Here is a more objective explanation of the variety show issue.
China is a very large country with 56 ethnic groups, and people from different regions often have noticeable differences in appearance. In daily life, it is quite common for people to casually comment that someone “looks like they are from a certain region.” In that context, such remarks are usually not intended to be offensive, but rather a habitual way of describing appearances.
During the show, Zhang Linghe made a similar comment in a natural way, and it was not considered inappropriate during editing.
However, after the broadcast, some viewers from Southeast Asia felt offended. In response, he chose to apologize out of respect for their feelings. even knowing it might expose him to more criticism online.
His Instagram account is managed by agency staff, and the way the apology was posted may have come across as less sincere, which led to further misunderstanding.
The purpose of sharing this is simply to provide more context. In situations like this, misunderstandings can easily arise, and public opinion can sometimes be influenced by incomplete information and cultural difference.
Here is a more objective explanation of the variety show issue.
China is a very large country with 56 ethnic groups, and people from different regions often have noticeable differences in appearance. In daily life, it is quite common for people to casually comment that someone “looks like they are from a certain region.” In that context, such remarks are usually not intended to be offensive, but rather a habitual way of describing appearances.
During the show, Zhang Linghe made a similar comment in a natural way, and it was not considered inappropriate during editing.
However, after the broadcast, some viewers from Southeast Asia felt offended. In response, he chose to apologize out of respect for their feelings. even knowing it might expose him to more criticism online.
His Instagram account is managed by agency staff, and the way the apology was posted may have come across as less sincere, which led to further misunderstanding.
The purpose of sharing this is simply to provide more context. In situations like this, misunderstandings can easily arise, and public opinion can sometimes be influenced by incomplete information and cultural difference.
Is ZLH travelling anywhere I saw a video of him in Airport without any security guards people are falling on him…
He started filming the variety show The Truth (S4) yesterday. The video you saw is he arriving at the high speed train station at midnight. No separate entrance for artists, but there are a few security guards with black outfits.
Thankyou !! This helps so much, I don't like separating the art from the artist, so it's always hard for me to…
I’m really glad you found out in time — it’s not too late at all.
From everything I’ve seen, he’s genuinely a kind and humble person. People who’ve studied or worked with him—his classmates, teachers, and colleagues—have shared many positive stories about him over the years, and he’s widely liked. There haven’t been any credible scandals about him.
He also doesn’t act like a “celebrity” on set. He’s very considerate of the staff—for example, during breaks, he prefers to sit for hours rather than lie down,even though the wig is heavy. Just to keep his styling intact and avoid creating extra work for the makeup and hair team.
I think it’s really unfair that some people judge someone’s character based on a single moment or a short clip. In reality, the most reliable impressions usually come from people who have interacted with him over a long period of time.
Overdo, yeah we need a solid script.Also hope they can do some legal issues to prevent that leaks in future. It's…
According to the data yesterday, the average views per episode of POJ is 52+millions, considering it hasn't finished yet, it's estimated to reach 70+ or 80+ millions. The highest one last year is Love's Ambition, with 63 millions.
I see, weibo has english language to set, but the content maybe still mandarin. You can copy zhang linghe's chinese name and paste it to the search bar, follow him, and his studio 张凌赫工作室. Weibo will recommend more related content to you soon.
Btw, I would suggest you use Rednote (Xiao hongshu). The content recommendation system is better, and a lot of fans will share their first-hand videos of zlh every day. Once you search zlh, there are a lot of results show up. zlh has account here too. Rednote can translate mandarin content. While Weibo has too many haters and false rumors. 😊
Overdo, yeah we need a solid script.Also hope they can do some legal issues to prevent that leaks in future. It's…
As someone who has followed the Chinese entertainment industry for quite a long time, I have to say this isn’t surprising.
In many cases, investors initially use an actor’s popularity—like Zhang Linghe’s—to attract attention, and then gradually shift the focus by giving more screen time to supporting roles, often to promote actors from their own companies. Unfortunately, this is a common reality in the industry.
Also, just to clarify, Zhang Linghe doesn’t come from a powerful background or have strong industry connections. The only support system he has is his agency—but even that wasn’t always supportive. In some of his early interviews, you can see how he was treated rather dismissively.
It was only after he became popular that the company started fully capitalizing on him. Since 2022, he has been constantly filming and doing commercial work, with barely any breaks.
In fact, he usually only gets a few days off during Chinese New Year. This year, he reportedly had just three days off before returning to filming—while most people would normally have at least a couple of weeks.
Overdo, yeah we need a solid script.Also hope they can do some legal issues to prevent that leaks in future. It's…
This isn’t the first time I’ve seen this issue in Chinese dramas. Once screenwriters start trying to be “clever” by changing or adding new plotlines, the characterizations often fall apart and the story starts losing its logic.
But I also understand that a drama usually involves multiple investors and companies. Each of them wants more screen time for their own actors, so the script keeps getting revised. In the end, the main characters’ arcs are compressed, while supporting roles sometimes get even more highlights and development.
This has pretty much become the norm in many Chinese dramas now.
That’s why I often choose to read the novel first and treat the drama as a supplement. At least that way, I know what the complete, original story is supposed to be.
And honestly, I feel bad for the original authors too—having to watch their work being changed into something almost unrecognizable.
The biggest downfall of this drama is underutilizing ZLH. He is the reason I and many of his fans watch this.…
Yes, it’s quite noticeable that he has lost a lot of weight over the past two years.
He’s also dealing with cervical spine issues, likely caused by long periods of filming in historical dramas while wearing heavy wigs. On top of that, frequent outdoor shoots in winter have led to chronic rhinitis.
Unfortunately, with his schedule, he barely has the time to properly rest, recover, or receive treatment.
1
Sadly, this kind of manipulation isn’t uncommon - it happens in real life, and we see it reflected in dramas as well.
China is a very large country with 56 ethnic groups, and people from different regions often have noticeable differences in appearance. In daily life, it is quite common for people to casually comment that someone “looks like they are from a certain region.” In that context, such remarks are usually not intended to be offensive, but rather a habitual way of describing appearances.
During the show, Zhang Linghe made a similar comment in a natural way, and it was not considered inappropriate during editing.
However, after the broadcast, some viewers from Southeast Asia felt offended. In response, he chose to apologize out of respect for their feelings. even knowing it might expose him to more criticism online.
His Instagram account is managed by agency staff, and the way the apology was posted may have come across as less sincere, which led to further misunderstanding.
The purpose of sharing this is simply to provide more context. In situations like this, misunderstandings can easily arise, and public opinion can sometimes be influenced by incomplete information and cultural difference.
China is a very large country with 56 ethnic groups, and people from different regions often have noticeable differences in appearance. In daily life, it is quite common for people to casually comment that someone “looks like they are from a certain region.” In that context, such remarks are usually not intended to be offensive, but rather a habitual way of describing appearances.
During the show, Zhang Linghe made a similar comment in a natural way, and it was not considered inappropriate during editing.
However, after the broadcast, some viewers from Southeast Asia felt offended. In response, he chose to apologize out of respect for their feelings. even knowing it might expose him to more criticism online.
His Instagram account is managed by agency staff, and the way the apology was posted may have come across as less sincere, which led to further misunderstanding.
The purpose of sharing this is simply to provide more context. In situations like this, misunderstandings can easily arise, and public opinion can sometimes be influenced by incomplete information and cultural difference.
From everything I’ve seen, he’s genuinely a kind and humble person. People who’ve studied or worked with him—his classmates, teachers, and colleagues—have shared many positive stories about him over the years, and he’s widely liked. There haven’t been any credible scandals about him.
He also doesn’t act like a “celebrity” on set. He’s very considerate of the staff—for example, during breaks, he prefers to sit for hours rather than lie down,even though the wig is heavy. Just to keep his styling intact and avoid creating extra work for the makeup and hair team.
I think it’s really unfair that some people judge someone’s character based on a single moment or a short clip. In reality, the most reliable impressions usually come from people who have interacted with him over a long period of time.
I see, weibo has english language to set, but the content maybe still mandarin. You can copy zhang linghe's chinese name and paste it to the search bar, follow him, and his studio 张凌赫工作室. Weibo will recommend more related content to you soon.
Btw, I would suggest you use Rednote (Xiao hongshu). The content recommendation system is better, and a lot of fans will share their first-hand videos of zlh every day. Once you search zlh, there are a lot of results show up. zlh has account here too. Rednote can translate mandarin content. While Weibo has too many haters and false rumors. 😊
In many cases, investors initially use an actor’s popularity—like Zhang Linghe’s—to attract attention, and then gradually shift the focus by giving more screen time to supporting roles, often to promote actors from their own companies. Unfortunately, this is a common reality in the industry.
Also, just to clarify, Zhang Linghe doesn’t come from a powerful background or have strong industry connections. The only support system he has is his agency—but even that wasn’t always supportive. In some of his early interviews, you can see how he was treated rather dismissively.
It was only after he became popular that the company started fully capitalizing on him. Since 2022, he has been constantly filming and doing commercial work, with barely any breaks.
In fact, he usually only gets a few days off during Chinese New Year. This year, he reportedly had just three days off before returning to filming—while most people would normally have at least a couple of weeks.
But I also understand that a drama usually involves multiple investors and companies. Each of them wants more screen time for their own actors, so the script keeps getting revised. In the end, the main characters’ arcs are compressed, while supporting roles sometimes get even more highlights and development.
This has pretty much become the norm in many Chinese dramas now.
That’s why I often choose to read the novel first and treat the drama as a supplement. At least that way, I know what the complete, original story is supposed to be.
And honestly, I feel bad for the original authors too—having to watch their work being changed into something almost unrecognizable.
He’s also dealing with cervical spine issues, likely caused by long periods of filming in historical dramas while wearing heavy wigs. On top of that, frequent outdoor shoots in winter have led to chronic rhinitis.
Unfortunately, with his schedule, he barely has the time to properly rest, recover, or receive treatment.