Zhang Zhehan is in hot water today after Netizens found old photos of him visiting controversial war related shrines in Japan. In a 2018 Instagram post, Zhang Zhehan was spotted in front of what appears to be the Yasukuni Shrine with sakura blooms in the background. Then netizens dug up pictures of him attending a wedding at the Nogi Shrine in 2019 where he also met Dewi Sukarno, the Japanese wife of former Indonesian president Sukarno who is widely known to be anti-China.
Nogi Shrine is dedicated to General Nogi Marusuke, a controversial figure in Chinese history having led the Lushun Massacre and its crimes of aggression against China during the First Sino-Japanese war. Likewise, the infamous Yasukuni Shrine is just as or even more controversial as it honours Japanese war dead including war criminals responsible for committing brutal acts of aggression against its Asian neighbours.
Given the history between the two countries, Zhang Zhehan’s photos drew a lot of the public’s ire and put him squarely in the hot seat …
Zhang Zhehan Apologises
In his apology today, the Word of Honor actor apologised for his ignorance and promised to be more mindful about history and culture. “Today I am ashamed of my ignorant self, and I apologise deeply for my previous misconduct. I attended a friend’s wedding held in Japan. With regards to the oversight of the wedding venue’s historical background and the political affiliations of other guests attending the wedding banquet, it is my fault.
When travelling to various places, I enjoy taking a lot of photos. However, because of my lack of knowledge regarding local sites and history, as well as being careless about the content of the photos I took, I have gravely wronged the feelings of the Chinese people. I solemnly apologise here. I am sorry.
I am not a Japanophile, I am Chinese! I’ve never made any remarks harmful to the motherland on any occasion. I deeply love my motherland. You can criticise me for being ignorant. I especially thank everyone for your supervision and criticism. As a public figure, I should always keep in mind the pain of history. In the future, I will be more earnest in broadening my knowledge about our history and culture, enrich my personal development, be more careful and disciplined. Once again, I solemnly apologise.”
Likewise, Zhang Zhehan’s team also issued their own apology for the oversight and promised to work closely with the actor to improve their knowledge, to never forget history and to firmly support the motherland. On top of that, Zhang Zhehan Studio also pinned a previous post they’ve made requesting their lawyers to pursue legal action and investigate perpetrators of rumours and smear campaigns likely as a warning against people who will be using this incident to spread malicious rumours about him.
His Friend Also Apologises for Venue Choice
Meanwhile, Zhang Zhehan’s friend took to Instagram to apologise for him and to also clarify the situation. “Nogi Shrine is a venue many Japanese couples would normally choose to tie the knot in. We didn’t thoroughly check out the place and didn’t fully understand its background … I’m truly sorry for the trouble this has brought to our esteemed guests, and to our friends who were harmed by our choice of wedding venue, I sincerely apologise.”
Facing the Music
In the wake of the fallout, Zhang Zhehan has lost all of his endorsements within a day as brands have dissociated from the actor with statements about their immediate plans to “terminate cooperation.” The brands range from makeup remover and skin care products, jewellery, e-commerce, electronic brands, mobile games, etc. The incident has also drawn attention from the national government who through its various official and party media channels like People’s Daily and the CCTV network slammed the actor’s actions.
Mystic
Yikes….he should lay low for a bit. This is gonna be rough though. I wonder what will happen with that rumor drama he’ll be playing opposite to ZLY now. China is very sensitive to Japan’s war crimes done against them… given how they never acknowledged or apologized for it.
无名氏
我来解释下，内容您可以用google translation
他在2017年去八坂，2018年去靖国，2019年去乃木，2020年去日本的右翼的婚礼
他的汽车装涂大面积旭日旗帜，被网友追问，他删除照片然后羞辱网友。
在中国烈士陵园，用纳粹手势敬礼。
他在国庆节说回家真好，定位在日本。
4.14日本排放核废水，新华社说大海在哭泣，他说大海是包容的，只发布在ins。
奥运会期间，代言日本核废水附近的矿泉水品牌。
张哲瀚就是个汉奸
anon
八坂神社也有问题吗? 车也不是他个人的。
靖国神社足够定他的罪。没必要乱添别的, 反而显得夸张。到此为止吧
Love
I know he made a mistake, but I hope the netizens will understand.
XZF
@ Love
I agree with you that he made a mistake. This is a big lesson for all of them/everyone to payattention to these things. No one should repeat this kind of mistake again.
无名氏
朋友，你可以了解一下这个人以往发布的信息，
他发布的有关日本的消息，背后都有许多侵华战争的历史，而且他在一条消息中，声称他回到了故乡，定位却在日本
无名氏
我来解释下，内容您可以用google translation
他在2017年去八坂，2018年去靖国，2019年去乃木，2020年去日本的右翼的婚礼
他的汽车装涂大面积旭日旗帜，被网友追问，他删除照片然后羞辱网友。
在中国烈士陵园，用纳粹手势敬礼。
他在国庆节说回家真好，定位在日本。
4.14日本排放核废水，新华社说大海在哭泣，他说大海是包容的，只发布在ins。
奥运会期间，代言日本核废水附近的矿泉水品牌。
张哲瀚就是个汉奸
carmen
considero una gran estupidez, el no mato a nadie cuentos chinos hay casado con hijos con japonés miles y el por ir una simple boda, lo masacrando con un villano injusto, nosotros sus fan latinos lo defendemos y ya creo que pleno siglo 21, deben dejar ya odio a un lado mentalidad antigua, así que el no cometió un error cumplió ir con un amigo y si es así al amigo debe culpar no a el y punto.
XZF
You need to read the article again. I think you got the meaning of the article incorrectly.
XZF
You need to read the article again. I think you got the meaning of the article incorrectly.
Atticus
His photos weren’t an endorsement of anything but I still understand why he needed to apologize. Like, if some celebrity in the US were to unknowingly pose in front of something that honored Confederate soldiers or something I would be angry. I don’t understand though why it’s being blown to this proportion. Their freaking government even commented on it, why exactly?? He clearly was just ignorant and he has apologized, he doesn’t deserve to have his career ruined like this.
Ash
He will be okay. His career won’t be ruined. He has already apologised for his youthful carelessness. He will be readily forgiven. The endorsements will be back next year. This is just a glitch to remind all young people not to forget their history.
All stars who suddenly make it to “red’ will experience some baptism of fire. Things that were okay in the past when they are nobodies, suddenly get thrusted into the limelight. What he said is correct – being a public figure carries some responsibilities to set a good example because he now has legions of young impressionable adorers.
X
Wait really?! was there like links to clarify that he would have endorsements next year?
Teo
Because there were multiple cases. Some of them weren’t mentioned in this article. Being at the wrong place at the wrong time can be used as an excuse once but multiple cases?
X
I skimmed some of the criticism on weibo and it seem its cause 1) How could he not know? The shrine is literally dedicated and build for someone china considers a war criminal. A quick search even just to find the place would have told him. Being ignorant alone is worthy of being criticised, and not be used as an excuse.. That or he simply didnt care. 2) With the number of scandals just this year alone (Zhen Shuang, Kris wu, Youth with you, etc) China is cleaning up the idol industry. Timing-wise, he is really unlucky.
无名氏
我来解释下，内容您可以用google translation
他在2017年去八坂，2018年去靖国，2019年去乃木，2020年去日本的右翼的婚礼
他的汽车装涂大面积旭日旗帜，被网友追问，他删除照片然后羞辱网友。
在中国烈士陵园，用纳粹手势敬礼。
他在国庆节说回家真好，定位在日本。
4.14日本排放核废水，新华社说大海在哭泣，他说大海是包容的，只发布在ins。
奥运会期间，代言日本核废水附近的矿泉水品牌。
张哲瀚就是个汉奸
Laila
I get why bc of historical background but I don’t think ZH was in any wrong. As a tourist, you usually just go visit places and take pictures. Not everyone does their background check. A lot of japan’s tourist places have history but not everyone will always know its history. He’s not familiar with the country, its tourist areas and its history so idk why fault him by saying he’s anti-China and approves of these Japanese/anti-Chinese place/sentiments. I think the endorsements dropping him was too much. I’m fine with ZH but this is quite a reach, tbh. Like, I would get it if he went knowing and still did it but in his case, he just went to tour and didn’t do a check. If china’s so sensitive to this stuff (which I do understand to an extent), might as well just ban their people from traveling. History will always be there but you really can’t avoid it bc all over the world there’s been history of hurt that has places filled with commemorations.
A
It is actually fairly grave given the context. It’s not just about Japan’s history, this is China’s history too. This is a very important part of Chinese history. China’s been through a lot, and has a very painful past. For Chinese, for someone in their 30s to not know about Yasukuni is shameful. Nobody should forget or neglect to learn their history. But this is something especially emphasized in China (Unlike in the US for example, where being ignorant of history is much too normalized and dismissed.)
Apparently this is not his first visit, but his third. So I totally understand the disappointment and anger. Celebrities do have a certain level of special responsibility.
That said, I too am softer on him that many netizens. I think this is serious, but I still want to trust that he’s a good person at heart, and I hope he can learn from this lesson. I wouldn’t wish him ill, and I worry some netizens will take this as permission to go too far. He needs criticism, but not harassment.
A
I just think it’s important to acknowledge a few things: People have been trying to lead a smear campaign against him for a while now? And I guess with this they’ve kinda hit gold. Anytime anyone’s trying to lead a campaign and dig up dirt it’s important to be careful about information like this and to give them the benefit of the doubt.
But it’s also crucial to not undermine the importance of issues like this. Japan has massacred about 2-3 times more Chinese than Nazi’s did Jews. I think in the west people are really ignorant of this reality, so they often end up saying very disrespectful and ignorant things. But this history is all still way to recent, and Japan has done nothing to make it right.
People need a balanced understanding of things I think. And I also agree with others that this is not something for international fans to get too involved in.
Baobao
Yeah from the findings in weibo it seems he went a few times and poses happily at the controversial Yasukusi shrine which is supposedly any school educated chinese should know as a notorious place because of the war criminals, he also attended a wedding with japan right wing members and took pic with ex indonesian president wife who is an anti china, and he also make the taboo nazi salute pose in front of an important memorial site. The list of unpatriotic things just piled up thats why the huge anger by the chinese netizen although we as overseas people may feel is not much. I think I can understand the chinese netizens pov here a bit.
To add to the insults on his already tainted image they also dig up photos of ZZH pinching a mermaid statues n***ples and sitting happily on a historical figures tomb. On top op that some photographers, reporters and people who worked with him suddenly airing their past disapprovals and dirty laundries with him. There are just too many things piled up.
For now ZZH should just lay low. Nothing else he can do.
dahilia
The nazi pose is actually related to a hand sign that was from a short movie he filmed, it was a hand sign used by his intellectually challenged big brother in the film. It was not a nazi pose but has been used to smear his reputation as such. The actor from the movie already acknowledge this several years as being related to his role in the movie and completely unrelated to anything nazi related.
What past disapproval and dirty laundry has others aired about him? Do you have the links?
Baobao
I lost the link but you may search in douban goose group or melon group i read while surfing there. In summary people who used to collaborate with ZZH and his team complained he being late to live streams, team unprofessional during photoshoot and ZZH+team being arrogant.
From my readings too it seems this event started when ZZH himself sued and offended some of his old fans and these ex fans later leaked out the controversial photos. Maybe others can explain this clearer I’m not too clear myself.
dahilia
The nazi pose is actually related to a hand sign that was from a short movie he filmed, it was a hand sign used by his intellectually challenged big brother in the film. It was not a nazi pose but has been used to smear his reputation as such. The actor from the movie already acknowledge this several years as being related to his role in the movie and completely unrelated to anything nazi related.
What past disapproval and dirty laundry has others aired about him? Do you have the links?
Chill
We can admit what he did wrong (Yasakuni shrine), but let’s not exaggerate. The rumors have gotten out of hand. “Went a few times” means
1. Yasakuni which is notorious and inexcusable.
2. Nogi which is obscure. Considering it was a wedding, I don’t expect a mere attendee to vet the venue or the other guests. I don’t see a guestlist breakdown: were there any left wings guests too, or are we cherry picking to fit a narrative?
3. other visits to innocuous shrines and regular tourist sites. He does seem to enjoy visiting Japan. But, that alone does not equal traitor, so to lump the other visits in with the legitimate transgression is a bit culturally offensive.
Bottom line: Yakasuni is the big problem here, and to a much lesser extent Nogi. The rest are people piling on with petty unrelated mudslinging after the fact. He likes to be late to his job? Cool story.
无名氏
我来解释下，内容您可以用google translation
他在2017年去八坂，2018年去靖国，2019年去乃木，2020年去日本的右翼的婚礼
他的汽车装涂大面积旭日旗帜，被网友追问，他删除照片然后羞辱网友。
在中国烈士陵园，用纳粹手势敬礼。
他在国庆节说回家真好，定位在日本。
4.14日本排放核废水，新华社说大海在哭泣，他说大海是包容的，只发布在ins。
奥运会期间，代言日本核废水附近的矿泉水品牌。
张哲瀚就是个汉奸
Z Chen
Almost everything this person wrote is based on false interpretation of something completely innocent! Where is your evidence by the way? Now you understand that how easily Chinese people are misled by this kind of information, I am working now but I will refute everything he said here with evidence! Is it possible to get international attention of the injustice that Zhehan has suffered here?
无名氏
不，那是因为你根本没有了解过他发布的微博，他发布的有关日本的微博，几乎每一条都与侵华战争有着联系，他不是误会，而是故意的！
Jz
Eh I don’t think Zhehan meant anything bad. He went to a friend wedding, he didn’t think more of it. But I do see where the anger is coming from… he should probably lay low for a bit.
Lisa
I totally get it. The crimes against China committed by Japan was really atrocious and disgusting. However, I feel like this was an honest mistake. He looks younger in the second picture as well. He wasn’t promoting Japanese culture or anything. Also, I visited a lot of shrines when I went to Japan, but I can’t tell you anything historical about them besides them. I went because they were exceptionally pretty. I feel like this is an opportunity to educate rather than cancel. But that is definitely my personal view, and the Chinese public is allowed to have theirs as well.
无名氏
我来解释下，内容您可以用google translation
他在2017年去八坂，2018年去靖国，2019年去乃木，2020年去日本的右翼的婚礼
他的汽车装涂大面积旭日旗帜，被网友追问，他删除照片然后羞辱网友。
在中国烈士陵园，用纳粹手势敬礼。
他在国庆节说回家真好，定位在日本。
4.14日本排放核废水，新华社说大海在哭泣，他说大海是包容的，只发布在ins。
奥运会期间，代言日本核废水附近的矿泉水品牌。
张哲瀚就是个汉奸
Yooi
Japan has a long historical issue with some a few countries. But past is the past.
However, zzh was ignorant. If i were a c netizen, i would react to this the same. Cuz nationalism is priceless.
Eventho, the result of his ignorance was too big. Sigh. I hope he’ll be okay. Everyone in his position will never be okay. Please be okay.
Dominique
What … can people never go near those shrines because of history? I visited places in Italy despite their history of Romans killing for conquest … is that blasphemy?
Anon
The Roman era was 2 thousand years ago. The Japanese atrocities are in the memories of many still living today. Also this was not a historical site like the Colosseum but a shrine dedicated to honor a particular & other war criminals. It is not blasphemy (please look up the definition) but it is disrespectful and hurtful to your own people. If ZZH’s grandparents were still alive (which they might still be), they would feel so hurt to see their grandson frolicking happily at the shrines of those who inflicted so much pain on them over a period of more than 50 years.
If you cannot understand other people’s pain and history, just keep quiet and don’t be flippant about it.
(P/S I still flinched involuntarily when I see that red circle and rays on the white background. Yeah, I am that old. )
YMI
I-fans sit this one out. If you are not Chinese (or from other Asian countries that were brutalized by Japan) you don’t get to tell them how they should feel about their own history. ZZH did wrong and he apologized for it. If you want to keep supporting him then do so without the condescension and trivialization on Chinese people and their history.
Del
I am from SEA and my country is among those occupied by Japan during WW2, so i definitely have the rights to speak up.
That was obviously a genuine honest mistake. Being an avid traveler myself, I take photos at various places without being really aware of the history behind it. Japan has so many shrines and they have magnificent views. On most occassions, tourists just taking photos wherever they deemed pretty.
Can understand the Chinese for being upset but the punishments on him are just over the top. It’s sickening to be punished over trivial mistake and living a life. We are all human after all.
Jun
Glad I’m Chinese then, I’m allowed to have a voice. He made a big mistake for sure. But this is no longer a case of: you can keep supporting him if you want to, or you can boycott him if you want to. It became a complete de-platforming and erasure, almost overnight. No opportunity to try and clarify or explain (even if no explanation could excuse the behavior). There are Chinese netizens as well who find the trial by internet mob over a couple of old photos worrisome. Separate issue from our anger toward the history.
Fah
lol, my people were literally oppressed and driven out by the Chinese. Even my people were affected by the Japanese during WWII. If you just live in the past, you’ll never be able to move on. My people have never received an apology from the Chinese. Instead we chose to let it go, be the bigger person and move on to heal from the painful past. I believe China as a country can do the same too. Ofc it’ll take time but I believe they can. You’ll never get anywhere if you don’t choose to heal yourself. Japan will never see that they did nothing wrong. You can’t say that the US Americans are ignorant by not teaching the correct history. It happens everywhere worldwide. It’s all perspective and no one ever thinks or see themselves as the wrong but instead the victims. Japan doesn’t teach their people real history too. I don’t condone what happened to the Chinese from the Japanese, and I know many of them are still alive but really, the world will never get better if we just keep living in the past. Instead, it’s best to educate oneself and make sure the next generation is educated too. We will never be at peace if we can’t live together as humans.
Yes, I can understand the Chinese for this but it’s honestly too much sometimes.
rogers
You can’t extend forgiveness if the nation that harmed you has never acknowledged, apologized or paid reparations of any kind. What is forgotten is repeated again.
XZF
Agree! Exactly!
con
he is finished. .He knows what this place is. He has been there three times in 3 years. About 1 billion people in China already know his ugly face.
Drama_fluff
Yikes. Chill down bruh.
June
Thats not true, he went there just once. He went to other two shrines in other 2years.
Ari
I am not chinese or Asian and I feel saddened by the situation zzh is going through. However, I have always believe every action has its own consequences. So ,even though I feel ZZH might not have done things on purpose he did went to those shrine wich honor war criminals.Japanese were very cruel and those who can’t understand you can compare it with what the Nazi did to the jews ( YES, THE SAME OR WORST).
I believe we should visit places that remind us of our history so we can prevent it from being repeated. I guess chinese people don’t feel that way ( for whatever reason) but that is their history and their right. I hope they remember ZZH didn’t commit those crimes. He was just very ignorant to realize what he was doing ( not an excuse). I can’t imagine their pain so hope they feel “better” soon. Also ZZH should take this time to reflect. As a fan I hope his career as an actor don’t get ruin by his mistake.
June
It’s already ruined. He is banned from every aspect of his career now.
carmen
el no mato a nadie ni violo a nadie, fue a una boda de un amigo cuantos vamos a bodas muchos ahora gente que si se por comentario lo odian es la envidia que se vaya china triunfara mas en el extranjero como han hecho muchos se han ido por esa mente cerrada
Xinqi Zhu
Hey, guys. Let me reveal some more details about fans automatic boycott of ZZH on Weibo.
1. He posed at Yasukuni Shrine in 2018 which suggests that he honors those war criminals (entering the shrine = honoring, as stated on the notice outside the shrine)
2.He attended a friend‘s wedding held in Nogi Shrine in 2019，which worships ring-wing Japanese military officers who invaded China during World War II
3. He showed a picture on Weibo of a modified car painted with Japanese rising sun flag in 2017
4. He first apologized for posing pictures wrongly, but not for hurting national feelings
5. He selfied with Naoko Nemoto，a right-wing Japanese who denies Nanjing massacre (2020)
6.He selfied with his ass on the tomb of Su Xiaoxiao, a famous Chinese courtesan and poet.
7.He posted a picture of groping the breasts of the mermaid statue when he was a nobody.
8. He did a Nazi gesture at the front of Memorial of Martyrs.
9. He posted that “I love China” on national day when in Japan.
kind of ridiculous… He’s stupid if not ignorant…
lea
The photo was in 2018. It’s in the past, why make a big deal now in 2021. You know this is not a thing, but jealousy of his fame.
The entertainment industry in China is very sad, sad because of bitterness and jealousy of someone else’s success. The Chinese government shouldn’t allow the media to hurt the Idols one after another celebrity in the rumors crisis. They’re the one whose brings joy to our daily life, we appreciate them. It’s unfair to the celebrities. They work very hard to get where they are now. You people don’t have any talent or ambition you hate the successful one. Haters get a life.
Xinqi Zhu
I think this is “a thing” for most Chinese. The bone of contention is not taking a photo per se, but taking a photo at the shrine over and over again, which doesn’t coincide with the patriotism that he has long claimed on weibo. By the way, this photo was uncovered at a moment sensitive to all Chinese, which is possible to trigger diplomatic challenges. Therefore any unpatriotic behaviour would invite severe boycott.
As for the Chinese entertainment industry, it is distorted and sad, which I agree with you, not because of bitterness and jealousy of someone else’s success, but of degraded basic professional ethical standard shown in Kris Wu and Zzh.
I think it’s not the media but idols that dig graves for themselves. They do bring joy to our daily life because that’s their job, through which they get paid way more than other decent jobs like doctors and lawyers. It’s kind of social injustice. Moreover, some idols obtain the fame while “assuming” a good public persona, which fans the flames among the public. Therefore entertainment industry is a shady business, where the good and bad are intermingled. For those who are ethically blemished, they are doomed to fall off their pedestal one day unless they can ensure the disguise all through their career. Additionally, those who shoot to stardom in TV shows often gather fans of young age, whose values and opinions are easily swayed. If their idols get away with misbehaviour, they will follow suit. That would be a disaster. Some fans already go to extremes to whitewash Zhang’s behaviour. So the time is ripe for a shake-up in the entertainment industry.
maria christodoulou
I UNDERSTAND ONLY ONE THING..HE WENT AS A TOURIST. and took some pictures. .HE APOLOGISED.. WHY THEY JUST TRIED TO RUIN HIS CARREER..ITS UNFAIR.I HOPE THAT THEY WILL FORGIVE HIM AND LET HIM HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE.EVERYONE SHOULD SUPPORT HIM.HE DESERVES THE BEST ATTENTION.
dawnraptor
I don’t understand. Really. Why people say that ZZH went to VISIT that Japanese shrine, when the photo shows him OUT of it? The most flashy things in this photo are the white blossoms that cover half of it. Gorgeous, really.
Nobody speaks of the persecution that is committed in China against the actors that starred in BL dramas. After ZZH, Simon Gong Jun had to defend himself against (wrong) accusations. Even one of the actors in Guardian is in hot water. How many more?
A more sensible voice can be found here: The crucifixion of Zhang Zhehan in the age of misinformation, on medium.com.
In China BL was spreading like the fire. The government is not happy of this little thing. They’re promoting a more masculine representation of men. Those that they call “sissy boy” have to vanish, to come back to the healthy, old representation of macho men.
Sunny Sanaquawa
Give the kid a break. My people have suffered and still suffering, however, just because the stupid things people do because they do not know the history, I am forgiving. I blame our education and our worthless government! I am still a fan of Zhang. ! It was an innocent mistake he has the right to attend a wedding.