It has been reported that Chinese actor and singer Zhang Yiyang (31) was executed for the murder of his 16-year-old girlfriend.
According to the verdict that spread on Chinese social media on the 21st and the Singaporean media outlet Lianhe Zaobao, Zhang Yiyang was executed for the murder of his 16-year-old girlfriend, and the execution by firing squad took place last year.
Zhang Yiyang became the first celebrity in China to be executed.
The relatively unknown actor Zhang Yiyang debuted in 2012 on a Chinese variety show and appeared in various dramas and films. In 2015, he also released an album.
According to a report released by the court, Zhang Yiyang lured his girlfriend to a forest in Xingping City, Shanxi Province, under the pretext of celebrating her birthday in February 2022, and after she demanded a breakup, he argued with her and then killed her.
After the crime, Zhang Yiyang attempted to disguise the scene as his girlfriend's suicide and also tried to take his own life, but it is reported that he failed.
According to police investigations, Zhang Yiyang threatened his girlfriend multiple times by mentioning extreme choices and exhibited strong obsession and controlling behavior.
Chinese netizens pointed out that despite Zhang Yiyang already receiving a death sentence and execution, he was not officially included in the 'problematic celebrity (blacklist)', and a movie he starred in was released last March.
In particular, netizens criticized, “An unknown celebrity can be sentenced to death for murder and still not be blacklisted or have their works restricted,” stating, “This is the double standard of the Chinese entertainment industry.”
[Kim Mi-ji, Star Today Reporter]
