There may be new rules again. Veteran screenwriter Wang Hailin just made a very specific shoutout to Angelababy and Jackie Li to switch back to their proper Chinese names. It’s no secret that the veteran screenwriter isn’t shy when it comes to expressing himself. He would often name names when dispensing sharp and unforgiving critique he’s known for. “Yang Ying can no longer call herself as Angelababy and La Mu Yang Zi (辣目洋子) must also be referred to using their Chinese name. It is a requirement of the National Radio and Television Administration. A foreign name or a stage name that’s foreign sounding will no longer be allowed” he blasted.
La Mu Yang Zi Drops Her Screen Name
Influencer turned actress Jackie Li recently starred in the series The Legendary Life of Queen Lau. The show not only drew flak for not using authentic Chinese costumes, even Jackie whose screen name is La Mu Yang Zi did not escape criticism. She was accused of trying to sound Japanese since her name had 4 characters as opposed to the usual 2-3. Jackie just announced on social media that she was going back to her real name Li Jiaqi. “My mum said, it’s just as good, so I’m listening to my mother.” She also said if you think her real name is a bit hard to remember, just “call me by my nickname Xiao La (小辣)” which means (a) little spicy. “Life is full of ups and downs, but each person has the power to determine its direction. Consider me just like the occasional seasoning on your table…”
If this turns out to be true, it’ll definitely take a while to get used to not calling Angelababy… well, Angelababy. As for the rest of the stars going by English names such as Justin Huang Minghao or Zheng Hehuizi whose four character name is often mistaken to be Japanese, will they have to make changes too?
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Lisa
This is getting so stupid.
Laila
Wow, this is so dumb. I can’t stand nor understand extreme nationalist. There is nothing wrong with having English names as or in their stage names. It’s 2022. Stop trying to keep things traditional only when the entire world is changing. Nothing wrong with keeping traditions but to do this is pretty ridiculous, tbh. There are more things that are much more important to worry about than celebrities with English stage names or more characters to their names.
Tina
Wow, talk about being extreme.
I didn’t even know what Angelbaby’s real name was until this post, and I reckon I’m not the only one. If someone said these names without photos, I’d have no idea who they’re talking about because these actors/actresses made a name for themselves using their stage names.
Marie Jost
The ultra-Chinese cultural nationalists should also stop making Western-style dramas and movies, to say nothing of rock, pop, and classical music with Western instruments. If they want Chinese purity, entertainment should only be traditional forms like Chinese opera (so many different styles!), traditional Chinese theater, exclusively traditional musical forms and instruments, and shadow puppet plays. Oh, and while you are at it, bring back footbinding for women, indentured servitude, eunuchs, and other uniquely Chinese cultural relics with thousands of years of history. Next it will be time to purge China of electricity, the combustion engine, Western medicine, airplanes, trains, even bicycles, which are all Western imports. Go back to wearing only traditional Chinese clothing, bye bye air conditioning (too bad about climate change and oppressive heat), No computers, no phones (forget cellphones, imperialistic tools of cultural corruption), no internet, no movies or television, not a single microphone or recording device for 1.5 billion people. Forget modern agricultural practices. Tens of millions will starve? Well, China was the land of famines and floods in imperial times, not to mention the plague and other horrible things. Be careful what you wish for, you Chinese cultural purists. Everything you see or touch around you, everything that makes your life comfortable and enjoyable is derived from Western technology or Western cultural models. Forget video games, who wants to play a rousing game of Go? How about listening to some Qin music or reciting Tang or Song Poetry? Too boring? But these represent the most culturally pure Chinese elements.
If you know anything about Chinese history, you know that China has always been a great mixing pot of peoples and cultures. What we today think of as quintessentially Chinese is probably a blend of many different influences, including non-Han Chinese ones. The only way a people develops a “pure” culture is if it is totally isolated from outside influences for hundreds or thousands of years. Any examination of the earliest history of hominid species on earth shows that people have always been on the move and always intermixing and exchanging with those they have met on the way. Anytime discussions of cultural or racial purity appear, I always have to ask, who is directing this conversation and what are their ultimate ends. Typically, it isn’t really about culture at all, but about something else entirely that usually involves oppression, control, and exclusion from full citizenship.
carmen
lo considero estupido y hasta mediocre
wowo
muy muy estupido indeed. English names is just that, stupid rule based on your own personal hate. lol
Anon
Wow, what about taking a look in the mirror and asking why you all are so “extremist” in your comments? You do not even understand the reasons behind it and you tarred the entire Chinese government. There are other countries that do not allow foreign names to be registered or used – eg. Japan, numerous muslim countries, …. I’m sure there are others. In Japan, even foreigners have to transliterate their names into Japanese if they are working there. Why don’t you rant about Japan being backwards then?
fah
lol, no one said anything about the chinese government except for one comment. I don’t see how people here are seen as “extremist” for pointing out something seen as nonsensical as this. We’re talking about netizens who take these things too serious that has nothing to do with them. Not every person thinks or are the same so this person should not be speaking for everyone, making something so little a big issue. Even normal Chinese citizens have English nicknames. Might as well just ban the entire English language in China. As for Japan, of course they’re not right for that and the same could be said worldwide but we’re talking about this “issue” within the c-entertainment using English names as their stage names at the moment.
Anon
Really? Only one person commented on the government? If this is truly a new rule (of which we cannot verify yet, cos it is just a comment by a screenwriter), then who makes the rule? The government, of course. So all these comments are targeted at the government, aren’t they? No need to split the hypothetical straw. And from this one comment by one person, you want to extrapolate into banning the entire english language in China? Isn’t this a comment on the government already? There is absolutely no quarrel with the language itself. In fact, English is a compulsory subject in Chinese schools from elementary to high.
So on this specific subject of celeb’s names, can you name me one Japanese actor or actress with an English stage name? There should be plenty, right, given their subservience to the US for more than half a century already.
Lisa
If what you say about Japan is true, then I agree they’re just as stupid. If you’re just referring to them using katakana to “translate” their names basically into phonetics that sound like the English name, then I don’t really see a problem. Chinese people do similar things like “translating” Tom Cruise to “Tang Mu Ke Lu Si” so everyone can read it. I find it stupid because someone like Angelababy has established her career and brand using this name for over a decade. I also find it ridiculous that they had to call these two ladies out like that. Just make the announcement, and issue notices to each individual’s studio if necessary.
Anon
You can research the Japanese situation yourself. On transliteration, yes , that is done for all foreign artistes, politicians, brands, place names etc.. But we are talking about the names of celebs who are Chinese nationals.
Who called these 2 ladies out? Just one attention-seeking screenwriter – he made a comment on social media. And everyone immediately jumped to the conclusion that it is a new rule. There might really be one coming out, but nobody knows whether that is true or not, nor the details yet. But no, comments of “stupid”, “regressive”, “controlling” etc, etc … are all flying around . Storm in a teacup, I’d say.
The Chinese government would do exactly as you said – officially publish the new rules (of which there is none yet) and issue notices to the affected people, if they don’t take the necessary action within the time frame. They would never go on social media and target individuals.
Bonnie
Most Muslim countries ARE extreme in the way they treat their people, especially women. I would NEVER use them as an example in your comment, if I was you as China goes back to over controlling their people again.
Also I have read that the CCP only wants Chinese entertainers, as in born in China and not Hong Kong or elsewhere, to star in their films/entertainment since they changed so many rules. Sounds like a type of controlled isolationism to me. AND going back in progress, not forward at all. Not surprised most people are complaining about another over controlling thing from the CCP towards it’s people.
Anon
So it is ok for Muslim countries, but not ok for the Chinese? Is it also ok for the Japanese to do so, but not the Chinese? I only mentioned this 2 examples. Double-standard much, yes? I would only credit you with an “honest opinion”, if you rant against similar action in those countries and Japan as well.
And who are you to judge whether they are going forward or backwards? It is their affair; they based their decisions on the big picture they see and the direction they want to go. If they want to kill off their entertainment industry, it is also their business.
If you are really so concerned about “oppression”, then go and look around in your own neighborhood and right the injustices there happening under your nose. Get angry at those realities, instead of some rules on celebrity names.
Aya
The saddest thing is, is that it’s no longer even surprising that China has come up with yet another stupid and oppressive rule. It’s the beginning of the end.
bunny
right, China is heading toward disaster. Pray for their citizens.
Lovehj
maybe the government should also limits one drama per actors airs per year. In these case other actors works can get air
Jelly
It’s not only a name issue. Someone targeting ABB and Jackie directly bc their influences are good. For years ABB is picked on every little details cause she too pretty. Now Jackies seems to get the same but she’s considered ugly. Pretty or ugly, in fact the face is not what matters. It’s the influence and competition. Jackie’s drama got pulled down when it already passed censorship at first. The reason was lame. She is blowing up and getting as liked as Jia Ling who stands number 1 in popularity. All other actress also have English names but someone purposely call out ABB and Jackie. SMH!
sillygoose
Haha someone come get your person. Anon’s going off again. Calm down, child. If you can have an opinion, so can others.