Letters | Zheng Shuang pay scandal shows China’s entertainment industry needs better regulation
- Ensuring a healthy entertainment industry will involve the concerted efforts of the government, celebrities and fans
However, this is only the tip of the iceberg of China’s entertainment industry. As the impact of celebrities is today multiplied massively by social media, it is imperative for society to regulate the entertainment industry and ensure that its development is on the right track. This will involve the concerted efforts of the government, celebrities and fans.
First, the government needs to play an active role: on the one hand, it should guide the behaviour of overenthusiastic fans, some of whom are underage and may spend huge amounts of money on supporting their idols or push their friends to do so, putting tremendous financial pressure on their parents.
On the other hand, the government needs to set up relevant laws to regulate the profit-driven capitalists behind celebrities. The colossal gap between the income of celebrities and others is of concern.
The fundamental solution in the long run is educating the celebrities themselves and improving their ethics, so that they take responsibility as public figures and role models, and watch what they say and do.
Last but not least, the fans should also be educated and guided properly by their parents, teachers and the government so that they do not lose their minds when following their idols.
These steps will help nurture a healthy entertainment industry.
Yuehai Xiao and Xiwen Zhang, Department of English, Hunan Normal University
Keung To and Mirror give Hong Kong hope
I refer to Canto-pop boy band Mirror’s second concert series “One & All Live”, held from May 4-11.
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Boy band Mirror with idol Keung To lead Hong Kong Canto-pop revival after protests and pandemic
Our city’s switch from being politics-oriented to star-focused is both welcome and delightful. I am thankful that we finally have some relief from grief and conflict.
I hope this group will have many more days of success and continue to bring joy and hope to our population. Mirror, we are all so proud of you!
Jacqueline Kwan, Sai Ying Pun