The Unfulfilled Lifeline: Yang Mi’s Determined Efforts to Free Yu Menglong from His Agency
In the wake of Chinese actor Yu Menglong’s tragic death in September 2025, unverified reports have surfaced suggesting that superstar Yang Mi made multiple passionate attempts to rescue her former co-star—affectionately called her “fourth brother” from their collaboration in Eternal Love—from the restrictive grip of his agency, Tianyu Media. According to entertainment blogs and fan discussions, Yang Mi, impressed by Yu’s talent and work ethic, tried at least three times to recruit him to her own company, offering generous terms like a higher profit share and prominent roles.
Following the massive success of Eternal Love in 2017, where Yu played the gentle Bai Zhen opposite Yang Mi’s Bai Qian, her team reportedly traveled to Beijing to negotiate his transfer. However, Tianyu Media allegedly blocked every move, citing a “priority renewal clause” in Yu’s 2013 contract that allowed automatic extensions if they matched a portion of competing offers. This clause, combined with reportedly exorbitant termination fees, made freedom financially impossible, trapping Yu in a system some fans blame for stifling his career and contributing to his struggles.
Yang Mi’s efforts highlighted her reputation for fostering a “clean” environment, free from industry “unspoken rules.” Insiders claim she viewed Yu as family, visiting him on sets and expressing concern over his difficulties. When news of his death broke—officially ruled an accidental fall—Yang Mi posted a poignant tribute: “Fourth Brother, may you rest peacefully in another world.”
These rumors add poignant “what ifs” to Yu’s story: Could a switch have revitalized his career and averted tragedy? While unconfirmed by official statements, they underscore the harsh realities of China’s entertainment contracts, where talent often faces limited mobility. Fans mourn not just the loss of a kind-hearted star, but the missed opportunities that might have changed his path.
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