August 25th – Zhejiang Television’s official account has addressed the recent controversies surrounding “The Voice of China”, announcing that in light of concerns raised by the audience and netizens, the program is under investigation and broadcasts will be temporarily suspended.
This season of “The Voice of China” faced a suspension shortly after its commencement, which is quite regrettable given the show’s initial popularity, enjoying both good reviews and high ratings. The perception of the show changed dramatically after a recording was leaked in which the late Coco Lee (Li Wen) voiced concerns about the program. The audio clip revealed Coco Lee’s grievances, anger, and doubts about the show, which deeply saddened many.
Last year, a video was exposed online showing Coco Lee complaining about the unfair competition system on the show, which had stirred up widespread online debates. This recent audio leak has undoubtedly thrust “The Voice of China” into the media storm.
On August 17th, the official “The Voice of China” Weibo account released a statement, claiming that the leaked audio clip of Coco Lee was maliciously edited by some media outlets, disrespecting Coco Lee and damaging the show’s reputation. The post further emphasized that misunderstandings from Coco Lee during her recording had already been resolved. Out of respect for the departed, the show decided not to delve into the controversy further.
Despite the statement, netizens voiced their skepticism and criticisms. Nonetheless, “The Voice of China” continued its regular broadcast, even achieving the top rating for the night.
Seeing the issue escalate, Zhejiang Broadcasting Corporation released a statement on August 20th addressing the controversy. The statement emphasized their dedication to listening and making necessary improvements. Coco Lee was also mentioned, described as a great mentor and singer, and deserving of remembrance.
Following this, Zhejiang Television reiterated that they are investigating the issues related to the show and have decided to temporarily suspend its broadcast. A conclusive result is anticipated soon.
After the exposure of Coco Lee’s recording, two of her students, Wang Zepeng and Zhou Feigo, came forward to support their mentor and shed light on the incidents in question. Many other participants from the show and insiders also spoke out in support of Coco Lee.
On July 5th, Coco Lee tragically took her own life after battling depression. The news, shared by her sister Li Silin, was met with disbelief from both her peers and fans. The always vibrant and cheerful Coco Lee, frequently seen smiling on screen, was the last person anyone expected to suffer from depression, let alone take such a drastic step.
Unimaginably, even after her passing, Coco Lee became embroiled in controversy due to the audio leak. Now, with Zhejiang Television’s clear intention to investigate the matter and the show’s suspension, it’s hoped that the public will allow Coco Lee to rest in peace.
It’s worth noting that this season of “The Voice of China” initially garnered high expectations, especially with stars like Zhou Huajian, Xue Zhiqian, Pan Weibo, and Liu Xianhua joining the cast. However, the suspension came unexpectedly shortly after the start of the season.
What are your thoughts on Zhejiang Television’s recent statement?