China’s Weibo bans BTS fan account for illegal fundraising
BTS member Jimin was the focus of the fan club account, which has over 1.1 million followers on Weibo. The report was restricted as part of China's drive to clean up the entertainment sector and crack down on "irrational conduct" displayed by fans.
FollowWeibo, a Chinese social media site, prohibited a fan club of renowned South Korean K-pop band BTS from posting for 60 days, claiming that it had unlawfully collected cash, only days after photos of the fan club's customized jet were uploaded online. BTS member Jimin was the focus of the fan club account, which has over 1.1 million followers on Weibo. The report was restricted as part of China's drive to clean up the entertainment sector and crack down on "irrational conduct" displayed by fans.
President Xi Jinping of China has called for a "national rejuvenation" that includes more vital Communist Party control over industry, education, culture, and religion. Since then, the party has limited children's access to internet gaming and is attempting to prevent what it regards as unhealthy celebrity worship. Last week, the government prohibited effeminate males from appearing on television, and idol creation shows have "low moral values" that might harm the kids.
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The BTS fan account was barred from posting on Weibo after photos of a modified Jeju Air jet with Jimin surfaced online last week. The personalized plane was part of the club's preparations to commemorate his 26th birthday in October. For its extravagance, the prank garnered harsh criticism online. Following the complaint, the account posted a message on its feed last week asking followers to be "sensible" while chasing celebrities to maintain a "harmonious and healthy internet environment."
Weibo stated in a statement Sunday that the organization has been barred from posting for 60 days after it was discovered to have unlawfully raised cash. "Weibo firmly condemns such illogical star-chasing conduct and will take it severely," according to the statement.
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According to state-owned media Global Times, the fan club began gathering funds in April to prepare for the birthday celebrations, with almost 1 million yuan ($150,000) raised in the first three minutes and 2.3 million yuan ($360,000) raised in the first hour. The club also intended to advertise in newspapers such as The New York Times commemorating Jimin's birthday. Celebrities in China are frequently forced to adhere to the Chinese government's principles or suffer penalties.
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