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| Fang Li Says Yu Menglong Rumours Led to Boycott of After Typhoon Movie |
Chinese drama film After Typhoon (下一个台风) has become the centre of controversy after its disappointing box office results, with producer Fang Li claiming that false rumours about actor Yu Menglong’s death led to an unofficial boycott among audiences.
According to Fang Li, the wave of online gossip surrounding Yu Menglong not only damaged his reputation but also caused collateral harm to unrelated projects.
He pointed out that Hope (火种), another film featuring Tian Hairong, had also suffered online resistance after being linked to similar speculation.
While there’s no verified evidence connecting Fang Li, Tian Hairong, or anyone from the After Typhoon production to those rumours, the gossip has undeniably affected public sentiment — and the box office took the hit.
Fang Li Denies Wrongdoing, Calls Rumours “Malicious”
In a post through the film’s official social media account, Fang Li stressed that the production team had been unfairly targeted by online smears.
“We will not bow to slander or malicious boycotts,” the post stated. “After Typhoon will still premiere nationwide on October 25 as scheduled.”
Rumours circulating on social media alleged that Fang Li had been seen with Yu Menglong and another man in a car park before the actor’s death, though no official confirmation has ever supported this claim. The producer has dismissed these accounts as fabricated.
A Heavy Story That Struggled to Connect
Directed by Li Yu, After Typhoon stars Zhang Zifeng and Zhang Weili, with Yao Chen and Angelica Lee (Li Xinjie) in special appearances.
The story follows Lin Momo (Zhang Zifeng), a city girl who becomes a victim of sexual assault at school, and A Ying (Zhang Weili), a mute girl raised on a remote island.
The two form a bond while confronting their personal trauma.
From early promotion, the film was marketed as a socially conscious project—“a brave confrontation with the silence around women’s pain.”
However, critics and audiences alike found the execution too heavy-handed and emotionally distant.
Despite the backing of a strong cast and a topical subject, early pre-sale figures painted a grim picture: just 96,000 yuan in advance tickets.
Even after pushing its release to late October, momentum failed to pick up.
Netizens Split Over Fang Li’s Explanation
Online reactions have been mixed but mostly sceptical. Many netizens believe the film’s modest turnout has more to do with storytelling and tone than internet gossip.
“Audiences have a choice,” one Weibo comment read. “Don’t blame netizens if your film doesn’t hit the mark.”
Another added, “If the movie isn’t engaging, no one’s obligated to buy tickets. That’s just how it is.”
Still, some sympathised with Fang Li, saying rumour culture has become toxic enough to impact artists’ livelihoods.
One comment noted that the “Yu Menglong case” has turned into an industry-wide curse — where any project remotely linked gets shadowed by gossip.
The Road Ahead for “After Typhoon”
With its release scheduled for October 25, After Typhoon faces an uphill battle to regain audience confidence.
Regardless of whether Fang Li’s claim holds water, the debate has already made the film one of the most talked-about releases of the month — albeit for all the wrong reasons.
For now, After Typhoon stands as a cautionary tale about how fast online narratives can shape public opinion — and how difficult it is for filmmakers to steer their projects clear once caught in the storm.