2025 has been widely described by Chinese netizens as a year of “karma” for the entertainment industry. One by one, long-standing public images collapsed at shocking speed, exposing alleged misconduct that stood in stark contrast to carefully curated personas. From young “sweethearts” to revered industry veterans, no generation was spared from public scrutiny.
Behind the polished smiles and moral authority once praised by audiences, a series of revelations painted a far darker reality—one that left the public stunned and disillusioned.
Yu Shuxin: From “Sunshine Girl” to Public Enemy
At the beginning of 2025, Yu Shuxin appeared untouchable. Hailed as the top post-95s 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, her dramatic fall began in late August. Allegations of bullying and unprofessional behavior toward colleagues exploded across Weibo, amassing more than 2 billion views in a matter of days.
The controversy intensified after Zhao Lusi publicly hinted that Yu Shuxin had sabotaged her career. Actress Zhang Haoyue later released a lengthy statement accusing Yu Shuxin of sustained workplace bullying, claiming she suffered severe depression and psychological trauma for over 10 years due to her experiences while working with the star of Love Between Fairy and Devil.
“I lived in a state between life and death,” Zhang wrote, describing the long-term emotional damage she allegedly endured.
Actor Zhao Zhiwei also spoke out, stating that vague rumors connected to Yu Shuxin had falsely branded him a “heartless ex,” destroying his reputation and costing him acting opportunities—despite the two never having been romantically involved.
As netizens revisited past footage, more alleged victims surfaced, including Ding Yuxi, Dylan Wang, Zhu Xudan, and Xu Kai. Yu Shuxin was further criticized for consistently positioning herself as the center of attention, belittling others’ appearances, interrupting co-stars, and showing disrespect toward senior figures such as A-Yun Ga and Fan Wei.
The scandal deepened when her family’s company was accused of 1.5 billion RMB in corruption, tax evasion, and illegal financial activities. Her father, Yu Feijie, was also implicated in serious loan-sharking allegations. Despite mounting pressure, Yu Shuxin has remained silent, fueling public anger.
By the end of 2025, she topped multiple lists of “Most Disliked Actresses,” lost major endorsement deals, and saw projects suspended. Her latest drama faced boycotts after explicit scenes circulated online, prompting calls for her complete removal from the industry.
Wong Kar-wai: A Legendary Director’s Stunning Fall
Long revered as one of the four greatest directors in Chinese cinema, Wong Kar-wai built an international legacy through classics like In the Mood for Love, Blossoms Shanghai.
That legacy was severely damaged in late 2025 when a 43-minute leaked audio recording surfaced. In the recording, Wong allegedly mocked numerous industry figures alongside screenwriter Qin Wen, used crude language toward female performers, and admitted to exploitative labor practices.
Once admired as an artistic genius, he was now described by netizens as “a gossiping old man with no professional boundaries.”
Further backlash erupted when past testimonies resurfaced from actors who claimed to have suffered emotional distress while working under his direction. Names frequently mentioned included Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi, Leslie Cheung, Kimura Takuya, and Song Hye Kyo.
Most damaging of all were alleged remarks in the recording deemed offensive to national dignity. As outrage intensified, industry insiders suggested Wong Kar-wai could face a full industry ban from China’s Film Administration.
Xi Meijuan: The Collapse of a “Moral Icon”
Veteran actress Xi Meijuan was long regarded as a pillar of integrity—twice crowned Best Actress at the Golden Rooster Awards and serving as Vice Chairwoman 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 childbirth. Public sympathy fueled her career rise, while Chu Yeming was vilified as a heartless opportunist.
That narrative unraveled between 2024 and 2025.
Court rulings confirmed that Chu Yeming was not the biological father of Xi Meijuan’s son and that allegations of infidelity and abandonment were false. After 30 years of silence, Chu was finally cleared, while Xi Meijuan’s carefully maintained image collapsed overnight.
“The truth arrived three decades too late,” one netizen commented, as 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 detained on suspicion of attempted murder and assault. Authorities revealed that he allegedly instructed a close associate to violently attack a driver and dispatcher after becoming enraged over a ride-hailing dispute involving a Tesla vehicle.
Wang was released on 5 million TWD bail, placed under travel restrictions, and remains under strict supervision. If convicted, he faces a lengthy prison sentence.
The revelations shattered his long-standing image as a wealthy but passionate young actor striving to prove himself beyond his businessman father’s shadow.