Overseasidol.com — Short-form drama actor He Congrui has come under intense public scrutiny following controversial remarks made during a livestream promoting his new series “One More Night” on January 19, 2026.
His comments, which appeared to shift responsibility onto female co-stars, sparked widespread debate over professionalism and gender bias in the entertainment industry.
The controversy arose when He Congrui responded to fans complaining about the drama’s midnight release schedule.
He stated that the airing time was beyond his control, then jokingly suggested that any blame should be directed at the female leads.
He further described himself as an “insignificant, decorative male lead,” a statement that quickly drew criticism online for being dismissive and inappropriate.
Netizens also pointed out the inconsistency in his attitude, noting that He Congrui previously took pride in the success of his hit drama Words Left Unspoken, which amassed tens of billions of views.
The contrast led many to question his sense of responsibility and respect toward fellow cast members.
On the evening of January 20, He Congrui issued a formal apology through social media.
In his statement, he admitted that his livestream remarks were an ill-timed joke and expressed sincere regret for offending his female co-stars and the production team.
He emphasized that every drama is a collective effort and that no role or contributor should be minimized.
He also apologized for referring to himself as a “decorative lead,” acknowledging that his wording was inappropriate and misleading.
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