ABOUT

[Timeline of Event by Zhao Lusi's Official Fanclub]
2024, December

Since the beginning of this year, we noticed that Zhao Lusi did not have a visible manager. Many tasks, including communicating with airport staff during overseas events, required her personal involvement. A relentless workload, combined with a schedule lack of rest, placed significant stress on her health. After the filming of Almost Lovers began, Zhao Lusi juggled drama shooting with promotional activities for an airing drama, continuing to work late into the night even while frequently suffering from colds and fevers.

In December, fans repeatedly asked the studio, “Why does Zhao Lusi look so tired?” “Why is her complexion pale?” “Is she overworking herself?” However, no clear response was given.

Here is what has been reported:

December 14: Zhao Lusi experienced physical discomfort on set and began using an oxygen supply. She needed a wheelchair, assisted by her team, to return to her vehicle.

December 15–17: Requests for sick leave were allegedly denied. Despite her worsening condition, Zhao Lusi continued to work on set.

December 18: Zhao Lusi collapsed on set and was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.

December 19: The studio requested fan clubs allocate spots for a January 5 offline event without mentioning her hospitalization.

Following December 19, as Zhao Lusi did not appear for several days, fans repeatedly inquired about her situation. They also requested the studio address rumors about her absence, but no clear answers were provided.

December 25: The studio stated they would release a statement after consulting with the production crew. However, no details or timeline were shared. By this time, Zhao Lusi had been unwell for more than ten days, and fans had been kept in the dark.

December 27 (early morning): A photo of Zhao Lusi in a wheelchair surfaced online. The studio confirmed for the first time that Zhao Lusi was unwell but did not address questions about her condition or its cause.

December 27 (afternoon): The studio released a statement describing Zhao Lusi’s hospitalization as the result of a “sudden illness,” which conflicted with earlier reports of her using oxygen and being wheelchair-bound on December 14.

December 18–27: While Zhao Lusi was hospitalized, Almost Lovers continued filming scenes with the male lead and other cast members.

December 27 (evening): Before the news of Zhao Lusi’s hospitalization was exposed, the Almost Lovers production crew suddenly disbanded all staff, announcing they would resume filming after the New Year. No statement was made regarding Zhao Lusi’s collapse and hospitalization.

December 28: A paparazzi account reported issues within the Almost Lovers crew, including significant script changes and long-term absenteeism of the director.

December 28: Wei Xiao’s article revealed that Zhao Lusi had been hospitalized on December 18, contradicting the studio’s claim that her illness was sudden. Wei Xiao also expressed hope that someone would take responsibility and provide an explanation.

December 31: A friend of Zhao Lusi revealed that in 2019, Zhao Lusi was verbally abused and physically assaulted by a senior executive in her company simply because she failed a lead role audition. Despite multiple witnesses, no apology was made, and the incident was dismissed as the executive being drunk.

Translation by KelulisPH on X

[Clarification by Zhao Lusi]
2025, January 1

This is my first and last response to everything that has happened recently. I sincerely apologize for taking up public attention. 

Before all this, I never allowed my illness to affect my work or those around me. I also acknowledge my own shortcomings. I’ve always thought of myself as patient, but over the past half month, I’ve realized that deep down, I’m not as magnanimous as I believed. So, I do hold some responsibility for the situation.  

My profession has given me more help and support than I could have imagined. I’m deeply grateful and fortunate, which allows me to understand all the misunderstandings I’ve faced. I fully support the idea that anyone can choose the career they aspire to at any time. You always have the right to leave the hardships and exhaustion of your current situation. You can stop whenever you want; you are free, and you can be brave.  

At the same time, I understand that everyone has experienced grievances and injustices. I’ve heard too many horrifying stories. If someone, without receiving any support, is silenced while their abuser grows bolder, regardless of profession, age, or gender, I believe that is wrong. It’s absurd to force someone to reopen old wounds to prove they’re not “overthinking,” not “too weak,” or not “unsatisfied.”  

No one but a doctor has the right to assess the severity of someone’s trauma or determine whether it qualifies as an illness. 

In 2019, I began experiencing depressive symptoms. People told me, “Don’t make a big deal out of it,” or “Think positively, and everything will be fine.” I thought I was being overly sensitive and didn’t take my mental health seriously.  

In 2021, I started feeling as if bugs were crawling on me, accompanied by needle-like sensations and allergies. Even after taking medication and getting injections, the symptoms didn’t improve. I eventually sought a psychologist to help manage my anxiety.  

In 2023, I faced pneumonia, emphysema, pityriasis rosea, hives, night sweats, sudden awakenings, and nerve deafness. I also dealt with the passing of a loved one and several cancer diagnoses within the family—all within a short time. However, the magnitude of the events overshadowed my emotions, and I continued to neglect myself.  

It wasn’t until 2024 that I began experiencing severe physical symptoms like frequent dry heaving, dizziness, joint pain, and worsening allergies. I assumed these were normal side effects of targeted allergy medication.  

When I was a child, I was often labeled as “useless” and a “pretty face.” During after-school tutoring, a teacher once hit me in their dorm. I believed it was justified because I wasn’t performing well academically and didn’t dare to speak up, thinking, “I must be the problem.”  

As I grew up, I was hit again after failing an acting audition. I thought it was my fault for not succeeding, so I stayed silent and only wanted to escape. I was used to handling everything on my own and never sought help. Later, after my work started getting recognition, I finally gained the confidence to say goodbye to that chapter of my life.  

In the end, she demanded a large “termination of contract fee” before finally stopping her cycles of crying, making scenes, and threatening self-harm. Even then, she spread endless slander and rumors about me, both inside and outside the industry. Countless people reached out to gossip after hearing these stories. Every incident deepened my pain, and the harm hasn’t stopped.  

I understand very well that I can’t have everything I want, nor can I demand perfection from my friends, family, or company. They haven’t hurt me and have done their best to protect me—that’s more than enough.  

I’ve never publicly mentioned my illness before because I didn’t want it to be labeled as a “publicity stunt.” However, given the current circumstances, I hope this can raise awareness: 

Feeling depressed can be an emotion, but depression as an illness is a medical condition. It cannot be resolved by simply “thinking positively” or “talking it out.”  

To those who share my feelings of being “truly understood”: whether or not others understand is no longer important. What’s worse is being caught in a cycle of endless explanations while being unable to save yourself.  

Understanding mental health and prioritizing mental health care is incredibly important.  

Regret is a useless emotion.  

“So take this ‘special time’ as an opportunity to break free from past inner conflicts and rebuild yourself.”  

Thank you to everyone who cared. It’s because of love that I’ve found the strength to live again.  

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and endless happiness."

Translation by wonwoncity on X