From Patriotic Icon to Target of Ridicule: The Shifting Fortunes of Wu Jing
Recent online backlash against actor Wu Jing, best known for his role in the ”Wolf Warrior” film series, has sparked discussion and commentary, including from prominent nationalist commentator Hu Xijin.What began as playful mockery of exaggerated claims made in early interviews has evolved into widespread criticism, impacting the reception of his latest film, ”Goodbye, Bad Guy.”
The initial criticism stemmed from Wu Jing’s past boasts, often delivered with a tone perceived as self-aggrandizing. Examples circulating online included claims like “I jumped over the building,” “I let the tanks over,have you pushed them,” and increasingly outlandish statements about his survival skills and abilities. This pattern continued during the CCP’s September 3rd military parade, with netizens joking about the lack of rearview mirrors on the tanks, referencing Wu Jing’s previous assertions.
The shift in public sentiment became particularly noticeable when Wu Jing promoted “Goodbye, Bad Guy” on Weibo, identifying himself as a “propaganda committee member.” Instead of garnering support, the post was flooded with ridicule and parody.
Hu Xijin responded to the situation, acknowledging a perceived “sudden collapse” in Wu Jing’s public image. While defending Wu Jing against accusations of serious wrongdoing, hu Xijin attributed the change to a shift in societal mood. He noted that economic pressures and job insecurity among young people have diminished the enthusiasm for the “Wolf Warrior Spirit” previously embodied by the actor. He urged Wu Jing to be “generous” and not take the criticism too seriously, arguing it would be ”unfair” to condemn him without demonstrable fault. hu Xijin implied Wu Jing was being unfairly scrutinized, stating he shouldn’t be “treated as a Japanese.”
However, many online commenters disagreed with Hu Xijin’s assessment, suggesting Wu Jing contributed to his own downfall. Several incidents have fueled the negative perception.These include a past administrative detention for drunk driving, questions raised in 2022 regarding his endorsement of domestic mobile phones while personally using Apple products (labeled as “pseudopatriotism”), and the resurfacing of a 2023 clip from an older variety show interpreted by some as portraying him as domineering. Furthermore, netizens have begun jokingly calling on wu Jing to intervene in international incidents, highlighting a perceived expectation of action that he fails to meet.
One commenter pointed out that Wu Jing’s transformation from “patriotic symbol to a lie symbol, and finally became an abstract symbol” is linked to both nationalistic fervor and the role of figures like Hu Xijin in promoting that fervor. Another noted the irony of Hu Xijin now advocating for rationality after previously contributing to the initial hype.
Some online users even suggested that a film titled “Goodbye,the Communist Party” would likely perform poorly at the box office,reflecting the current disillusionment. Others predicted that even future successful films wouldn’t restore Wu Jing’s previous level of popularity, as a new “wolf warrior” figure would likely emerge. A common sentiment expressed was that the public had “entirely awakened from the halo of positive energy.”
Editor-in-charge: Ye Ziwei
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