On January 7, Dylan Wang’s studio revealed the guest list for his upcoming music concert D Party 2 in Macau on January 17. Among the names, the most talked about was that of Zhao Lusi, an actress often seen as a direct rival of Esther Yu.
Although Zhao Lusi and Dylan Wang are friends, the optics of this invitation were not lost on fans. According to Sina, many were outraged that Wang invited Zhao but did not mention Esther Yu, his co-star in the hugely popular 2022 romantic fantasy drama Love between fairy and devil. Supporters of the “Yu-Wang” couple interpreted this as a betrayal, accusing Dylan of turning his back on someone who had helped catapult him to stardom.
In Love between fairy and devilEsther Yu topped the charts, but after the show aired, it was Dylan Wang’s popularity that skyrocketed. His fan base expanded rapidly, endorsement deals poured in, and his likable on- and off-screen persona earned him widespread praise that often eclipsed Yu’s contributions. This led to growing tension between the two fandoms, with Dylan fans claiming that he was the one carrying the show, while Yu’s fans insisted that she was always the focus of the project.
After the drama, public interactions between Wang and Yu decreased significantly. Meanwhile, online clashes between their respective fan communities have intensified, often laced with harsh language and mutual blame, putting a strain on the stars’ relationship.
Adding fuel to the fire, Zhao Lusi, considered Esther Yu’s fiercest rival among post-95 actresses, has long been in direct competition with Yu for the ultimate “It girl” status. While Yu dominated in 2024 with Love game in oriental fantasyoutperforming that of Zhao Lusi The story of the pearl girlZhao made a powerful return in 2025 with The ambition of lovewhile that of Yu Speed and love it was panned for its crass content and dragged down by personal controversies. The reversal of reputations made the two actresses’ fans even more hostile towards each other.
Zhao Lusi further escalated tensions by suing several of Esther Yu’s fans for defamation after her return to the entertainment scene. In this context, Dylan Wang’s decision to publicly side with Zhao by inviting her to his concert he is seen by many as someone who takes sides and is not in favor of his beloved on-screen partner.
The move sparked new wars online, with many fans declaring their disappointment and vowing to withdraw support for Dylan Wang. For “Yu-Wang” shippers and Esther Yu’s loyal supporters, this moment feels like a painful public betrayal.
Sources: Weibo
