There are so many beautiful shows and films around the world that captivate fans, and all their stars always seem so perfect, so untouchable. But in reality, the entertainment industry is full of illusions.
Apart from their perceived perfections, there is a quieter truth: from studios in Los Angeles to sets in Beijing, actors face unseen hierarchies that dictate their worth.
Fans don’t quite realize how far these hierarchies can go; they can be both dangerous and even gruesome.
A recent case from China sparked concern from all around the globe, involving the late actor Alan Yu. He played multiple main roles in popular Chinese dramas like “Eternal Love” in 2017 and “Legend of the White Snake” in 2019.
Earlier this September, news of his sudden death shocked many of his fans. It was reported that Yu fell off a building, and that investigators found no other source of deliberate harm.
Online discussions spread across the internet, and as new details surfaced, it began to make fans question the circumstances of his death. Many believed there to be malicious intent behind his passing. Those comments were swiftly deleted soon after, only making his death seem more suspicious.
Even Yu’s own mother claimed his death was an accident, and wished for this case not to be further investigated.
Though the details remain unverified, Yu’s case brought about worries of power abuse and censorship, especially in China’s entertainment world.
A few days after this incident, Yu’s name was completely gone from Chinese platforms and websites. Entire discussion threads and accounts vanished overnight.
Exploitation in the entertainment industry has existed from the start. However, there is a difference between how we handle it in the United States and how it is treated in parts of Asia.
For instance, in Hollywood, problems within the entertainment world, such as abuse and coercion, can be exposed by the media, bringing public outrage and protests. Usually, then, reform is set in motion.
Yet in China’s drama market, the fear of retaliation takes over, often burying the stories before they even begin. So many things remain hidden from fans; it is too scary to even think about.
As China’s entertainment industry is deeply connected with its business and politics, many of the “sensitive topics” are heavily monitored and, in a lot of cases, erased. The possibilities of scandals can risk both reputation and threaten social order, which explains why certain films, accounts, and names could all suddenly fade from the internet for unspoken reasons.
In unique cases where idols do speak up, they are repeatedly silenced until the rumors die down. This is what many people believe happened in Yu’s case. Only now are people beginning to realize the true dangers of fame.
Too many artists find themselves caught in silenced scandals, filled with power games that replace true artistry, and integrity becomes a risk.
Many outsiders assume that all celebrities live perfect and effortless lives. But behind all the glamour and television screens lie many invisible strings; each of them pulled by those with complete control and power in their hands.