THE MORAL CRISIS OF CBIZ: THE ERASURE OF YU MENGLONG AND THE SCANDAL OF THE “18 CELEBRITIES”

INVESTIGATIVE SPECIAL: As of January 12, 2026, the Chinese entertainment industry is facing a dual crisis. While authorities move to scrub the memory of the “saintly” Yu Menglong, a bombshell exposé involving 18 top-tier male stars has ignited a firestorm of public distrust.

 January 12, 2026

INTRODUCTION: A TALE OF TWO CITIES

The beginning of 2026 has seen a stark contrast in the Chinese digital landscape. On one side, there is the “Memory Defense War”—a grassroots movement by the public to prevent the systematic erasure of Yu Menglong (Alan Yu), who passed away in September 2025.¹ On the other, there is the “18 Celebrity Scandal”, an explosive series of allegations involving “compensated companionship” (transactional sex) among the industry’s highest earners.

Veteran commentator Song Zude recently summarized the crisis: “The industry is trying to bury a man who lived like a saint, while protecting those who live in filth.”

CHAPTER I: THE ERASURE OF YU MENGLONG

Despite being gone for four months, Yu Menglong’s name continues to haunt the industry. In January 2026, netizens reported a “large-scale content deletion” targeting Yu’s legacy.

1.1. The “Memory Defense War”

Authorities have categorized public grief over Yu as a threat to “social stability,” leading to the removal of his photos and film credits from several platforms.² In response, the public has launched “micro-resistance” tactics:

Digital Resistance: Changing Wi-Fi names to “Justice for Alan Yu” and displaying his image on public electronic billboards.

The Frugality Narrative: New reports have moved the public to tears, revealing that despite his fame, Yu lived in a modest rental apartment and was extraordinarily frugal with himself to fund charities for children with leukemia.

Refusal to Participate: Song Zude noted that Yu was an “outlier” who faced career suppression because he refused to adhere to the industry’s “unspoken rules” (潜规则).

CHAPTER II: THE “18 CELEBRITIES” COMPANIONSHIP SCANDAL

While Yu’s memory is being suppressed, 18 of Cbiz’s most popular male stars are under intense scrutiny. The scandal broke on January 3, 2026, when an influencer known as “Sister Hong” (Si Xiaodi) posted over 20 articles in two hours.

2.1. The Allegations

The influencer claimed to have romantic and transactional relationships with several A-list stars.³ Among those named in the wider discussion and leaked lists are:

Lu Han: Who issued a statement on Jan 3 denying the “malicious fabrications.”⁴

Tan Jianci, Fan Chengcheng, and Lin Gengxin: All of whom have had their agencies issue refutations and threats of legal action.⁵

The “Transactional” Nature: Song Zude suggested these allegations hold weight because of the high legal risk for the accuser, claiming that many male stars lead “unclean private lives” involving drinking, gambling, and transactional companionship.

CHAPTER III: THE MORAL INDICTMENT

The public outcry of 2026 is not just about celebrity gossip; it is a moral crisis.

The Moral Contrast: Netizens argue that the industry’s attempt to erase Yu—a man who lived authentically and charitably—while defending stars embroiled in “companionship” scandals, proves a fundamental moral decay.

The “Unspoken Rules”: A viral discussion on mainland platforms has seen actresses coming forward to expose the “human problem” of unfair practices, reinforcing the perception that the industry is built on a “Heavenly” system of abuse and interest exchanges.

2026 SHOWBIZ MORAL COMPASS

Feature
Yu Menglong (The Outlier)
The “18 Stars” (The Standard)

Lifestyle
Frugal, lived in a rental.
Lavish, high-spending.

Integrity
Refused “unspoken rules.”
Allegedly part of “transactional” systems.

Public Status
Systematic Erasure by authorities.
High-profile defense by agencies.

Legacy
“Pure, kind, and righteous.”
Embattled by moral scrutiny.

CONCLUSION: TRANSCENDING THE BARRIERS

As of January 12, 2026, the “memory defense” for Yu Menglong continues. Despite attempts by authorities to close the chapter on his death, the collective longing of millions of fans suggests that his spirit will continue to inspire a quest for a “kinder, safer, and more truthful world.” The “truth” of the 18 celebrities may remain buried in legal battles, but the truth of Yu Menglong is being kept alive by the people.

Next Step: Would you like me to look for the full list of 18 names that were circulated in the “Sister Hong” leak, or a summary of Song Zude’s latest legal warnings to the entertainment industry?

Yu Menglong: The Memory Defense War of 2026

This report explores why the Chinese public refuses to let go of Yu Menglong’s memory despite the government’s comprehensive censorship campaign.