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| Former SNH48 Member Zheng Danni Named Plaintiff in Shanghai Contract Case, First Hearing Set for March (Photo: Sohu) |
Zheng DanNi is back in the spotlight, but this time it’s not about a comeback or a new project. Fresh court listings in Shanghai have revealed that the former SNH48 member is officially taking her contract dispute with her ex-agency to court, marking a new chapter in her long-running separation from the idol system she once called home.
According to public corporate and legal records circulating online, Zheng Danni has been registered as the plaintiff in a civil contract dispute against Shanghai Star48 Culture SIBA Media Group Co., Ltd. The first hearing is scheduled for 30 March 2026 at the Baoshan District People’s Court in Shanghai, with proceedings set to begin at 9:00am local time.
Court documents show the case is filed under a civil contract dispute category, with a listed case number of (2025) No. 0113 Civil Case No. 38888. Zheng Danni is named as the claimant, while Shanghai Siba Culture Media Group is listed as the defendant.
While the specific details of the claim have not been disclosed publicly, the timing has immediately sparked discussion across fan communities.
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This development has drawn attention largely because it follows Zheng Danni’s emotional announcement in May 2025, when she confirmed her departure from the idol world after nine years.
In a long handwritten-style letter shared at the time, Zheng DanNi reflected on her journey from an eager trainee chasing stage lights to an artist navigating constant pressure, competition, and expectations.
Now 25, Zheng DanNi said she wanted to use the “light and warmth” she gathered over nearly a decade as the key to opening a new chapter in her life.
She stressed that leaving was not an escape, but a brave decision to pursue a wider sky. One line from her letter still resonates strongly with fans: living for yourself, she wrote, is the armour that protects you through every challenge.
Beyond being a farewell, Zheng DanNi’s letter was also read as a quiet critique of the idol industry. She spoke about restrictive contracts and relentless ranking systems that left little room to breathe. Rather than accepting a future with limits already set, she expressed a clear desire for genuine freedom and personal growth.
Her departure came amid growing criticism aimed at Siba Media and its affiliated groups, including SNH48 and GNZ48.
In recent years, multiple members have chosen early exits, with complaints ranging from exhausting schedules to contract clauses seen as overly restrictive.
Against that backdrop, Zheng Danni’s legal action is being viewed by many as part of a wider pattern rather than an isolated case.
Fan and netizen reactions have been mixed but intense. Many supporters have voiced quiet encouragement, saying Zheng DanNi is finally standing up for herself after years of silence.
Others are taking a wait-and-see approach, urging people not to jump to conclusions until more details emerge from court. There are also industry watchers who believe this case could become a reference point for future discussions around idol contracts and artist rights.
In her closing words to fans, lovingly known as danbaofan, Zheng DanNi reassured them that they remain a core part of her life. She invited them to keep walking alongside her, saying the best meetings always happen when both sides are willing to move towards each other.
Do you think this case could bring real change to how idol contracts are handled, or will it remain a personal battle behind closed doors?