Two days after the public outcry over actor Zhang Zhehan‘s past actions that were deemed offensive and disrespectful of Chinese history, the fallout is severe. On August 15, netizens noticed that Zhang Zhehan and his studio’s Weibo accounts have been temporarily muted on grounds of violating community rules. The same day, China Association of Performing Arts, a non-profit organisation backed by the Chinese government, has commented on the issue due to Zhang Zhehan’s recent involvement in concerts and other performance-related activities.
Notice from China Association of Performing Arts
A portion of their statement is as follows: “The Yasukuni Shrine is the symbol and spiritual instrument of Japan’s imperialism in launching a war of aggression, it’s the right-wing groups in Japan rejecting history to romanticize the acts of war. For entertainers engaged in cultural work, establishing a correct view of history is a basic professional ethic, ignorance is not an excuse.
The “Management Measures for Self-Discipline” members of our association believe that actor Zhang Zhehan’s actions are severely inappropriate, it not only harmed national interest but also negatively influenced mass audience of youths. Therefore, our association makes a moral appeal regarding the inappropriate actions by Zhang Zhehan for visiting Yasukuni Shrine, and in accordance with “moral provisions for artists in the performing industry,” require member units to boycott him.
At the same time, we solemnly remind the majority of artists in the industry, to enhance their learning and improve their knowledge. There must not be the slightest ambiguity and hesitation in front of national interest, history cannot be forgotten, the bottom line cannot be moved, punishments must be imposed on those crossing the line.”
Zhang Zhehan’s Chinese Social Media Accounts No Longer Available
As the call for boycott trended on Weibo, netizens noticed that Zhang Zhehan’s personal Weibo account, his studio’s official account and the platform’s super topic about him have all been taken down. His Douyin (China’s version of TikTok) is no longer available. It can be remembered that all traces of disgraced artist Kris Wu were also wiped out in the aftermath of his recent scandal though the nature of it was completely different. The China Culture Administration Association Network Culture Committee (CNCC) released a statement that the actions taken towards Zhang Zhehan’s social media accounts should not have stopped at simply muting the account from making updates.
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Dahlia
I’m sickened by the public trialing, witch hunt, character assassination and ultimate destruction of this young man’s future. He did something that was insensitive and offensive to his country, but he was not pro japan and anti China. He made a stupid, thoughtless mistake 3 years ago. Does he not deserve a second chance or a chance at redemption?
Yooi
Agree. I mean, it’s not like he openly supports J side. So, the cancel culture is getting too much especially with government involving in this. He did mistakes and let him redeem it.
carmen
estoy de acuerdo contigo excelente actor me gusta sus dramas nada en el futuro haga otra carrera que le guste ya que la actuación ya no estará mas soy su fan ojala piense irse a otro pais que creo que le iria mejor que alla, debe expandirse aprenda ingles se vaya america
Trinie
Sadly it was not a one time thing. He hit a very sensitive topic more than once. I agree that canceling him forever is too harsh but we don’t make the rules. Since he can’t come back, I hope he can at least get a regular job but with how people are viewing him, I doubt he can. I hope maybe he can immigrate elsewhere and start a new life as it seems like his life in China is a standstill since they view him as a traitor. So sad but what can we do? Sigh…
Juice
WTF is wrong with Chinese people, if they don’t want their stars to act anymore then just let them leave and regret it later. They won’t have any more stars because Chinese people can’t forget the past. I get it, history is history but it’s a lesson to be learn not to keep it on you until you die. If people kept on fighting like this teaching their newer generation, it would be hate for the rest of the world. They don’t have to keep slamming people on their past events. I don’t go around bashing people for what they did to my people. Forgive and learn. It would be one star after another, then they won’t have anyone left. It’s better if these stars go on boycott all together see what happens when they don’t get to see them on TV anymore, have no more drama or movie to watch. Nobody’s perfect. It’s 2021 and we learn to forgive and forget.
XZF
The horrible pain & suffering the Japanese inflicted on Chinese people & other countries during that period is unforgettable. I still remember the pain on my father’s face when he talked about it. He was a teenager when it happened. There are things you can forget & forgive, but there are things you can’t. The reason we have to remember history is to make sure that something like it will never happen again. He made a mistake and I hope they will forgive him eventually. This happened three years ago, but someone probably was out to get him because of his recent popularity. One should always be a good person and don’t create any dirt for someone to find and destroy him/her and it’s even more so as a public figure like him.
Anon
You are so childish. ZZH is just one star who got lucky. They have plenty of others. In a galaxy of stars, ZZH is just one. Maybe, he might turn out to be a shooting star, after all.
Whether you, a foreigner, like what is happening or not is irrelevant. At least China is consistent in enforcing its “don’ts”. No matter how big or rich one is, no-one is above its national interests. and laws. Even Jack Ma, the richest and most famous businessman and Fan Bing Bing, the richest and most internationally known actress can be brought down.
No, China did not bash the Japanese. It just bashed its own public figures for forgetting & acting inappropriately. It didn’t bash the many ordinary Chinese tourists who had visited there either. The visit was three ago. When he was not famous, nobody said anything. And remember, the backlash came from the public first, not from the Associations. The Associations would be remiss if they did not react.
Hunter2020
In the West, you can’t argue ignorance of a law you broke as a point of defense in a court of law. The judge won’t accept it! Not only that this guy committed the “crime” multiple times and also associated with nefarious anti-China political figures.
The proper punishment for guys like this is not contract cancellation for 1 year. He should be banned from the c-ent industry for at least 10 years to reflect on his mistake.
FGLOU
I am Chinese born in America, and my mom was a toddler when the Japanese inflicted horrible acts of pain and suffering to the Chinese. She actually experienced it and I can see the pain when she told me about the war. It is understandable that zhang zhehan made an unintentional mistakes. He was still young and not so popular at the time. People make mistakes when they are young. We all did no matter the race. We learn from them and move on. His mistake hurt many Chinese people and he apologized and owned up to it. For his country to go through such lengths to ruined his career going as far as removing his works and trying to boycott him as if he committed an unspeakable crime is a bit too much. This is my opinion and he was not born yet at the time and he did not commit these massacres. I am hoping that China will take the higher ground and let it slide as he has been punished enough and hopefully let him have a chance to work back up his career. He is still young and has a great future ahead of him. Everyone government is different. China can turn around the hate and show others how they are better rather do as I say not do as I do. I have to recognize they are a different government, and I am sure he is aware how things are since he was born and raised in China. I can understand being Chinese why everyone feels he disrespected the country but people make mistakes when they are young. Zhang zhehan is a talented individual and I am sure he will fight his way back.
laihon
I think rather than cancel him, the goverment should give him a chance to change and do better. Punish him to go visit historical places or victims of the war so he get a better understanding of what they went through. It’s much more effective to see a government that’s willing to educate and give people a chance than what they’re doing right now, people will just be more sneakily doing things going forward.
I read comments where people said that he pissed off people with his arrogance which is why everything happened so fast. If that’s also true then those people are just too vindictive and that’s I found to be a whole lot more scary.
Trinie
Sadly, it is not up to any of us. I can understand what he did was wrong but canceling him for a lifetime is too harsh. It is also his own fault too since his fans warned him about it years ago but he ignored them and banned him from his fan club. Sadly, he dug a hole for himself and has fallen deep into it and cannot get out now. I hope maybe he can do something else or immigrate elsewhere to start over. Sigh… what’s done is done and cannot be turned back.
Hunter2020
You guys don’t understand how grave this incidence is. It’s not about some actor making a mistake and being/should be forgiven. It’s about trying to prevent history from happenning again. This Yasukuni Shrine worhsipping is almost like a religion. Religions are the most dangerous things in the world. Ppl do extremely stupid stuff like declare jihads when they are under religious influences. If we leave Yasukuni Shrine incidences like these unchecked, the war spirit will be resurrected and the aggressive behavior will be reborn in Japan. Doesnt matter how small the incidence, it only takes a small spark to create a fire. The maximum punishment should be dealt out to anything related to Yasukuni to suppress the religious spirit, which is the most dangerous thing in the world. In this regard, the CCP is entirely correct in its handling of this issue.
Cups
You said it’s about from letting history happening again. We get that. We were trying to say that, it’s a lesson for all new generations to learn. If the feud continues how are we suppose to teach the newer generations if the hatred is still there. We know people make mistakes, nobody’s perfect. If we continue to live in the past then how can we continue living in the future. My ancestors have been killed and fought in war. I’m great full for them and cherish them but I don’t keep a grudge on the people that murdered thousands of my ancestors. I you use it as a learning lesson. Knowing my family escaped and fought in war for freedom. I’m happy for that.
He made a mistake, if you were to make a mistake you probably want people to forgive you. If this feud continues on then there probably will be a war.
Cups
*preventing
Minie
Since when has taken a photo at a tourist site (regardless of how many times) is being constituted as a crime. You’re reaching way to far with this half baked logic.
It’s crazy that you deem yourself important enough to dish out punishment–who granted you such authority?
Honestly, if you don’t like him and don’t want to see his work then it’s within your rights to ignore him. Why power trip and use language such as “crime “, “poper punishment”, “ban” as if you somehow have any authority to do so.
Please get off your high horse!
moon
I’m Chinese and think sometimes these Chinese over react too much…too sensitive. I feel bad for ZZH as i visited Japan many times and took many pics…thinking that some of these pics would “cancel” me in the future is the most ridiculous thing to happen.
anon
Does no one in this comment section read politics? The Chinese and Korean governments protest all visits to the Yasukuni Shrine by Japanese officials. China have to “punish” Zhang to make a statement because he’s a public figure and the matter is blown up. If they don’t make an example out of this, how can they continue to demand that Japan apologize for their war atrocities? This is clear as day.
Xiu
^^ This right here.
Most likely he will lay low for the next few years, just think of it as his vacation while he relaxes and plays golf. I have complete faith that he will come back eventually.
cc
So CCP….what about the uyghur. Learn from the past. Don’t repeat it.
bOO
He made an ignorant mistake. WTH this is not fair at all. ZZH, I hope he can remain calm and stay out of the public eye for a bit. China performing arts can kiss ass!!!
Jubbles
So many comments about feeling sorry for him, this or that is unfair etc. What is fair? Fame is a double-edged sword. He is a public figure with millions of followers. It is Lesson 101 that they immediately have to mind their behaviour and scrub their old photos or comments from the day they become public figures. Cos in China, all public figures know that their influence is wide and powerful.
I think this will blow over in a few months’ time. This is just a punishment for all to see. He will do the self- reflections, make the appropriate public apologies, promise to be more responsible and they will let him back again, with the comment that he was young and ignorant and have learnt his lesson. And that let this be a reminder to others.
After all, he hasn’t committed a real crime.
Jing
Well… He’s done. There’s no coming back from this.
It’s very sad to think that stupidity can ruin your career but… I mean, it IS China.
Hopefully he has enough money saved and can live a relatively okay life,
Trinie
Yup and he is done as an entertainer but sadly many still think that he can still come back from this. Not possible at all. Sadly he is cancelled for life. Yes, hope has enough to live the rest of his life comfortably or at least immigrate elsewhere to start a new life as his life in China will be a dead end.
Thinker
A lot of westerners have commented that “It’s just a statue”, let me tell you, It’s not just a statue! It symbolizes something so vile, it makes me feel sick just thinking about it. if you were to ask me, it’s not a statue that should still exist but because of some stubborn and evil people, it still exists.
Some people ask, “Why does what they do during their free time have to do with their job?” It’s part of the cost of being famous. They get a fat pay check, being a decent person is the least we can expect from them, since they’re in the public eye. If they can’t comply, they can and should be replaced. That paycheck can go to someone else.
People say “The celebrity world would run out of celebrities, the way people are getting cancelled left and right recently.” They say “what would happen if we cancelled them all?” Some fail to realize there are a lot of people who can replace a current star at any given time. The celebrity world won’t be suffering even if it’s current stars lose their jobs.
People ask “They’re losing their job for a single/ a few mistakes? Is that fair?” Well that’s only one of the standards one has to comply with if they want to become a star. If they don’t like how it works, they can find a job someplace else, like most people do.
People say “I would be cancelled too, if I were a celebrity.” That is not something to be proud of since you probably did something wrong for you to make that claim. Good thing you’re not a celebrity then. I suggest reflecting and doing good to begin making up for what you did.
People ask “Why do companies drop them after a scandal?” Celebrities get paid a lot as endorsers. Contracts are expensive. Companies can’t afford to keep a problematic endorser since it would ruin their image. It’s not a good way to spend their money on either, that’s why they drop an artist if they’re found to be problematic, since they could easily find someone who didn’t do the shit that artist did.
People say “Celebrities X and Y did this and that but still has their jobs, so why is Z losing their job for only doing …?” I don’t know. Are the cases comparable? It could be because they’re different cases? Times have changed, maybe people should do a review of their cases again? We have to consider that some people are able to get away scot-free, even though they don’t deserve to. How did they get away with it is something we have to think about. Do they deserve to lose their jobs as celebrities too? Maybe… Maybe not.
People ask “What can we do to help the cancelled celebrity?” You can start by not harassing the people that celebrity has hurt. Don’t trivialize the celebrity’s victims’ experiences either. If you think being a bully for the sake of defending your celebrity’s honor is a good thing, let me tell you, it’s not. Bullying others in the name of your celebrity is not helping your favorite celebrity’s case. You are only helping dig a deeper hole for them.
Lisa
I’m Chinese but I was raised in America. I think my point of view is shaped a lot by where I grew up obviously. While these things may seem trivial to us international fans, I think we should respect the Chinese people’s reaction. According to Chinese citizens, the things he committed is commonly taught in Chinese schools, and is brought up at a minimum annually in August for the anniversary of when the Japanese troops left. Claiming ignorance makes no sense for someone who claims he’s so well-read and a book lover. Also, we’re only seeing a fraction of what he’s been accused of. Idols are role models in China, and they make money off fans dedication, time and support. I recently realized being a fan in China actually takes up A LOT of time and money. Fan clubs there operate like a campaign office. They fundraise, they promote, they get you up on charts. So fans reacting so personally actually makes sense in a lot of ways. It’s not like he’s put in prison. He’s canceled from the entertainment industry, but he can do other things. He can also lay low for the time being and see if he can make a come back later. Maybe this is a good lesson for his arrogance, to respect others in the industry and his fans (who have told him to take those pictures down in the past).
Trinie
Sadly once you are cancelled and blacklisted in China, you can never come back. Honestly, I think even getting a regular job for him is hard now that everyone views him in such a negative light. He may forever carry the label “traitor”. It is sad but what is done is done and there is no turning back. I feel bad for him but what’s done is done…
carmen
estoy de acuerdo contigo excelente actor me gusta sus dramas nada en el futuro haga otra carrera que le guste ya que la actuación ya no estará mas soy su fan ojala piense irse a otro pais que creo que le iria mejor que alla, debe expandirse aprenda ingles se vaya america
WeepingWillow
I wish there was this level of public outrage when it comes to assaults against women.
VicoSDL
Poor he… I really don’t think his action deserves such a level of hatred
Shaina Svold
He is charged and convicted without even breaking a national law. And not banned for a year or two, but most likely for a lifetime. Someone wanted to destroy ZZH and dugout three years old pictures and netizens and trolls did the rest. Cyber bullying is nothing new. Banning people for the smallest things is happening every day. How can a a-lister come back after making a mistake? Never. Is it really fair? Nobody should ever be punished in such cruel way.
Sombreslunes
Who’s next?
The reality is some time more lively than a lot of shitty dramas.
ZZH bon vent, tu es et tu resteras ce charmant jeune homme à vélo avec ce si beau sourire, la Provence est toujours là, elle t’ attend.
Farewell
Window of Heaven
Hey, can self-righteous people here shut the hell up? Do you have relatives who got beheaded by Japanese soldiers during WW2? Where you there when all those atrocities happened? No, because your parents weren’t even born during Japan’s reign of terror. While Zhang Zhehan can certainly be criticized for foolishly and insensitively taking photos in front of a war shrine, there was never any proof that he went to the shrine to worship war criminals or that he’s politically aligned with fascists. He’s obviously the victim of a well orchestrated smear campaign, especially when there’s proof that people were being paid to destroy his life, and I have to laugh at anyone defending the CCP when the CCP still hasn’t answered for the Tiananmen Square Massacre.