On February 13, a segment of the mainland China reality show “Actors, Please Take Your Place 3” sparked attention when the topic #Zhang Ziyi’s outburst leads to Zhang Jiayuan leaving# trended on Weibo.
According to Chinese media reports, the emerging actor Zhang Jiayuan was asked to perform a scene on “Actors, Please Take Your Place 3” where he had to reveal a girlfriend as a singing and dancing idol. However, he was criticized by the mentor for being “insincere, changing the script, and lacking attitude.” He explained that he wanted to do comedy because the idol industry receives too much attention and pampering.
Zhang Jiayuan’s frequent mention of the term “idol” led to actress Zhang Ziyi, known for her strict performance standards, exclaiming, “Stop churning out clichés, leave, don’t portray your character here, get down… Recently, I watched Zhang Yixing’s play, collaborated with Yixing, they are both idol-turned-professional actors.” Wu Zhenyu questioned, “Why would someone identify themselves as an idol?” Director Chen Kaige commented that Zhang Jiayuan portrayed the idol as a little hooligan.
Some netizens feel that after the mentor’s criticism, Zhang Jiayuan attempted to explain himself, repeatedly emphasizing his idol identity, which not only showed disrespect for the stage but also for the acting profession. Others remarked that this incident serves as a wake-up call for other idols who wish to transition to acting, emphasizing that acting is not as simple as it seems.
During the press conference on the 13th, Zhang Ziyi bluntly stated, “If there is no sincere passion, if you do not genuinely want to improve, do not linger here and do not use this as a means to boost popularity.” Reflecting on the first audition performances on the show, Zhang Ziyi admitted, “I was genuinely shocked by some actors or rather scared off.”
Although Zhang Ziyi did not reveal the identity of the “shocking” actor, netizens revealed it to be Yang Zi, who was supposed to retire after filming “Goodbye Lover 4” with Huang Shengyi but unexpectedly appeared on “Actors, Please Take Your Place.”
The Chinese self-media “Qingqing’s Entertainment Diary” commented, “In this variety show, Yang Zi continues with his exaggerated performance.” They mocked, “Yang Zi also is a peculiar person, creating a overly dramatic persona for himself,” depicting him as a playboy. When Zhang Ziyi grew impatient, Yang Zi even continued to “harass” her. Eventually, Zhang Ziyi had no choice but to hand Yang Zi a note asking him to show some different expressions apart from “harassment,” but to her surprise, he burst into laughter and ran away with the note.
The article describes how Zhang Ziyi was shocked by Yang Zi’s performance, and Chen Kaige, who was dumbfounded on the spot, later bluntly criticized Yang Zi’s acting as being “outside the cognitive range.” Wu Zhenyu expressed helplessness, noting, “This is Yang Zi’s true colors.”
Zhang Jiayuan, who debuted in 2021 through the talent show “Tomorrow’s Son Band Season,” issued a lengthy apology on Weibo on the 14th regarding his performance on “Actors, Please Take Your Place 3.” He expressed deep remorse for his behavior on the show, citing intense competition and lack of confidence in his acting as reasons for his actions. He acknowledged his faults and expressed a desire to improve.
Netizens lamented that Zhang Jiayuan’s phrase “extend for a few more episodes” highlights the competitive nature of the mainland entertainment industry’s shift towards reality TV programs.