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| SNH48 vs Fei Qinyuan: Contract Drama Heads to Court |
Things are heating up in the world of Chinese idols – and not in the way fans were hoping. Fei Qinyuan, a former member of SNH48 and ex-trainee on Youth With You, is now facing legal action from her old agency, STAR48 (also known as Siba Media).
According to court listings spotted on Tianyancha, STAR48 has officially filed a lawsuit against Fei Qinyuan over what appears to be a contractual dispute.
The case is set to be heard on 27 May at the Baoshan District People’s Court in Shanghai.
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| Fei Qinyuan Faces Lawsuit (Tianyancha) |
Court Details:
Tianyancha > Case Details for Shanghai Star48 Media Group Co., Ltd.
Contract Dispute Between Shanghai Star48 Media Group Co., Ltd. and Fei [surname only]
Civil Case
Case Procedure: Civil First Trial
Case Number: (2025) Hu 0113 Minchu No. 13230
Court: Baoshan District People’s Court, Shanghai
Cause of Action: Contract Dispute
Plaintiff: Shanghai Star48 Media Group Co., Ltd.
Defendant: Fei [surname only]
Date of Hearing: 27 May 2025, 09:30 • Court Hearing Announcement
So, what’s the tea?
Fei Qinyuan quietly left SNH48 in December 2024 without a graduation performance – something that’s considered a big deal in 48 Group idol culture.
Her sudden departure raised eyebrows at the time, especially since there was no formal send-off or clear statement from the group.
Sources suggest that Fei Qinyuan may have been involved in commercial activities outside the agency’s approval while still under contract.
If true, that could explain why STAR48 is now dragging things to court. Idol contracts in China, especially those under STAR48, are known to be pretty strict when it comes to solo gigs or outside endorsements.
Fans will remember Fei Qinyuan’s rollercoaster journey: once a prominent face in SNH48, her ranking in the 2024 General Election dropped to 17th, which meant she didn't make it into the main senbatsu lineup – a notable fall for someone who used to be one of the group’s most recognisable names.
Reactions from fans online are mixed. Some are siding with Fei, saying she deserves to pursue her own path freely. Others reckon STAR48 has a point, especially if she broke the terms of her contract.
Whatever side you're on, it's clear this isn’t the usual “graduate, wave goodbye, and post on Weibo” idol exit. With a court date on the horizon, this one’s going to be watched closely – not just by fans, but by industry insiders too.
We’ll be keeping tabs to see how things unfold on 27 May. For now, Fei Qinyuan’s next stage isn’t a concert venue – it’s the courtroom.