China investigates comedian after he altered a revolutionary

One of China’s best-known comedians is under inquiry and several of his shows have been canceled after he changed the lyrics of a revolutionary song during a performance.

Guo Degang, the country’s most prominent performer of traditional xiangsheng, a form of Chinese comedic dialogue, is under inquiry Guo's show on Friday in the northwestern city of Xi’an was canceled due to “venue issues," a statement on ticketing platform Damai released The company offered refunds for tickets as well as travel and hotel expenses. The exhibition center hosting the performance in Xi’an, which also cited “venue issues” on Wednesday, stated the show had been “postponed,” without giving a new date.

Key Analysis and Detailed Timeline

Local media reports stated several of Guo’s shows scheduled in August across cities were canceled.

The inquiry highlights China’s stricter controls and censorship of the entertainment and arts industries, where performers and artists have to navigate an environment where “red lines” are often unclear and shifting.

Guo was reported to Wuhan's culture and tourism authorities after he changed a lyric from “it is quiet along Weishan Lake” to “it is quiet in the Forbidden City” while performing at a show in the city last month, according to local media reports and videos shown on social media platforms.

Broader Impact and Sector Outlook

The Forbidden City, once home to China’s emperors for hundreds of years, is now a museum that attracts over 10 million visitors each year.

Read More: All Indian Cine Workers Association backs Satendra Soni as he files FIR against filmmaker couple over assault

Neither Guo nor his show promotor immediately responded to the ’s emails seeking for comment on Saturday.

Guo’s performance had been approved in advance The lyrics are from “Playing My Beloved Pipa,” a song from Railway Guerrilla, a well-known 1950s film about Communist-led guerrillas fighting Japanese forces during World War II. Pipa is a traditional Chinese stringed instrument, similar to a lute.

It is a popular song among the public. It was once played at CCTV Spring Festival gala in 1998, and was also selected in 2019 Guo is widely considered as the one who brought xiangsheng closer to the younger generation in China. The traditional art form was more regional and more popular among the older audience.

This is not the first time that performers facing consequences over their work on stage. In 2023, comedian Li Haoshi, known Xiaoguo Culture Media, the company he worked for, was later fined 14.7 million yuan , and Li has not appeared in public performances in mainland China since.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.