Overseasidol.com — Chinese actor Zhang Linghe has come under public scrutiny after a remark he made on the variety show Hello Saturday sparked discussions and controversy on international social media platforms.
The incident began during the episode aired on March 6, 2026. In one segment of the show, actress Tian Xiwei drew an abstract portrait of Zhang Linghe as part of a studio game.
Upon seeing the drawing, Zhang Linghe jokingly commented that it looked as if he had been “born in Southeast Asia”。
The remark was initially made in a lighthearted context on the show, but a clip of the moment later circulated widely on overseas social media platforms.
After the clip spread online, some viewers from Southeast Asian countries interpreted the comment as potentially referencing stereotypes about the region’s appearance or skin tone.
The discussion quickly gained traction and sparked criticism from certain online communities.
In response to the backlash, Zhang Linghe issued an apology through a comment on his Instagram account on March 10.
He clarified that his words were never intended to offend or discriminate against anyone.
In his message, he also expressed gratitude to his fans in Southeast Asia who have supported him throughout his career.
Zhang Linghe emphasized that he would never want those who support and appreciate him to feel hurt because of his remark.
The apology triggered mixed reactions among netizens.
While some praised him for addressing the issue directly, others viewed the situation as an example of how humor in entertainment programs can be misunderstood when it crosses cultural and linguistic boundaries.
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