Published By: Dishya Sharma
Last Updated: December 12, 2023, 17:31 IST
The motive behind the attack on Zhang Xingte remains unclear. (Image Credits: Instagram)
A group of women threw water at Zhang Xingte, yelled at him, and hit him with their empty cups. The incident was filmed and circulated on Chinese social media handles.
Being a celebrity or a well-known figure brings its own set of challenges. Coping with overzealous fans who invade personal space for selfies or even breach the stage during performances is a recurring issue. Over the past decade, we’ve witnessed headline-making incidents like the notorious smashing of Justin Bieber’s piano by a fan and, more recently, Harry Styles being hit in the eye by an object thrown during a concert. Despite continuous reminders from celebrities to maintain appropriate behaviour, such instances persist. The latest to fall victim to such behavior is the renowned Chinese singer and entertainer, Zhang Xingte.
The 21-year-old idol found himself targeted by a group of stalker fans in a public incident. At the airport, Zhang Xingte reportedly confronted some of his stalker fans, urging them to stop their inappropriate behaviour. In retaliation, these individuals started throwing water at Zhang Xingte and verbally abusing him. The situation escalated as they went on to physically hit him with their empty cups. Despite the ordeal, the idol stepped back, later picking up the cups thrown at him.
Video footage capturing the incident has gone viral on the internet, showcasing a few women splashing water directly on Zhang Xingte, shouting at him, and documenting the incident through phones.
so this person, idol(?) went to tell these sasaengs to stop but threw water on him. they don’t gaf abt the artists they “love” as u can see. we seriously need to deplatform those fre@ks.pic.twitter.com/RQUg2nRRda
— koleen⁷ (@iktenkpadet) December 11, 2023
Zhang Xingte’s agency promptly reported the incident of the trio intentionally splashing water on him in the waiting hall of the airport on a Monday morning, to the police and issued an official statement about the occurrence.
“Today’s airport incident has been reported to the police. I’m cooperating with the police while they’re handling the case. Other related items have been communicated to a lawyer for resolution,” said Zhang Xingte’s management, as reported by Koreaboo.
The three young women had reportedly been detained for their actions at Shanghai Pudong airport, according to city police. These women, who claimed to be fans of the singer, had previously argued with him at an airport in another city and at the gate of a performance venue in Shanghai over the weekend. The police revealed that the women had learned about the star’s travel arrangements from an online fan base and decided to track and film him without his approval, reports Lai Times.
Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the detained individuals included two 17-year-olds and a 21-year-old. They also shared a video and a picture of their offensive behaviour on China’s social media site, Weibo.
Officials have raised concerns about the adverse effects of such fan behavior on public safety, including obstructing passageways, triggering stampedes, and instigating conflicts. Qian Peng, a lawyer from Fadedongheng Law Firm, has indicated that the fans’ actions might constitute an infringement on Zhang’s right to reputation. Zhang Xingte’s team posted on Weibo that they were in contact with their lawyer to address the situation.
Zhang Xingte rose to fame following his appearance in the Chinese reality TV show, Produce Camp in 2021. After that, he made several television appearances and also released a music album as a solo artist.
