Zhao Lusi's Contract Dispute with Galaxy Cool Entertainment Heats Up as Speculation of Departure Grows
Zhao Lusi, a talented young actress, has found herself at the center of a heated debate surrounding her alleged contract termination with Yinhe Kuyu Media, also known as Galaxy Cool Entertainment. On August 2nd, Zhao Lusi directly tagged Yinhe Kuyu Media on Weibo, fueling speculation about her departure. This followed a previous observation on July 8th where her social media profile had already removed Yinhe Kuyu MCN.
2 August 2025
Many fans and observers believe that Yinhe Kuyu relies heavily on Zhao Lusi for its commercial success. She is seen as the "pillar" or "cash cow" of the company, with other artists under their management having significantly less recognition. The public's perception of Yinhe Kuyu's treatment of Zhao Lusi has sparked widespread outrage. Despite her apparent importance to the company's revenue, there are strong sentiments that Zhao Lusi has received poor treatment or a lack of proper support.
Yinhe Kuyu was established in August 2015, with Wu Xiaozhen as the legal representative. Over the years, the company has invested in other entities, such as Hunan Yinhe Kuyu Culture Media Co., Ltd. and Dongyang Kuyu Culture Media Co., Ltd. Initially focusing on internet video content, Yinhe Kuyu expanded into the artist management sector, with Zhao Lusi being one of its earliest and most successful signees.
Zhao Lusi's success, particularly in collaboration with Youku, has been instrumental in driving Yinhe Kuyu's growth, allowing the company to participate in large-scale projects and promote its newer artists. However, this reliance on a single successful artist poses risks, as recent events have shown. Zhao Lusi's health issues have had a significant impact on the company, highlighting the potential volatility of the entertainment industry.
On a broader scale, the Chinese entertainment industry is witnessing a shift in content consumption trends, with artists like Zhao Lusi venturing into shorter-form dramas. Yinhe Kuyu's transition from a variety show-focused company to an artist management powerhouse underscores the evolving strategies of entertainment companies in China. Furthermore, the development of young artists and their influence on the industry and fans reflects the rise of youth culture and the growing importance of the fan economy.
Recently, controversy has surrounded Zhao Lusi's contract with Yinhe Kuyu, with reports of financial disputes and disagreements over her management. In 2023, Yinhe Kuyu's CEO, Li Wei, stated that he had left the company and no longer had any involvement or shares. Throughout 2023 and 2024, rumors about Zhao Lusi's potential departure from the company persisted, despite repeated denials from Yinhe Kuyu. In July 2024, fans noticed that Zhao Lusi had removed the "Yinhe Kuyu MCN" tag from her social media profile, fueling speculation about her future with the company.
Zhao Lusi has also been vocal about her dissatisfaction with Yinhe Kuyu, alleging that the company had made unauthorized withdrawals from her studio's account and failed to provide adequate support for her career. Her previous manager, Xu Yiruo, has denied allegations of mistreatment and disputes over contract termination fees. With Zhao Lusi's contract reportedly set to expire in 2030, the ongoing disputes between her and Yinhe Kuyu remain a contentious issue.
