SINGAPORE – Various scandals rocked the Chinese language leisure scene this 12 months – notably the arrest of pop star Kris Wu for rape, and the surrogacy and tax evasion controversies involving actress Zheng Shuang.
And Chinese language President Xi Jinping has had sufficient.
In September, he ordered a clean-up of the business, resulting in sweeping adjustments within the movie, tv, selection present and popular culture scene.
China’s state company, the Nationwide Radio and Tv Administration (NRTA) launched an eight-point directive outlining its targets to reform the leisure business.
It referred to as for the boycotting of celebrities who’ve “incorrect politics”, banning of idol coaching exhibits equivalent to Youth With You (2019 to 2021) and Produce 101 China (2018), and the rejection of “sissy” males. Harsh punishments are in retailer for tax-dodging stars, and caps have been positioned on movie star earnings.
The NRTA additionally criticised chaotic and poisonous fandoms, in addition to “dan gai” dramas – that are tailored from boys’ love novels – for polluting the broader tradition.
A number of the hottest Chinese language dramas lately have come from this style – together with The Untamed (2019) and Phrase Of Honor (2021).
The crackdown was swift and unforgiving, bringing down a few of the nation’s largest stars and their fan golf equipment in days.
Wu’s Weibo account, which had greater than 50 million followers, was deleted. Many Weibo accounts that defended the 31-year-old singer have been additionally swiftly banned.
Zheng, 30, a preferred actress, was erased from Chinese language tv and Web.
Additionally mysteriously blacklisted was A-list billionaire actress Vicki Zhao – finest recognized for enjoying Little Swallow within the interval drama My Truthful Princess (1998 to 1999). The 45-year-old, who had courted controversy over her enterprise pursuits prior to now, had her works faraway from Chinese language video streaming platforms and her identify scrubbed from many tasks she was concerned in.
The authorities additionally ordered the removing of all rankings of celebrities on Chinese language Web to keep away from followers creating “site visitors” for a star via organised voting.
A fan account for Ok-pop boy band BTS was banned from Weibo after members raised funds to customize an airplane for member Jimin’s birthday.