Kris Wu’s Scandal Prompts Chinese Government to Intervene in Rabid Fan Culture
Since the police detained Kris Wu (吳亦凡) on suspicions of sexually assaulting minors, rabid fans flooded social media and continued to protest his innocence. They blamed the victims, tried to raise bail money, and even discussed ways to help him escape from jail. Seeing celebrities hold massive influence as distorted fan culture gains traction, as exemplified in Kris’ scandal, the Chinese government intervened to delete a massive number of social media accounts and discussions.
Although he once had 50 million followers, Kris’ official Weibo and studio accounts have suddenly disappeared. The Weibo groups that fans created have also been suspended. Due to the serious allegations Kris is facing, many believe Weibo deleted the accounts based on the government’s request.
Popular idols have a large influence on the beliefs and behaviors of their fans, prompting many companies to exploit this to generate lucrative profits in billions. Labeling this type of influence as unhealthy, the Chinese government hopes to crack down on the recent phenomenon of crazed fan culture to yield a clean and upright cyberspace for society.
The Cyberspace Administration of China has closed down and fined 4,000 accounts that have been deemed to be in violation of their rules. The specialized team leading the initiative has already deleted 150,000 posts that have been deemed to be a negative influence. They have also closed down 1,300 groups and stopped discussion of 814 topics.
The National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) used a month’s time to investigate and crack down on online variety shows. It censored shows that are too focused on profit, those that create too much hype, and those that promote fan culture. The government will soon release clear policies to help strengthen its control over the production of online variety shows.
Many netizens praised the government for its work in governing the entertainment industry. Many encouraged them to thoroughly investigate artistes, because there are likely others like Kris who abuse their celebrity power.
However, some netizens criticized the government’s actions by stating the problem is not the fans, but the accounts that capitalize on fans. The government only eradicated accounts that do not have powerful backing, instead of addressing the influential forces.
Source: HK01
This article is written by Kiki for JayneStars.com.
Some fans are really crazy and out of their mind to defend him like that. If the celebrity i like turns out to be like him, i will definitely be disappointed and will just cancel him instead of do the things like those crazy fans type. But luckily those celebrities that i like so far did not abuse their celebrity power (at least not that i know of).
A bit off topic, but i hope Kris Wu will also named those celebrity perpetrators who was involved in the act with him.
Not all fans are like that as there are reasonable fans who are still loyal to him. I actually talked to some of them and feel bad for them as they have supported him since he debuted. One in particular really touched me and made me a bit sad. She did not defend but just said that if he is guilty, she will still support him and just hopes that after he pays for his wrong doings that he will repent, learn, mature and become a better and more honest person in the future.
I heard the Government have been looking to tidy up this obsessive Idol worship practise…Looks like Zheng Shuang and Kris Wu are great way to start tidying up… Now, there should also be strict laws in places to rein in crazy intrusive fans who stalks their idols unhealthy. It is about time to do so before we get another Princess Diana accident/death.
Yes and I remember fans back then were not this bad. I guess maybe it was because there no internet and technological advanced things like now. I actually miss the good old days when life was so much more simple. There were some inconveniences but overall life was not so complicated.
i don’t feel that the gov should step in to curb anything. fan culture is people’s freedom. if they want to splurge on their idols, do what they want. fan culture’s everywhere not just in china. admittedly that they get too overboard, but that’s people’s choice. can’t tell people what to like, how much to like, and how to display affection.
China is still a communist state…thus your concept of freedom does not apply. Any “Freedom” they give their own people can also be taken away…They have made this point very clear in Tiananmen Square…. The older generation knows these..but the younger generation forgets about this sometimes… They will set strict guidelines to curb behaviour that goes against their State Laws…. Any behaviour not in line with the Communist Policy.. Like it or not, this is their Governing system.
unrestricted freedom resulted in the most vicious cyberbullying that lasted over a year for a popular actor, which could’ve resulted in suicide – goes beyond what is acceptable. Curbing cyberbullying and fan wars would be most welcome.
There is really no such thing as freedom or freedom of speech in China lol
Wow, this is the only time I am supporting the the Chinese government for what they are doing hahaha. Please, these crazy fans need to stop …
Even Taiwanese bloggers on a Taiwan platform agreed with the actions taken by the ccp
I too support the chinese government, for the first time in my life. The government should suggest to those rabid fans to use the money that they overspend on their idols on good psychiatrists. God knows they all need a good therapist, lol.