Infant Actor Left Soaking in Freezing Rain, Public Outrage Erupts

An infant actor was left soaking wet for an extended period while crying during a night rain scene of a short drama in freezing temperatures, exposed by an actress called Xing Yun on social media on January 17, sparking widespread public outrage about child welfare.

Many netizens expressed concern about the baby's health, with comments saying they felt both heartbroken and furious.

The video shows a baby, about 1 year old, drenched in rain without any visible protection. Xing played the woman in black who was standing on the right. Xing said the production crew used a water truck to create the rain effect, and because the scene required close-up shots, umbrellas could not be lowered.

She also noted that replacing real children with realistic props in risky scenes is standard industry practice, but the crew chose not to do so in order to save time. The baby was reportedly paid 800 yuan (US$115) for the scene.

A lawyer has weighed in on the controversy, saying both parents and production teams could be held responsible if a baby is harmed during filming.

Zhang Jianqi, a lawyer with Zhejiang Wulian Law Firm, told Qianjiang Video that parents, as the legal guardians of infants under the age of 1, bear primary responsibility for their child’s health and safety. Parents have the right to decide whether their child appears in a production, but any decision should put the child’s well-being first.

If a baby’s health is harmed as a result of participating in filming, Zhang said the consequences vary by severity. Minor harm could lead to moral condemnation, while serious injury could expose the parents to potential legal liability, including charges related to intentional injury or child abuse.

Zhang added that production crews also have a duty of care. Even if parents give consent, the crew must assess whether scenes — such as filming in the rain — could pose risks to an infant, and should take protective measures or modify scenes accordingly. If a child is injured, the production team may be required to bear civil compensation liability.

The National Radio and Television Administration has issued regulations on the management of programs involving minors, which clearly prohibit treating minors as "tools" or forcing them into adult roles.

The rules require producers to obtain consent from legal guardians and to ensure minors' safety, as well as sufficient time for study and rest. Violations may result in warnings, fines, or more serious administrative penalties, and responsible personnel may also face disciplinary action.