Actress Liu Yifei's decision to crop Vietnamese singer Ho Ngoc Ha from a shared photo, posted on her personal Instagram, has ignited a significant debate across social media platforms regarding celebrity etiquette. The incident occurred after both artists attended a Bvlgari jewelry exhibition in Shanghai, China, on the evening of 7/9.

Following the event, Ho Ngoc Ha shared a picture featuring Liu Yifei and Laura Burdese, CEO of the organizing brand Bvlgari. However, Liu Yifei later posted the same image on her Instagram, but with Ho Ngoc Ha notably absent from the frame.

On the left is the photo Ho Ngoc Ha posted on her personal page, on the right is the photo Liu Yifei posted. *Photo: Weibo*

The controversy quickly escalated, becoming a top trending topic on Weibo. The keyword phrase "Liu Yifei cuts Vietnamese female star from shared photo" garnered over 110 million views and tens of thousands of comments by noon on 9/9.

Many users flocked to Liu Yifei's Instagram, criticizing her for disrespecting a colleague. Fans recirculated videos of the two artists greeting each other at past events, suggesting that Liu Yifei was already acquainted with Ho Ngoc Ha. Critics argued that such behavior could "offend" others, particularly as Ho Ngoc Ha was also a brand guest. Many deemed Liu Yifei's actions unprofessional and unsuitable for an international networking event.

Chinese actress Shu Qi (center) previously posted the original photo when meeting Ho Ngoc Ha (right) and Thai actress Mai Davika at an event. *Photo: Weibo*

Conversely, another perspective emerged, suggesting that since neither Liu Yifei nor Ho Ngoc Ha were close acquaintances, Liu Yifei's decision to crop the photo was normal. Some fans commented: "If they're not close, why post someone's picture without knowing if they consent?", and "I believe cropping the photo actually demonstrates respect for the other person's image rights."

Amid the escalating debate, Liu Yifei removed the photo from her personal page, while Ho Ngoc Ha retained her original post. The singer commented that she found the incident "normal," explaining that she had only met Liu Yifei once or twice and they were acquainted but not close friends.

Liu Yifei, Ho Ngoc Ha, Kim Ly attend fashion exhibition. *Video: Elle Hong Kong*

Commenting on the incident, Yu Xiaoxiao, a Chinese blogger, suggested that Liu Yifei's action of cropping her colleague from the photo reflects a conflict between social etiquette and individual freedom. While individuals have the right to choose what content they post, and cropping unfamiliar faces is common, opting to share the original photo after agreeing to pose together demonstrates greater consideration.

Ho Ngoc Ha, 42, is a prominent artist across music, film, and fashion. Born in Quang Tri, she began her career as a model before transitioning into music. In 2004, she released her debut album, "24 gio 7 ngay", produced by musician Huy Tuan. Her popularity grew significantly through collaborations with musician Duc Tri, yielding hits such as "Dem nghe tieng mua", "Giac mo chi la giac mo", and "Va em da yeu", alongside numerous tracks by Nguyen Hong Thuan and Duong Khac Linh.

Liu Yifei has been acting for over 20 years and is considered among the highest-paid stars in the Chinese entertainment industry. She currently endorses numerous international and Chinese brands, including LV, Bvlgari, Tissot, Shiseido, Huawei, and Meituan. According to Yahoo, she reportedly earns around 25 million CNY (3,4 million USD) per endorsement contract as an image ambassador.

Nhu Anh