2025 has been widely described by Chinese netizens as a year of “karma” for the entertainment industry. One after another, long-standing public images collapsed at shocking speed, exposing alleged misbehavior that stood in stark contrast to carefully curated personas. From young sweethearts to revered industry veterans, no generation has been spared public scrutiny.
Behind the refined smiles and moral authority once praised by the public, a series of revelations have painted a much darker reality, one that has left the public stunned and disillusioned.
Yu Shuxin: Da “Sun Girl” to the public enemy
At the beginning of 2025, Yu Shuxin seemed untouchable. Hailed as the best post-95 actress, she was celebrated for her hit dramas and her warm, resilient image, especially while her main competitor Zhao Lusi was sidelined by health issues and agency conflicts.
However, its dramatic downfall began in late August. Accusations of bullying and unprofessional behavior towards colleagues have exploded on Weibo, amassing more than 2 billion views in just a few days.
The controversy intensified after Zhao Lusi publicly implied that Yu Shuxin had sabotaged his career. Actress Zhang Haoyue later released a lengthy statement accusing Yu Shuxin of persistent workplace bullying, claiming that she has suffered from severe depression and psychological trauma for over 10 years due to her experiences while working with the star Love between fairy and devil.
“I was living in a state between life and death,” Zhang wrote, describing the long-term emotional damage he would suffer.
Actor Zhao Zhiwei also chimed in, saying that vague rumors related to Yu Shuxin had falsely labeled him as a “heartless ex”, destroying his reputation and costing him acting opportunities, despite the two never having been romantically involved.
As netizens revisited past footage, other alleged victims emerged, including Ding Yuxi, Dylan Wang, Zhu Xudan, and Xu Kai. Yu Shuxin was further criticized for constantly placing herself at the center of attention, belittling others’ appearances, interrupting co-stars, and showing disrespect towards senior figures such as A-Yun Ga and Fan Wei.
The scandal worsened when his family’s company was accused of corruption, tax evasion and illegal financial activities amounting to RMB 1.5 billion. His father, Yu Feijie, has also been implicated in serious loan sharking charges. Despite mounting pressure, Yu Shuxin remained silent, fueling public anger.
By the end of 2025, it was at the top of multiple lists “The most unpleasant actresses” lost major endorsement deals and saw projects put on hold. His latest drama was boycotted after graphic scenes circulated online, prompting calls for his complete removal from the industry.
Wong Kar-wai: The extraordinary fall of a legendary director
Long revered as one of the four greatest directors of Chinese cinema, Wong Kar-wai has built an international legacy through classics such as In the mood for love, Shanghai flourishes.
That legacy was severely damaged in late 2025, when a leaked 43-minute audio recording surfaced. In the recording, Wong allegedly mocked numerous industry figures along with screenwriter Qin Wen, used vulgar language towards the actresses, and admitted to exploitative labor practices.
Once admired as an artistic genius, he was now described by netizens as “an old gossip with no professional boundaries.”
Further backlash erupted when past testimonies resurfaced from actors who said they suffered emotional distress while working under his direction. Names often mentioned included Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi, Leslie Cheung, Kimura Takuya, and Song Hye Kyo.
Most damaging of all were the alleged remarks contained in the recording deemed offensive to national dignity. As the outrage intensifies, industry insiders have suggested that Wong Kar-wai could face a total industry ban from the China Film Administration.
Xi Meijuan: the collapse of a “Moral icon”
Veteran actress Xi Meijuan has long been regarded as a pillar of integrity: she was twice crowned Best Actress at the Golden Rooster Awards and served as vice president of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles.
For decades she was portrayed as a tragic single mother abandoned by her husband, actor Chu Yeming, shortly after giving birth. Public sympathy fueled her career rise, while Chu Yeming was vilified as a heartless opportunist.
That narrative unraveled between 2024 and 2025.
The court rulings confirmed that Chu Yeming was not the biological father of Xi Meijuan’s son and that the allegations of infidelity and abandonment were false. After 30 years of silence, Chu was finally exonerated, while Xi Meijuan’s carefully maintained image collapsed overnight.
“The truth came three decades too late” commented one netizen, while public sentiment dramatically reversed.
Darren Wang: from privileged star to criminal suspect
In early 2025, actor Darren Wang shocked the public when he was investigated for allegedly falsifying medical records to evade military service, an investigation that ultimately exposed nearly 50 male celebrities in Taiwan.
Yet this was only the beginning.
Despite avoiding criminal charges for draft evasion, Wang was later arrested on charges of attempted murder and assault. Authorities revealed he allegedly instructed a close associate to violently attack a driver and a dispatcher after becoming enraged over a ride-hailing dispute involving a Tesla vehicle.
Wang was released on TWD 5 million bail, placed under travel restrictions and remains under strict supervision. If convicted, he faces a long prison sentence.
The revelations shattered his long-standing image as a wealthy but passionate young actor seeking to prove himself beyond the shadow of his businessman father.
