OPINION> FROM THE CHINESE PRESS
Lost slumdog millionaire
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-05-22 08:07

Man Wenjun, a popular mainland singer fancied for his modest and rustic image as "the son of peasants", was detained on May 19 for allegedly taking drugs. The incident draws public attention as it's not an entertainment circle event. With more show biz stars involved in civic or criminal offences, people are appealing for a reconstruction of the cultural values of these public figures, says an article in The Beijing News. Excerpts:

As the Chinese version "slumdog millionaire" in many people's minds, the singer had been selected as the torchbearer of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and the charity ambassador for the Children's Social Facilities Committee. Now people can barely associate his previous positive image with a drug addict under detention.

However, the half-angel half-devil image has become a common scene on the stage of show biz. From Zero Band and Xie Dong to Man Wenjun, all of them have moved countless fans with exciting songs and energetic images, yet none of them escape from the tragedy of becoming disillusioned idols due to dependence on drugs.

There seems to be a severe loss of faith and values in a different cultural environment in the show biz. When Man takes off the sack coat of a peasant singer and puts on the gorgeous garment, which is a symbol of social elite, he faces a set of new cultural values and demands. Divergent cultures are no doubt attractive, but require that people learn to pick up the essence not to get lost in the cultural jungle.

Without the background of the cultural creation, a singer can hardly feel a sense of belonging, and he is prone to be swept by the onrush of social trends.

The Indian movie Slumdog Millionaire won the Oscar Award because it shows the importance of a firm belief in justice and kindness. In a time of divergent cultures as at present, we expect to see more Chinese slumdog millionaires holding firm to their cultural beliefs and discarding the display of vanity.

(China Daily 05/22/2009 page8)