Jianhao Tan Under Fire For Controversial Dating Game Promo

An Influencer's Promo Sparks Debate

Jianhao Tan, a leading social media influencer with a massive following, recently found himself at the center of a controversy. Concerns have surfaced about his promotion of the interactive live-action game, Island of Hearts, on Instagram. With his audience including many students, the game’s mature themes quickly caught the attention of vigilant TikTok users.

Island of Hearts' publisher, 4Divinity, has clarified their stance, stressing that the game is "not intended for children." They are actively working with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to enforce an age restriction. Tan, who helms Titan Digital Media and commands 7.78 million YouTube subscribers, is known for his comedic school skits but now faces backlash for his latest venture.

“It seems like the Asian version of Love Island,” remarked one follower, referencing the popular UK dating show.

Game Promotion and Public Reaction

On October 8, 2025, Tan promoted Island of Hearts through a vibrant Instagram post featuring himself and several influencers. The game, slated for a spring 2026 release on Steam, stars prominent social media personalities like Fiona Xue and Siew Pui Yi, alongside Tan’s wife, Debbie Soon.

The storyline unfolds on an island resort, where players make choices that affect their relationships. The game’s trailer, unveiled at Gamescom Asia, stirred both excitement and concern. TikTokers, particularly @gamatoot and @radical_kindness_, voiced their alarm due to Tan’s predominantly young audience.

Defending the Project

Tan defended the game on social media, stating it was never marketed to kids and questioned the notion of irresponsible content. “You'll find more extreme content on IG or TikTok,” he pointed out, emphasizing that purchasing the game requires a credit card.

However, TikToker @iampoopy228 contested this claim, demonstrating how easily children could bypass age restrictions using gift cards. This revelation adds another layer to the debate over digital content accessibility among minors.

Publisher and Corporate Response

The game's publisher, 4Divinity, reiterated their responsibility for the project’s creative decisions, distancing Tan from the game's production specifics. Keith Liu of GCL Global Holdings, parent to Titan Digital Media, supported Tan, asserting that his promotional efforts were neither irresponsible nor illegal.

Amidst the controversy, Liu highlighted that Tan's posts served to engage fans without targeting child-centric platforms, thus steering clear of any ethical breaches. He praised Tan as a "fantastic collaborator," underscoring the influencer’s commitment to the project.