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| Zheng Feng Accused of Emotional Manipulation and Refusing Staff Pay (Weibo) |
A social media post from a person claiming to be Zheng’s former staffer laid bare a string of ugly claims — from workplace bullying to downright refusing to pay for months of full-time-level duties.
According to Sina from Weibo, the drama star behind hits like Nai He Gong Zi Re Bu Qi and Bing Jiao Fan Pai Gong Lue Ji Hua first asked for “voluntary” help to manage his production needs. But soon, the workload ballooned to the point the staffer was allegedly made to help build Zheng’s personal studio — still without a penny of pay.
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When the ex-staffer suggested fairer ways to split tasks and even offered to monetise the work through brand tie-ins or paid content, Zheng reportedly shut it down instantly, claiming it would ruin his “public image” and break unclear “internal rules”.
Things took an even nastier turn when the staffer was suddenly fired without any proper handover or chance to pass on their role to someone else, leading to claims of reputational damage and unpaid bills.
Allegedly, Zheng Feng refused to coordinate the transfer of duties, then went so far as to spread nasty rumours portraying the ex-staffer as lovesick and desperate to collaborate, twisting a straightforward work relationship into some personal drama.
Other details are just as jaw-dropping. The whistleblower said they had to front costs for brand liaisons and promo campaigns out of their own pocket, with Zheng Feng offering only a token sum of 200 yuan per ad post to settle things. Worse yet, he apparently tried to tie them up in a confidentiality agreement on top.
In a further dig, there were accusations of returning staff gifts partially — pocketing the pricey bits of a skincare set, while only giving back the cheap ones. And if that wasn’t enough, the ex-staffer described how they were berated even when working sick, including being told: “Good thing I didn’t pay you, or I’d have to fork out compensation if you collapsed.”
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The industry is now split right down the middle. Some netizens think the claims sound plausible, pointing to detailed work records, receipts, and witness chats. Others are more sceptical, wondering if it’s an exaggeration or money squabble, especially since Zheng, while reasonably known, isn’t a mainstream megastar.
One big theme that’s coming up is a harsh spotlight on China’s short-drama scene, which has boomed in recent years but remains a bit of a Wild West behind the camera. There’s barely any standardised contract framework, meaning staffers might get roped in on trust alone — and get burnt.
As of 22 June 2025, Zheng Feng hasn’t publicly commented, leaving everyone wondering whether he plans to admit the alleged unpaid working relationship or deny the bullying claims outright.
If the accusations turn out to be true, he could face legal battles over wage arrears or breach of contract. On the other hand, if the whistleblower made it all up, they might be staring down a defamation case.
Industry voices are urging both sides to show proper evidence — contracts, transfer receipts, chat logs — to settle the matter fairly. Fans, meanwhile, are left questioning whether Zheng Feng’s on-screen hero image was all for show, or if he truly did treat staff so badly behind the scenes.