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Chinese influencer Zhang Yi, known for his bold personality and quirky remarks, has found himself at the centre of a storm after private conversations were leaked—revealing disparaging comments towards fellow celebrities and BLACKPINK’s Jisoo.
Once hailed as a fashion darling and celebrated for their eccentric charisma, Zhang Yi's public image has taken a sharp nosedive.
Screenshots from a private group chat exposed the influencer mocking several internet personalities, including crude jabs about one influencer’s weight-loss surgery and shallow conversations about luxury handbags.
But what truly ignited the backlash was a past comment about BLACKPINK member Jisoo, where Zhang Yi reportedly referred to her as having a “chicken-scratch voice” during BLACKPINK's 2023 Coachella performance.
This remark resurfaced amid the controversy, further fuelling outrage from fans.
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Zhang Yi has long claimed to be a Blink, the official fanbase of BLACKPINK, yet fans noted that Jisoo was the only member missing from their Instagram follows.
Adding fuel to the fire, a now-deleted Instagram story from BLACKPINK's Kaohsiung concert showed a photo of someone dozing off during Jisoo's performance, captioned in a way that many found offensive and condescending.
The scandal has extended its reach beyond Jisoo.
Multiple influencers mentioned in the leaked chats have come forward, sharing how the revelations have affected their mental well-being and public image.
Some issued apologies to their own followers for previously associating with Zhang Yi, attempting to distance themselves from the negativity.
In response to the mounting backlash, Zhang Yi posted a public apology across social media platforms.
"I want to sincerely apologise to those hurt by my inappropriate remarks in private chats. My careless words have affected people who didn’t deserve to be caught in this. I deeply regret my immature behaviour and feel genuine remorse,” they wrote.
Zhang Yi added that they would reflect deeply on their conduct.
“I promise to be more thoughtful moving forward. I apologise to those who have supported and loved me. I’ll do my best to correct my mistakes with sincerity and responsibility.”
However, the damage seems to have already taken root. Fans and netizens alike are questioning the authenticity of Zhang Yi’s carefully curated image, calling them a “two-faced celebrity” and expressing disappointment at the disparity between their public persona and private behaviour.
While some supporters hope Zhang Yi can learn from this misstep and recover, others are less forgiving.
Many insist that calling oneself a fan while privately mocking an artist is hypocrisy at best and malicious at worst.
Jisoo has not commented on the matter, but her fans have rallied in support, using hashtags defending her artistry and calling for accountability from online personalities.
For now, Zhang Yi's once-glamorous image stands fractured, their reputation tarnished in a digital age where private words can quickly become very public—and unforgiving.