Studio Files Lawsuit After Leaked Audio of Actor Wang Hedi’s “Mysterious Girlfriend” Sparks Celebrity Privacy Debate in China

Wang’s official studio, the @王鹤棣工作室 account on Weibo, responded within hours with a stark statement. The studio warned that the illegal acquisition, filming, recording, leaking, or sale of personal information constitutes a serious criminal offense, and urged the public not to accept or circulate unverified material. It announced that the matter had already been handed over to judicial authorities for formal processing and that all evidence had been retained. The statement also condemned “sasaeng” fans – a term borrowed from Korean pop culture to describe obsessive stalkers who invade the private lives of celebrities – calling for an end to stalking, peeping and harassment.

According to the studio’s account, the audio was secretly captured by a sasaeng fan outside Wang’s residence. The individual responsible for releasing the clip was subsequently banned from the platform, a move the studio highlighted as part of its broader effort to curb invasive fan behavior.

The episode has sparked a wider conversation about celebrity privacy in China’s entertainment industry. Netizens have overwhelmingly sided with Wang, denouncing the breach of his personal space and applauding the studio’s legal approach. Many users expressed sympathy, noting the absurdity of a fabricated “girlfriend” scandal disrupting the actor’s filming schedule. Others seized on the suggestion that the alleged long‑term relationship hinted at Wang’s loyalty, framing it as a positive character trait.

Industry observers see the incident as a litmus test for how talent agencies and studios will handle the growing menace of “private‑life” intrusions. The studio’s decision to pursue judicial recourse signals a shift toward more aggressive legal enforcement, potentially setting a precedent that could deter future sasaeng activities. Moreover, the rapid spread of the recording underscores a persistent challenge for media ethics: the viral amplification of unverified content can outpace fact‑checking, fueling misinformation and eroding public trust.

The controversy also spotlights the tension between fan enthusiasm and boundary crossing. While passionate supporters are crucial to a celebrity’s success, the line between admiration and harassment has become increasingly blurred. Calls for a “healthy, positive, and rational fan culture” echo throughout the online commentary, urging a collective responsibility to respect personal privacy and uphold civil conduct.

In the wake of the incident, the Chinese entertainment sector may be prompted to reinforce protective measures for its talent—ranging from tighter security protocols to clearer legal guidelines for handling privacy violations. As Wang Hedi’s studio moves forward with its legal case, the episode serves as a reminder that, in the digital age, the rights of public figures to personal space remain vulnerable, and that safeguarding those rights will require coordinated effort from artists, managers, platforms and the public alike.