Chinese actress Esther Yu (Yu Shuxin), known for her roles in Love Between Fairy and Devil and Night of Love With You, is currently facing intense public scrutiny amid multiple controversies. Accusations range from alleged past bullying and poor on-screen behavior to serious financial concerns related to her father’s business dealings with state-owned enterprises. Her social media following has dropped by over a million.
Actress Zhang Haoyue Accuses Yu of Verbal Bullying
On September 6, actress Zhang Haoyue posted a message on Weibo questioning whether “a bully can play the role of someone being bullied.” She alleged that during the 2016 reality show Grade One Graduation Season, Yu verbally attacked her — comparing her to a “spider demon” — and formed small cliques that led to social isolation. Zhang claimed the experience triggered depression and eventually forced her to leave the entertainment industry.
She further called on the production team to release unedited footage, saying fans should not downplay her experience as a “minor incident.”
Past Conduct Resurfaces, More Footage Draws Criticism
Actor Zhao Zhiwei, who also appeared on the same program, clarified via livestream that his on-show confession to Yu was scripted, denying any real-life romantic scandal.
Separately, netizens have circulated clips from Chinese Restaurant, alleging Yu treated non-celebrity participants rudely. These resurfaced videos raised new questions about her professional conduct and ethics.
Yu’s Father Accused of Predatory Lending, Suspicious State-Linked Deals
Public scrutiny has now expanded to Yu Shuxin’s family background. Media reports revealed that her father’s business engaged in high-interest lending, charging annual rates up to 42%, with total amounts exceeding 37.8 million yuan. A court ruling reduced the enforceable rate to 24%.
More seriously, Yu’s father owns “Huashang Mining,” a company that has conducted over 1.5 billion yuan in transactions over six years with state-owned enterprise XINGANG Group. The partnership is suspected of tax irregularities, including a 0.34% tax rate (vs. industry average of 24%) and unexplained 210 million yuan in prepaid funds.
State-affiliated outlets like Jimu News have called on authorities to investigate issues of public asset safety and tax fairness.
Commercial Impact: Endorsements and Productions Affected
As backlash grows, brands and productions have started to distance themselves. YouC1000 has removed all related content featuring Yu across platforms, while CHANDO postponed a livestream event.
The drama A Thought of Jiangnan, originally scheduled to begin filming on September 11, has delayed production after notifying extras on September 4. Rumors suggest the crew has shifted to private shooting to avoid leaks. Other unreleased dramas like Qijin Zhao are reportedly on hold or replacing cast members due to the situation.
Industry insiders suggest that if the financial irregularities involving state assets are confirmed, Yu could face project cancellations, contract terminations, and broader career fallout.
Public Interest Goes Beyond Celebrity Scandal
While Yu has been posting vacation photos privately, social media users have pointed out the contrast with miners at Wushishan, reportedly struggling to receive a 3,000 yuan annual subsidy. Meanwhile, fans reportedly spent hundreds of thousands of yuan supporting her productions — even as public funds remain under scrutiny.
To date, Yu’s team has not responded directly to either the bullying allegations or the state asset questions. The studio has filed defamation lawsuits against finance blogger “Lao Pan” and other users, but no official statement has addressed the underlying issues.
What began as a trending celebrity topic has now touched on state finance, legal integrity, and public trust. While Yu may be adopting a strategy of silence, the broader questions raised by these allegations will likely require legal and regulatory clarity in the days ahead.
