It’s not the first time he’s done this.
Koreaboo
15 minutes ago
A popular actor is being called out for his behavior by a production crew as well as the director for a past project.
Wang Yi Lei is a Chinese actor who made his acting debut in 2023. Since then, he has played the male lead in over a dozen series, including Embrace You through the Ashes in 2025. He was also reportedly slated to act in several other series that he dropped out of.
“Embrace You through the Ashes” poster
A C-Drama’s production team has accused Wang of causing chaos behind the scenes after he allegedly failed to appear for filming at the last minute. The controversy erupted after the team behind the vertical drama Kill That Spring Night released a statement on May 11 explaining why Wang was suddenly replaced by actor Yi Hang. According to producers, filming preparations had already been completed, cast and crew had arrived in Hengdian, China, and production costs had already been spent before problems emerged just hours before departure.
The team said Wang received the first 30 episodes of the script on April 27, followed by revisions in the days after. The producers admitted the script still needed polishing but claimed they continued adjusting scenes based on Wang’s feedback. Wang was scheduled to fly to Hengdian at 7:40 pm on May 10, but around 5:00 pm, his management allegedly reopened discussions about script revisions and informed production that he would miss the flight.
The producers claimed Wang refused to travel until further changes were made, despite the female lead, crew, and technical staff already being on set. Communication reportedly worsened later that night after Wang’s side said he was unwell and became difficult to contact. The production team said they spent the night searching for a replacement actor before ultimately casting Yi Hang.
Wang addressed the situation during a livestream, revealing he has decided to take an indefinite hiatus from the entertainment industry due to worsening mental and physical health. He shared that he had been diagnosed with depression in September 2025 and admitted that the criticism about being difficult to work with was not entirely unfair. He apologized to the cast and crew while maintaining that concerns over the script had negatively affected his condition.
However, his explanation hasn’t put the controversy to rest. Lists of C-Dramas that Wang allegedly exited before filming began have been circulating on social media. They include Through the Mist, Mint Night, You Are My Little Happiness, Kill That Spring Night, and Seizing Your Heart.
Through the Mist‘s director reportedly added to the ongoing controversy by alleging, during a livestream, that Wang withdrew from Through the Mist after disagreements involving casting choices and script concerns. Wang had allegedly requested certain actresses, and after one of these actresses declined, Wang allegedly became unhappy with the casting choices for her replacement. The director claimed Wang had completed costume fittings and makeup tests before leaving the project over a neck injury that may not have been serious enough to halt filming entirely. Additional disputes reportedly emerged over advance payments tied to the production.
Kill That Spring Night is continuing production with Yi Hang replacing Wang, while Wang remains on hiatus with no confirmed return date.