Star Universe Entertainment

Biodata

Background / History

Star Universe Entertainment was one of the entertainment industry’s leading companies, possessing extensive capital, major intellectual-property rights and projects, popular artists, hit dramas, and award-winning films. Its influence was strong enough that smaller agencies feared signing artists it targeted. 4

Three years before the main events, the company used Xu Yuqing’s association with Gao Chi’s drug-related gathering to implicate him in a drug-use scandal despite his innocence. It shelved Xu, controlled his account, removed his projects, allowed his endorsements to collapse, and prevented him from publicly defending himself. 3 6

Gao Su later revealed that the campaign against Xu was personal retaliation: Xu’s intervention at the gathering exposed Gao Chi’s crimes and led to his imprisonment. Star Universe subsequently warned other companies not to hire Xu and attempted to keep him trapped through hidden contractual clauses and an enormous termination fee. 4 5

Operations and Practices

Artist Suppression

• Blacklisted Xu Yuqing across the industry, making productions reluctant to cast him; even roles he obtained could be cut before release. 3
• Pressured a smaller agency to withdraw its offer to sign Xu after his contract expiration. 4
• Used restrictive contract language to delay artists’ departures, exhaust their finances, and demand large penalties. 4 9
• Was feared to be capable of escalating retaliation beyond legal action, including potentially arranging for Xu to become addicted to drugs. 6
• Redirected resources originally intended for Xu Yuqing to Liang Yi after shelving Xu. 18

Public-Opinion Manipulation

• Suppressed online support for Xu Yuqing by controlling his account and removing or silencing trending discussions. 6
• Protected Gao Chi and the Gao family by allowing false narratives about Xu’s drug scandal to persist. 5 17
• Employed paid marketing accounts and trolls to attack Xu Yuqing, Chen Chengrong, and Jinbai Entertainment. 17 21
• Later used similar tactics against Jinbai productions, attempting to bury criticism of its own dramas while attacking Family Matters. 45

Conflict with Jinbai Entertainment

Jinbai Entertainment’s recruitment of Xu Yuqing brought Star Universe into direct conflict with Cai Jinbai. Cai hired undefeated entertainment lawyer Xiang Yizhou, who exposed unfair clauses resembling those in other Star Universe artists’ contracts and threatened prolonged litigation. Facing potential reputational damage and further artist departures, Gao Su allowed Xu to terminate his contract. 9

After evidence concerning Gao Chi, Liang Yi, and Mu Xiaoying became public, Star Universe issued an apology but faced widespread boycotts, falling stock value, and renewed scrutiny of its exploitative contracts. Gao Su stopped protecting Gao Chi in an effort to limit the damage. 21

The company repeatedly competed with Jinbai’s productions:

Downfall

Star Universe’s decline accelerated after its productions repeatedly failed against Jinbai Entertainment’s better-received projects. Gao Su’s insistence on competing with Jinbai, combined with poor management and nepotism, contributed to collapsing ratings and a plunging stock price; Gao eventually collapsed from anger and was hospitalized. 46 51

Following further exposure of serious management problems, authorities summoned the company for talks. Its upper management was reshuffled, Gao Su was removed as president, and artists began terminating—or seeking to terminate—their contracts. Cai Jinbai quietly assisted many trapped performers in leaving. 55

Star Universe ultimately became unable to continue operating, declared bankruptcy, and disappeared from the entertainment industry. 55

Relationships

• Gao Su — Former president; directed the vendetta against Xu Yuqing and prioritized the company’s survival over protecting his brother Gao Chi. 4 21 55
• Gao Chi — Brother of Gao Su; his crimes and imprisonment were the basis for the company’s persecution of Xu Yuqing. 5 21
• Xu Yuqing — Former contracted actor wrongfully shelved and suppressed for three years; later escaped to Jinbai Entertainment. 3 9
• Liu Rong — Former Star Universe manager who supported Xu and later resigned to join Jinbai Entertainment. 7 22
• Liang Yi — Artist who received resources formerly allocated to Xu Yuqing. 18
• Mu Xiaoying — Star Universe artist connected to the gathering where Xu exposed Gao Chi’s wrongdoing. 18 21
• Jinbai Entertainment — Corporate rival that protected Xu Yuqing, exposed Star Universe’s conduct, and repeatedly defeated its productions. 9 21 55
• Xiang Yizhou — Lawyer hired by Cai Jinbai whose negotiation forced Star Universe to release Xu without a termination payment. 9 21