Zhao Lusi will make his return to the entertainment industry on January 25 at a trade event in his hometown Chengdu, China. However, her appearance has sparked concern rather than excitement among her fans.
Pressure to return due to health concerns
In the announcement video, Zhao Lusi appears frail, with a gaunt face and pale complexion, indicating that she has not yet fully recovered and is still physically weak. Doctors said that given his condition, he needs at least 2-3 months of treatment, monitoring and rest. His return to work just a month after falling ill is considered too soon.
According to China Times, Zhao Lusi’s decision to risk her health and return to showbiz at this point suggests that she has no other choice and was forced to keep her “commitment.” While this is an event marking his return, the scale is not grand and will be held in private. Only 100 fans with tickets can attend, which highlights that the actress is not yet ready to face a large audience. Previously, Zhao Lusi’s shopping events attracted thousands of people and were often held in open spaces such as shopping malls.
Commercial obligations
QQ reports that Zhao Lusi is currently the most sought-after ’90s star in the entertainment industry, with around 25 contracts with the brand. She is required to constantly participate in commercial events, take photos and film advertisements to fulfill her obligations to her clients. Therefore, the longer Zhao Lusi stays on hiatus, the more financial compensation his management company will have to pay to partners.
Furthermore, according to Chinese media, Zhao Lusi’s attempts to “rebel” and publicly reveal her mistreatment, claiming she suffered physical abuse and exploitation, failed to help her terminate her contract with Galaxy Cool Entertainment. In response to public calls to release Zhao Lusi, the company stated: “We ask for space and time for Lusi to recover and we await his return.” According to 163, the phrase “wait for his return” was a firm statement from Galaxy Cool Entertainment that terminating Zhao Lusi’s contract is not an option.
Contractual constraints and career risks
The media found out that Zhao Lusi signed a contract with Galaxy Cool Entertainment in September 2016 for a period of 10 years. The contract states that if the artist unilaterally terminates the contract or violates the agreement, he must pay ten times the contract amount as compensation. As a result, if Zhao Lusi leaves now, he could face a penalty of TWD450 million ($14.4 million). She still has two years left on her contract with the club.
On the other hand, if Zhao Lusi chooses not to terminate the contract but instead protests by “striking” and opposing the company, she will also face serious consequences. Galaxy Cool Entertainment could use its connections to put the 1998 born actress’ career on hold for the next two years. In an entertainment industry with strong competition and constant turnover like China’s, taking a two-year break could boost Zhao Lusi’s career. Therefore, the media suggests that although he is not completely healthy, Zhao Lusi must comply with the provisions of Galaxy Cool Entertainment and appear before the public.
Zhao Lusi has been battling mental health issues since 2019. The actress revealed that she suffers from depression due to childhood trauma from bullying by teachers, abuse by a superior at her agency, extortion by her personal manager, the loss of loved ones, public pressure and a demanding work schedule. These factors took a toll on his physical and mental health. Despite her years of depression, Zhao Lusi did not dare to admit it publicly for fear of being accused of using a fake illness as publicity. It held on silently until late 2024, when it finally “collapsed.”
