Chinese martial arts icon Donnie Yen is currently facing significant public backlash following a wave of online boycott movements sparked by controversial remarks made by his wife, Cissy Wang.
According to QQ, the actor has come under intense pressure as angry netizens have flooded his social media accounts with criticism, causing a system overload across his entire online network due to the high volume of engagement.
Initially, the negative reaction was mainly aimed at Cissy Wang, whose controversial statements sparked public discontent. However, online discussions have changed rapidly, with many netizens accusing Donnie Yen of sharing “dangerous” views similar to those of his wife, particularly the idea of ”blaming mainland China.”
Another faction criticized Donnie Yen for being “incapable of controlling his wife”, suggesting that his failure to stop her from posting unverified speculative content also contributed to the public outrage.
Public dissatisfaction escalated to calls for a total boycott of Donnie Yen’s work. Social media users said they would refuse to watch any film starring the actor. Others have compiled lists of brands associated with Yen and encouraged the public to file complaints directly with the manufacturers.
Some netizens labeled him as “a person who forgets his roots”, vowing to undermine his business activities in mainland China. This sentiment reflects frustration with what many perceive as disrespectful or misguided attitudes at a sensitive national moment.
The controversy stems from a tragic fire in Hong Kong that shocked and saddened the Chinese public. Before the results of the official investigation were released, Cissy Wang posted comments implying that goods made on the mainland were to blame, suggesting inferior quality and displaying what netizens described as an “overly Westernized mentality.”
The situation is particularly delicate for Donnie Yen, a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a national-level political consultative body. His long-standing efforts to bolster his reputation and career in mainland China have placed him under intense scrutiny.
Because of this political affiliation, many citizens believe he has an even greater responsibility to maintain measured and responsible public discourse, something they believe has been undermined by the controversy involving his wife.
Following intense criticism, Cissy Wang deleted her initial post and replaced it with a message offering clarification and an apology. However, according to QQ, this response did little to assuage public anger.
Many netizens argued that his apology was insincere, claiming that he only acted under public pressure and not sincere remorse. As a result, the boycott against Donnie Yen continues to grow, fueled by the perception that the couple’s position contradicts public sentiment at a sensitive time.
Sources: TP
