LayarHijau – The Chinese drama Reborn (焕羽) has drawn attention for its emotional depth, tackling themes of trauma, family secrets, and the pursuit of justice. At the heart of the story is high school student Qiao Qingyu (played by Zhang Jingyi), who moves to Huanzhou with her family after the tragic death of her older sister.
Warning: the following section contains significant plot spoilers.
Qiao Qingyu’s older sister, Qiao Baiyu (played by Wu You), is revealed to have been sexually assaulted by a distant male relative. The trauma—both physical and emotional—leads her to withdraw, and she eventually dies under mysterious circumstances. Although she appears only in limited scenes, her story becomes the emotional core of the drama, with her younger sister gradually uncovering the painful truth she left behind.
What makes the drama even more haunting is that the actress who portrayed Qiao Baiyu faced a shockingly similar tragedy in her real life.
According to respected media outlets such as Tencent News and Sohu, Wu You was sexually assaulted in August 2021 while filming a series in Maoshan, Jiangsu. The perpetrator was a prominent and award-winning director, Ma Jin, known for his work on titles like The Deer and the Cauldron and Chun Feng Shi Li Bu Ru Ni.
The way Ma Jin abused his power mirrors dynamics often seen only in fiction—using his position to isolate and overpower his victim. But this was no fictional plot: the incident was real. The case only came to public light in early 2025 and shocked many, especially since Wu You had continued working publicly without showing signs of what she had endured. The case was not widely reported in mainstream media until recently.
In court, Ma Jin confessed to the assault and was sentenced to three years in prison, along with a financial penalty to compensate Wu You for the physical and emotional harm caused.
What sets Wu You apart from the character she played is her decision to take action. While Qiao Baiyu remained silent and eventually lost her life in the drama, Wu You faced the trauma head-on and chose to pursue legal justice—even though the person she challenged was a powerful and highly respected figure in the entertainment world. Her decision to speak up has become a quiet symbol of strength and resilience.
Many believe Wu You’s case is just the tip of the iceberg in China’s entertainment industry. In numerous instances, victims are silenced by fear—fear of losing work, of social stigma, or of legal retaliation. Studies by organizations like the Beijing Gender Center and The Asia Foundation have shown that the majority of workplace sexual harassment cases in China go unreported. About 80% of perpetrators hold more powerful positions, and only a fraction of victims seek legal recourse.
While China’s Civil Code has included sexual harassment prevention clauses since 2020, enforcement remains weak, particularly in industries like entertainment where informal power structures dominate.
Wu You’s performance as Qiao Baiyu is a chilling reminder that violence against women is not just a scripted drama. Reborn gives voice to countless silent stories—some fictional, many real—and invites viewers to reflect on the urgent need for support, protection, and change both on screen and off.
