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Man Assaults Actor During Anti-Japanese War Play; Chinese Netizens Criticize

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A man in China's Anhui province disrupted an anti-Japanese war drama performance by rushing onto the stage and physically assaulting an actor playing a Japanese soldier.
  • The incident, which occurred during a performance of "Attacking West Gate," was captured on video and widely shared online.
  • Contrary to expectations, the man faced widespread criticism from Chinese netizens, who accused him of seeking attention or being genuinely foolish rather than heroic.

A dramatic anti-Japanese war performance in China's Anhui province took an unexpected turn when a middle-aged man, apparently overcome by the drama, stormed the stage and physically attacked an actor portraying a Japanese soldier.

Is he really stupid or pretending to be stupid?

— Chinese netizensNetizens reacted to the man's actions during the performance.

The incident occurred on June 12 at the Hequan Town Resort in Bengbu City during a performance of the historical drama "Attacking West Gate." Video footage shows the man, dressed in black, charging onto the stage and kicking the actor, who was depicted whipping a civilian woman tied to a tree. The actor appeared surprised by the sudden assault and almost retaliated with his prop whip.

Stage staff quickly intervened to prevent further escalation. The man, after being escorted away, seemed to regain his composure and apologized to the staff before returning to his seat. The resort confirmed that this was the first time an audience member had physically assaulted a performer. The actor received a medical examination and was found to be unharmed. Resort staff mentioned that the lack of a protective barrier around the stage, intended to facilitate audience interaction, would be reconsidered.

Support sentencing the man, this is called provoking trouble.

— Chinese netizensNetizens reacted to the man's actions during the performance.

However, the man's actions did not garner the expected public support. Instead, he faced a barrage of criticism from Chinese netizens on social media. Many questioned his sanity, with comments ranging from "Is he really stupid or pretending to be stupid?" to "Support sentencing the man, this is called provoking trouble." Others suggested he was merely seeking attention, with one user stating, "What 'deeply into the role,' he just wanted to hit someone." Many expressed a wish that his bravery would translate to real-life situations, with one comment reading, "It would be great if he were this brave in real life."

What 'deeply into the role,' he just wanted to hit someone.

— Chinese netizensNetizens reacted to the man's actions during the performance.

Some netizens felt the actor was an undeserving victim, calling it "an actor's undeserved disaster." The overall sentiment online was that the man's actions were misguided and not representative of genuine heroism. The resort also features other "red" themed performances and interactive segments, including children "catching traitors."

It would be great if he were this brave in real life.

— Chinese netizensNetizens reacted to the man's actions during the performance.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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