Chinese actor and vocalist Fan Shiqi is currently under scrutiny online following the release of his new drama Love's Ambition on September 26. Despite having a supporting role, the 33-year-old is facing backlash from netizens, who are even calling for a boycott of the series or the removal of his scenes. This drama marks Zhao Lusi's return to acting after experiencing health issues in recent months, and it also features William Chan in the lead role.

Fan Shiqi implicated in Yu Menglong death
Fan Shiqi's involvement in the cast has left many dissatisfied. The discontent stems from the late Chinese actor Yu Menglong, also known as Alan Yu, who tragically passed away at the age of 37 on September 11 after reportedly falling from a building.

Public response to Fan Shiqi's appearance in Love's Ambition
"Oh look, there's Fan Shiqi. Why does it have to be him? I hope his scene is very brief. It's upsetting to see him because of Alan Yu's death," commented a user on X (formerly Twitter). As calls to boycott Love's Ambition grow, Fan's recent concert has also been overshadowed by Yu Menglong's passing, reportedly selling only 15-20 tickets due to the ongoing controversy surrounding him.
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Neither the production team of the show nor Fan's representatives have addressed the online backlash. Amid the continuing protests against the actor, he has been excluded from promotional materials for the drama. His screen presence is also anticipated to affect the show's popularity, despite its strong debut ratings.