Zhang Haowei, who plays Crown Prince Li Chengqian in Joy of Life, has won his reputation rights case. It was determined that his then friend used AI technology to fabricate recordings to frame him. After more than a year, the turmoil has finally come to an end.
Zhang Haowei’s childhood friend, surnamed Mao, fell out with him over an economic dispute. Mao used fake audio recordings and chat logs alleging that Zhang was involved in prostitution and tax issues, and proactively fed the materials to marketing accounts to spread them. As a result, in August 2024 the actor was labeled a “disgraced artist.” Police confirmed through technical methods such as recovering phone data and comparing records that the evidence was fabricated. In September 2025, the court ruled that Mao had infringed Zhang’s right to reputation, ordering a public apology and compensation of 50,000 yuan (approx 7,000 USD).
The rumors dealt a heavy blow to Zhang Haowei’s career. Some dramas awaiting release either replaced his face digitally or cut his scenes; endorsement contracts were terminated, and his acting work stalled for more than a year.
After winning the case, Zhang Haowei posted: “The lawsuit has been won, the injustice has been cleared. Endurance and perseverance have allowed me to give an explanation to colleagues, fans, and friends who trusted me. If I can continue to appear in Joy of Life 3, that would be an especially great piece of luck for me. Hardship ultimately turns into drifting clouds, ‘the remaining years,’ reborn while facing death.”
Una
Only a 50,000 yuan compensation ? That low-life “friend” should be thrown into jail too. He had malicious intent to ruin his career and he continued feeding the rumor mill with fake news for some time. It wasn’t just an instance of impetuousness.
Wèi Wúxiàn
yea the friend should get jail time it literally ruined his image his series etc got put on hold losing roles endorsement it should be 100k plus what the actors worth like having to cgi him out or roles he may have gotten endorsement deals etc
XZF
That is scary to have a friend like that – it’s even more painful it came from a childhood friend. You can’t totally trust someone 100% sometimes.
Dee
I don’t understand why they don’t start making theee things serious crimes with maximum jail sentence ! He lost enforcement deals, reputation, respect, credibility, too many things to count and they make the fun this little ?
XZF
@ Dee
Yes. I agree with you. On top of the endorsement deals, reputation, respect, credibility – most of all the stress, financial impact…
Kai
But to put it in perspective, I have only heard of China making “fabrication and spreading of fake news against individuals” a crime which the police actually prosecute and punish. Maybe Singapore also? In the west, it is just civil actions for defamation.
Missy
with friends like that… who needs enemies?