netizens claim she often refers to co-stars or newly met acquaintances as close friends. Actor Gong Jun previously addressed rumors by clarifying that he and Zhou Yutong were merely colleagues, despite Zhou Yutong’s public behavior suggesting a closer relationship.
Sources: HHT
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