LayarHijau – China’s entertainment industry is once again caught up in a real-life drama that rivals the intensity of stories on screen. In March 2026, actor Bi Wenjun and actress Zhang Yuxi—who previously gained popularity through the drama Deep Affection Eyes (深情眼)—found themselves back in the spotlight after it was announced that they would appear together in the recording of the variety program New York Partners 2.
The collaboration was initially seen as a kind of “anniversary gift” for fans of their on-screen pairing, as the announcement came almost a year after the drama completed filming. However, instead of becoming a celebratory moment for fans, the news unexpectedly triggered a major conflict among different fan groups.
The controversy began with a voice message shared by Bi Wenjun in a paid fan group. In the recording, he explained that his participation in the program happened after the production team extended multiple invitations, which were later confirmed by his company.
He also acknowledged that there are often situations in work that cannot be fully controlled. At the end of the message, he added that he might simply be “not strong enough.” That short statement quickly sparked intense reactions among fans.
Some fans of the on-screen couple felt heartbroken. They interpreted the remark as implying that the reunion with Zhang Yuxi was something he was forced into. For fans who had supported the pairing since Deep Affection Eyes, such an impression felt disappointing.
The debate intensified after netizens revisited earlier information suggesting that following the drama’s broadcast, Zhang Yuxi had once recommended Bi Wenjun to a producer for another project. This comparison led some online commentators to say that Zhang Yuxi appeared more graceful in maintaining a professional relationship.
Meanwhile, Bi Wenjun’s individual fanbase also reacted strongly. His official fan club released a statement criticizing the management team for failing to communicate the schedule clearly with fans. They also announced a temporary suspension of promotional support and fan-driven data activities for the actor.
As a result, what should have been a simple variety show collaboration turned into a three-sided conflict involving the artist’s management, his individual fans, and supporters of the drama couple.
Industry observers believe the situation reflects a common dilemma faced by many popular artists today. On one hand, platforms and production teams want to maintain working relationships with stars who have strong popularity. On the other hand, management companies must consider various business interests.
In the middle of all this, artists often find themselves caught between different expectations from individual fans and supporters of on-screen pairings.
Bi Wenjun’s remark that he might be “not strong enough” was interpreted by some as an honest acknowledgment of the limited control artists sometimes have over professional decisions. However, many netizens also argued that the issue escalated because his management team failed to prepare a proper communication strategy from the beginning.
Amid the controversy, Zhang Yuxi has faced almost no criticism. Since Deep Affection Eyes finished airing, she has been known for her friendly attitude toward fans of the on-screen couple and has occasionally shown support for professional collaborations with Bi Wenjun.
This approach has led many netizens to praise her as professional and graceful in handling the dynamics of popularity surrounding drama pairings.
The incident has also once again highlighted the growing influence of fans in the modern entertainment industry. The decision by Bi Wenjun’s fan club to suspend support has been seen by some observers as a form of pressure on management to reconsider certain decisions.
At the same time, fans of the drama pairing have their own expectations, hoping to see the continuation of the chemistry they enjoyed on screen.
As a result, artists often find themselves caught in the middle of competing demands from different groups of supporters.
Bi Wenjun’s studio later clarified that he would only participate in the pilot episode of New York Partners 2. Many observers see this as an attempt to calm the situation while balancing the use of the pair’s popularity with the need to maintain each artist’s independent career direction.
Even so, the controversy has once again raised questions about the boundaries between fan support and an artist’s professional freedom to make career decisions.
