Idol Sun Yihang Denies Dating Rumors and Apologizes After Leaked Photos Ignite Weibo Controversy

The posts quickly gained traction on Weibo, where hashtags such as #SunYihangRespondsToRomanceRumors and #SunYihangApologizes trended, drawing thousands of comments and reposts. Fans and casual observers alike split into two camps. One side rallied behind the idol, urging netizens to respect his privacy and defending his character and professional integrity. The other expressed disappointment, arguing that the leaked material betrayed a breach of trust between star and audience.

In a statement released on August 10, Sun Yihang’s official studio – Sun Yihang Studio – issued a denial of the dating allegations, publishing excerpts of the alleged conversation to demonstrate that the messages had been taken out of context and selectively edited. The studio further asserted that Sun had “no relationship with the woman in the pictures any longer,” and that the circulated content was “deliberately truncated.” The statement concluded with a promise that Sun would be more cautious about his private life moving forward.

Despite the studio’s clarification, the controversy lingered. Critics pointed out that the studio’s release of conversation fragments did little to quell doubts, while supporters maintained that the idol had already taken responsibility by apologizing publicly. The episode also sparked ancillary debates, drawing in other names from the entertainment sphere. One such figure was Huang Rui, whose own dating rumors were invoked in the same thread, prompting additional speculation about the private lives of young idols.

Media outlets, including Sohu Entertainment, covered the story extensively, noting that Sun Yihang’s involvement in “Youth With You 3” had already placed him under a microscope. He had progressed to the top nine before withdrawing from the competition, a move that some fans later linked to the ongoing drama. The incident underscored the precarious balance Chinese pop idols must strike between public exposure and personal privacy.

In the days following Sun’s apology, the conversation on Weibo softened but did not disappear. Fans continued to voice both support and disappointment, reflecting a broader cultural tension over how celebrity relationships are discussed online. While the immediate fallout appears to have settled, the episode serves as a reminder that, for young idols like Sun Yihang, even a single leaked photo can ignite a nationwide debate about fame, accountability, and the right to a private life.