2-11-2023 (BEIJING) Lisa, a member of K-pop girl group Blackpink, and Chinese actress Angelababy have encountered trouble on Weibo, one of China’s major social media platforms. Lisa’s Weibo account, boasting over eight million followers, was shut down due to a breach of the platform’s rules, while Angelababy has been muted on the platform. The reasons behind these actions were not explicitly stated, but speculations emerged that the bans could be connected to Angelababy and Chinese actress Zhang Jiani attending Lisa’s show at the French cabaret Crazy Horse Paris in late September.
The visit of the Chinese stars to a club known for its provocative performances and scantily clad dancers faced criticism from certain sectors of society, particularly during a time when Chinese President Xi Jinping is cracking down on celebrity fan culture. There has been a broader effort in 2021 to clean up the entertainment industry, with Mr. Xi ordering regulatory measures to ban film stars with “incorrect” political views, implement salary caps, and rein in celebrity fan culture. This crackdown aims to shape the younger generation into motivated, patriotic, and productive workers by curbing “vulgar and obscene” content and imposing restrictions on the entertainment industry, after-school tutoring, and online gaming.
Angelababy, 34, and Zhang, 36, are now unable to post on Weibo due to “violation of relevant laws and regulations.” Their Douyin (Chinese TikTok) accounts have also been blocked. Lisa’s Weibo account appears to have been completely taken down. Although photos taken by fans circulating on social media show the actresses entering and leaving the premises of Crazy Horse, neither Angelababy, Zhang, nor Lisa have made any public statements regarding the incident.
Crazy Horse, known for its burlesque performances, denied Angelababy’s attendance at the event in an Instagram post in early October. However, one Weibo user, “JoannBlue,” expressed disapproval of the performance, claiming it “disrespects and objectifies women.”
Often compared to Chinese socialite Kim Kardashian, Angelababy has appeared in the Chinese variety show “Keep Running” (2014-present) and the 2016 sequel to the Hollywood blockbuster “Independence Day” (1996). As a model, her face has been featured in marketing campaigns for renowned global brands, including Christian Dior. However, Angelababy now faces an uphill battle to revive her career, following in the footsteps of other celebrities who have clashed with China’s influential censors or faced other infractions like tax evasion.
The impact of Lisa’s Weibo ban may be less severe. K-pop groups such as Blackpink have already faced an unofficial ban in China since Seoul deployed the Thaad anti-missile system, which infuriated Beijing back in 2017. Blackpink, a four-member band that debuted in 2016 under the management of YG Entertainment, one of South Korea’s largest entertainment companies, is currently negotiating contract renewals with the agency. The group experienced instant success in their home country and later gained popularity worldwide, becoming trailblazers for the K-pop phenomenon alongside the boy band BTS.
