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| Zhang Wanyi Says He Only Chooses Scripts He Loves: “I Never Settle” |
Chinese actor Zhang Wanyi has finally shed light on the bumpy road that led him to where he is today — an independent artist calling his own shots, free from agency ties and contract restrictions.
On the latest episode of Diva Hit the Road Season 7 (aired 22 September), Zhang Wanyi gave a blunt but refreshing answer when Na Ying quizzed him about his current work style. He said:
“I don’t have an agency. I work independently, manage myself, and there are no limits. I only accept scripts that speak to me. If it doesn’t feel right, I won’t take it. I don’t compromise.”
The Long Dispute with His Former Agency
Zhang Wanyi’s independence didn’t come overnight.
Back in 2015, he signed with a management agency, but just a year later, he sought to terminate the deal, claiming that promises made by the company had not been kept.
By 2017, things escalated legally. Zhang Wanyi, through his lawyer, submitted a formal request to cancel the contract.
The agency fought back with a counterclaim, demanding a hefty 12.5 million yuan (approx. USD 1.75 million) in damages and another 110,000 yuan (approx. USD 15,400) in legal costs.
The case landed in court, and by December 2017, the first ruling ordered Zhang Wanyi to pay 500,000 yuan (approx. USD 70,000) in damages plus 100,000 yuan (approx. USD 14,000) in legal fees.
Once the verdict was final, the contract was officially dissolved, giving Zhang Wanyi the full freedom he had long fought for.
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Now fully independent, Zhang Wanyi is clear about his principles. His choices are guided by quality, not pressure:
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He only accepts roles that align with his artistic values.
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He rejects the idea of “just taking whatever comes.”
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He prioritises freedom and authenticity over industry control.
This stance has been widely praised by fans, who see him as an actor unwilling to be boxed in by the system.
For many younger performers, Zhang Wanyi’s story stands as an example that professional freedom and artistic integrity can go hand in hand, even if it comes at a cost.