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| He Congrui Sparks Online Storm After ‘Decorative Lead’ Comment, Issues Apology Amid Growing Debate (Photo: Weibo) |
Chinese short-form drama star He Congrui has found himself at the centre of a heated online backlash after a single livestream remark spiralled into a full-blown industry-wide discussion. Once praised as one of the most recognisable faces in China’s booming short drama scene, the 28-year-old actor is now facing scrutiny over how he views responsibility, teamwork, and his own role on screen.
The controversy erupted during a recent livestream held to promote his new project. Responding to fans who complained about dramas being released in the early hours of the morning, He Congrui stressed that release schedules are entirely decided by production teams and have nothing to do with actors. While that explanation initially seemed straightforward, the tone of the conversation quickly shifted.
As he continued interacting with viewers, He Congrui brought up several of his works, including female-centred short dramas, and stated that male roles in such projects are often not the main focus.
It was during this explanation that he described himself as a “decorative lead”, a phrase that immediately raised eyebrows online.
Many netizens interpreted the comment as an attempt to distance himself from criticism while subtly pushing responsibility onto his co-stars.
Clips of the livestream spread rapidly across social media, with viewers accusing the actor of dodging accountability and downplaying his own influence despite being marketed as a leading man.
Fans who had stayed up late to support his dramas expressed disappointment, saying they felt dismissed rather than appreciated. Some critics argued that regardless of perspective or genre, a lead actor still carries visibility, influence, and responsibility for how a project is received.
At the same time, not everyone agreed with the criticism. A portion of netizens defended He Congrui, suggesting his words were taken out of context and that the “decorative lead” remark was meant as self-mockery rather than blame-shifting.
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However, even supporters admitted the joke was poorly timed and unsuitable for a public livestream.
As the discussion intensified, He Congrui issued a public apology on his personal social media account.
In his statement, he acknowledged that his comment was an ill-considered joke and admitted that calling himself a “decorative lead” was an inappropriate choice of words. He apologised directly to the actresses he has worked with, as well as to the wider production teams.
He also emphasised that the success or failure of a drama should never fall on one person alone, stating that every project is the result of collective effort.
He pledged to be more careful with his language and conduct moving forward, particularly when speaking in public settings.
Despite the apology, reactions remain mixed. Some netizens welcomed his statement and urged others to give him space to reflect and grow. Others felt the apology focused too heavily on wording rather than addressing deeper concerns about attitude and professional responsibility.
Beyond the individual controversy, the incident has reignited broader conversations about the short drama industry itself.
With rapid production cycles, massive view counts, and rising commercial returns, audiences are increasingly paying attention not just to on-screen performance, but also to how actors carry themselves off-screen.
For many viewers, this episode serves as a reminder that popularity and professionalism are closely linked, especially in an industry evolving at breakneck speed. As discussions continue, opinions remain divided, and the spotlight is firmly on how He Congrui’s next steps might reshape public perception.
What do you think about this controversy? Was it a harmless joke blown out of proportion, or a sign of deeper issues in the short drama world?