Chinese Singer & Actor Zhang Yiyang Executed For Murdering 16-year-old Girlfriend

Zhang Yiyang (张艺洋, Zhang Yiyang, May 1, 1990–December 18, 2024) was a Chinese actor, director, and singer-songwriter from Xingping City, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province. He gained attention for his versatile activities but became the first Chinese celebrity to be executed by death penalty due to a murder case in 2022. As a child, he showed a deep affection for music, earning popularity among classmates and teachers by singing during music classes in elementary school. After school, he diligently helped his mother with farm work and learned to cook, displaying a diligent demeanor.

Coming from a humble background, he dropped out of school and worked as a restaurant waiter, factory worker, and construction laborer to make ends meet. In 2007, inspired by the song Have You Been Told, he developed a dream of becoming a singer and participated in local singing competitions to pursue a career in entertainment. As a singer, Zhang Yiyang debuted in the entertainment industry on April 7, 2012, by placing third in the reality show Happy Move audition.

His performance in the program brought him public recognition, leading to active careers as both an actor and a singer. On June 19, 2015, he released his debut album The Crying Man, which gained attention for his emotional vocals and lyrical content. He subsequently released albums such as Have You Been Told (2018), The Girl by the Bridge (2019), and Go China! (2020).

As an actor, Zhang Yiyang played a supporting role as Yangyang in the 2018 film Soul of the Dragon and took on the lead role of Ajun, a character with depression, in the 2019 film Master of Music Therapy. In 2021, he directed and starred in the youth inspirational film Dream Chaser, presenting a story about youth and dreams. In 2019, he won the Best New Actor Award at the Jinshang Awards and was appointed as an ambassador for the China Music Star Charity initiative, participating in public welfare activities. He also appeared as a guest on programs such as Liandu Stereo Concert and China Ethnic Spring Festival Gala in 2016, and served as a judge for CCTV Charm China Tour and Lei Feng Spring Gala.

The thriving career of actor and singer Zhang Yiyang came to an abrupt end due to a shocking murder case on February 26, 2022. He had been in a relationship with his 16-year-old girlfriend, Zhang Na, who was 15 years his junior, since September 2021, but faced severe conflicts. Zhang Yiyang exhibited intense controlling behavior and paranoia, using suicide threats to manipulate her. When Zhang Na requested a breakup, he refused to accept it and lured her to a forest in Xingping City, Shaanxi Province, under the pretense of celebrating a birthday. There, he stabbed her neck multiple times with a folding knife, causing her death due to excessive bleeding and tracheal damage. He attempted to mutilate and dispose of her body, discarding her phone and blood-stained clothes in a reservoir. Immediately after the crime, he attempted suicide but failed and was arrested by the police. On the day of the incident, he posted on his SNS account, “No matter what happens, I will love her,” which contradicted his brutal actions and sparked widespread outrage in Chinese society.

Zhang Yiyang sent shockwaves through the Chinese entertainment industry. On December 18, 2024, the Xianyang City Intermediate People’s Court deemed his actions planned, cruel, and lacking remorse, sentencing him to death and executing him by firing squad. This marked the first execution of a Chinese celebrity, sparking heated debates in Chinese society. Here, we introduce the profile of Chinese actor Zhang Yiyang.

Zhang Yiyang Profile

Chinese singer & actor Zhang Yiyang executed for murdering 16-year-old girlfriend

Zhang Yiyang Career and Major Achievements A to Z

On April 7, 2012, Zhang Yiyang debuted in the entertainment industry by placing third in the reality show Happy Move. He then actively pursued careers as an actor and singer. On June 19, 2015, he released his debut album The Crying Man (哭泣的男人). In 2016, he appeared as a guest on Liandu Stereo Concert and China Ethnic Spring Festival Gala, and served as a judge for CCTV Charm China Tour and Lei Feng Spring Gala.

In 2017, he participated in the talent show Next Idol. In 2018, he released the album Have You Been Told and appeared in the film Soul of the Dragon. In 2019, he played Ajun, a character with depression, in Master of Music Therapy and was appointed as an ambassador for China Music Star Charity. In 2020, he released the album Go China! and appeared in the film The Way of the Thief. In 2021, he directed and starred in Dream Chaser.

On February 26, 2022, he was arrested for murdering his 16-year-old girlfriend, Zhang Na. He lured her to a forest in Xingping City, Shaanxi Province, under the pretense of a birthday celebration, killed her with a folding knife, and attempted to dispose of her body. After attempting suicide and failing, he was arrested. On December 18, 2024, he was sentenced to death for murder and executed by firing squad.

Zhang Yiyang debuted in 2012 through the reality show Happy Move (快乐动起来), gaining public recognition. He began his music career with the release of his debut album The Crying Man (哭泣的男人) in 2015. In 2017, he participated in the talent show Next Idol (下一个偶像), showcasing his talents in both music and acting. As an actor, he appeared in films such as Soul of the Dragon (龙之魂), Master of Music Therapy (音疗大师), and The Way of the Thief (盗亦有道). In 2021, he directed and starred in Dream Chaser (追梦人), earning recognition for his directorial talent. However, on February 26, 2022, he committed murder after a conflict with his girlfriend, attempted suicide, and was arrested. The court deemed his actions cruel and premeditated, leading to his execution on December 18, 2024. This case caused a significant shock in the Chinese entertainment industry.

Awards

2012 – Happy Move Audition, 3rd Place
2015 – Released debut album The Crying Man
2019 – Jinshang Awards, Best New Actor
2024 – Sentenced to death and executed by firing squad

Zhang Yiyang Filmography A to Z

Broadcasts: Happy Move (快乐动起来) (2012), Next Idol (下一个偶像) (2017)
Films: Dream Chaser (追梦人) (2021) – Director and lead role, Master of Music Therapy (音疗大师) (2019) – Played Ajun, a character with depression, Soul of the Dragon (龙之魂) (2020) – Played Yangyang, The Way of the Thief (盗亦有道) (2020) – Played Foreman, Relief Music Hall (解忧音声馆) (2025) – Posthumous release
Drama: Thief Fighter (斗贼) (2025) – Played Xiao Foye
Directed Work: Dream Chaser (追梦人) (2021)

Zhang Yiyang’s Murder of His 16-Year-Old Girlfriend

The murder case involving Chinese actor and singer Zhang Yiyang occurred on February 26, 2022. At the time, 31-year-old Zhang Yiyang was in a relationship with his 16-year-old girlfriend from the same village. When his underage girlfriend announced her intention to break up, Zhang Yiyang lured her to a forest near Xingping City, Shaanxi Province, under the pretext of celebrating his birthday. There, he stabbed her neck multiple times with a pre-prepared knife, killing her.

After the crime, Zhang Yiyang cleaned or disposed of the blood-stained clothes and murder weapon and attempted suicide in a hotel but was arrested following a report. During the trial, he was convicted of intentional murder and sentenced to death with lifelong deprivation of political rights in the first trial. The verdict was upheld in the appeal and by the Supreme People’s Court, and he was executed on December 18, 2024. Zhang Yiyang became the first Chinese celebrity to be executed, causing significant controversy and shock in society.

On December 18, 2024, the Xianyang City Intermediate People’s Court executed Zhang Yiyang. In March 2025, his previously filmed movie Relief Music Hall (解忧音声馆) was released online. The film, shot before his death, sparked a boycott movement among Chinese netizens due to his criminal history. Some netizens criticized the entertainment industry’s failure to enforce its “problematic celebrity” management system, raising concerns about double standards as his work was released without restrictions. On July 21, 2025, the Xianyang City Intermediate People’s Court publicly announced his execution, making it widely known. As an aside, it is said that Zhang Yiyang’s family moved away from their hometown after the incident.

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