A-list idol and actor Ziyu, star of the drama phenomenon Revenged Love, has become the epicenter of an unprecedented public outcry after cheating accusations led angry fans to send condoms to his private residence—a move widely condemned as a violation of privacy and a reflection of the intensity surrounding celebrity scandals in Asia.
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What Happened?
The controversy ignited when two women, both claiming to be Ziyu’s ex-girlfriends, accused him of infidelity on social media. One alleged she discovered Ziyu cheating on her with his manager and, when confronted, he allegedly admitted to the affair and then “ghosted” her. She published private photos and messages as proof. Not long after, another influencer divulged she also had a relationship with Ziyu, which ended badly when she learned he slept with a mutual friend. Both women painted a picture of Ziyu as a serial cheater with little remorse for the emotional aftermath he left behind.
As the scandal snowballed, Ziyu addressed it directly on his Weibo account. Admitting responsibility, he apologized for his “lack of accountability and communication,” and announced he would suspend all public activities to reflect and “take responsibility for the pain” he had caused.
The Fans Deliver Condoms Incident
In the days following Ziyu’s apology, the backlash from furious fans took a bizarre and invasive turn. Photos surfaced on social media showing a paper bag full of Durex condoms left outside Ziyu’s apartment door with a mocking note: “ZP (Ziyu’s real initials), is this enough for you to use? Is it enough, Ziyu?” A screenshot of a delivery order for multiple varieties of condoms circulated online, strongly suggesting fans themselves had orchestrated the delivery as a form of public shaming.
The incident quickly went viral, encapsulating both the public’s anger and the blurred boundaries between fans and stars in the digital age. Many commentators argue that the episode crossed the line from protest into a serious invasion of privacy.
Context: Idols, Scandal, and Fan Culture
This kind of response is not without precedent in the idol industry, where the relationship between stars and fandoms is notoriously fraught with possessiveness, intense emotional investment, and at times, a lack of boundaries. While K-pop and Asian idol industries have gradually shifted toward more tolerant views about celebrities’ personal lives, recent history is awash with examples of backlash when idols are revealed to be dating or involved in scandals.
- In extreme cases, fans have staged boycotts, sent hate messages, or, as with Ziyu, taken dramatic actions to express their disapproval—sometimes venturing dangerously close to harassment and stalking.
- K-pop idol Karina faced boycotts and truck-borne protests merely for being in a relationship, with slogans like “Is the love given to you by your fans not enough?” flashing outside her agency’s headquarters.
- Other cases have seen idols lose sponsorships, be forced to halt group activities, or even exit the industry entirely in the face of such uproar.
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How Are People Reacting?
Public Outrage and Debate
- Many fans expressed a sense of betrayal, saying Ziyu had presented himself as trustworthy and loyal on his show and in appearances, yet acted very differently behind the scenes.
- Others condemned the fans deliver condoms stunt as excessive, stating that while disillusionment and anger are valid, physically invading someone’s home crosses ethical and perhaps legal boundaries.
- Some highlighted a double standard: “If fans feel cheated, why not unfollow or stop supporting? This is harassment,” one X (formerly Twitter) user commented.
- Supporters and neutral fans have called for privacy to be respected and for people to differentiate between public and private life. “He made mistakes, but he apologized. Let him reflect in peace,” wrote a popular commenter on Weibo.
Industry Reaction
- Ziyu’s management agency issued a brief statement saying they “urge fans to respect all individuals’ privacy and refrain from intrusive or retaliatory acts.”
- Commentators within the industry noted that such scandals often result in advertisers pulling out, appearance cancellations, and may even threaten the broader production if audience sentiment turns.
Comments: Voices From Both Sides
Critical Fans:
- “He broke our trust for years. Now he knows what being exposed feels like. Actions have consequences.”
- “Shipping him condoms? That’s not fandom, that’s stalking. We wanted him to reflect, not be harassed.”
Neutral/Supportive:
- “People make mistakes. Sending things to his house is borderline criminal.”
- “He’s still young and trying to figure it out. Give him space to grow.”
Industry Experts:
- “The idol-fan dynamic is unhealthy. Fans act as if they have the right to police personal lives, but that’s a distortion of reality.”
- “Physical retaliation can only make matters worse and push idols to extreme stress or withdrawal.”
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What Happens Now?
- Ziyu remains on an indefinite public hiatus, having stepped back from all ongoing and future projects, promotions, and his role in Revenged Love.
- Filming for the drama continues, but producers are bracing for lower ratings and potential sponsor withdrawals if the backlash persists.
- Advertisers and sponsors are “reevaluating brand relationships,” a common move in such scandals.
- Legal experts warn that repeated delivery of unwanted items or ambushes at a private residence could leave fans open to civil or even criminal charges, especially if such actions continue.
- Industry insiders say Ziyu’s long-term career prospects depend on the public’s willingness to forgive and move on. Some in the entertainment world have staged successful comebacks after scandals; others have faded away or shifted careers entirely.
Broader Implications: Scandal, Boundaries, and the Idol Industry
The Ziyu scandal is the latest in a string of controversies that have intensified debate over idol culture in China, Korea, and Japan. The degree of personal control exerted by agencies, the emotional investment of fans, and the role of digital media in amplifying both accountability and shaming have made these incidents more intense and more frequent.
Lessons From The Past:
- Transparency and Authenticity: Some fans demand absolute honesty from idols, feeling deeply betrayed by secrecy or lies—not just by the acts themselves.
- Mental Health Risks: Several idols have spoken up about the mental toll of online harassment, obsessive fandom, and public scandals.
- Cultural Change: There are calls within the industry for clearer boundaries, more robust mental health support for celebrities, and for fans and media to recognize the humanity of those in the spotlight.
The Limits of Fan Outrage: Where Accountability Ends and Invasion Begins
The “condom delivery” episode underscores both the passion and the peril present in the relationship between modern idols and their fans. While Ziyu’s actions have drawn sharp criticism, the reactions of certain fans have also raised essential questions about privacy, respect, and the appropriate boundaries for expressing disappointment.
As Ziyu retreats from the limelight to contemplate his next move, and as the entertainment world debates how to balance accountability with humanity, this spectacle serves as a stark reminder: in the age of social media and instant outrage, every act—whether betrayal or retribution—is both amplified and indelible.
