While it is uncommon for major performers to formally and completely retire, it does occur. However, here is a list of notable Chinese celebrities who are no longer on the silver screen owing to retirement, controversy, or any other cause like in future planning to retire; have a look.
1. Kris Wu
Du Meizhu, a 19-year-old woman, accused the Chinese-Canadian pop artist Kris Wu (Wu Yifan) of sexually assaulting her when she was inebriated two years ago. She also said Wu had enticed many other young women, including minors, into sexual encounters by offering them jobs in exchange. Following the publication of Du's claim on social media, hundreds of firms cancelled Wu's sponsorship contracts, and his music was removed from internet platforms. Wu's social media accounts were deactivated, and he was arrested.
2. Huo Zun
Former Huo Zun partner, dancer Chen Lu made a lengthy post on Weibo accusing Huo of cheating on her frequently throughout their nine-year relationship. She also shared a series of WeChat screenshots of a group discussion in which Huo mocked her, boasted about having sex with other women, and trashed the variety program Call Me By Fire, on which he had been listed as a guest. Huo's studio issued a statement announcing his withdrawal from the entertainment profession, albeit they claimed Huo had cheated on her.
3. Zhang Zehan
Zhang Zhehan rose to prominence earlier this year after appearing in the costume drama Word of Honour. His collapse, though, followed shortly after. Netizens dug deeper into Zhang's Weibo posts and uncovered a photo of him making a Nazi salute in front of Nanjing's Yuhuatai Martyrs Memorial Hall, as well as a shot of a car carrying Japan's imperial Rising Sun flag. Zhang apologised on social media, but neither netizens nor business partners were moved. Soon after, all of the businesses Zhang sponsored withdrew their contracts with him, and on August 15, the China Association for Performing Arts was founded. The government-backed trade union encouraged the industry to blacklist Zhang because his actions had wounded the nation's sensibilities and badly affected his followers. All films and TV series starring Zhang, including the massively popular Word of Honour, have been taken down from internet platforms, and the actor's social media profiles have been permanently suspended by all social media sites, including Weibo and TikTok.
4. Zheng Shuang
When it was revealed that actress Zheng Shuang had two children in the US through surrogacy (which is prohibited in China), she attempted to abandon the newborns in America. Online portals have also pulled dramas starring Zheng. Zheng has now apologized and indicated that she will "overcome the obstacles in paying all of the taxes and fines."
5. Zhao Wei
Celebrities are often taken from the entertainment industry without explanation. For example, China's major streaming platforms deleted wealthy actress Zhao Wei's name off several films, TV dramas, and various programs in which she featured, as well as her Weibo account. The Shanghai Stock Exchange barred Zhao and her husband from operating as senior executives on listed firms for five years in 2018 due to their behaviour during a takeover deal in 2016. The proposal drew the attention of China's Securities Regulatory Commission, which discovered false assertions and significant omissions in the takeover application.
6. Fan Bingbing
Fan Bingbing (born September 16, 1981, in China) is a Chinese actress, model, television producer, and singer. She was covertly imprisoned by Chinese officials in 2018, and she vanished from public view on July 1, 2018, for nearly three months.
7. Julian Cheung
Julian Cheung, an actor-singer, has stated that he intends to retire from performing within the next five years. In China, he is presently starring in the celebrity survival show Call Me By Fire, and he revealed himself in extra footage.
8. Cherie Chung
Cherie Chung, a former Hong Kong actress, may have retired from performing for a long time, but she remains a goddess to her legions of followers. She shared images on Weibo of her friend Catherine Ku having an early birthday celebration for her.
9. Liu Xiang
Liu Xiang, China's 2004 Olympic 110m hurdles winner, announced his retirement on Sina Weibo, China's equivalent of Twitter. Liu became China's first Olympic men's athletics champion when he won in Athens, equalling the world record of 12.91 seconds.
10. Bao Lei
Bao Lei, born on March 17, 1988, is a retired Chinese goalkeeper. At the 2008 Summer Paralympics, he won a gold medal. He was born with cataracts.
