As Yu Menglong Trends and “Love Bird” Surges, Fan Shiqi Joins Reporting Campaign Against Netizens
BEIJING / INTERNATIONAL – 10 March 2026
Just as the late actor Yu Menglong’s name began trending again on Weibo and his song Love Bird climbed back onto music charts with millions of plays, fellow actor Fan Shiqi has reportedly launched a wave of reports targeting online users discussing the case, joining what many see as a coordinated effort to suppress public conversation.
According to multiple overseas monitoring accounts and screenshots shared by netizens, Fan Shiqi filed numerous reports against posts referencing Yu Menglong’s death, alleged abuse, and calls for justice. His actions follow similar moves by Song Yiren, who had earlier targeted users raising questions about the circumstances surrounding Yu’s passing. The timing — coinciding with renewed online interest in Yu’s music and legacy — has fueled speculation that the reporting campaign is an attempt to prevent the case from regaining momentum.
Yu Menglong was found dead on 11 September 2025 after falling from a high-rise apartment in Beijing. Authorities ruled it an accidental death linked to alcohol intoxication and closed the case rapidly. However, persistent leaks — including airport photos showing injuries, audio of screams, financial records suggesting coercion, footage of alleged violence by his manager, and claims of missing organs from an alleged autopsy — have kept the story alive overseas despite heavy domestic censorship.
Fan Shiqi and Song Yiren have not publicly commented on the reporting allegations. Neither has issued a statement addressing suspicions of their involvement in events leading to Yu’s death. Domestic platforms have continued to suppress related content, with trending topics involving Yu Menglong quickly removed or diluted.
The renewed online activity around Yu has been significant. Love Bird has seen a sharp increase in streams and searches, with many fans using the song as a subtle form of remembrance and protest. Hashtags and memorial posts, though short-lived on mainland platforms, have thrived on overseas networks, driving the Avaaz petition for an independent international investigation past 2.6 million signatures.
Human Rights Watch and several international observers have criticized the apparent suppression efforts. “When public discussion of a high-profile death is met with coordinated reporting and censorship, it raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability,” a spokesperson said.
Industry sources speaking anonymously suggest that power dynamics in parts of the Chinese entertainment sector often lead to efforts to control narratives around controversial incidents. Several former colleagues of Yu have privately expressed fear of similar backlash when discussing his case.
Yu’s family has remained almost entirely silent. Close associates say they continue to face pressure to accept the official ruling. The management companies linked to the actors involved have not responded to requests for comment.
The latest developments have deepened the emotional investment of Yu’s global fanbase. Many view the reporting campaign as evidence that the truth is getting dangerously close, prompting even stronger calls for justice. “Every time his name trends and they try to shut it down, it only proves we’re right to keep asking questions,” said one prominent overseas fan activist.
As more leaks continue to emerge and Love Bird maintains its resurgence, the pressure on all parties involved appears to be mounting. Whether the renewed interest will force any official reopening of the case remains uncertain, but the pattern of suppression has only strengthened the global movement demanding answers.
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