On October 13, 2026, Weibo influencer “Li Ji” posted a lengthy statement announcing his upcoming withdrawal from the online world. He candidly admitted that being an influencer was essentially a performance around the clock. He expressed a desire to “pursue self-realization” and planned to “delete the app directly from his phone and exit all self-media platforms.” Just a day after announcing his departure, his account displayed a message stating “suspended from following due to violating platform rules.” This development sparked widespread attention.
With 5.4 million followers, Weibo influencer “Li Ji” revealed in his post on October 12 that he intended to step away from all self-media platforms within 20 to 40 days. He emphasized that it wasn’t just Weibo, but all self-media platforms that he would be leaving by deleting the apps directly from his phone.
He mentioned being tired of the battles on self-media, with less substance and more people fighting for attention, surrounded by traps and intrigues. He highlighted the changes in the overall environment, where mental health issues were not taken seriously enough, leading to emotional outbursts and verbal abuse on self-media platforms.
Public information reveals that “Li Ji,” whose real name is Zhang Yang, previously worked at Liaoning Broadcasting and Television Station. After leaving traditional media in 2018, he transitioned to self-media, using the screen name “An Idealistic Journalist” before abbreviating it to “Li Ji” and being recognized by Weibo as the “Most Influential Political Commentator of 2020.”
Zhang Yang gained fame early on due to the Nanjing Airlines emergency door incident. However, controversies followed him in his self-media career, such as the Hangzhou nanny arson case, disputes involving Aier Ophthalmology and Dr. Ai Fen, among others. His latest controversy involved allegations in September that the popular fast-food chain Xi Bei, embroiled in pre-packaged food scandals, would face complete closure, leading to a heated argument with the figure behind the wave of pre-packaged food controversies, Luo Yonghao.
In his statement about leaving the online sphere, Zhang Yang mentioned that being an influencer eventually meant living as an actor, performing all the time. He expressed that for self-protection or profit, one had to fabricate a false version of themselves due to the objective environment, beyond one’s control.
He disclosed that he had made up his mind to exit self-media since last year as he felt he had reached the end of that path. Zhang Yang humorously admitted to having a personality that couldn’t refrain from expressing itself, a trait that he acknowledged was outdated in modern times. Rather than anxiously waiting for a day in passive anticipation, he felt proactive in choosing to step back.
It’s worth noting that on the day following Zhang Yang’s announcement of his online withdrawal, his Weibo account displayed a message citing violations of laws or the “Weibo Community Convention” as the reason for being restricted from following. However, there is currently no concrete evidence linking the two.