A potential reunion drama between Zhao Liying and Wang Yibo has resulted in fan wars that has gotten many of Zhao Liying’s fan clubs and related accounts banned on a large scale.
On August 24, Zhao Liying’s studio has also been temporarily muted from making any updates on their official Weibo account for violating community rules. Weibo administrators issued a notice explaining that a 15-day ban has been imposed on the studio for their lack of foresight in dealing with the fan wars and failing to issue proper guidance in a timely manner.
What Happened?
According to Weibo, they had received a large number of reports on August 22 that fans of a certain Zhao instigated fights online and promoted a mass boycott over unofficial reports about a new drama. Additionally, marketing accounts used the opportunity to create buzz and spread malicious content.
The drama-in-question is said to be Wild Bloom 野蛮生长 which follows a heroine rising up in the steel industry. Zhao Liying is reportedly reuniting with Legend of Fei co-star Wang Yibo as her leading man. Zhao Liying’s various fan clubs issued joint statements to reject the second collaboration between the two stars and to boycott the drama should the rumors prove to be true. It can be remembered that this is not the first time something like this has happened. Previously, Yang Zi fans were against the actress being casted in Agarwood Like Crumbs though she ended up starring in it anyway.
It seems that things turned very ugly on social media resulting in personal attacks on the artists, the director, etc. Fans of both sides accused each other of instigating the fight.
Weibo Imposes a Large Scale Ban
On August 23, Weibo imposed temporary and permanent bans on a number of accounts. Earlier this year, China’s Central Cyberspace Commission had announced their intent to clamp down on toxic fan culture. Since then, it is the first time such a large-scale ban is being made towards the fandoms. Major accounts affected include “Zhao Liying Global Fan Club” with 2.59 million followers on Weibo and “Zhao Liying Wei Bar” with 2.34 million followers. The mass ban on Zhao Liying’s fan clubs, related accounts as well as the temporary ban on her studio for negligence trended on the Weibo hot search.
According to another statement from Weibo, they have made 633 new cleanups online, dealt with 175 users and permanently banned 140 users related to a certain Zhao. For those relating to a certain Wang, they’ve made 679 new cleanups online, dealt with 75 users, permanently banned 60 and issued periodical bans on other remaining accounts.
carmen
ya estoy esta pasando de los limites con los fans, le están haciendo daño a sus artista con esa actitud, debemos prevalecer la cordura.
anon
I don’t think her fans did anything, or I’m not that caught up with what’s happening on Weibo. I thought they were just expressing their displeasure at a second collaboration, which I think they have a right to as long as they don’t engage in fan wars. I was under the impression that they were trying to make a statement to her company and not Wang.
That said, I totally get why they are against this though. When I first heard the casting rumours, I was very confused why the idea was even entertained. I thought it was nonsensical! Even the first collab was a surprise for me. Given how Zhao lost a lot of her audience appeal during their first project together, I’m not surprised that fans are not in favour of a second one.
YMI
It’s one thing if her fan clubs only protested, it’s another when they instigated the fans to personally attacked Wang Yibo. And the casting hasn’t even been set so to start all that mess based on rumors just makes them look like clowns. What if Yibo is not even part of the project? The YxH accounts have been attaching his name to all types of productions for clicks and none has been true. Eat melon rationally please.
Anon
Zly’s fans are delusional and toxic. Always creating fanwars and they’re especially interested in badmouthing and spreading dangerous rumours about YM. Her non-challance is also selfish in situations like this. This is the same thing that happened during the hamburger post, while everyone was being eaten alive, all she had to do was clarify herself, instead she decided to keep mute.
Bix
Same crap with Yang Mi fans. There are toxic fans for every celebs. Good thing theu are starting to shutdown these type of toxic fans. They think they own the celebs.
Anon
Nope totally not the same. There are fans that are demanding but can settle with official statement. And there are rabid fans that spontaneously attack rivals or go try to exercise dominance over other fandoms. YM and XK have a drama coming up and he’s become really hot. Have you heard of their fandoms going to war? In fact have you heard of YM’s fans fighting with any fandom that they’re supposed to collaborate with?
Zly’s fans attack several celebrities in the circle and like to twist situations and the words of their idols.
-Take the LOF hamburger situation that has turned the favor against the 2nd FL actress. Even international fans are rat mouthing her now. But guess where the rumors came from.
-During the KW scandal they tried to attach some celebrities to him when in truth it was zly that was really close to him among all of them.
-During that tencent event who started the pity cry of YM looking down on ZLY?
The list goes on and on. You can go and check the LOF pages on this site and see whose fans were trying to undermine WYB’s esteem in the face of their collaboration. Pls don’t go easily attaching the crazy tag to all fandoms, those that have been attacked knows best where it came from.
YMI
Her fans are stupid for pulling this at a time when they’re trying to clean-up toxic fan culture in China.
XZF
I agree with you on that 1000%! It’s like calling out to the cops “catch me”! 🙂
Anon
They can take the 15 days to cool off, lol. Making noise over a project that hasn’t even finished casting, shakes head.
anon
What’s going on? I thought people here followed Chinese entertainment? Fan girls of male actors are the most obnoxious fans around.
Anon
Nope, you’re the one out of the loop. Everyone here knows what they’re talking about .
Anon
Lol, zly only knows how to give statements when it affects her.
Hugo
Wow I can see somebody’s dislike for a certain actress really show here 😂
Kate
I had high hopes for this pairing in Legend of Fei. To say I was disappointed was an understatement. The story had so much room for an interesting romance, but I saw nothing. If they are going to be paired again, I can’t make myself watch it.