{
  "id": 5060496,
  "title": "Chinese couple’s surgery fundraising highlights how sudden fame ignites support, backlash",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/chinese-couples-surgery-fundraising-highlights-how-sudden-fame",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-02T10:00:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3366004/chinese-couples-surgery-fundraising-highlights-how-sudden-fame-ignites-support-backlash"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In China, a woman named He Ling, 23, from Sichuan province, has gained viral fame after her boyfriend Yan Ruize, 25, admitted to working multiple grueling delivery shifts to fund her surgery. He Ling suffers from congenital scoliosis, a severe sideways curvature of the spine, diagnosed at the age of five, leaving her with a height of 1.35 meters and a weight of just 31.5kg. The estimated cost of her surgery is 300,000 yuan (US$45,000).\n\nDespite the couple's dire financial situation, netizens have been divided over He Ling's choice to indulge in manicures and other luxuries while raising funds for her medical expenses. Some accused her of \"selling misery\" and \"doing nothing for money,\" while others praised her determination and hard work.\n\nHe Ling responded to the criticism by removing her manicure and clarifying that she also worked long hours, engaged in live-streaming, and had support from both her boyfriend and online donations. In 2024, Yan became a food delivery rider, often working up to 14 hours a day, to accumulate funds for his girlfriend's surgery.\n\nThe surge in public interest has not only rallied support but also attracted backlash, highlighting the complexities of how sudden fame can affect individuals facing disabilities or illnesses. Researchers warn that algorithm-driven platforms can amplify repetitive narratives, creating \"echo chambers\" that reinforce social divisions and stigmas. Additionally, fabricated stories have further fueled public scepticism, placing genuine disabled creators under immense pressure to prove their experiences.",
  "summary": "A woman in China, suffering from severe scoliosis, has gone viral after accusations that she is “making money by doing nothing” surfaced. This scrutiny followed the revelation that her boyfriend, Yan Ruize, worked gruelling food-delivery shifts to fund her much-needed surgery. He Ling, 23, hails from southwest China’s Sichuan province and was diagnosed with congenital scoliosis – a sideways…",
  "key_points": [
    "He Ling, 23, suffers from congenital scoliosis, diagnosed at age 5",
    "Yan Ruize, 25, funded surgery through multiple delivery shifts, 14-hour days",
    "Public divided over He Ling's luxury spending amid medical fundraising"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}