Several popular Chinese drama couples who created hit series together have sparked controversy after showing signs of strained relationships in real life, disappointing fans who once supported their on-screen chemistry.
Dylan Wang Allegedly Distances Himself from Esther Yu
According to Sina, Dylan Wang held a concert in Macau in mid-January but stirred controversy after removing the title of Love Between Fairy and Devil from his introduction. The drama is widely considered one of the most important projects in his career and the series that significantly boosted his popularity alongside co-star Esther Yu.
The move led many fans to speculate that Wang no longer wishes to be associated with Yu. Recently, the actor has also filed lawsuits against several social media accounts accused of defaming him, some of which reportedly belong to fans of Esther Yu.
Rumors of tension between the two stars have circulated in Chinese entertainment circles for years. Despite their rise to A-list status following the success of Love Between Fairy and Devil and fans hoping their on-screen romance would turn real, observers noted that Wang often appeared to ignore Yu during joint public appearances.
The controversy intensified as Wang invited Zhao Lusi, who has reportedly been involved in disputes with Yu, to perform as a guest at his concert. Critics accused him of “taking sides,” while others expressed disappointment that he appeared to downplay the drama that brought him fame.
Cheng Yi Loses 60,000 Followers After Fan Event Controversy
In 2020, Cheng Yi and Crystal Yuan gained massive popularity through the historical drama Love and Redemption. Their success led to a fan meeting event titled Yun Ge Night. However, the event quickly became controversial when Cheng reportedly avoided eye contact with Yuan throughout the gathering. The two actors stood apart and barely interacted, despite being the main leads of the drama. Fans criticized Cheng’s distant attitude, calling it unprofessional.
One viewer commented that the issue was not the lack of romantic interaction but rather Cheng’s overall demeanor during the event. Many fans believed that actors should maintain professionalism on stage, especially when audiences pay to see the characters they admire.
The backlash was severe. Cheng reportedly lost 60,000 followers overnight, and the event received extremely low ratings on Douban, scoring just 2.1 points, with 94% of reviewers giving it one star.
Young actors Bian Cheng and Ren Min gained attention for their supporting roles in Serenade of Peaceful Joy, portraying a tragic relationship that resonated strongly with audiences. Due to their popularity, they were invited to participate in a live broadcast to discuss their roles.
However, the broadcast quickly sparked outrage after Bian repeatedly interrupted Ren and made remarks that viewers considered disrespectful. The actor reportedly commented that Ren had smelly feet and criticized her appearance, placing her in an uncomfortable situation in front of a large audience.
When Ren discussed her ideal romantic type, Bian responded by saying he would try not to become her ideal partner. He also commented that she was not particularly beautiful or tall and stated he would only be willing to act with her as a senior colleague, not as a romantic partner.
The remarks drew widespread criticism, with viewers accusing Bian of having poor emotional intelligence and lacking basic courtesy. The controversy led fans who once supported the pair to lose interest in seeing them work together again. Bian later issued a public apology, while Ren defended him by saying he simply lacked communication experience and would mature over time.
Sources: Netizenbuzz