Theo Zhu Zhengting felt that someone was spying on him

NEXT’s Theo Zhu Zhengting Confesses to Fans: Accident, Scam, and Burnout

Zhu Zhengting, leader and main dancer of boy group NEXT, got real with fans during a live stream on 15 July, sharing how he recently hit rock bottom — physically, emotionally, and mentally. The 29-year-old idol-turned-actor opened up about a string of bad luck that left him completely drained and led to his extended time away from the public eye.

It All Started With a Fire

Zhu shared that the nightmare began earlier this month when a fire broke out in his home. While his family thankfully made it out safe, his beloved pet turtle sadly didn’t survive, and their house was left seriously damaged.

Trying to find a bit of spiritual peace, he visited a temple to pray — but ended up in a traffic accident on the way back. Things didn’t stop there. While recovering at home, Zhu found himself the victim of an investment scam that cost him a significant amount of money.

And just when he thought things couldn't get worse, he slipped off his motorbike during a rainy ride. At that point, he admitted, his body and mind were completely spent.

Still, he remained hopeful, telling fans: “Good things will come after the bad. Being safe is the most important thing.”

"I’m Sorry for Not Communicating Sooner"

His livestream confession set off a wave of concern among fans, prompting Theo Zhu to post a long handwritten-style apology. In it, he admitted he hadn’t been transparent enough, especially during a time when many fans were already frustrated about the lack of updates and constant changes in his management team.

Zhu acknowledged that his agency had been through multiple reshuffles, which led to communication breakdowns and delays in planned schedules. “They admit it was an oversight and are working hard to adjust,” he said, adding that they’re currently reorganising how things are run behind the scenes and hoping to get back on track soon.

Why He Took a Break: Not by Choice

Addressing his prolonged hiatus, Zhu said it wasn’t just a matter of taking time off. “Work has been really tiring, and I really needed to take a breather,” he explained. But it was also down to factors beyond his control — namely contract disputes, unstable team dynamics, and mounting pressure from being under constant scrutiny.

He revealed how being stalked and harassed by obsessive fans left him paranoid and anxious. “I always felt like someone was spying on me and couldn’t sleep,” he admitted, which eventually pushed him into retreating further and stopping all social updates.

Still Grateful, Still Hopeful

Zhu ended his message on a humble and grateful note: “Maybe I’ve yet to grow up, but at least I have a clear conscience in my journey as an artist.” He thanked his fans for sticking with him through the ups and downs and asked for just a little more time.

“The mountain is slowly lifting off my shoulders,” he wrote. “Please give me a bit more time to get better.”

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