Doubts raised over actress' journal article

A recent article published by A-list actress Yang Mi in an academic journal has ignited online discussions about celebrity involvement in academic publishing.

Yang, who boasts over 113 million followers on the Weibo micro blog platform, authored a paper exploring an actor's creative process through a case study of a television drama in which she starred.

The publication in China Radio and TV Academic Journal sparked trending topics on Weibo, with netizens expressing doubts about the authenticity of the article. Some questioned whether Yang's demanding acting schedule allowed sufficient time for academic research. Others speculated about the possibility of ghostwriting or preferential treatment for celebrities during the publication process.

An analysis of the article also revealed a low similarity rate with existing academic literature, potentially indicating a lack of sufficient reference to relevant research.

China Radio and TV Academic Journal, a prestigious journal included in the extended list of the Chinese Social Sciences Citation Index, maintains rigorous standards for authors. The journal's editorial staff confirmed that Yang's article did not involve any editing or publication fees.

The article was based on her role in the espionage drama In the Name of the Brother, known as Harbin 1944 in Chinese, which reveals a tumultuous chapter of the history in Harbin, Heilongjiang province.

It was published in the "Communication Window" section, a category distinct from traditional academic research papers.

Xiong Bingqi, director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, acknowledged that Yang's article aligns more with her professional experience as an actress than a conventional academic work.

Actors publishing papers in professional journals is a practical step to refine their acting skills and enhance their cultural understanding, he said.

"There is no need to elevate this to the level of academic excellence, nor should we diminish their publication as simply relying on their fame," he said.

Moreover, actors who are pursuing master's or doctoral degrees also need to write and publish papers, especially in core journals, to successfully graduate. Actor Lin Gengxin was recently admitted as a doctoral candidate at the Shanghai Theatre Academy.

"It is encouraging for performing artists to share their insights and experiences derived from their creative practices through publishing papers," Xiong added.

zhaoyimeng@chinadaily.com.cn