New year but same old problem. Chinese-Canadian singer Tony Yu Jingtian apologised today after criticism over an airport incident where his fans gathered at Shanghai Hongqiao airport to meet him last week. In a video circulating on social media, the idol was being ushered by security yelling at Yu Jingtian and the crowd to quickly move along. In the clip, fans can be heard shouting “don’t push him!” when security hurriedly ushered the idol away. Unhappy to see how their idol was being treated, they expressed their dissatisfaction. Some also demand an apology on Yu Jingtian’s behalf.
On the other hand, as views started racking up on the now viral video, Netizens questioned why an apology was being demanded when security was just doing their job maintaining order at the busy airport.
“A Star’s Responsibility”
The incident also did not escape the notice of news giant People’s Daily Online who wrote a post lambasting the idol and his fans for not only failing to cooperate and for disrespecting airport security, but also scolded him for “not saying anything”. “He didn’t call on his fans to leave, he didn’t remind his fans to respect the police. This kind of silence is the embodiment of irresponsibility” they said. As a public figure and an adult, they emphasised that the star should be responsible for his own actions, and that he also has the obligation to remind fans to keep public order.
“I am Sorry”
On January 11, the idol finally broke his silence to apologise. Saying he feels “deeply guilty and remorseful” for the incident at Hongqiao airport on January 4, he first apologised to the police, staff and passengers negatively impacted. “I fully realise the gravity of the problem. The team also reached out to law enforcement officers on duty that night, and under their advisement and guidance discussed a more secure and safe way of travelling to ensure such incidents will never happen again.”
Yu Jingtian also apologised for the bad taste left on everyone’s mouths by this incident and promised to do his part to keep this from happening again. “I will humbly accept everyone’s criticism and counsel. Thank you for your reminders and guidance. I am sorry.”
Tony Yu Jingtian rose to fame in 2021’s Youth with You 3. However, the show and the idol who was the top contestant then were caught in controversies. The show halted filming and Yu Jingtian withdrew for health reasons.
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Lisa
He’s like 20 years old. Some of these fans are even older than him. They’re the ones that should know better. I watched the video and it was utter chaos. These fans should be staying at home when China is experiencing such high cases of covid. If their parents can’t control them, how do you expect a 20 year boy too? Why is the responsibility solely on him? Not to mention, he was getting manhandled by the security guy, who was grabbing him by the shirt and pushing him. I don’t think it was any one person’s fault, but people need to be responsible for their own individual actions as well. This idol fan culture is too crazy.
Melon Eater
He was at the airport for a freaking 20 minutes. Which celebrity does that? I’ve seen several clips. He was mute when police ask him where he is going. They even created a barrier for him to walk through and he just stood there! Also, he was all dolled up with makeup and hair styled. Apparently, he was seen walking around different floors. Definitely his fault. He or his company also bought a trending search topic on Webio that day to smear police. Now that that search is overturned he came out to apologize. Otherwise, he would congratulate himself for a job well done of the publicity stunt he pulled at the airport with his unreason fans.
Mia
The biggest kicker is that it wasn’t mere ‘security’ like airport security who was trying to control the crowding. It was a first class police officer, who would have a lot of seniority and experience, so I’m assuming that the situation started off gentle but then escalated into a crowded/loud and ultimately avoidable situation if he and his fans followed the orders of public law enforcement.