LayarHijau– Chinese actor Yu Menglong, best known for his role in Eternal Love (三生三世十里桃花), passed away on September 11, 2025, after falling from a building in Beijing. Police ruled his death as an accident caused by intoxication, but various conspiracy theories and speculations continue to spread online.
A netizen claiming to be Yu’s “junior” described him as upright and scandal-free, but not the type of actor willing to bow to the entertainment industry’s hidden rules. It was revealed that Yu had refused to follow these “unspoken rules,” which led to him being frozen out for two to three years. Even after his comeback, he continued to reject such practices, allegedly angering powerful figures and eventually leading to tragedy.
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Rumors also circulated that Yu attended a dinner gathering with influential figures from the entertainment and business worlds on the day of his death. Following the incident, his mother was reportedly placed under surveillance and forced to sign a statement claiming that her son “jumped voluntarily.” Although police officially closed the case as an accident, the online discourse remains divided, making the incident increasingly murky.
In contrast, Yu’s story has been compared with actor Zhang Wanyi, who rose to fame through Lost You Forever (长相思) and Are You the One (柳舟记). During the reality show Divas Hit the Road 7 (花儿与少年7), Zhang revealed that he is no longer tied to any management agency. “I don’t have a management company. I work independently, managing myself, without any restraints,” he said.
It was later revealed that in 2015, Zhang signed an eight-year contract with Stellar Tianji Media. The company promised him three TV dramas and three film roles within three years, with parts no less than a male second lead. However, the promises were not kept. Zhang was instead pushed into minor roles in low-budget web dramas, with even financial statements for his fees lacking transparency.
Unwilling to accept this, Zhang filed for contract termination just a year later. The dispute went to court, where the agency demanded 12.5 million yuan in damages plus 110,000 yuan in legal fees. In December 2017, the court ruled that Zhang only needed to pay a total of 600,000 yuan (around USD 83,000) in damages and legal fees. The ruling simultaneously ended his contract.
Although Zhang experienced a career gap after the termination, his career surged again in 2021 with The Age of Awakening (觉醒年代). His performance won acclaim and awards. He later gained further recognition through The Bond (乔家的儿女), Lost You Forever, Are You the One, and The Rise of Ning (锦绣安宁). His decision to break free from his agency is now praised by netizens as a “clear-headed move amidst the fog.”
The rise of independent actors, or “individual households,” has become more visible in China. Stars such as Liu Yuning, Bai Jingting, and Tan Songyun have all succeeded without major agencies. On the other hand, actress Zhao Lusi continues to struggle with her management contract, with the public watching closely to see if she can eventually break free.
The contrast between Yu Menglong, who remained trapped under a powerful agency and met a tragic end, and Zhang Wanyi, who courageously broke free and thrived, has made netizens lament the stark difference in their paths. Grief and sympathy for Yu blend with admiration for Zhang, bringing renewed attention to the tense relationship between artists and agencies in the Chinese entertainment industry.
Source: Upmedia
