Yu Shuxin’s Team Launches Ongoing Evidence‑Gathering Campaign to Pursue Defamation Lawsuits Against Online Rumors

Yu Shuxin, a 26‑year‑old actress and singer who rose to prominence through the reality show “Produce 101,” has long been a fixture of China’s pop‑culture landscape. Yet her popularity has also made her a frequent target of internet trolls, or “黑子,” who routinely disseminate rumors and disparaging remarks in an effort to damage her reputation. The latest surge of hostility has prompted her studio—officially known as the Yu Shuxin Studio—to issue a public notice that it is in the process of “collecting evidence” for forthcoming legal action.

The studio’s notice, posted on Weibo, points to a series of insulting and defamatory posts that accuse the star of everything from fabricating personal relationships to engaging in unprofessional conduct. One especially persistent rumor, which first appeared in June 2023, claimed that Yu was dating veteran actor Van Ness Wu. The studio promptly denied the claim, stating that the rumor had no factual basis and that it was part of a broader campaign to “slander, discredit and lower her social evaluation.” Similar falsehoods have surfaced on Chinese knowledge‑sharing sites such as Zhihu and community forums like Douban, prompting the studio to launch a systematic evidence‑gathering operation.

In the context of Chinese civil law, “取证”—the act of securing evidence—often involves screenshots, server logs, witness statements and other documentation that can be presented in court to substantiate claims of defamation. By emphasizing that the process is “持续” (continuous), the studio signals both the scale of the problem and its determination to pursue the matter through formal channels rather than merely issuing public denials.

The public response has been largely supportive. Fans have rallied around the hashtag with messages such as “支持欣欣子告黑维权呀!” (“Support Xin Xin in suing the haters and protecting her rights!”). Many netizens have expressed sympathy for the challenges faced by public figures in an online environment where rumors can spread instantaneously and unverified content often goes unchecked. Others have taken a more measured stance, framing the situation as a test case for the balance between free expression and personal dignity in China’s increasingly regulated digital sphere.

Yu’s studio has already identified two concrete legal disputes stemming from the recent defamation campaign. The first involves a portrait‑rights case against Shanghai Jishen Accessories Co., Ltd., which allegedly used images of the actress without permission. The second concerns a reputation‑rights claim against a user known only as “Hou Moumou,” who posted a series of slanderous statements about Yu on a public forum. Both cases are now pending in the courts, and the studio has reiterated that the evidence it continues to collect will be handed over to prosecutors and judges as part of the filing process.

While the immediate focus is on protecting Yu Shuxin’s personal and professional image, the episode reflects broader trends within the Chinese entertainment industry. In recent years, more artists and their management teams have turned to litigation as a tool for crisis management, moving beyond the traditional approach of issuing statements and hoping that the controversy will die down. Legal scholars note that such a shift signals a growing professionalization of public‑relations strategies, wherein a systematic evidence‑collection phase precedes any court filing. This method not only strengthens the likelihood of a favorable verdict but also serves as a deterrent to would‑be rumor‑mongers.

The ripple effects could be significant. If Yu’s cases result in judgments that impose substantial penalties on the defendants, other celebrities may be emboldened to file similar suits, potentially curbing the prevalence of malicious gossip. At the same time, social‑media platforms could feel pressure to tighten content‑moderation policies, implementing faster takedown mechanisms and more robust verification processes for reports of defamation. Companies such as Weibo, TikTok’s Chinese counterpart Douyin, and the forum giant Zhihu have already faced criticism for allowing harmful content to linger, and a wave of successful lawsuits could accelerate reforms in these arenas.

Beyond the entertainment sector, the case raises questions about public awareness of defamation law in China. Historically, ordinary citizens have been hesitant to pursue legal remedies for online slander, often due to the perceived complexity of the judicial process or the fear of being labeled “attention‑seekers.” High‑profile cases like Yu’s could demystify the procedure, encouraging more people to document and report abusive content. Conversely, some observers warn that an aggressive legal stance might stifle legitimate criticism, especially in a climate where the state already emphasizes social stability and the curtailment of “harmful” speech.

From a regulatory perspective, the ongoing litigation aligns with the Chinese government’s broader agenda of tightening internet governance. In recent years, the authorities have introduced a series of laws and guidelines aimed at combating fake news, protecting personal data and safeguarding citizens from online harassment. The courts’ willingness to entertain defamation suits—particularly those involving public figures—reinforces the message that the digital realm is subject to the same legal standards as the offline world. Should the number of similar cases rise, lawmakers may feel compelled to further clarify the boundaries between lawful expression and unlawful defamation, possibly amending existing statutes or issuing new regulatory directives.

In sum, the viral tag “虞书欣方持续取证中” encapsulates a multi‑layered narrative: a young star fighting back against a tide of baseless rumors, a studio harnessing legal tools to defend its client, a fan base rallying in support, and an industry—and perhaps a nation—grappling with how to balance free discourse against personal protection in the digital age. As the courts deliberate on the portrait‑rights and reputation‑rights cases, the outcome will likely reverberate beyond a single celebrity, shaping how Chinese netizens, entertainment companies and regulators approach the ever‑evolving challenges of online reputation management.