In Memories Beyond Horizon 4, a reality show styled like an acting workshop, 29-year-old Chinese actress Jiang Zhenyu trended for her reenactment of a scene from The Flowers of War that required multiple takes and received harsh critiques from veteran actress He Saifei. Jiang Zhenyu eventually broke down and blamed herself, repeatedly apologizing and saying she was really too slow to grasp the emotions of the scene.
He Saifei, an award-winning actress, has been known to speak publicly in the past about maintaining high artistic standards in the industry. Watching from behind the camera, she commented: “staring with big eyes, but the brain is empty…. I need you to truly feel it.” Her tone was stern as she explained that the scene depicted a life-and-death situation, and she felt Jiang’s acting remained too flat and monotonous throughout, as though she was only performing the surface emotions rather than truly living them.
“He Saifei angrily criticizes Jiang Zhenyu” soon trended online, though many viewers also noted that He Saifei apologized immediately afterward, showing that her comments came from a desperate desire to get the scene right rather than personal hostility. Everyone gathered around to comfort Jiang Zhenyu as she cried from both emotional release and frustration with herself after finally nailing the scene, while He Saifei and the others hugged her and reassured her that she had done well pulling off such a difficult performance.
Jiang Zhenyu comes from a dance background and previously competed on Produce 101 China. She is active as an actress and has taken the starring role in numerous short dramas. Later, she posted on social media: “Teacher He Saifei is an artist I sincerely admire. Her guidance on the character’s details, rhythm, emotional control, and especially my eyes and breathing instantly helped me see a clear direction for the performance through all my nervousness and pressure. Receiving guidance from teachers like her is something I’ve always dreamed of. I’ll keep pushing myself forward and work even harder to meet everyone with a better version of myself.”
Banu
I understand her critique, but I do think it was a bit personal since idol / pretty face doesn’t have a great reputation. I think she is sick of seeing younger and prettier actors getting a role based on their looks rather their talents.
I wonder if the senior actress did received the same outburst when she was a rookie, it’s a cycle that must be broken. Teachers can teach without humiliating others in public it’s not justifying their bluntness as a teaching experience it’s 2026 come on.