 |
| Yang Shize Breaks His Silence: "Don’t Drag Me Into Actor Wars" (Weibo) |
Yang Shize took to social media with a heartfelt post, speaking up for the first time about the online noise surrounding his new drama Serendipity.
Fans and netizens had been heavily comparing the visuals of the three male leads — Wang Ziqi, Wang Hongyi, and Yang Shize himself — sparking heated debates that the production team might’ve styled the actors differently on purpose to make some stand out more than others.
The comparisons blew up after a certain scene featuring all three actors went viral, with some accusing the show of downplaying Wang Ziqi, the male lead who plays a quiet scholar, while putting more visual emphasis on Yang Shize and Wang Hongyi.
Given Yang Shize's recent boost in popularity from his second male lead role in Love Game in Eastern Fantasy — where he played a dashing and heroic character — it wasn’t long before discussions turned fiery.
Addressing the situation head-on, the 33-year-old actor made it clear he wasn't having any of it.
In a long, sincere message, Yang reaffirmed his professional values, stating:
"Since stepping into this industry, I’ve always held onto a basic standard. I've never once used dirty marketing tactics that involve stepping on others just to push myself forward."
Yang opened up about his journey, sharing that he first started working behind the scenes back in 2015 before stepping in front of the camera.
 |
Over the past decade, he’s made it a point to respect the efforts of everyone he works with, believing every actor brings their own charm to the screen.
"When viewers get caught up in comparing and tearing people down, rather than appreciating the whole ensemble, it just doesn’t sit right with me," he wrote.
Yang also admitted that while he knows his voice is small in the grand scheme of things, he still hopes his words will make fans think twice.
"I’ve always worked within my own boundaries, making sure I respect myself without stepping on anyone else’s shine," he said. "Even if I’m misunderstood or my words are twisted, I can stay silent. But I don’t want to become a weapon for attacking others."
He also expressed sadness that the negativity could tarnish the experience of Serendipity, a drama that took four gruelling months of summer filming to bring to life.
"I’m truly grateful that the drama is being seen and loved," he said. "But I really hope those who support me can take this to heart — please don’t include me in any more comparison videos, whether it’s to praise me or not. I honestly find that kind of content really hard to accept. If you really have to, just criticise me instead. Honestly, it’s better that way. Thank you, everyone."
Yang Shize’s classy and measured response has already drawn a lot of praise online, with many fans applauding him for taking the high road.
It’s clear he’s here to focus on the work — not the drama off-screen.
Yang Shize's full statement on Weibo:
"A Letter From the Heart"
Recently, my new drama Serendipity has started airing. After wrapping up work today, I received lots of forwarded clips from friends — whether they were full of praise or harsh criticism, the emotions behind them were all quite intense.
Actually, I first entered this industry back in 2015, working as a script supervisor, before later moving into acting training. It's been nearly ten years now, and I’m quite familiar with how things work in this business.
Negative comparisons have always been around, but I believe everyone has the ability to appreciate the unique qualities that each person brings. Honestly, every actor is deeply immersed in their character — and the ensemble as a whole looks fantastic. It just doesn’t feel right when it turns into direct comparisons between individuals.
In my work and conduct, I try to stick to a boundary where I respect myself without getting in the way of others shining. With that in mind, even if I’m misunderstood or over-analysed, I can accept it and remain silent.
However, I’m not really someone who should be used as a ‘weapon’ to attack others. My voice is small, but if there's one thing I can say, it’s this: since entering the industry, I have never engaged in any form of marketing that drags others down to lift myself up.
It takes so many things aligning for a drama to succeed — good timing, good luck, and good people. We all went through four tough months of summer heat together, working in a great atmosphere, supporting one another. Now that the drama’s out and the story’s getting more and more fun, it’s worrying to see the public's attention being shifted to an unhealthy direction that could affect how people experience the show.
I know my words might not change much, but at least I hope the people who support me will take this into consideration. Please don’t mention me anymore in videos or posts that pit actors against each other — even if it’s under the excuse of praising me. If the intention isn’t good, I really find it hard to accept. Honestly, if you must, it's better to just keep criticising me instead. Thank you, everyone.
Since I chose this role, there must have been something about it that truly moved me. In fact, Rui Wang (Prince Rui) is a kind and righteous prince, and during the acting process, I was genuinely touched by all the decisions he made to carry on his father's ambitions.
No need to say much more — once I’ve taken on a role, I will carry out my work with sincerity and discipline, and never overstep my place.
Lastly, I really hope everyone will enjoy watching the drama! Serendipity is a lot of fun!"