The Chinese entertainment industry has entered 2026 with a wave of explosive revelations, and the latest storm centers on Wang Yibo. After a series of online exposés targeting high-profile figures, alleged chat records involving nearly 20 celebrities surfaced, with Wang Yibo becoming one of the central names. Beyond industry gossip, the controversy has once again revived rumors of his long-speculated relationship with Qi Mei He, a romance that has reportedly circulated for eight years.
Wang Yibo’s agency, Yuehua Entertainment, swiftly issued a formal statement denying the authenticity of the circulating chat records. The company described the allegations as fabricated and defamatory, stating that the claims constituted deliberate framing. Legal action has reportedly been initiated, with lawyers commissioned to collect evidence and safeguard Wang Yibo’s rights. The statement followed a standard clarification structure, explicitly naming the accuser and emphasizing the defamatory nature of the claims.
Despite the denial, online discussions have continued. Some observers suggested that more concrete evidence, such as transaction records refuting specific details mentioned in the leaks, would be more persuasive than formal statements alone. However, others noted that the controversy itself did not involve severe moral accusations, and public reaction appeared more focused on the emotional narrative embedded in the alleged conversations.
According to the exposé, the leaker claimed to have obtained Wang Yibo’s phone number through illicit means and accessed an associated platform account containing private chat histories. In those conversations, the other frequently interacting account was said to belong to Qi Mei He, who has long been rumored to be Wang Yibo’s girlfriend.
Rumors linking Wang Yibo and Qi Mei He first gained traction in 2018, following the actor’s breakout success in the drama The Untamed (《陈情令》). At the time, both parties denied the relationship. Yet speculation resurfaced periodically over the years, including reports of the two appearing together for routine COVID testing in 2022 and later sightings that reignited discussion. Now, with the alleged chat records circulating in 2026, the same name has once again been drawn into the spotlight.
What has particularly drawn attention is the tone of the alleged exchanges. The conversations suggest familiarity built over time, portraying a relationship that appears steady rather than fleeting. In one widely discussed excerpt, Wang Yibo was said to have argued with his mother, and Qi Mei He allegedly advised him to apologize after understanding the source of the conflict. Rather than encouraging confrontation, she reportedly urged reconciliation, a detail that some netizens interpreted as evidence of maturity.
Throughout years of recurring rumors, Qi Mei He has maintained silence, refraining from public commentary even when Wang Yibo’s team issued denials. Observers noted that, unlike many celebrity relationship scandals driven by public displays, much of the speculation surrounding Wang Yibo has stemmed from external leaks rather than overt actions.
The incident once again raises a broader question within the idol-driven entertainment industry: should highly popular stars openly acknowledge their relationships, or is maintaining ambiguity part of managing fan expectations? For Wang Yibo, whose career spans music, television, and film, the balance between personal privacy and public image remains delicate. As legal proceedings move forward, the ultimate outcome may hinge less on speculation and more on evidence.
