Singaporean actress Eleanor Lee may be digitally removed from her leading role in the upcoming Chinese period drama The Journey of Legend after a leaked audio clip sparked widespread backlash and calls for a boycott.
The controversy began after a voice recording, allegedly of Lee, circulated on Chinese social media platforms, including Xiaohongshu and Weibo.
In the clip, a voice attributed to Lee is heard saying, "Most people in China are idiots."
The recording was reportedly released by a netizen claiming to be Lee's former assistant.
The backlash has been swift and severe, with some netizens demanding that Lee be removed from the drama, which is scheduled to premiere May 20.
Lee, 25, responded to the controversy with a public statement expressing her deep appreciation for China, where she has lived and worked since she was 16.
"I have received many opportunities and [much] assistance [in China]," Lee said. "And have been able to shine in my favourite career. I am completely in love with and grateful for this land, and I will never waver in any of my stances on any issue related to China."
Despite her statement, promotional materials for The Journey of Legend—also known by its alternate title, Go to the Mountains and Sea—have already been scrubbed of Lee's image.
According to multiple news outlets, producers are now exploring the use of artificial intelligence to replace Lee's face with that of another actress.
The digital substitution, if approved, could reportedly cost as much as 20 million yuan (approximately $2.7 million), due to Lee's central role in the already-completed series.
The use of AI to remove or alter actors is not unprecedented.
In 2023, actor Dai Xiangyu's face was digitally superimposed onto actor Wang Dong in the drama A Date With The Future, following allegations of domestic violence against Wang.
Lee is best known for her roles in the 2020 web film The Enchanting Phantom and the historical drama Fake Princess.
In 2021, she was nominated for "Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes" at Singapore's Star Awards.
Neither Lee nor the production team of The Journey of Legend has confirmed whether she will ultimately appear in the series.
