Once hailed as the most beautiful and promising post-2000s “little flower” actress in China, Hu Lian Xin’s fast-rising career came to a sudden halt after an alleged private video leak sent shockwaves through the Chinese entertainment industry.
Born in 2000, Hu Lian Xin was widely dubbed the “Kim Ji Won of C-entertainment,” praised for her pure visuals, elegant aura, and acting ability that stood out among her peers. Despite entering the industry only a few years ago, she quickly became a favorite among directors and producers, earning labels such as “the new-generation jade actress” and “a rare gem in serious dramas.”
Her major breakthrough came in 2022 with the role of Feng Yue in A Lifelong Journey, which earned her a nomination for Best New Actress and firmly placed her among the most promising post-2000s actresses in China. From there, her career skyrocketed. She secured roles in high-profile productions such as Detective Chinatown, Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red Moon Pact alongside Yang Mi, and The Young Brewmaster’s Journey. Luxury fashion house Dior also selected her for collaborations, and she was voted into the Top 4 most beautiful post-2000s actresses in China.
However, at the peak of her success, everything unraveled in a single night.
Chinese social media erupted after a nearly 20-minute explicit video, allegedly showing Hu Lian Xin in an intimate private setting, spread rapidly online. The scale and impact of the leak immediately drew comparisons to Edison Chen’s infamous 2008 scandal. Although Chinese authorities reportedly intervened quickly to remove and restrict the video’s circulation, the damage to Hu Lian Xin’s public image was already irreversible.
The actress’s carefully cultivated “pure and innocent” persona collapsed almost instantly. Her social media accounts were flooded with harsh criticism, with some netizens openly calling for her to withdraw from the entertainment industry or retire altogether.
Adding to the controversy, just hours before the scandal erupted, Hu Lian Xin had posted behind-the-scenes photos from a kidnapping scene she filmed, accompanied by a cryptic caption: “I hope girls who are in their darkest moments, the most desperate victims, will be rescued by justice.” The timing led many to speculate that she may have been aware of the impending crisis.
Attention soon shifted to identifying the man in the video. Chinese netizens and media outlets speculated about two figures previously linked to Hu Lian Xin—Huan Yan Luo Rong and Yu Shi. Huan Yan Luo Rong, who was photographed acting intimately with the actress in September 2023, quickly denied involvement by posting photos of his tattoo-covered body, noting that the man in the video had no such markings. He remained silent, however, regarding his current relationship with Hu Lian Xin.
Yu Shi, meanwhile, appeared largely unaffected by the scandal and continued filming and promoting new projects. Online rumors suggested complicated relationships and even speculated about powerful forces behind the video’s release, but no claims have been substantiated.
In the aftermath, Hu Lian Xin disappeared from public view, with all entertainment activities frozen indefinitely. Her management company—previously credited with propelling her rapid rise over five years—chose not to publicly defend her and quietly terminated their partnership. Insiders noted that earlier personal controversies, including smoking in public, high-profile dating rumors, and third-party relationship allegations, had already strained the relationship.
In late May 2024, Hu Lian Xin attempted a low-key comeback with a new short-haired look and a more subdued image. The effort failed to gain traction. She was removed from industry-backed “post-2000s little flower” lists, lost access to major scripts and resources, and was dropped by brands and production teams.
From being labeled the future pillar of C-entertainment to virtually vanishing from the industry, Hu Lian Xin’s downfall stands as a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of Chinese showbiz—where a single personal scandal can erase years of success overnight.
Sources: Netizenbuzz