CULTURE Well-known comedy firm apologizes for inappropriate remarks insulting Chinese soldiers

CULTURE

Well-known comedy firm apologizes for inappropriate remarks insulting Chinese soldiers

Global Times

08:40, May 16, 2023

The Beijing Cultural Law Enforcement Bridage said that it had learned of the inappropriate remarks insulting Chinese soldiers through an internet patrol or cyber surveillance on Monday morning and had registered an investigation against Xiaoguo Culture Media Co.

The Chinese well-known comedy firm, Xiaoguo Culture Media Co., issued an apology on Monday, apologizing to the public for the controversy caused by its stand-up comedian HOUSE (also known as Li Haoshi)'s inappropriate metaphor during an offline performance. (Photo: Sina Weibo)

The Chinese well-known comedy firm, Xiaoguo Culture Media Co., issued an apology on Monday, apologizing to the public for the controversy caused by its stand-up comedian HOUSE (also known as Li Haoshi)'s inappropriate metaphor during an offline performance.

"After the performance that day, we promptly criticized HOUSE and required him to reflect on his actions. We have also suspended all of his subsequent performances indefinitely," the company said in the statement.

Members of an audience who attended a Xiaoguo comedy show in Beijing on Saturday wrote a post on social media stating that a comedian used derogatory remarks addressing Chinese soldiers during the performance, which made them feel uncomfortable. This incident has sparked widespread attention and discussion across Chinese social media platforms.

The comedian mentioned during his performance that he had adopted two stray dogs and saw them chasing squirrels when he first met them. This reminded him of the phrase, "Fight to win! Forge exemplary conduct!" several members of the audience recounted.

The phrase "Fight to win! Forge exemplary conduct!" has long been used to describe Chinese soldiers and is praise for their excellent conduct. However, using this phrase to describe stray dogs has been regarded by many netizens as an insult to Chinese soldiers, which has caused great dissatisfaction and outrage.

This is not the first time that HOUSE and his company Xiaoguo have sparked controversy. In a previous comedy show, HOUSE directly announced the code for a stock, causing the stock of a previously unknown company to skyrocket. Although he later claimed that he and his family did not hold the stock, many netizens still questioned why he raised the subject during his performance.

"Although it's said that stand-up comedy is a provocative art, there should be limits. For actors who repeatedly violate the rules, they should be punished accordingly," said one netizen on the Chinese social media platform Sina Weibo.

We shall proactively shoulder more social responsibilities, strengthen the training and education of our actors, and maintain industry order, Xiaoguo Culture Media Co., noted, adding that they are grateful for the public's attention and supervision.

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