Former EXO star Kris Wu to actress Zheng Shuang: Where are China's scandal-hit celebrities now?
When it comes to scandals in the entertainment world, most people tend to focus on Hollywood or, more recently, South Korea's booming industry. However, China has had its fair share of controversy involving celebrities. Being a star in China is a delicate balancing act, as even a single misstep - whether in words or actions - can lead to detention or blacklisting by authorities.
In recent years, several celebrities have landed in trouble for violating mainland laws and regulations. Here's a look at some of the most high-profile cases - and where these stars are now.
Fan Bingbing
Once hailed as China's most influential stars, the actress was even featured on Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in 2017. But in 2018, she disappeared for months amid a major tax evasion scandal and was later fined 880 million yuan (US$124 million) by Chinese authorities.
Since then, she has gradually rebuilt her image, launching her beauty brand Fan Beauty in 2019, which gained popularity for its skincare products. In 2023, she made a quiet return to acting in the Hong Kong film Green Night and recently in in June 2025, she shared family photos on social media, giving fans a rare glimpse into her personal life.
Kris Wu (Wu Yifan)
Once a top idol in Asia, Kris Wu's meteoric rise came crashing down following serious criminal charges. The Canadian-Chinese entertainer, known for his stint with K-pop group EXO and a successful solo career, was convicted in 2021 of raping multiple women - allegedly after lacing their drinks - and sentenced to 13 years in prison. Since the verdict, he has been completely blacklisted in China. His music, films, and variety show appearances have all been pulled, and his online presence erased. He faces deportation after serving his sentence, with additional charges of tax evasion potentially extending his jail time.
But Wu's legal troubles didn't end there. As of April 2025, Chinese media reported that he has been charged with tax evasion totaling 300 million RMB (about $42 million USD). He's now being held at the Chaoyang Detention Center in Beijing while awaiting trial. His mother is also reportedly under investigation and may face imprisonment. If convicted, Wu's sentence could be extended under Chinese law, which permits combined sentencing for multiple offenses.
Li Yifeng
Once a household name in China with 61 million followers on Weibo, Li Yifeng faced a major career setback in 2022 after being detained for soliciting prostitutes. The fallout was immediate: brand deals were terminated, his projects were shelved, and his digital presence in China was erased. Fans who once idolised him publicly distanced themselves, even burning merchandise he had endorsed.
After laying low for over a year, the 36-year-old actor slowly resurfaced. In 2023, he was spotted in Chengdu, where a crowd of fans gathered at the airport to greet him. Most recently, in April 2025, he staged a quiet comeback with a concert in Bangkok, marking his first major public appearance since the controversy.
Zheng Shuang
Once a top star in China's entertainment industry, she saw her career collapse in 2021 after a surrogacy scandal sparked public outrage. She and her former partner were revealed to have hired two surrogate mothers in the U.S., but after their breakup, Zheng was accused of abandoning the unborn children. Audio clips further damaged her image, with Zheng reportedly discussing the difficulty of terminating the pregnancies, which were already over seven months along.
The controversy led to her being banned from all broadcast and entertainment activities in China. Major endorsement deals, including with global fashion house Prada, were terminated almost immediately. Since then, Zheng has stayed out of the limelight and is reportedly living in Los Angeles with her two children, focusing on private life and staying away from the industry that once made her a household name.
Darren Wang
Also known as Wang Talu, Darren Wang rose to fame with the hit film Our Times, becoming a popular star in both Taiwan and mainland China. However, his career took a dramatic turn after he was arrested in February 2025 for allegedly forging documents to evade Taiwan's mandatory military service. During the investigation, authorities uncovered evidence on his phone linking him to a violent incident at Taoyuan International Airport in April 2024.
According to reports, Wang became enraged after seeing a vehicle he deemed too "poor" and allegedly ordered a friend to assault the driver, who was seriously injured. He now faces charges of both attempted murder and military evasion. The twin scandals have cast a shadow over his once-promising career.
For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
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