Yu Zheng Declares Bai Lu’s Freedom to Leave Contract, Igniting Debate Over Artist Autonomy in China’s Entertainment Industry

Bai Lu, a former model turned actress, signed with Yu Zheng’s Huanyu Entertainment in 2016. Over the ensuing nine years she has become one of China’s most recognizable faces, headlining hit dramas such as Phoenix Song, One and Only and the period romance Story of Kunning Palace. Her ascent has not only elevated Huanyu’s catalogue but also turned her into a cultural touchstone for a generation of viewers. As her contract nears its end, fans and industry insiders alike have been speculating whether she will stay under Yu Zheng’s banner or venture out on her own.

When a netizen asked directly whether the producer would coerce the actress into a renewal, Yu Zheng’s response was strikingly personal. He likened his relationship with Bai Lu to that of a parent and child, saying she “is free to come and go, and it doesn’t affect my love for her.” Many users applauded the sentiment as a rare display of a mentor’s respect for an artist’s autonomy. In the comment sections of Weibo and other platforms, some praised Yu Zheng for “being mature and supportive,” interpreting his words as an assurance that Bai Lu will not be trapped in a binding agreement against her will.

Yet the same statement also fed an undercurrent of doubt. Critics of Yu Zheng, a figure whose career has been punctuated by high‑profile disputes and controversial remarks, wondered whether his public reassurance was a calculated move to safeguard his own reputation. Some pointed out that Bai Lu’s “public goodwill” could be jeopardized if the producer’s image were to suffer, asking whether he was “rejecting moral binding” or merely trying to “improve his own public image.” The conversation reflected a broader unease about the power dynamics that pervade China’s entertainment industry, where agencies often control everything from script choices to personal branding.

The length of Bai Lu’s contract — a full nine years — has become a focal point of the debate. Fans frequently cite this longevity to highlight how much the actress has grown under Huanyu’s guidance, while simultaneously urging her to carve out a more independent path. A recurring theme in the online chatter is the call for a dedicated studio for Bai Lu, a separate entity that would allow her to manage her own team rather than sharing resources with other Huanyu projects. This demand underscores a desire among her supporters to see her enjoy both creative freedom and the stability that comes with a personal brand.

In the midst of the social media frenzy, the phrase “于正说她来去自由不影响我爱她” (Yu Zheng said she is free to come and go, it doesn’t affect my love for her) has taken on a life of its own, circulating with multiple translations that capture its nuanced meaning. Whether rendered as “Yu Zheng said she’s free to come and go; it doesn’t affect my love for her” or more formally as “Yu Zheng stated her freedom to come and go does not deter his affection,” the core message remains unchanged: a public affirmation of respect for an artist’s autonomy.

For Huanyu Entertainment, the statement serves a dual purpose. It reassures a fanbase wary of contractual coercion, and it projects a forward‑looking, caring image at a time when the industry’s power structures are under increasing scrutiny. For Bai Lu, the episode has amplified calls for her to take the next step — potentially establishing her own studio, renegotiating terms, or moving to a different agency entirely — while she continues to ride the wave of recent successes.

The episode also reflects a shifting dialogue in Chinese pop culture about the balance between mentorship and control. While some observers see Yu Zheng’s words as genuinely paternal, others read them as a strategic brand move. Regardless of the motivations, the public’s reaction has been clear: they want Bai Lu to thrive on her own terms. As the countdown to her contract’s expiration continues, all eyes will be on whether the actress follows Yu Zheng’s invitation and walks away, or stays and continues the partnership that has defined much of her illustrious career. In either case, the conversation sparked by his reassuring, if somewhat theatrical, declaration has opened a broader discussion about artist rights, agency influence, and the evolving nature of fame in China’s fast‑moving entertainment landscape.