BEIJING, China — The Chinese film industry is grappling with a major scandal that has transcended the usual celebrity gossip, directly impacting the commercial success of a new feature film. The movie Tinder (Hỏa Chủng), starring veteran actress Tian Hai Rong, is facing an overwhelming boycott from Chinese netizens following unverified but persistent public speculation linking the actress to the mysterious death of fellow actor Yu Meng Long. This toxic atmosphere has resulted in disastrous pre-release figures, casting a dark cloud over the film’s theatrical run.

The figures underscore the severity of the public’s backlash: the film’s total pre-sale box office revenue reached a paltry 12,000 Chinese Yuan (approximately $1,640 USD), equating to merely 42 million Vietnamese Dong. Furthermore, its scheduled screening rate plummeted to an astonishingly low 1.1% across the country, virtually the lowest possible allocation for a nationwide release. The primary driver of this commercial failure is the severe damage to Tian Hai Rong’s public image, which has been directly implicated in the swirling controversy surrounding Yu Meng Long’s untimely passing.

The Premiere: A Telltale Absence

The national premiere of Tinder, directed by Chen Jian Fei and featuring a prominent cast including Fu Da Long, Jiang Yu, Tian Hai Rong, Wang Yu Tian, Du Xu Dong, and Liu Jian, took place on October 12. While the event saw the attendance of the chief producer, Tian Hai Rong, Du Xu Dong, and a producer representative, the glaring absence of two lead actors, Fu Da Long and Jiang Yu, was immediately noticed.

Compounding the problem, neither Fu Da Long nor Jiang Yu posted any promotional content on their respective social media platforms—a highly unusual situation during a film’s critical marketing phase. Industry observers interpret this double absence as a deliberate, cautious move by the prominent actors to distance themselves from the film and, by extension, the overwhelming negative publicity attached to their co-star, Tian Hai Rong. The silent protest by her colleagues further validates the public’s skepticism and amplifies the calls for a boycott.

The Root of the Scandal: A Friendship Implodes Over Death

The boycott stems from a bitter public conflict between Tian Hai Rong and her long-time friend, entertainment critic Cheng Qing Song, following the death of actor Yu Meng Long. Tian Hai Rong and Cheng Qing Song were reportedly friends for over two decades, yet their relationship fractured spectacularly when Cheng attempted to publicly establish an “alibi” for himself concerning the timing of Yu Meng Long’s passing.

On September 10, Cheng Qing Song publicly released a screenshot of a WeChat conversation, claiming it proved he was having dinner with Tian Hai Rong at the Bulgari Hotel in Beijing. His stated intention was to demonstrate his whereabouts before Yu Meng Long’s death occurred. This action, however, immediately dragged Tian Hai Rong into the vortex of the scandal, despite the public already viewing both her and Cheng Qing Song as having an “unclear relationship” with the deceased actor.

Accusations of Manipulation and Forgery

The situation spiraled when Tian Hai Rong retaliated on her Weibo account on September 29. She accused Cheng Qing Song of illegally using the message, cutting key details, and deleting crucial information regarding the location and content of their exchange without her permission. She stated that her family was being subjected to intense cyberbullying and announced that she had instructed her legal counsel to file a lawsuit against Cheng and all accounts disseminating the rumors.

The actress then sought to conclusively clear her name. On October 10, she publicly released the full, unedited chat screenshots and the dinner receipt, which clearly showed the dinner took place from 7:00 PM to 9:50 PM on September 10. Since Yu Meng Long’s death reportedly occurred on the morning of September 11, Tian Hai Rong used this evidence to categorically deny any connection to the incident. She explicitly labeled Cheng’s evidence as “falsified” and demanded an end to the public attacks.

Cheng Qing Song subsequently issued a public apology, but the damage was done. Public opinion remains deeply fractured, with many netizens suspecting the entire exchange was a choreographed “bitter scheme” designed to divert public attention or hide a deeper truth involving both parties.

The Devastating Fallout: From Beloved Star to ‘Suspicious Heiress’

While a significant portion of the public has rallied to Tian Hai Rong’s defense, believing Cheng Qing Song maliciously implicated her to protect himself, a vocal segment of netizens remains suspicious, suggesting both figures may be concealing information. Regardless of the truth, the professional impact on Tian Hai Rong has been catastrophic.

She has transformed in the public eye from a beloved, respected actress to a figure shrouded in suspicion, frequently being labeled the “suspicious heiress” (nữ đại gia đáng ngờ). Despite her relentless efforts to protect her reputation through public statements and legal threats, the constant online scrutiny has proven insurmountable.

Online detectives have intensified their efforts, digging up and publicizing her past controversies, including information related to her former husband and her rumored personal wealth, which is speculated to be as high as 130 billion Chinese Yuan. The public’s decision to distrust her is rooted in a broader cynicism about the opacity and questionable ethics of the entertainment industry.

The tragic passing of Yu Meng Long continues to be mourned by fans and colleagues, yet the surrounding controversy has ripped open a wound in the Chinese entertainment sector, exposing its darker, more speculative elements. The scandal has fuelled unsubstantiated rumors about a potential “weapons company” reportedly linked to actor Guo Jun Chen and other dark conjectures. Although the police have yet to provide a significant update on the Yu Meng Long case, the demanding public continues to call for a thorough, independent investigation to bring clarity and accountability to the tragic event and the ensuing fallout that has crippled the box office hopes of Tinder.