Stars Wen and Ma's marriage on the rocks

File photo of Wen Zhang and Ma Yili.

The Chinese entertainment world was rocked over the weekend with the news that actor Wen Zhang was having an affair, while his wife was carrying their second baby.

Photos have been released by tabloids showing the "Ocean Heaven" actor walking intimately with actress Yao Di. Reports say the affair began as early as last July. Wen Zhang's actress wife, Ma Yili, gave birth to a baby girl early this year.

On Monday morning, Wen Zhang posted an apology letter via his Sina Weibo, admitting to the affair and saying he was willing to take any responsibility. The post had over one million comments in 10 hours, with many questioning Wen's sincerity in the apology letter and voicing sympathy for his wife.

In response to Wen's post, Ma Yili wrote a brief post, hinting she would forgive her husband for the sake of their marriage.

Actress Yao Di has been keeping silent for now, but a hashtag demanding the actress quit showbiz has become the second hottest hashtag on Sina Weibo.

Wen Zhang, 29, is known for his performance as an autistic adult son in the 2010 film, "Ocean Heaven", in which Jet Li plays the father.

He married Ma Yili, who is eight years older, in 2008. The couple had their first child, a girl, in the same year. Wen Zhang had nicknamed his daughter Aima, meaning "Love Ma", to show his feelings for Ma Yili.