Chaos at Molsion Event as Fans Overwhelm Shopping Mall
A promotional event featuring Chinese actor Zhang Linghe turned chaotic when fans pushed through the entrance of a shopping mall in southern China, leading to broken glass doors and the cancellation of the event. The incident occurred on 31 May at MixC Mall in Nanning, the capital of Guangxi province, where Zhang was scheduled to appear for eyewear brand Molsion.
According to local media reports, large crowds had gathered outside the mall early in the morning before the event began. Videos shared on social media showed packed crowds waiting at the entrance. When the doors finally opened, fans rushed forward to enter the building and secure spots for Zhang’s appearance.
Videos circulating on Chinese social media appeared to show the pressure from the crowd causing a large section of the mall’s glass entrance doors to shatter, scattering broken glass across the ground. Screams were heard nearby as people continued pushing into the building despite the danger posed by the broken glass.
Mall staff later cleaned up the shattered glass while crowds continued to enter the complex. Five individuals suffered minor abrasions and were taken to the hospital for treatment, according to a Chinese outlet.
Inside the shopping centre, videos showed overcrowding on all six floors of the mall. Escalators, balconies, and walkways were packed with people hoping to catch a glimpse of the actor. One user wrote on Weibo, reported by ETtoday, “There are so many people, I suggest you don’t go at this time. As far as I know, all six floors are full of people right now.” Another commented, “The glass has been smashed, it’s better not to go.”
Zhang, 28, gained fame through the fantasy hit Love Between Fairy And Devil (2022). He has since become one of the most recognizable actors in China’s booming historical-drama industry, starring in My Journey To You (2023), Story Of Kunning Palace (2023), and The Princess Royal (2024). In his latest series, Pursuit Of Jade, he plays Xie Zheng, a nobleman seeking revenge for the massacre of his family. The historical romance crossed a popularity index of 10,000 on iQIYI, one of China’s largest online streaming platforms, within six days of its release and later debuted at Number 6 on Netflix’s Global Top 10 non-English shows chart.
On 31 May, eyewear brand Molsion announced on Chinese social media platform Weibo that the actor’s scheduled in-person appearance had been cancelled. The company stated that the event schedule had been “temporarily adjusted” in accordance with “the safety requirements of relevant departments” and to “protect everyone’s personal safety and avoid overcrowding and uncontrollable risks.”
Zhang later participated in an online livestream organized by the brand instead of attending the shopping centre event in person. His studio issued a statement on Weibo apologizing for the cancellation. “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause due to the last-minute rescheduling of the brand event scheduled for today,” the statement said. “Your safety is always our top priority and the premise for all our activities.”
The statement added, “For fans who came to Nanning, all travel and accommodation expenses incurred due to this event, including airfare, high-speed rail tickets, hotel stays, and train fares, will be fully compensated by the artist and their studio.”
