 |
| C-pop Scandal Heats Up: Zi Yu Confirms Team Bullying, Calls Out Fellow Guanghe Shaonian Member |
Drama’s brewing in the C-pop world as Zi Yu, member of Chinese boy group Guanghe Shaonian (光合少年), finally confirmed what fans had feared for over a year — he was bullied by his own teammate, and yes, it got physical.
On 9 January, Zi Yu quietly posted a statement using a secondary social media account — one his company hadn’t locked him out of — admitting he’d been intimidated and even assaulted by fellow member Zheng Xingyuan.
This comes after months of speculation and flat-out denial from the group’s agency, who’d previously chalked it all up to… bad eyeshadow.
 |
😶🌫️ “My Official Account Was Taken From Me”
In his post, Zi Yu revealed something even more worrying — his official social media had been seized by the company, leaving him no way to speak freely until now. It’s no wonder he’d gone radio silent since the original allegations popped off back in late 2022.
If we rewind: on 10 December 2022, a fan claimed on Weibo that Zi Yu had been bullied and isolated for a long time within the group. According to her, on 8 December she spotted Zi Yu with a battered face — bruised chin, red swollen nose, visible blood, and pale skin. When she asked him about it, he didn’t say a word and just walked off. The silence said it all.
Fans were quick to question the agency, demanding answers. But instead of fessing up, the company brushed it off as “makeup smudges” from heavy dance practice. Apparently, sweat and smeared eyeshadow had magically created a black bruise on his chin. Needless to say, fans weren’t buying it.
🧎 Zheng Xingyuan Responds with Apology — But Denies “Bullying”
 |
Now that Zi Yu has spoken up, Zheng Xingyuan himself released a public apology, admitting there was a physical altercation — but insisted it wasn’t bullying.
According to him, the scuffle happened during a dance position disagreement, and things got “out of hand.”
 |
He did, however, apologise directly to Zi Yu in his post and tried to clarify that the situation wasn’t about long-term mistreatment. Still, fans feel the damage has already been done — both to Zi Yu’s well-being and to the group's reputation.
😬 Fans React: “He Deserved Better”
Reactions online have been fierce. Many fans praised Zi Yu for finally speaking out, while others questioned why it took so long for the company to take responsibility — if ever. Hashtags like “#ProtectZiYu” and “#JusticeForZiYu” trended briefly on local platforms after the post dropped.
Meanwhile, some netizens are demanding a more formal investigation, not just internal “clarifications,” and are calling for better protections for idols working under tight agency control.