THE past two years have not been very peaceful for the entertainment industry in China as an increasing number of celebrities were involved in scandals related to drugs and prostitution.

    Just a few days ago, famous filmmaker Wang Quan’an was detained for soliciting prostitutes.

    Previously, actor Huang Haibo was detained on the same charge. In a case that sparked a media frenzy, actor Jaycee Chan, the son of global kung fu star Jackie Chan, was detained for drug use, along with Taiwanese actor Kai Ko, after being caught at Chan’s home where they admitted to smoking marijuana. On Wednesday, Chan’s arrest for aiding and abetting other drug users was upheld, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison.

    The State media administration recently warned people in the entertainment industry to behave themselves, according to Chinese media.

    The Southern Metropolis Daily reported that the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television recently issued a notice to TV stations across the country, asking them to give “careful consideration when choosing actors, directors, and playwrights for television shows who used to be involved in misconduct or illegal activities.”

    Although the Administration did not clarify the context of “careful consideration,” they provided a list of past offenders to the TV stations. Well-known artists such as Huang, Wang, Ko, Chan, Zhang Mo, Chen Wanning, Wen Zhang and Li Daimo were all on the list, the newspaper said.

    “This notice was just for comedy and drama series production companies. However, many of these entertainers being singled out would find it difficult to participate in other TV programs, such as reality shows, in the future,” an unidentified media staffer told the newspaper. “Although the notice did not clarify the ‘punishment,’ all the stations would still take it seriously. At least for a while, no station will invite anyone on the list to be part of their programs.”

    WHO’S ON THE LIST?

    Huang Haibo

    Huang is a well-known drama actor in China. He was caught for soliciting a prostitute May 16 in Beijing, and his career has already been seriously affected by the scandal.

    Shooting for his new drama, “Love is Brave,” was suspended, and his nomination for the best actor award of the Magnolia Awards in this year’s Shanghai Television Festival was revoked despite his outstanding performance in “Marry Me.” His film “The Uncle Victory” won several awards at the Shanghai International Film Festival, but it was the only award-winning film that was not screened during the festival.

    Wen Zhang

    Wen, also a young actor in China, had an affair behind his actress wife’s back in March. He made his comeback at the press conference for the film “Gone with the Bullet.” He planned to attend a press conference for his new drama “Young Commander” Wednesday, but the conference was cancelled suddenly. Some suspect that the cancellation might be a result of the “blacklist” and that Wen might now not be starring in the drama after all.

    Chen Wanning

    Chen is a well-known writer for dramas and comedies, and he was caught taking drugs in June in Beijing. It is said that Chen’s career has not been affected much since the scandal, but he might face some difficulties now that he has been “blacklisted.”

    Zhang Mo

    Zhang is a young actor and the son of well-known actor Zhang Guoli. His first offence was beating his girlfriend in public when he was attending college in 2003. He was caught smoking marijuana in 2012. In July, he was again caught taking drugs at his home in Beijing and might face a jail term of up to three years. Some speculate that he will no longer be able to work in the entertainment industry after so many scandals.

    Wang Quan’an

    The Golden Bear-winning Chinese director just became a household name in the domestic mainstream film market with his award-winning film “White Deer Plain.” Most likely he will not have a very good future in moviemaking unless he is able to find foreign investors to support his films.

    Kai Ko

    Ko is a young Taiwanese actor who is widely known to the public for the popular films “You Are the Apple of My Eye” and “Tiny Times.” However, his new film, “A Choo,” was canceled because of his drug scandal.

    Jaycee Chan

    Chan, a Hong Kong pop star, faces a criminal charge that would put him behind bars for a maximum term of three years.

    Li Daimo

    Li is a popular candidate on “The Voice of China” and was caught taking drugs in March. It will be very difficult for him to make a successful comeback, so he is more likely to work behind the scenes in the future. (Wang Yuanyuan)