Chinese actress Zhu Xudan is under fire after being accused of opportunistic behavior flattering powerful stars while distancing herself from colleagues facing controversy. Her actions have inadvertently stirred tension with both Yang Mi and Esther Yu, leaving fans outraged.
According to 163, on September 12, Zhu Xudan publicly wished Yang Mi a happy birthday. While this might seem ordinary, netizens quickly recalled the history between the two. Back when Yang Mi was signed under Jay Walk Studio, she personally helped boost Zhu Xudan’s career by casting her in projects like Eternal Love, where Zhu gained recognition as the villain Xuan Nü. For years, Zhu regularly posted birthday greetings to Yang Mi. However, after Yang Mi left Jay Walk and suffered career setbacks with several flops, Zhu suddenly stopped reaching out. Now that Yang Mi has revived her reputation with the hit drama This Thriving Land, Zhu resumed her birthday posts. Unlike other younger stars who received warm replies, Yang Mi only responded to Zhu with two emojis, which 163 interpreted as a subtle sign of distance.
At the same time, Zhu Xudan’s image has been damaged by accusations of “betraying colleagues.” She once appeared close with Esther Yu while promoting their drama Love Game in Eastern Fantasy, constantly praising her co-star. Yet after Yu became embroiled in scandals, Zhu was caught “liking” a negative post about her on social media. Though Zhu later apologized and claimed it was an accident, many fans saw it as disloyalty.
Critics now label Zhu a “seasonal friend,” befriending stars at the peak of their fame but quietly distancing herself once trouble arises. This pattern has been noted with other celebrities too. She often displayed closeness with Dilraba Dilmurat but distanced herself when Dilraba faced criticism, even denying they were close friends. Similarly, she bonded with actress Wang Luodan during Sisters Who Make Waves only to cut ties afterward.
Zhu has even fueled speculation by “liking” edited videos pairing her with Korean idol Kim Heechul after he praised her performance. Such actions have led netizens to ridicule her for building an image of being “best friends” with various stars only to exploit their popularity.
As Zhu Xudan’s reputation continues to falter, public opinion is increasingly critical. Many argue that her behavior reflects insincerity, with one commentator writing, “She befriends whoever is popular, but abandons them at the first sign of trouble.”
Sources: K14
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