Lin Chi-ling Faces Boycott in China; Special Appearance Deleted from Drama

Lin Chi-ling has faced a boycott in China despite declining an appointment as a board member of Taiwan's Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA). The Chinese drama 'Yulan Hua Kai Jun Zai Lai,' which featured her in a special appearance, released its cast list on the 25th without her name. Additionally, the variety show 'Mao Xue Wang' abruptly replaced her scheduled appearance. Chinese influencers analyze that the production teams are taking these steps to avoid political risks and ensure the shows pass censorship. Tencent Video S+ announced the cast and a wrap-up special for 'Yulan Hua Kai Jun Zai Lai' on the 25th, but Lin Chi-ling, originally slated for a special appearance, was absent from the list, and all promotional materials related to her were deleted from the show's official Weibo account. The 'Douban Movie' profile for the drama still lists her as the third-ranked performer, behind lead actors Yang Zi and Ou Hao. In January, news of her participation in the drama was seen as a test for her comeback in China, and her appearance in a purple embroidered qipao went viral. Meanwhile, the variety show 'Mao Xue Wang' teased her appearance on the 19th, promising a discussion about her daily life, with a broadcast scheduled for May 25. However, the episode was replaced with other guests, and the teaser was taken down. Chinese entertainment commentators suggest that these actions are meant to avoid political risks and guarantee the shows' approval, noting that her comeback in China appears hopeless. Influencers noted that her appointment to the TAICCA board led to accusations of supporting 'Taiwan independence.' Although she resigned quickly, the public views it as an 'emergency measure' to protect her Chinese market presence rather than a sincere change of heart. TAICCA announced her appointment on the 13th, but netizens dug up her past social media posts in China, questioning her suitability. Following backlash in Taiwan, TAICCA Chair Wang Shi-si stated that her past remarks reflect the dilemmas faced by Taiwanese entertainers. On the 21st, Lin Chi-ling posted on Facebook that the weight of the title was heavier than she imagined, and she decided not to take the position.