Loved this piece!! Been wanting to read up on Li Zhi and the general chronology of things for ages. It's so fascinating to me how, as you rightly pointed out, both him and PG One found markets abroad for very very different reasons. They're both martyrised after being forced into anonymity and exile, but fans of PG One were trying to exonerate his involvement in completely irrelevant sex scandals using anti-party narratives: he's too "rebel", he's against the system and the political machine, he's edgy and outspoken and cool which made him a target. His wrongdoings became sacrifices and protests. More than just a little problematic I'd say...
Yes, definitely problematic – and (ironically?) contributing to his inability to return I’d imagine. He’s had several failed attempts to get back on Chinese social media in recent years, for example.
Thanks for reading and the thoughtful (as ever) comment!
Loved this piece!! Been wanting to read up on Li Zhi and the general chronology of things for ages. It's so fascinating to me how, as you rightly pointed out, both him and PG One found markets abroad for very very different reasons. They're both martyrised after being forced into anonymity and exile, but fans of PG One were trying to exonerate his involvement in completely irrelevant sex scandals using anti-party narratives: he's too "rebel", he's against the system and the political machine, he's edgy and outspoken and cool which made him a target. His wrongdoings became sacrifices and protests. More than just a little problematic I'd say...
Yes, definitely problematic – and (ironically?) contributing to his inability to return I’d imagine. He’s had several failed attempts to get back on Chinese social media in recent years, for example.
Thanks for reading and the thoughtful (as ever) comment!
oh, that unplugged version of rehe road is *beautiful*. thanks for all you cover; i would never have known
Thanks for the post. It is crushingly sad though to be reminded of the state of the culture.
Interesting read, thanks! I hope his tour goes well.