On Nov. 4, Zhou posted an apology on her Weibo account, expressing regret to anyone affected by her actions. "No matter what, if my actions have caused any bad feelings, I want to sincerely say ‘sorry.’ This was definitely not my intention, but I am willing to shoulder the responsibility," she wrote, as reported by Dramapanda.
Chinese actress Zhou Yutong. Photo from Weibo |
Zhou said that the incident has brought her a mix of conflicting emotions. While she acknowledged she might not meet everyone’s standards, she added that she is also not as flawed as some criticisms suggest. "I have become aware of my limitations and, in the process, accepted my shortcomings," she said.
In closing, Zhou thanked everyone for their feedback and promised to be more receptive to criticism going forward.
According to Tien Phong, referencing QQ, the 30-year-old actress rudely toward colleagues such as Gina Jin, Victoria Song, and Chen Hao. Incidents cited include starting meals before others, opening a bathroom door while Jin was inside, imposing her plans on the group, and clashing with Hao over budget-saving travel suggestions. Zhou also drew criticism for hoarding snacks to eat secretly, avoiding sharing them with the group.
In one instance, when Jin asked to borrow lipstick, Zhou responded: "Only someone with a lot of character could pull off this shade," a comment seen as subtly insulting Jin’s sophistication.
Zhou’s choice of gifts has also raised eyebrows. She gave her co-star Leo Wu a toy watch in a Rolex box and later requested an expensive drink in return. For co-star Gong Jun’s birthday, Zhou presented a large portrait of herself, causing him discomfort and prompting him to clarify that it was her choice and did not imply any romantic connection.
Zhou also gave Jin a Hello Kitty figurine resembling a limited edition item valued at over 6,000 yuan (US$840), which fans later found to be a cheap imitation worth only 20-30 yuan.
Zhou, a prominent actress in Chinese cinema, began her career in 2013 with the children’s fantasy film "Balala the Fairies: The Movie" and gained fame through her performances in the fantasy action web series "Cambrian Period", the romantic drama "Long For You", and her recent role in "Will Love in Spring" with actor Li Xian.