Zhao Lusi’s Tragic Comeback: 26 Brands Exploit Her, Fans Spot The Unusual, Tears Flow!

After news broke in late 2024 about Zhao Lucy's illness, she took less than a month off before her brand partner officially announced on Weibo that she would be attending an event in Chengdu on January 25th. The phrase, Zhao Lucy makes a comeback, quickly became a trending topic on Weibo. However, many prominent bloggers remarked that, given the initially reported severity of her condition, her return to work in under a month seemed like either a medical miracle or an instance of her pushing herself too hard despite still being unwell. This fueled skepticism among some of her detractors, who questioned whether her illness had truly been as serious as initially claimed. In response, various Chinese media outlets analyzed her return, suggesting that Zhao Lucy might be under immense pressure, with no other option but to honor her contractual obligations and resume work. Her story sheds light on the realities of the Chinese entertainment industry. Besides her, how many others might be facing similar pressures or challenges? Let's explore this topic in today's episode. Don't forget to like or leave a comment if you're interested in this subject. Thank you for watching. Trapped by a contract, with no way out? In December last year, 27-year-old actress Zhao Lucy was seen slumped in a wheelchair and rushed to the hospital. Rumors soon swirled that she was suffering from aphasia, overwhelmed by an intense work schedule and subjected to verbal and physical abuse by her management company. Despite calls from fans for her to terminate her contract, Galaxy Cool Entertainment denied the allegations, releasing a statement, We sincerely hope everyone can give Lucy the time and space to rest and wait for her return. The phrase, wait for her return, was widely interpreted by Chinese media as a firm assertion that canceling the contract was not an option. If Zhao Lucy were to unilaterally terminate her contract with Galaxy Cool Entertainment, she could face penalties amounting to hundreds of millions of yuan. Refusing to work while under contract could lead to a freeze, barring her from industry activities for up to two years. Even after the contract expires, residual restrictions might delay her return further, potentially sidelining her career until she's 30. In China's hypercompetitive entertainment industry, a four-year hiatus is almost synonymous with career extinction. It's no wonder many media outlets suggest she has no way out. Galaxy Cool Entertainment CEO Wu Xiaojian is a formidable figure in the business world, controlling 16 companies across diverse sectors. With vast wealth, influence and connections, Wu wields the power to effectively end Zhao Lucy's career should she attempt to defy the company. After news of her illness broke, Zhao Lucy initially voiced concerns through friends before publicly confirming on Weibo that she had been bullied and abused by her management. This bold move was seen as her severing ties with Galaxy Cool Entertainment. However, despite fan support, the company denied the allegations and doubled down, reiterating the phrase, Zhao Lucy's 10-year contract with Galaxy Cool Entertainment, signed in September 2016, still has nearly two years remaining. Industry insiders note that breaking such contracts often incurs termination penalties 10 times the contract's value, approximately $14 million. Zhao Lucy has revealed a five-year battle with depression. In 2021, she experienced debilitating symptoms, including a crawling sensation on her skin and severe fatigue, with her weight dropping to just 38 kilograms, 83 pounds. Despite medical treatment, her condition showed little improvement. Fearing criticism of being lazy or unprofessional, she pushed through relentless work schedules even as her health deteriorated. She avoided sharing her struggles with loved ones, fearing their disappointment, which eventually led to dissociative disorders. Zhao Lucy's recent reappearance on January 25 has drawn mixed reactions. Some fans found comfort in her return, while others worry she is being forced to work despite her poor health. Her ongoing clash with Galaxy Cool Entertainment adds further uncertainty to her future, leaving her career in a precarious state. During the event, Zhao Lucy's frailty was evident. She relied on crutches to move and later used a cane for support on stage. At one point, she paused to wipe her nose, battling a cold, which highlighted her weakened immune system following a collapse on set. Candid photos and videos revealed her emaciated frame, with visibly thin legs sparking concern among fans. As the face of 26 Brands, Zhao Lucy remains burdened by the demands of What are your thoughts on Zhao Lucy's return? Share your opinions in the comments below. Is there no room for humanity in CBiz? The entertainment industry may grant you fame, but it often takes away much more. In China's entertainment world, stepping into the spotlight means trading your youth, freedom, and happiness. For top-tier stars like Zhao Lucy, who are considered golden geese, fame comes at the cost of relentless exploitation. Beyond being bullied by managers or directors, they face various injustices within the industry. On May 9, 2022, HK01 reported that actress Linda Chung compared working in showbiz to stepping onto a battlefield. She recounted being targeted with false rumors, sneers, hostile stares, and blatant sabotage on set simply because she was not well-liked and more popular than others. After decades in the industry, Xu Qi revealed that most artists operate under the principle of putting on a friendly face while harboring hidden resentments. Many go so far as to bully or undermine colleagues to suppress direct competitors whenever possible. Producer Li Dan explained that conflicts and bullying often stem from differences in fame. The constant comparison of pay, perks, and screen time breeds resentment, hostility, and overt oppression. High-profile individuals, when feeling threatened by up-and-comers, often take extreme measures to eliminate competition. On August 29, 2023, actress Sun Fei-fei posted on Weibo, accusing director Zhang Hanji of orchestrating an assault against her during the filming of Blood Love in 2020. She questioned the Fengcheng Public Security Bureau, Sun Fei-fei alleged that the police's refusal to intervene stemmed from the powerful connections surrounding Blood Love. The film was acquired by Liaoning Television, whose director, Shi Lianwen, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2014 for bribery and embezzlement. Gao Weidong, the film's producer and an alleged mastermind behind the assault, was the director of the Business and Development Center at Liaoning Television and a senior executive at three state-owned monopolies. On November 15, 2023, Sun Fei-fei released another exposé, detailing the unwritten rules of China's entertainment industry. She revealed that the National Radio and Television Administration, NRTA, grants directors near-absolute power over actors. She wrote, Acting is my profession, and I won't abandon my career due to injustice. But in China's television industry, there exists an organization called the Chinese Television Directors Committee, of which Zhang Hanji is a member. This committee frequently issues blacklists of actors, and anyone on these lists is effectively banned from securing roles. After the violent incident on the set of Blood Love, Zhang Hanji worked tirelessly to cover up his crimes by adding my name to the blacklist. As a result, in 2011, I was officially blacklisted by the directors committee. Chinese Cinema, a Politically Charged Industry It's often said that China's entertainment industry is steeped in politics. Recent reports suggest that Zhao Lusi's alleged abuser Xu Yiru is no ordinary figure, wielding significant power and influence. In the world of C-Entertainment, aligning with those in power means survival, while opposing them is career suicide. Zhao Lusi's decision to stage a comeback despite her ongoing health struggles now seems unsurprising. The entertainment crackdown under Xi Jinping has exposed many hidden truths about the industry. High-profile stars like Zhao Wei, Fan Bingbing, and Chris Wu were revealed to have strong political backers. The Chinese entertainment scene is dominated by a select group wielding immense power and influence, known as the Beijing Circle Jingquan. The Beijing Circle is a network of artists and entertainers based in Beijing, created to pool resources and opportunities in the film industry. Membership is highly coveted, as it grants access to influential connections and financial backing. However, the group's vast economic potential has also attracted controversies. It has become a hub for recruiting top stars, forming factions that not only generate wealth and launder money, but also serve as spokespersons for the government when needed. Members of this elite circle, often referred to as princes and princesses, include celebrated figures like Zhou Xun, Gao Yuanyuan, Chen Kun, Xu Jinglei, Li Bingbing, and Huang Xiaoming. Their power and resources ensure dominance, leaving young and independent artists, no matter how talented, vulnerable to marginalization, bullying, and manipulation. Liu Xiaoqing, often regarded as one of China's most iconic yet turbulent stars, documented her struggles in her memoir, A Life Unafraid to Begin Again. Without naming names, she recounted a conflict with former Chinese Communist Party leader Jiang Zemin, which led to her being framed in a scandal of monumental proportions. She described the ordeal as one of her life's darkest chapters. Liu revealed that writing her memoir required immense caution, as many real individuals were implicated. She also disclosed her failed attempt to escape to France before being arrested in 2002 on charges of tax evasion. Following her arrest, she was imprisoned in Qincheng Prison. From her breakout role in Small Flowers, 1979, to acclaimed performances in Wilderness, The Burning of Yuanmingwan, and Furong Town, Liu Xiaoqing rose to stardom, becoming a national sensation. In the 1980s, she was hailed as the symbol of the Liu Xiaoqing era. In Chinese cinema. Yet her swift fall from grace, from award-winning actress to prisoner, was widely exploited by Chinese state media as a cautionary tale. The story of Zhao Lusi and others like her sheds light on the complex interplay between power, politics, and art in Chinese entertainment. From factionalism and manipulation to public takedowns, the industry often sacrifices human dignity for influence and control. What are your thoughts on China's entertainment industry and Zhao Lusi's story? Share your opinions in the comments below. Thank you for watching and see you next time.