Chinese Entertainment News
Zhang Yuqi’s Relationships: A Timeline of Romance and Public Scrutiny
Zhang Yuqi (张雨绮), also known as Kitty Zhang, is a popular Chinese actress known for her roles in films like CJ7 and White Deer Plain. Over the years, she has gained as much attention for her personal life and relationships as for her acting career. Zhang’s romantic history is characterized by high-profile relationships with businessmen and celebrities, many of which have been extensively covered by the media. Throughout her public life, she has been open about love and her belief in the importance of romance, which has made her the subject of significant media scrutiny.
Here is a detailed look at her relationships with figures such as Stephen Fung (冯德伦), Liu Tao (刘韬), Wang Xiaofei (汪小菲), Tang Jiache (汤珈铖), Wang Quan’an (王全安), Yuan Bayuan (袁巴元), Zhang Qianhao (张钱豪), Li Bingxi (李柄熹), Zhang Mohuai (张墨怀), and Yu Shi (于适).
1. Stephen Fung (冯德伦)
Zhang Yuqi’s first public relationship was with Hong Kong actor and director Stephen Fung. The two met while filming the 2007 movie CJ7, which marked Zhang’s breakthrough in the film industry. Stephen Fung was an established figure in the entertainment industry at that time, known for his work as both an actor and a director. Their relationship quickly garnered media attention due to Zhang’s rising fame following the success of CJ7.
However, their romance was relatively short-lived. Despite the media buzz surrounding their relationship, the couple eventually broke up. Both Stephen and Zhang have remained relatively private about the details of their split, but it is believed that their growing professional responsibilities and different career trajectories contributed to the breakup. While their romance did not last long, it marked the beginning of Zhang Yuqi’s series of high-profile relationships.
2. Liu Tao (刘韬)
After her breakup with Stephen Fung, Zhang Yuqi reportedly dated Liu Tao, a well-known producer in China. While this relationship wasn’t as widely publicized as her others, it became a topic of discussion in entertainment circles. Liu Tao was influential behind the scenes in Chinese cinema, which drew attention to their pairing.
Not much is known about the specific timeline or reasons for their breakup, as both parties kept this relationship relatively private. However, Zhang’s connection to influential figures like Liu Tao further established her status in the industry and indicated her preference for dating powerful individuals in showbiz and business.
3. Wang Xiaofei (汪小菲)
Zhang Yuqi was rumored to have dated Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei, who is the son of prominent Chinese entrepreneur Zhang Lan, the founder of the South Beauty restaurant chain. Wang Xiaofei himself is a successful businessman, and his relationships with high-profile women have often made headlines.
Before his marriage to Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, Wang Xiaofei was linked to Zhang Yuqi. Although the details of their relationship remain unclear and neither party officially confirmed their romance, media speculation at the time suggested that the two were close. Wang Xiaofei’s high-profile connections and Zhang’s rising fame would have made them an intriguing couple in the public eye.
4. Tang Jiache (汤珈铖)
In 2010, Zhang Yuqi entered into a relationship with Tang Jiache, the son of Chinese business magnate Tang Yong (汤永). Tang Jiache, often referred to as the “rich second generation” (富二代), was involved in various business ventures and was known for his lavish lifestyle. This relationship was particularly high-profile due to Tang’s immense wealth and Zhang’s rising fame in the entertainment industry.
The couple was frequently seen together at public events, and their relationship was often a topic of gossip in the media. Zhang Yuqi seemed genuinely happy with Tang Jiache, and their relationship appeared to be serious. However, their romance ultimately came to an end, reportedly due to differences in lifestyle and personal values. Some reports suggested that Tang’s playboy image clashed with Zhang’s desire for stability, leading to their breakup.
5. Wang Quan’an (王全安)
Zhang Yuqi’s marriage to director Wang Quan’an was one of her most well-known and talked-about relationships. The couple tied the knot in 2011, and their marriage was initially seen as a harmonious union between a talented actress and an award-winning director. Wang Quan’an is a highly respected figure in Chinese cinema, having won the Golden Bear award at the Berlin International Film Festival for his film Tuya’s Marriage (2006). This made Zhang Yuqi and Wang Quan’an one of the most admired couples in Chinese showbiz.
However, their marriage faced turbulence in 2014 when Wang Quan’an was arrested for soliciting prostitution. This scandal shook their marriage and led to intense media scrutiny. Despite initially standing by her husband, Zhang Yuqi eventually filed for divorce in 2015. The public nature of the scandal and its impact on Zhang’s image took a toll on her, but she remained resilient and focused on her career after the divorce.
6. Yuan Bayuan (袁巴元)
Following her divorce from Wang Quan’an, Zhang Yuqi quickly moved on and married Yuan Bayuan, a wealthy businessman, in 2016. Yuan Bayuan was the founder of a real estate company, and their whirlwind romance made headlines. The couple had twin children, a boy and a girl, which initially gave the impression that Zhang had found stability in her personal life.
However, their marriage was fraught with conflict. In 2018, Zhang Yuqi was involved in a domestic dispute with Yuan, which reportedly escalated to physical altercations. The incident became public when Yuan called the police, and the media widely covered the breakdown of their marriage. Zhang was candid about the problems in their relationship, stating that it was an irreparable situation. The couple officially divorced in 2018, and Zhang was granted custody of their children.
7. Zhang Qianhao (张钱豪)
After her second divorce, Zhang Yuqi was linked to Zhang Qianhao, a Shanghai-based financier and CEO. Zhang Qianhao is known for his successful career in finance and his connections to the entertainment industry. Their relationship, however, was short-lived and marked by the pressures of Zhang Yuqi’s highly publicized personal life.
While the couple dated briefly, there were reports suggesting that their relationship ended on amicable terms. Zhang Yuqi’s focus on rebuilding her career and taking care of her children may have contributed to the dissolution of this relationship.
8. Li Bingxi (李柄熹)
In 2021, Zhang Yuqi entered into a relationship with Li Bingxi, a much younger actor and musician. Li Bingxi is known for his appearance on the Chinese talent show Youth With You, where he gained a fanbase for his musical talent. Their relationship caused quite a stir in the media due to the significant age gap between the two—Zhang Yuqi is 10 years older than Li Bingxi.
Despite the age difference, Zhang Yuqi and Li Bingxi were publicly affectionate and didn’t shy away from showing their love on social media. However, their relationship faced constant media scrutiny, and rumors began to circulate about the pressures they faced due to public judgment. The couple reportedly broke up in 2022, but they remain on good terms.
9. Zhang Mohuai (张墨怀)
After her breakup with Li Bingxi, Zhang Yuqi was rumored to be dating Zhang Mohuai, another figure involved in China’s business world. However, details about their relationship remain scarce, as both Zhang Yuqi and Zhang Mohuai have kept this relationship relatively private. Unlike some of her previous high-profile romances, Zhang Yuqi has chosen not to share too much about her personal life following her breakup with Li Bingxi.
10. Yu Shi (于适)
Most recently, Zhang Yuqi has been linked to Yu Shi, a rising actor known for his roles in Chinese television dramas and films. Yu Shi, a younger actor, has been gaining recognition for his acting skills and is one of the industry’s emerging talents. While Zhang Yuqi and Yu Shi have not officially confirmed their relationship, rumors began circulating after the two were seen together at public events and spending time with mutual friends.
As with her previous relationships, the age gap between Zhang Yuqi and Yu Shi has sparked discussion, but Zhang has remained unfazed by public opinion. Her focus on living authentically and pursuing love on her own terms continues to be a defining feature of her personal life.
Conclusion
Zhang Yuqi’s relationships have been a central aspect of her public persona, with her romantic entanglements often making as many headlines as her acting career. From high-profile marriages to quick flings, her love life has been anything but ordinary. Despite the challenges and controversies that have accompanied her relationships, Zhang remains a resilient figure in Chinese entertainment, known for her unapologetic attitude toward life and love.
Through her relationships with figures like Stephen Fung, Wang Quan’an, and Yuan Bayuan, Zhang has navigated personal and public difficulties while continuing to focus on her career and her children. As she moves forward, Zhang Yuqi continues to captivate audiences with her talent, charisma, and complex personal narrative.