A video recently went viral online, purportedly showing various celebrities sending birthday greetings to Bai Yingcang, a member of a family in northern Myanmar allegedly involved in telecom fraud. This incident has led to a heated discussion about the role of celebrities in society and the ethics of commissioned messages.
Eric Tsang, an actor from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), is seen in the video. He responded by stating that he recorded the message at the request of a friend from the Chinese mainland, believing he was merely greeting a “friend’s friend.” Tsang expressed regret over the incident, vowing to be more cautious in the future about such requests.
Du Xudong, another actor featured in the video, also addressed the controversy publicly. He admitted to not conducting a background check on Bai and expressed guilt over his involvement. Similarly, HKSAR actor Charlie Cho mentioned that he participated in the video as a means of livelihood, highlighting that many stars engage in sending personalized messages for a fee.
The video quickly became a topic of heated discussion on China’s social media platform Sina Weibo, amassing over 4.4 million views. Netizens criticized the celebrities for neglecting their moral and social responsibilities and focusing excessively on monetary gain. One user commented on the lack of social responsibility exhibited by the celebrities, despite understanding the commercial aspect of their fame.
Legal experts have weighed in on the matter, noting the complexity of determining legal responsibility in such cases. Celebrities, often seen as victims in these scenarios, can also be held accountable for their actions, which significantly influence societal values. The incident has sparked calls for stricter public supervision of public figures and a reevaluation of celebrity behaviors and moral standards.
The practice of paying for messages from celebrities has become an industry in itself. Entertainment agent Da Xue disclosed that many agents negotiate such deals, with the clientele often including young idols who have yet to achieve widespread fame. On e-commerce platforms like Taobao, “celebrity message” products are openly sold, featuring stars like Zhao Lusi, Ju Jingyi, and Yu Shuxin in advertisements.
The cost of these personalized videos varies, ranging from 1,000 yuan ($150) to tens of thousands of yuan, depending on the star’s popularity and the content requested by the customer. The incident has prompted calls for celebrities to adhere more strictly to ethical standards and for regulatory bodies to implement more effective punitive measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. This controversy underscores the growing concern over the intersection of celebrity influence, personal ethics, and public responsibility in the digital age.
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