Shen Zhu

Biodata

Background and History

Shen Zhu met Xu Chun shortly after entering the entertainment industry. Neither was particularly famous, and they shared professional ups and downs. Xu Chun regarded him as an important friend, but in Xu Chun’s previous life, Shen Zhu took his opportunities as his popularity declined and made advances toward Jiang Xiuyan 32 78 113.

In the current life, Shen Zhu studied abroad before returning to the country. He resumed acting and worked alongside Xu Chun in Twin Cities, while Xu Chun, remembering his betrayal, remained wary of him 32 48 52 58.

Appearance

Shen Zhu has a delicate face 113.

Personality

Shen Zhu maintains a friendly, composed manner even toward people he resents. After Xu Chun overshadowed him in a Twin Cities scene, he chatted warmly with him; Xu Chun remembered that Shen Zhu had behaved similarly while betraying him in his previous life 58.

His resentment of Xu Chun grew from professional rivalry and jealousy. He was especially bitter that Xu Chun won an award for which he had been nominated and that the person he liked also liked Xu Chun 152.

Career

• Acting recognition: Shen Zhu had previously been nominated for a Golden Tripod Award for best supporting actor. By the time he was offered a low-budget web drama, he was close to A-list status 58 119.
• Twin Cities: He was cast in the role formerly assigned to Lu Xian and filmed scenes with Xu Chun 52 58.
• Web drama offer: He declined a role in an adaptation of The Sect Master Is Being Forced to Work Again Today. Xu Chun later chose to take it 119.

Story Role

Variety-show encounters

Shen Zhu called Xu Chun during a recording of Unconventional Actor and raised the subject of negative online comments. Xu Chun realized he was on speaker and answered without taking the bait 51.

During another show’s inheritance game, Shen Zhu accused Xu Chun of being the illegitimate child. Xu Chun redirected suspicion toward Shen Zhu, whose name tag he then tore off. The announcement revealed that Shen Zhu was the wrong person and the game continued 87 88.

Campaign against Xu Chun

After complaining that manager Su Li favored Xu Chun with better resources, Shen Zhu requested a new manager. He then instructed the new manager to send Xu Chun’s phone number and home address to the media 133 148.

Shen Zhu arranged an endorsement scandal against Xu Chun and paid to keep the topic trending. During a variety-show interview, he called Xu Chun a “perfect actor” in an ambiguous remark that could further damage his reputation 151 152 160.

He also enlisted Xu Changjiao, Xu Chun’s biological mother, to bring her claims about Xu Chun online. After Xu Chun challenged her account and threatened an extortion lawsuit, she identified Shen Zhu as the person behind the scheme. Others involved in the endorsement scandal also said Shen Zhu had paid them 160 162 163.

Exposure and investigation

Evidence linking Shen Zhu to both scandals prompted boycotts and calls for him to leave the entertainment industry. He repeatedly called Jiang Xiuyan, then went alone to Jiang’s company in the rain and asked to see him without an appointment 163.

A brand involved in the earlier scandal filed a lawsuit, and police took Shen Zhu away for investigation. His company began preparing to terminate his contract, and he faced possible compensation claims from brands he endorsed 164.

Relationships

• Xu Chun — Former close friend and professional rival. Shen Zhu maintained a friendly facade while orchestrating scandals against him; Xu Chun ultimately exposed his involvement 58 78 163.
• Jiang Xiuyan — Shen Zhu pursued Jiang in both lives. He said Jiang had once helped him escape a director’s harassment, but Jiang declined his offer of tea and later did not take his calls 32 113 163.
• Su Li — Shen Zhu’s former manager, who also managed Xu Chun. Shen Zhu believed she distributed resources unfairly and requested a replacement 133 148.
• Xie Jianyuan — Xu Chun’s close companion. After discovering who was behind the endorsement scandal, Xie Jianyuan deliberately suppressed Shen Zhu’s bookings and appearances 160.