
31/07/2025
💬 CENT CELEBRITY NEWS: Actor Li Mingde Sentenced to 6 Months in Jail & Fined ¥200,000 — Career Over, Role Replaced via AI Face Swap!
A major scandal has once again rocked the Chinese entertainment industry. Actor Li Mingde has officially been sentenced to six months in prison for “intentional property damage.” He is also ordered to pay ¥200,000 (approx. USD 27,500) in civil compensation to the car owner — a director named Yang Yang.
⚖️ CASE DETAILS
📆 Incident Date: January 27, 2025
📍 Location: Chaoyang District, Beijing
🔎 Incident Summary:
Li Mingde, under the influence of alcohol, kicked and smashed Yang Yang’s (director not actor) luxury Mercedes, damaging the car door, emblem, and side mirrors.
💬 At first, he signed a peace agreement at the police station, promising to pay for the damages (around ¥90,000). However, the next day, he went back on his word, blocked the victim on WeChat, and even demanded an apology from the car owner.
⚖️ Court Verdict:
His actions were ruled as having malicious intent
No suspended sentence was granted
Compensation amount increased to ¥200,000, covering repair and additional losses
🎬 CAREER CONSEQUENCES
📺 The drama Legend of the Female General (《锦月如歌》), where he originally played a lead role, has now replaced his face using AI technology, with actor Xia Zhiyuan stepping in.
🎭 Industry insiders believe his chances of a comeback are extremely low, given the severity of the legal and moral breach.
🗣️ Previously, Li gained public sympathy by accusing the drama Three’s Company of unfair treatment (e.g., criticizing costar Ma Tianyu for skipping script readings). But it was later revealed he had left the set without notice and damaged hotel property, resulting in contract termination.
📵 On January 9, 2025, he publicly announced his retirement from entertainment. However, it was perceived as a publicity stunt, and his livestreaming account was permanently banned for "manipulative controversy."
🧭 LESSONS FOR THE PUBLIC
Legal experts stressed that even if the victim committed a minor infraction (illegal parking with a ¥200 fine), it doesn’t justify vigilante behavior.
This case also highlights China’s swift legal process — just six months from report to verdict — and reinforces the principle that no celebrity is above the law.
In the end, Li Mingde’s story is a cautionary tale of how a "righteous persona" can quickly unravel into a legal disgrace. Popularity fades, but the bottom line of law remains untouchable.