According to film specialists, Sunshine Club is unlikely to reach its 10 million CNY (nearly 37 billion VND) revenue target amidst a gloomy market. Observers estimate the film’s production cost was up to 18 million CNY (nearly 67 billion VND), not including promotion and distribution costs, making it highly probable the project will suffer heavy losses.
HK01 noted that in recent years, Huang Xiaoming has continuously challenged himself with diverse roles to break free from his familiar screen image. In Sunshine Club, he portrays a mentally challenged character. Despite receiving positive reviews from critics, the film still failed commercially.
Huang Xiaoming in “Sunshine Club” (Photo: Sohu).
Chinese media suggests that the main reason stems from the difficult economic situation, which has led audiences to cut back on entertainment spending. Additionally, Sunshine Club is a drama with heavy content and few entertaining elements, making it a “niche” film for audiences.
To play the role of a 40-year-old mentally challenged man, Huang Xiaoming gained 30kg and altered his appearance.
He once shared: “I want the audience, when they enter the cinema, to see Wu You from the very first seconds, not Huang Xiaoming. I had to change my appearance, even though it made it difficult to regain my old physique, and even affected my health. But I want to break out of my comfort zone.”
Thanks to this role, Huang Xiaoming won the Best Actor award at the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival. However, experts commented that Sunshine Club was not appealing enough to draw audiences to theaters, and it explored a difficult subject matter.
Besides artistic factors, Huang Xiaoming’s reputation has also been affected recently by relationship scandals with his girlfriend, social media influencer Ye Ke.
A String of Failures and Troubled Private Life
Before Sunshine Club, Huang Xiaoming’s starring film The Wig, released last November, also flopped, being pulled from theaters after only 3 days of screening. The film grossed about 3 million CNY (over 11 billion VND), a figure far too low compared to its production cost of 100 million CNY (nearly 370 billion VND).
Huang Xiaoming’s image and reputation have been affected by his romantic entanglement with influencer Ye Ke (Photo: Sina).
The Wig revolves around the story of modern people obsessed with their appearance. Huang Xiaoming’s character wears a false “mask,” hiding inner weakness by wearing a wig. However, the film was criticized for being boring, slow-paced, and lacking highlights.
Huang Xiaoming’s turbulent private life at the time of the film’s release also affected the work. At the premiere, the actor bowed deeply to apologize to fans and colleagues for allowing personal matters to impact his work, pledging to make more effort in his career.
Huang Xiaoming began to face controversy when he publicly announced his relationship with Ye Ke last September. Their relationship received widespread criticism.
Ye Ke was judged as “attention-seeking,” frequently flaunting their relationship on social media and making controversial statements. Additionally, she was rumored to have undergone plastic surgery, been divorced, and exploited her ex-husband. This information affected the public image of both of them.
Huang Xiaoming has changed his choice of roles and scripts in recent years (Photo: Sina).
Late last year, the couple was reportedly separated before Ye Ke gave birth to their daughter. This summer, she publicly announced the birth, hinting that Huang Xiaoming was “unfaithful” and declared herself a single mother. Chinese public opinion continued to criticize the actor, while he remained silent.
Huang Xiaoming was once a top star in China, considered a “box office guarantee” with many popular works. Besides acting, he also hosted popular shows such as Chinese Restaurant and Sisters Who Make Waves.
After divorcing actress Angelababy in early 2022, the actor focused on developing his career and maintaining an image of a diligent, professional artist. He also made an effort to spend time with his son, Little Sponge, and maintain an amicable relationship with his ex-wife.
Earlier this year, Huang Xiaoming was reported to have drawn up a will, leaving his entire estimated 10 billion CNY (nearly 37 trillion VND) fortune to his two children – Little Sponge and his newborn daughter, while neither Angelababy nor Ye Ke were named in the inheritance.
