As public outrage over the Yu Menglong case continues to intensify, Chinese social media has erupted once again.
From claims of spiritual encounters to new leaks and speculation, the mysterious death of the young actor has evolved into a nationwide reckoning—not just with China’s entertainment industry, but with the political system behind it.
Yu Menglong rose to fame through Happy Boys in 2013 and became a household name after portraying Bai Zhen in the hit drama Eternal Love (2017).
At the height of his success, however, he abruptly vanished from public view and has been missing for three years.
According to online discussions, Yu had refused to comply with the “casting couch” demands of powerful investors and was subsequently silenced.
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In January 2018, Yu announced the dissolution of his fan association, citing “management integration.” Fans later discovered that all social channels had been taken over by his agency, and Yu’s public appearances dwindled.
During a 2018 birthday party in Shanghai, a video captured him tearfully thanking fans: “I can only say… thank you. Please take care of yourselves, be happy, and stay healthy.”
Today, viewers rewatch that clip with unease, noting hints of fear and resignation behind his smile.
“He didn’t want to say more,” one fan commented. “He was comforting others while suffering himself.”
The suspect who vanished
Earlier this month, a Weibo account called “Ling Beiliu_Backup” posted images of an alleged suspect in the case before being deleted by censors.
Screenshots reuploaded overseas suggested that the true perpetrators were linked to individuals of influence.
“Everyone you see is just a decoy,” the account wrote. “The real figure will vanish the moment they’re named.”
The user also hinted at internal political power struggles and concluded with a chilling note: “I want to escape.”
Within hours, the account was erased and related keywords blocked. Netizens now speculate the whistleblower may have been detained.
Adding to the frenzy, a YouTube channel called 204 Files claimed to have contacted Yu’s spirit through Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP).
When asked about the “biggest secret,” the recorded voice allegedly said one name: “Fan Shiting.”
Another audio file purportedly mentioned “Xi Jinping,” stunning viewers.
Though unverifiable, the video reignited speculation that Yu’s death might involve higher-level political or business interests.
The 2020 prophecy
A rediscovered Weibo post from July 30, 2020 by a self-proclaimed fortune-teller known as Shensuanzi described Yu as “sensitive and melancholy,” predicting he might “face a life crisis in 2025.”
After Yu’s disappearance, the post resurfaced and went viral, with many calling it a “fulfilled prophecy.”
Recently, footage allegedly showing Yu’s final moments circulated online, depicting a man collapsing in a hotel stairwell labeled “Room 923.”
Though authenticity remains unverified, the video fueled speculation that Yu’s death occurred near Beijing’s 798 Art Zone—the same location where he was last reportedly seen.
Despite heavy censorship, the tragedy has become symbolic of a broader moral collapse.
Many see it as a reflection of how fame, corruption, and absolute power intertwine within China’s entertainment system.“He was treated as a plaything by the powerful,” one Weibo user wrote. “In a place this cold, death was his only freedom.”
Online calls to boycott Chinese entertainment have surged, with viewers refusing to support domestic productions “until justice is served.”
The incident has also prompted many to question the Party-state’s manipulation of celebrity culture and the silencing of dissent.
From despair to awakening
Beyond mourning Yu’s death, a wave of spiritual and moral reflection has begun spreading across China.
Some netizens wrote that “those who commit evil will face divine retribution,” echoing predictions from Western spiritual commentators that corruption in China’s entertainment world would eventually be “cleansed.”
One viral post captured the mood of awakening: “I never imagined the Chinese Communist Party could become this rotten. If by 2025 such evil still exists and continues taking innocent lives, I will resolutely quit everything related to the CCP. When I was young, I was deceived into joining the Young Pioneers and the Communist Youth League. Today, I solemnly declare that I am quitting the Party and all its organizations. From now on, I will have nothing to do with it again.”
The author concluded with a moral statement: “Human life is created by God. To stand with good, one must cut ties with evil and walk with the divine.”
