LayarHijau – China’s entertainment industry is once again under the spotlight after leading production company YaoKe Media officially introduced two AI-powered digital artists on March 18. The virtual figures, Qin Lingyue and Lin Xiyan, quickly drew attention for their appearances, which many netizens believe resemble real-life actors such as Zhai Zilu and Zhao Jinmai.
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In a statement released via its official Weibo account, YaoKe Media announced that Qin Lingyue and Lin Xiyan are the company’s first contracted AI artists. Both have also launched their own social media accounts, where they interact with users and share updates about their “work” and “daily lives” as virtual entertainers.
Yaoke Media introduced two AI artists that Chinese netizens thought looked similar with artists like Zhao Jinmai, Liang Jie, and Zhai Zilu#AI #trending #weibo #zhaojinmai #liangjie pic.twitter.com/zTjbB8Bsof
— Layar Hijau (@layar_hijau) March 18, 2026
The two AI artists also introduced their respective roles in an AIGC-based drama series titled Qinling. Alongside the announcement, YaoKe Media released a trailer for the project.
However, public response has been far from enthusiastic. Many netizens expressed discomfort with the idea of AI artists, particularly their resemblance to real actors. Qin Lingyue was noted to look similar to Zhai Zilu, while Lin Xiyan was compared to several popular young actresses, including Zhao Jinmai, Zhang Zifeng, and Liang Jie.
Some users even tagged Zhao Jinmai’s studio, calling for action to protect the actress’s rights over the perceived likeness.
Beyond the resemblance issue, critics also pointed out the unnatural visual quality of the AI figures. Several comments described their expressions as unsettling, particularly noting their “unblinking” eyes. Others argued that the technology still looks too artificial and could ultimately harm the entertainment industry.
“This kind of AI visual style feels creepy,” one user wrote. Another commented, “It looks so fake at first glance. The industry is destroying itself.” Others questioned, “Doesn’t this feel strange to you?”
Despite the backlash, the move highlights the industry’s growing experimentation with artificial intelligence in content production. YaoKe Media is known as one of China’s leading drama production companies, with notable works such as The Bond (乔家的儿女), CrossFire (穿越火线), and I Will Find You a Better Home (安家). The company is also active in talent management and artist development.
While controversial, the debut of these AI artists signals a new direction the industry is beginning to explore—one that, for now, continues to spark intense debate among audiences.
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