Chinese dramas and films

Guo Yu Xin, a well‑known actress in the mini‑series segment, has found herself at the centre of a scandal over private comments she made about fellow actress Zhou Ye.

Both actresses are famous, but each occupies a different niche. Guo Yu Xin is a star of short‑form dramas. Her best‑known works include «Summer Rose» (盛夏芬德拉), «My National Husband» (国民老公带回家, Bringing the National Husband Home, From Fake Marriage to True Destiny), and «World Upside Down» (等到世界颠倒你会来爱我).

Zhou Ye, by contrast, works in full‑length films and television series. She is recognised for her roles in «Legend of the Female General» (锦月如歌), «Better Days» (少年的你), and «Love Me, Love My Voice» (很想很想你, Really Miss You).

The relationship between the two – at least as constructed by social‑media users from fleeting glimpses and online chatter – is far from warm. In late 2025, Guo Yu Xin walked a red carpet in a dress that Zhou Ye had previously worn at a Dior event. In early 2026, she again appeared in a Dior outfit that had been a “first wear” for Zhou Ye as the brand’s official ambassador. 

A certain segment of the public pays close attention to such sartorial choices, and the repeats did not go unnoticed. Guo Yu Xin was soon accused of deliberately piggybacking on Zhou Ye’s name and trying to attach herself to Zhou Ye’s brand image.

If one views clothing as a marker of status, then the battle over a dress is really a battle over standing – a rational enough explanation for the underlying tension. And what young woman would enjoy seeing another in the same outfit?

All that might have remained a minor talking point, but on 4 July a recording of what appears to be a private conversation between Guo Yu Xin and a friend leaked onto Chinese social media. 

The friend apparently asked Guo Yu Xin why she was trying to ride on Zhou Ye’s coattails. Her response, as heard on the tape, was:

“It’s me who’s using Zhou Ye? It’s not even clear who’s using whom! Otherwise, why would Zhou Ye suddenly get such a sudden trending search that gives her so much exposure? She (Zhou Ye) really does have resources, doesn’t she! And isn’t there that well‑known figure behind her?”

“Li Bing Bing?!”

“She (Zhou Ye) doesn’t have any real news hooks, does she? Who’s using whom is still anyone’s guess! It wouldn’t be surprising if they bought it [the trending topic] themselves! Never mind, let’s just say we did a good deed!”

Li Bing Bing is one of China’s most decorated and influential actresses, often dubbed “International Li” in the domestic media. Now 53, she has collected numerous prestigious awards throughout her career, cementing her status as one of the country’s finest performers. She has also found success in Hollywood, with roles in blockbusters such as "Resident Evil: Retribution" (2012), "Transformers: Age of Extinction" (2014) and "The Meg" (2018). She was among the first Chinese stars to become a global ambassador for luxury brands like Gucci and Montblanc, and she regularly appears on Forbes’ lists of China’s most influential celebrities. In other words, Guo Yu Xin is implying that Zhou Ye’s rise is powered by heavy‑hitting backing rather than raw talent.

It is easy to understand that remarks like those Guo Yu Xin allowed herself to make are absolutely inappropriate, but they are more akin to malicious gossip about a rival shared with a friend. Such chatter does far more damage to Guo Yu Xin’s own reputation than to Zhou Ye’s. Still, it seems unlikely that Guo Yu Xin would have been foolish enough to utter them in a public setting.

Nevertheless, the recording was released online and triggered a wave of fierce criticism. The backlash was particularly intense because Guo Yu Xin had carefully cultivated a public image of a gentle, non‑confrontational flower, often saying things like “don’t compare, all girls are great, don’t attack each other”. She wanted to appear soft and averse to competition.

Some believe that the audio recording was fabricated – Guo Yu Xin is currently in legal proceedings with her former agency, so it cannot be ruled out that the leak was commissioned by a third party.

Zhou Ye and her agency have so far made no official comment. The actress is currently busy with the reality show «Wow the World» (地球超新鲜, Earth Super Fresh) and spent the day posting on social media, completely ignoring the uproar.

Here is a photo of her with the entire show team:

Fans have pointed out that this is not the first time Zhou Ye has been dragged into trouble through no fault of her own. She was stalked by paparazzi for six months, and at one official event her nameplate was even mixed up. She is constantly on set working, yet troubles keep coming her way. The majority of Chinese netizens have rallied in support of Zhou Ye.

At present, new dramas with Zhou Ye are in the pipeline: «Red Dance Shoes» (红舞鞋) and «Spring of the Blade» (一瓯春, Cup of Spring), while «Rainbound» (潮热雨季未解之谜) is currently in production.