Two of China’s top female pop groups, commonly referred to as C-Pop, have been embroiled in a cheating scandal, with one singer accusing a bandmate of cheating on her with an artist from another label.
Shen Xiaoai, 28, of supergroup SNH48, accused fellow member Lu XinYi, 22, of having an ’emotional affair’ with another idol, after allegedly being in a romantic relationship for two and a half years.
On social media, Xiaoai wrote a lengthy letter addressed to her former nominee, detailing the allegations and claiming that she and he had been together before seeing her get intimate with someone else.
Fans were quickly able to deduce who she was talking about, as Xiaoai referenced a talent competition, Best Partners, where fans can vote for paired members of groups during stages.
In a letter to her scorned lover, she explained that “we agreed that we would not be partners for this year’s Best Partner competition” as they had been previously, due to past arguments and the fact that Xiaoai would “graduate” or end her contract in 2025.
Shen Xiaoai, 28 (left), of supergroup SNH48, has accused fellow member Lu XinYi, 22 (right), of having an ’emotional affair’ with another idol.
XinYi therefore teamed up with 22-year-old Wang YuChen from GNZ48. GNZ48 is a sister group of SNH48. Both are part of the SNH48 Group network, which has dozens of members in different regions of the country.
“You hid our relationship from your partner from the beginning,” Xiaoai accused, according to a translation of Pop Inquirer‘What is unacceptable is that for the past month, you have used the excuse of “getting to know your partner better, for work” to chat with your partner from morning until bedtime every day.
‘You two even played after I went to bed and wore couple bracelets without telling me.’
She claimed that YuChen had even had “suspicions” about her and XinYi having a romantic relationship, and “asked her four times” about it.
“Your answer has always been, ‘friend, roommate,'” he said.
Xiaoai also claimed she was “in pain” watching the couple get close, two livestreaming together “right in front of her” and being physically affectionate.
She said her tolerance for the situation “made things spiral out of control” but she was initially unable to confront the couple.
Shortly after, she said, she and XinYi began “arguing about things like this all the time” and decided to go their separate ways.
This year, XinYi (left) has teamed up with 22-year-old Wang YuChen (right) from GNZ48. GNZ48 is a sister group of SNH48.
As reported by HYPE.my, Xiaoai claimed that XinYi (pictured) insisted that there was no affair with YuChen.
“The reason you gave me was that I didn’t comfort you or stand by you enough when you were being laughed at and in a bad mood, instead I just argued with you non-stop. You couldn’t stand days like this so you decided to leave me,” she wrote.
“Later, I reflected on myself and thought that maybe I shouldn’t have done those things. Maybe I should have convinced you. Maybe I really did put too much pressure on you.
‘So, in the days after we parted, I kept coaxing you and holding you while we slept in the same bed. But you texted her and told her that you would sleep when she came back.’
She went on to say that she realized she “made a fool of herself” after looking at XinYi’s electronic devices when she went to pick up YuChen at the airport in April.
“I looked at all your chats on the iPad,” she wrote. “Then I realized you had started having an affair a long time ago.”
It is understood that its management is unlikely to release a statement on the issue. On the left, Xiaoai and on the right, YuChen.
‘When we broke up, we made a promise that if you two broke up, then I would never mention any of this again.
“I never imagined that even after your partner found out about our relationship, you wouldn’t keep the promise. Those pages of love-filled chats. All those pages of daily exchanges from morning to late at night.”
As reported by HYPE.miXiaoai claimed that XinYi insisted there was no affair and that she and YuChen were only in a working relationship, but Xiaoai insists she has “more evidence.”
It is understood that its management is unlikely to issue a statement on the issue.
Xiaoai debuted with the group in 2017, while XinYi joined in 2021.
SNH48’s concept group offers fans idols they can meet in “real life,” and its dozens of members, belonging to various sister groups, perform at local theaters across the country and host fan events. They also communicate with fans through social media.
As one fan explained on Reddit’s SNH48, the sister group is part of a large network and has had over 600 members over the years.
The main group, called SNH48, is based in Shanghai and has more than 70 members.
‘The charm of having so many members is that there will always be one that suits you,’ poster Creepy Ad 7803 shared.
They explained that SNH48 members are divided into four teams, each of which has approximately 16 members. It is also possible for an idol to be in more than one sister group.
SNH48’s concept offers fans idols they can meet in “real life,” and its dozens of members, from various sister groups, perform at local theaters across the country and host events for fans. They also communicate with fans through social media. Group members pictured in 2019
SNH48 members are divided into four teams, each of which has approximately 16 members. It is also possible for an idol to be in more than one sister group. Band members pictured in 2018
“Teams interact! While each team has its own performances and activities, members often collaborate across teams, especially on special performances,” the Reddit user added.
A number of fan-involved events are also held. The most important one is called the “General Election,” where the top 48 idols are chosen and invited to announce their ranking at a grand ceremony.
In another, called B50 (SNH48 Request Time Best 50), fans decide exactly which songs they want the various members of a show to perform.
Finally, the ‘Best Partners Battle’ contest allows fans to vote for their favorite duos within the SNH48 group, who often put on sensual performances.
Xiaoai went on to say that she realized she “made a fool of herself” after checking XinYi’s electronic devices when she went to pick up YuChen at the airport in April. In the photo, XinYi
Xiaoai claimed that YuChen (pictured) had even had “suspicions” about her and XinYi having a romantic relationship, and “asked her four times” about it.
A clip from the 2023 event on social media, shared by user @Ama_kxx_ A seemingly happy smile is shown on Xiaoai and XinYi as they talk to the camera.
However, a TikTok from user (@lalina297), which shows XinYi and YuChen together on stage in April, appears to showcase flirtatious chemistry between the two, though the C-pop supergroup is known for teasing fans with suggestions that the members are romantically intertwined.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in China for both men and women, but LGBT unions are not recognised by law.
Same-sex couples cannot marry or adopt, and are not offered the same protections as heterosexual couples. There are currently no explicit laws against discrimination.
On TikTok, a Chinese teacher and influencer Dr. Candise Lin -who lives in the United States- explained that much of China “remains a homophobic society.”
“Chinese netizens were shocked by this bombshell because they didn’t expect there to actually be lesbians in girl groups,” she said of C-pop’s latest drama.
“Most of these idols are in couples,” he explained, even proposing a concept that “literally translates to ‘selling the gay thing’ to attract female fans.”
“There is a saying in China,” he concluded. “Whoever wins female fans wins the world.”
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