Dylan Wang's old video 'suffocating' Shen Yue resurfaces amid 'You're just Wang Hedi' controversy: 'Horrible to watch, absurd to defend'

If you’re a fan of the hit C-drama Meteor Garden, the Chinese adaptation of the iconic manga Boys Over Flowers, then you probably know how beloved the friendship between lead stars Dylan Wang and Shen Yue became over the years. But now, a fresh controversy appears to have put that nearly decade-long bond under strain.




The controversy began during the finale awards segment of the variety show,The Inn, where Wang was reportedly excluded from a private group chat jokingly named after him and later presented with a humorous award titled “Best You’re Just a Wang Hedi Award.” Many fans felt the joke crossed the line and publicly embarrassed the actor, especially after Wang took to Weibo to admit the moment made him uncomfortable.


Although Shen Yue later tried to explain the situation, the backlash has since split fans into two camps — one accusing Shen of being insensitive to Wang’s feelings despite their long friendship, while the other believes Wang took the joke out of context and intensified the drama by addressing it publicly. As the variety show drama escalates, an old video has resurfaced where the Only For Love actor is seen 'suffocating' Shen, immediately sparking hypocrisy claims.


The controversy involving Dylan Wang and Shen Yue began after the finale episode of the variety show The Inn 2026 aired on May 22. During the show’s closing “awards” segment, cast members jokingly handed out humorous titles to each other. While most of the awards were lighthearted and flattering, Dylan received one called “Best You’re Just a Wang Hedi Award,” a pun on his Chinese name that many viewers felt sounded mocking or dismissive rather than playful.



The situation became even more awkward when the cast casually mentioned a private group chat that Dylan was apparently not included in. Cameras caught him looking visibly confused, and viewers quickly started speculating online that he had been excluded or isolated behind the scenes during filming. The moment exploded across Weibo and fan communities, especially because Dylan and Shen Yue have been publicly close ever since starring together in Meteor Garden.


A few hours after the episode aired, Dylan posted on Weibo in the middle of the night admitting that the incident genuinely made him uncomfortable. He wrote that he initially wondered whether he was simply “too sensitive,” but after reflecting on the situation and reading public reactions, he realised the discomfort was real. His studio later released a statement defending him and saying that emotional boundaries should not be dismissed as weakness.



As backlash intensified, Shen Yue posted a lengthy apology explaining that the award was never intended to insult him. According to her, the phrase was meant to encourage Dylan to stop carrying the pressure of being the “responsible manager” on the show and simply relax and be himself again after filming wrapped. She also addressed the viral group chat controversy, explaining that there were actually multiple chats created for practical reasons, including organising support for Dylan’s movie and arranging dinners, rather than intentionally excluding him.




The controversy quickly spiralled across social media, with fans fiercely divided over whether the actor was genuinely hurt or overreacting to an inside joke. Many of Dylan’s supporters argued that his discomfort was valid and that close friends should know where to draw the line publicly. One fan wrote, “Why would someone as a ‘friend’ start something that you know will embarrass your friend? If she doesn’t know this as she claimed, then she’s immature. #staystrongWangHeDi.” Another defended him by pointing out that he never directly attacked anyone, saying, “He just said he feels uncomfortable with the scenario. The rest of you are the ones being sensitive and insensitive.”


However, the backlash soon shifted after old clips from the variety show appearances resurfaced online. In one viral video, Dylan and Shen Yue are seen joking around before he pulls the drawstrings of her hoodie tightly over her face, temporarily leaving her unable to breathe properly. The resurfaced footage sparked a fresh wave of criticism against the actor, with many accusing him of hypocrisy for speaking out about discomfort while allegedly making others uncomfortable himself.


The video was also shared on r/cdrama subreddit where One viewer commented, “I really hope celebrities doing these kinds of playful attitudes get to taste their own medicine because it doesn’t look fun at all.” Others were even harsher in their criticism, questioning why Shen Yue was receiving the majority of the backlash while Dylan’s own past behaviour was being overlooked. “He makes worse jokes on Shen Yue every show, but this is what offends him?” one person wrote. Another added, “Does he never joke with his friends? Why is it that only Shen Yue gets attacked?” As the debate intensified, some users began accusing fans of placing male celebrities on a pedestal while ignoring problematic moments involving their female co-stars. "It's horrible to watch. Absurd to even defend this," one fan said. Check out more reactions in the Reddit thread below:



The resurfaced clip also reignited wider conversations about celebrity image management in the Chinese entertainment industry. Some users argued that the controversy exposed behaviour that had previously been brushed aside due to strong fan protection and PR narratives surrounding popular male actors.
Neither Shen nor Wang has reacted to the now viral video. Meanwhile, fanwars are on, and no one seems to be winning this battle anytime soon.