According to Theirin a social media post on Saturday evening, Zhao revealed she had been battling depression since last year and spent over six months recovering her mental health. As a result, several of her advertising contracts were canceled. Although her agency initially pledged to cover the financial losses, Zhao said she has been forced to personally compensate more than 2 million yuan (US$277,323).

She further alleged that her agency has hindered her professional opportunities, prompting her desire to terminate her contract. However, the agreement is valid through 2027.

“I’m in a terrible state, and I’ve lost a lot of dignity,” Zhao wrote. “But I don’t need to be blacklisted. I’m done [with this industry.]”

In response, Galaxy Cool Entertainment said on Sunday that it was “shocked and surprised” by Zhao’s remarks. The company stated that it has honored its contractual obligations, denied any wrongdoing, and claimed it had worked closely with Zhao and her representatives during her illness. The agency invited her to resolve the dispute through negotiation.

Zhao has not taken on any new filming projects since Dec. 2024, when she was hospitalized during the production of a drama. The project was ultimately canceled.

Earlier this year, Zhao publicly disclosed that she had suffered from depression. She described experiencing vivid hallucinations, including the sensation of insects crawling on her skin, and severe physical pain. At one point, her weight dropped below 38 kilograms. Despite medical treatment, her condition showed little improvement at the time.

Zhao said she continued working through her illness, fearing criticism for being “lazy” or “unprofessional.” She kept her struggles private to avoid disappointing fans, friends, and family, which eventually led to dissociative disorder—a mental health condition marked by disconnection from thoughts, identity, and surroundings.

After finally seeking medical treatment and speaking openly about her condition, Zhao said she no longer views depression as something to fear. In a January interview with Global Timesshe said her condition had significantly improved following a structured four-month recovery plan.

Zhao, 28, began her acting career in 2017 and rose to prominence through lead roles in hit dramas such as “The Romance of Tiger and Rose,” “Dating in the Kitchen,” “Love Better Than Immortality,” “Love Like the Galaxy,” and “Hidden Love.”