Crossing a ‘red’ line? Chinese comedy star investigated over altered song lyrics
Guo Degang was accused of “violating public order and good customs” after changing the lyrics of a classic Chinese revolutionary song during a recent performance.
Chinese comedian Guo Degang is reportedly under investigation after allegedly violating public order and good customs during a performance. The controversy arose when Guo changed the lyrics of "Playing My Beloved Pipa," a well-known revolutionary song, during a Peking opera adaptation of Ji Gong in Wuhan on July 24. The original lyrics of the song, which was among the 100 songs selected by the Communist Party for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, read, "The sun is about to set in the west; all is quiet on Weishan lake."
However, Guo altered the lyrics to, "all is quiet in the Forbidden City … I am Buddha … mummy mummy please." An unidentified audience member alerted Wuhan's culture and tourism bureau on August 3, accusing Guo of distorting a classic red song and violating public order and good customs. Despite the bureau's investigation, the case remains unresolved as of August 13, with no charges or penalties mentioned.
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