LayarHijau – Actress Zhou Yutong has once again found herself in the public spotlight after a social media post expressing her gratitude sparked widespread discussion online. The controversy is linked to special screening events held to support her latest drama, Swords into Plowshares, organized by several fellow celebrities, including Zhang Ruonan.
Zhou Yutong, best known for her roles in Nothing But You and Will Love in Spring, has long been regarded as an actress with a warm and approachable image. For that reason, her appearance on the variety show Divas Hit the Road 7 previously drew considerable attention. However, during the show’s broadcast, some viewers felt her behavior did not live up to expectations.
In several episodes, Zhou Yutong was criticized for allegedly crossing personal boundaries, such as opening the bathroom door while Jin Chen was showering and looking through gifts intended for her roommate. Her interactions with Hou Minghao also drew mixed reactions, with some viewers feeling the pair emphasized their closeness too deliberately in order to create a “CP” image. These moments prompted negative responses from parts of the online community and were seen as affecting Zhou Yutong’s public image.
Following the controversy, Zhou Yutong shifted her focus back to acting and took part in Swords into Plowshares alongside Bai Yu and Zhu Yawen. When the drama aired, audience reactions were mixed, both in terms of the storyline and the reception of its cast.
Amid this situation, several fellow actors were reported to have hosted special screenings to show their support for Swords into Plowshares. Wu Yue, Lin Yun, and Zhang Ruonan were among those involved. According to Chinese netizens, these gestures were viewed as a show of solidarity toward Zhou Yutong during a period of intense public scrutiny.
Public attention later turned to Zhou Yutong’s social media post. In it, she publicly thanked Wu Yue and Lin Yun. In her reply to Lin Yun, she even wrote, “Thank you, my dear.” However, Zhang Ruonan’s name was not mentioned, despite her also having organized a special screening for the drama.
This omission quickly fueled debate online. Some netizens felt that Zhang Ruonan had been overlooked, reviving the term “塑料姐妹情” (plastic sisterhood), which refers to friendships that appear close on the surface but are perceived as fragile or insincere.
In response to the growing controversy, Zhou Yutong’s studio released a clarification. They stated that Zhou Yutong had already personally thanked Zhang Ruonan in private. The absence of a public acknowledgment was described as an oversight by the team, and they issued an apology for the misunderstanding it caused.
The statement also revealed that Zhou Yutong plans to reciprocate the support by hosting a special screening for Zhang Ruonan and Bai Yu’s upcoming drama, Live Up to Your Youth, as a gesture of appreciation.
It is known that Zhou Yutong and Zhang Ruonan have been acquainted since the early stages of their careers in the entertainment industry. During the filming of Swords into Plowshares, Zhang Ruonan even sent drinks to the set as a sign of support. Although the clarification has been made, the incident has still drawn sympathy from many netizens toward Zhang Ruonan and has once again placed Zhou Yutong under public scrutiny.
