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| Zhang Haoyue’s 2016 Variety Show Bullying Claims Add Fuel to Esther Yu Controversy |
Variety shows are supposed to be fun, so it probably wasn’t that deep.
Chinese entertainment scene has been thrown into fresh controversy after actress Zhang Haoyue came forward with serious claims against Esther Yu Shuxin.
On September 6, Zhang Haoyue published a series of social media posts accusing Yu of bullying her during the filming of Grade One: Graduation Season back in 2016.
According to her, the ordeal left her with severe depression, long-term health problems, and even pushed her to the brink of su-cide.
Zhang Haoyue revealed that while filming the variety show, she was subjected to cruel treatment and constant exclusion.
She said she was mocked with the term “spider spirit”—a reference from Chinese folklore often used as an insult to label someone as deceitful or malicious.
She claimed she was deliberately mimicked for laughs, threatened so others wouldn’t interact with her, and effectively cut off from group activities.
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The psychological toll was heavy: Zhang Haoyue described suffering from tremors in her face and hands, digestive issues, and even joint damage requiring major surgery.
By 2019, the depression spiralled so badly that she attempted svicide and ended up in intensive care for three days.
Zhang Haoyue, who later gained recognition for her role in the drama Scent of Time, said the scars from the experience still affect her today.
Public Opinion
After the incident blew up, public opinion quickly split. Some netizens firmly supported Zhang Haoyue, saying she was exposing the dark side of variety shows and workplace bullying, giving a voice to those who have long suffered unfair treatment.
Others, however, criticised her for “seeking attention” and “playing the victim.” Fans insisted that Esther Yu’s behaviour at the time was nothing more than an unintentional slip, and pointed out that the show was scripted and heavily edited, so it couldn’t possibly reflect the full picture.
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Esther Yu, who gained fame through Love Between Fairy and Devil (opposite Dylan Wang) and My Journey to You (with Ding Yuxi), is already under a storm of public scrutiny. Zhang’s accusations have only intensified the spotlight on her.
Making matters worse, Esther Yu’s family has also been dragged into controversy. A Douyin financial blogger, “Lao Pan Finance,” accused Yu Shuxin’s father Yu Pijie of misusing 1.5 billion yuan (around US$206 million) in state-owned enterprise funds via his company Huashang Mining.
The firm reportedly showed suspicious tax records, sparking speculation of possible evasion or fraud.
Although Yu Shuxin’s studio has denied the allegations, the backlash has been swift. Brands such as Chando and Yili have quietly scrubbed promotional images featuring Esther Yu from their official platforms, and boycott calls are spreading fast on social media.
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Esther Yu’s professional life has also started to wobble.
She recently travelled to Thailand for a variety show linked to her new project Speed and Love, but co-star He Yu returned to China after just two days—fuelling speculation he was distancing himself from the storm.
Meanwhile, her upcoming costume drama A Journey to Glow has been hit with setbacks.
Lead actor Wang Anyu reportedly dropped out right before filming was scheduled to start on September 11, leaving the project in limbo.
With commercial partners backing away and upcoming projects clouded in uncertainty, the allegations and family scandal together have cast a huge shadow over Esther Yu’s once-booming career.