8th January 2025 – (Shanghai) Chinese actor Wang Xing has reportedly been missing, suspected to have been kidnapped by a fraud gang in Myanmar. He was located on 7th January after several days of uncertainty. Shao Yifan, an actress who previously worked with him on “The Rational Life,” suggested that Wang’s low income and desperate desire to continue acting may have made him vulnerable to deception, revealing that other actors have faced similar threats.
A photo released by the police in Mae Sot, Thailand, shows a shaved-headed Wang dressed in white sportswear, with red marks on his legs.
On 6th January, Shao Yifan commented that Wang is not a prominent star but rather an aspiring actor struggling in Shanghai. She noted that prior to Wang’s incident, other performers had narrowly avoided falling into the same trap. “Wang was too eager to act, which may have clouded his judgement,” she stated, adding that his friends are now actively trying to spread awareness to find him.
Shao Yifan highlighted a common misconception regarding actors’ earnings, revealing that many earn less than 208 yuan (approximately £24) per day. She shared her own experience, stating that if she relied solely on acting, her annual income would amount to only around 30,000 yuan (£3,500). Most of her earnings come from social media and modelling jobs.
Shao explained that if Wang had been more financially secure, he might not have been so easily deceived. Following her statements, some netizens accused her of seeking attention and exploiting the situation, to which she clarified on January 7 that non-leading actors typically earn a maximum of 200 yuan per day, while extras often make even less—between 90 and 150 yuan.
Shao recounted her own challenges in the industry, noting that filming opportunities have drastically decreased since 2022, allowing her to work only two to three days a month. She emphasised that her family had not pressured her to earn money, which permitted her to focus on her passion for acting.
She urged aspiring actors to pursue acting out of genuine interest, not for other reasons, as the quest for success can easily lead to exploitation. “Wang was aware of these risks, but with fewer opportunities, he may have taken unnecessary chances. In desperate times, people become less vigilant, making them easy targets for fraudsters,” she warned.
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