Shockwaves ripple through the industry as Ireine Song’s name emerges in connection with the tragic death of actor Yu Menglong, igniting a firestorm of rumors, denials, and legal battles that have gripped Chinese social media and entertainment circles. What began as a sorrowful accident has spiraled into a web of online speculation, dragging the 32-year-old actress—known for her breakout role as Sang Sang in the 2018 fantasy drama Ever Night—into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
The Incident at the Center: Yu Menglong’s Fatal Fall
On September 22, 2025, Beijing police officially ruled the death of 37-year-old actor Yu Menglong (also known as Yu Meng Long) as an alcohol-related accident. Yu, a rising star in Chinese dramas like The Best of You in My Mind, reportedly fell from a high-rise building in Beijing after a night of heavy drinking during a private gathering. Initial reports described it as a “misadventure,” with no foul play suspected. However, the vagueness of the circumstances—combined with whispers of a high-society party involving industry insiders—quickly fueled conspiracy theories online.
Within hours, anonymous posts on platforms like Weibo and X (formerly Twitter) began linking Yu’s death to a shadowy “elite network” in the entertainment world, alleging cover-ups, substance-fueled excess, and even darker implications. That’s when Ireine Song’s name first surfaced, accused by netizens of being present at the gathering and “fleeing abroad” to evade scrutiny.
Ireine Song: From Stardom to Scandal
Song Yiren (Ireine Song), a Jinan-born actress who holds Canadian citizenship after emigrating as a child, has built a solid career in C-dramas and films. Fluent in Mandarin, English, and French, she’s starred in hits like Professional Single (2020) and Cafe 6 (2016), earning praise for her poised, ethereal screen presence. But on September 22, 2025, her world turned upside down.
Accusations poured in: claims that Song was not just at the scene but involved in “escorting,” “pimping,” or even directly contributing to the tragedy. Some posts fabricated ties to a “capital tycoon” or a mysterious “Teacher Tian,” suggesting her family’s supposed wealth (debunked as ordinary) played a role. One particularly viral thread on X alleged her presence at two similar tragedies, including the earlier passing of actor Kimi Qiao (a less prominent figure whose 2024 death was also ruled accidental but sparked brief rumors).
The backlash was swift and vicious. Hashtags like #JusticeForYuMenglong trended globally, with fans and anti-fans alike dissecting old photos, timelines, and deleted Weibo posts for “evidence.” Song, who has largely stayed out of tabloid fodder, found herself labeled a “murderer” in unfiltered online vitriol.
The Response: Legal Action and Fierce Denials
Song wasted no time fighting back. On September 22, her lawyer, Yang Shuguang, issued a public statement announcing legal proceedings against those spreading “false information” across platforms. The next day, September 23, Song herself broke her silence with a lengthy Weibo post, outlining five key points:
- She was not at the scene: Song stated she learned of Yu’s death “later that morning” and had no involvement whatsoever.
- No flight or cover-up: She denied fleeing abroad (she was in China at the time) and emphasized her career is built on “her own efforts,” not elite connections.
- Family background: Dismissing rumors of her father transferring 2.7 billion yuan to influencers like “Fang” or “Tian,” she described her family as “ordinary.”
- Deleted posts explained: Old social media content was removed to prevent “misunderstandings,” not to hide guilt.
- Police report filed: Song confirmed reporting the defamation to authorities and pursuing cyberbullying charges.
Her lawyer echoed this in a follow-up, urging the public to “respect the late actor and not fabricate stories.” Echoing her, fellow actress Fan Shiqi (another name briefly dragged in) issued a similar denial, calling the rumors a “wave of baseless attacks.”
Industry Fallout and Broader Implications
The scandal has amplified calls for better mental health support and transparency in China’s opaque entertainment scene, where alcohol-fueled networking events are notoriously common. Production houses are reportedly on edge, with some delaying projects involving rumored figures. On X, discussions have evolved from pure outrage to debates on “gapjil”-like power imbalances (a term borrowed from Korean scandals), highlighting how female stars like Song face disproportionate scrutiny.
As of October 11, 2025, no new evidence has emerged to substantiate the claims against Song—police maintain their accident ruling, and her legal team is pursuing multiple defamation suits. Yet, in the court of public opinion, the damage lingers. Fans rally with #SupportIreineSong, sharing clips of her roles to remind the world of her talent amid the toxicity.
This isn’t just a celebrity dust-up; it’s a stark reminder of how quickly grief can morph into a digital witch hunt. Will the truth fully silence the shockwaves? Only time—and perhaps a courtroom—will tell.
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