In just seven days, actress Esther Yu (Yu Shuxin) lost more than 720,000 followers, sparking heated discussions online. Her journey has not been without controversy—ranging from past reality show incidents to questions surrounding her family’s businesses, and most recently, fan conflicts.
One of the earliest scandals dates back to Freshman Year: Graduation Season. After losing a role competition, Yu privately mocked fellow contestant Zhang Haoyue, calling her “like the Spider Spirit from Journey to the West,” and even saying she wanted to “pull her hair.” Nearly a decade later, in August 2025, Zhang publicly responded, claiming that Yu’s remarks left her isolated on the show, which ultimately led to a mental breakdown and her decision to leave the entertainment industry. Zhang also criticized Yu’s fans for apologizing on her behalf, calling it “secondary harm.”
At the same time, Yu’s father, Yu Pijie, has faced scrutiny over his business dealings. Blogger “Lao Pan Finance” alleged that Yu’s father’s company—Xinyu Huashang Mining Co., Ltd.—had suspiciously low tax rates (just 0.2%) in its transactions with state-owned Xigang Mining, raising concerns of potential state asset losses. Further court documents revealed that several affiliated companies had been listed as “dishonest debtors,” fueling the public perception of him as a “defaulter.” Although Yu’s father firmly denied embezzling state assets or colluding with officials, public doubts persist.
A 2019 luxury shopping video added fuel to the fire. In it, a man—claimed to be Yu’s father—was seen paying cash for luxury goods. Combined with the company’s legal troubles, netizens questioned the legitimacy of the funds. The video was quickly deleted, but screenshots circulated widely.
As for Yu’s own career, many have labeled her a “resource-backed actress.” From debuting on Youth With You to starring in top-tier dramas such as Love Between Fairy and Devil and Stars and Dreams of Eternal Night (《永夜星河》), speculation has grown about whether she has strong financial backing. Official records show Yu is linked to three companies, though only “Esther Yu (Tianjin) Film & TV Studio” remains active, and there is no direct business connection with her father. Still, the doubts linger.
Tensions with fans have also impacted her public image. At an event in Sanya, Yu permanently canceled benefits for fans who had posted aggressive remarks, including signed photos and ticket privileges, which was seen as disregarding fan loyalty. Meanwhile, accusations surfaced that some of Yu’s “big fans” had created multiple chat groups to spread doctored images and smear scripts targeting co-stars—particularly actress Zhao Lusi. In retaliation, Zhao’s fans released evidence of similar malicious behavior. The conflict between the two fandoms further accelerated Yu’s follower loss.
Yu’s studio has remained relatively silent. Aside from a defamation lawsuit statement released in May, it has not directly addressed allegations involving her family or bullying accusations, only urging fans to “focus on upcoming dramas.” Netizens, however, pressed further: “If there’s nothing to hide, why not cooperate with a state asset investigation?” Matters worsened when Yu’s Douyin (TikTok China) account closed its comment section entirely, angering fans and triggering even more unfollows.
Despite the controversies, Yu seems calm. She is set to star in an S+ level drama project, A Thought of Jiangnan (《一念江南》). If production proceeds smoothly, it may suggest her industry background checks show no major issues. But if she is suddenly replaced, the negative fallout could spiral further. For now, she continues scheduled photoshoots and preparations for filming, seemingly unaffected on the surface.
Ultimately, Yu’s sharp drop in followers reflects a mix of factors: skepticism about her career resources, lingering questions of professional ethics, and intensified fan wars. Coupled with her father’s corporate controversies, past reality show behavior, and strained fan relations, the convergence of issues created the current storm. Whether she can overcome this turbulence remains to be seen—but there’s no denying her charm and popularity on screen have carried her this far.
