Zhang Zhehan Turns to Taiwanese Market
Boys’ love series Word of Honor <山河令> was a huge hit in 2021, but Zhang Zhehan (張哲瀚) was caught in a controversy that made him blacklisted in China. The 31-year-old has not given up on the entertainment industry, and has turned to the Taiwanese market.
Accused of being pro-Japanese because he took selfies at the Yasukuni Shrine where World War II war criminals were commemorated, Zhang Zhehan’s faced an enormous backlash in China. The actor’s attempt to defend himself and apologize for his “ignorance” was unsuccessful, and all his shows were removed from online Chinese platforms. At the height of his popularity, he had over 20 million followers on Weibo, but his account was suspended since August 2021.
Understanding that his career was over in China, Zhang Zhehan turned his focus to Taiwan where he recently released his new album, Dark Blue. He was seen interacting with fans and promoting his new work on Instagram. He wrote, “There’s no need to rush – let’s have a change in scenery and state of mind. Maybe everything will turn around. Every experience will come with rewards.”
Although he lost a huge fanbase and credibility in China, Zhehan’s remaining fans are happy to see the shift in his career, and believes that there is still a possibility that the actor can make a breakthrough in Taiwan.
Source: [1]
This article is written by Su for JayneStars.com.
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Taiwan dramas are getting more and more popular again. If Zhang Zhehan plays his cards well. He may still have a career there…. The reason to his downfall is definitely not what we read online…I believe there are more vicious reasons to bringing him down.
@Hohliu
I wish Jaynestars had the PM system, cause I would tell you just how right you are about the more sinister reasons this young man man is blacklisted in China.
@Renren not sure what are you referring to. I would like to hear as well. In my circles it is general consensus that he is collateral damage of the battle of big guys. He was incredibly uncomfortable with BL image being pushed on him unlike his co-star and some did not like him having his opinion, plus he had integrity to say few more no’s than others. I am actually glad to see him trying and although i would expect him to do wellI could see him become mid level/indie style celebrity. Doors to insane stardom seems to be closed for him at the moment. Ironically he might have better life and be happier as it is, also having in mind his personality. He is solid guy.
I definitely don’t have the inside scoop on this specific situation . But I know in Korea entertainment industry sometimes insiders know secrets and the media publishes it to drawn netizen attention away from another scandal (usually government related ).
Also at times the rich and powerful try to bring down established stars so that they can promote newbies they invest in, to stardom
@Dee when you say collateral of the big guys, what do you mean?
I am referring to the period that started several months before Kris Wu scandal plus 10 more months. Many companies went under water including Zhao Wei’s that was managing Zhang Zhehan’s endorsements. The battle was fierce and many investors lost a lot of money in those 18 months. Power shift happened. As mush as positive publicity can be bought negative is used in same way as well to bring others down. All these companies and celebrity studios have investors and whenever a huge star is fallen a number of people loose significant investments, profits and future projects are killed. In addition this wave ‘killed’ careers of tens of top fashion managers responsible for these endorsements. It was a wave that rippled through c-entertainment and fashion industry seriously deep. Many small people are collateral damage as well. For example super competent production team that were employed by KW is still struggling as they had to delete their top projects from their portfolios. Their work was good they had zero responsibility but their reputation was tainted. People were afraid to work with them. It was tectonic power shift. I am not implying that KW is innocent not at all but the situation was much mor complex than just few celebrities brought down. In my circle we refer to it as Beijing/Shanghai battle.
@Dee thank you! I love the detailed insights you provide. We get too many abstract and vague answers on this site so this thorough explanation is a welcome addition.
I do get that a lot of folks were implicated as a result of what happened to certain stars – they invest their resources so heavily in them that if one is tainted, it’s easy for the rest to follow. You’re saying that the ramifications of the talent that follows the star is that they lose potential jobs or even blacklisted for being associated with the celebrity.
What does that have to do with ZZH? Like he lost PR help? Or that other companies want his parent company (Zhao Wei) to fall because competition is so fierce?
Yes Zhao Wei company hit the wall, ZZ was flagship new talent they had on board. ZZ was banned from the whole industry although he did not do anything illegal. Before something perceived immoral like this would be treated differently, he would be asked to apologise more seriously, do some charity work, help with additional promotions, sit on the bench for year or two etc. He paid taxes, he did what he was told to do, no illegal wrongdoing here just moral conflict and possible misunderstanding. Still he went fully down by association, fully banned as part of the bigger crash. The way how his case was handled is uncommon.
Yes Zhao Wei company hit the wall, ZZH was flagship new talent they had on board. ZZH suffered fierce media attack, his company pushed common PR but over the night he was banned from the whole industry although he did not do anything illegal. Before something perceived morally questionable like this would be treated differently, he would be asked to apologise more seriously, do some charity work, do donations, help with additional promotions, sit on the bench for year or two etc. He paid taxes, he did what he was told to do, theydid not have more on him but these photos, no illegal wrongdoing here just moral conflict and possible misunderstanding. Still he went fully down by association, fully banned as part of the bigger crash. Endorsements cancelled, breakage fees piling up. The way how his case was handled is uncommon. Zhao Wei was removed from the net, several businesses went down.
sorry for two same answers smth went wrong while i was posting it.
@Dee, Thanks for such a clear explanation. The battle between Beijing/Shanghai is still strong and on going even in other areas. A good friend of mine who lives in Shanghai mentioned how Beijing had tried many times to force Shanghai to implement stricter Covid lockdown. Which they disagree as it will affect economy too much. Then one day, Beijing sent the amy down to lockdown Shanghai overnight. She tried to fly her family over to Hongkong using some means. From Hongkong, she went to Singapore.
The one person I suspect is silently happy is Yu Zheng. Since Zhang Zhehan was rather critical of him and how he felt Yu Zheng did not promote him as well as Chen Xiao in those days. Then he seek Zhao Wei out personally to join her team. Of course that is just my personal opinion. No offence towards others who disagree.
@Hohliu true that! That’s why we internally call it like that, based on investors concentration. But that’s our internal name not sure anyone is calling it like that.
I think many people were happy specially those that won endorsements lol
@Dee @Hohliu agreed, thank you dee for explaining that to us. That makes so much more sense. If it’s really propaganda or rivalry playing games in the background, that’s really sick and twisted in my mind. So many ppl kept harping on how it’s such a crime to visit these shrines, but he was there for a wedding! It felt very witchhunty.
I’m genuinely happy for him. Wish him success.
@kidd
I hope Zhan Zhehan can get a fresh start in Taiwan and rebuild his career. What happened to him should never had happened and it saddens me. He has my support to rebuild his life and career. I do wish him all the best.
he’s a handsome boy, i like and hope to see more of him
Yes and he is talented too. Wish him the best!
Not a fan, but I found the whole debacle of banning him for questionable pics and backstory really harsh and overboard. For that reason alone, I think he deserves a second chance and hope there’s greater support for him.
@Dee
All of what you said is true. However, the greedy managers saw a way for another Mew suppasit and Gulf and Zhehan was having none of that. He saw how Mew and Gulf’s managers , all nag with the actors deceived the fans into believing they were in a marriage and living together, when nothing could be further from the truth. He saw how how low these people stooped to gain millions of fans, and dollars. He saw how delusional the fans became, believing all the hogwash about Gulf and Mew being in a committed relationship and sharing a home, and how they attacked those who dared to tell them those men don’t really get along that well. He did not want to pretend to be in a relationship with his costar, and he did not want the touching, feeling up and kissing. The drama was done, it was promoted and he wanted to move on to the next acting job. Well, how dare he pour water onto the fame and cash cow fire. He was betrayed by his costar, and people he trusted, all in the name of fame and fortune. That is when the temple photos were used against him.
thank you @Renren Personally, I am unaware of power struggle you mention. But yes he did try to step away from overwhelming BL image following him as it seems to be rather disharmonious with his personality.