On the evening of March 24, social media was flooded with claims that 11 Chinese actors who participated in boys’ love (BL) dramas filmed overseas had been restricted by authorities. However, no credible or official source has verified this information.
Several entertainment pages in Asian countries cited posts from Weibo, alleging that a list of 11 actors involved in BL projects released outside China had been subject to activity restrictions.
According to these posts, some brands were even notified to stop collaborating with the listed artists.
The rumor quickly gained traction, especially as additional claims emerged suggesting that this was a shortened version of an earlier list of 17 names circulated in early March. The names reportedly included Hao Yiran, DeDe, Ziyu, Tian Xuning, Zhan Xuan, Liu Xuan Cheng, Qiu Dingjie, Huang Xing, Liao Shengpei, Evaldo Liang, Yun Qi, Li Pei En, Jiang Heng…
Speculation suggests that the alleged restrictions stem from these actors participating in BL content produced overseas, which may conflict with content regulations in China.
However, all of this information remains unverified. No official documents from regulatory authorities have been released, and reliable Chinese media outlets have not confirmed the existence of such a list.
Around the same time, a document bearing an official-looking red stamp circulated online, claiming a delay in the broadcast of the short drama “Feng Ming San Sheng 1.” The document stated that the release had been postponed due to the involvement of an actor who had worked in overseas markets, raising concerns about public opinion risks.
According to Zhiyang Film Company, the project was originally scheduled to air on March 26 but has been delayed by 10 to 15 days for adjustments. The production team emphasized that the drama had been carefully prepared over several months, from scriptwriting to costume design and set production, featuring actors such as Jiang Lai and Liu Xinglu.
The producers stressed that casting decisions were based purely on artistic considerations and the overall coherence of the project. They also stated that they are actively cooperating with relevant authorities to resolve the situation and hope to release the drama soon.
Importantly, the circulated document only refers to a scheduling adjustment for a specific project and does not constitute any formal regulation or blanket ban issued by authorities.
Many viewers have also pointed out that the viral lists have never appeared on official media channels or trending search rankings on Weibo. Despite this, numerous online pages continue to repost the claims, asserting that they originate from China’s National Radio and Television Administration.
While the authority does oversee broadcasting content and artistic activities, there has been no precedent of issuing a comprehensive ban on artists’ activities, particularly in commercial collaborations.
Although Chinese authorities have not made any official moves, some actors rumored to be on the list are reportedly facing difficulties. On March 20, Liu Xuan Cheng allegedly had all his scenes removed from a new drama. He previously gained attention for his role in the 2025 BL project “Revenged Love.”
Meanwhile, viewers have also raised concerns that actor Zhan Xuan’s role in “Shadow Punisher,” starring alongside Luo Yunxi, may be affected. Reports suggest the production team is considering using AI technology to replace his appearance.
Sources: TP