Recently, Chinese actress Zhao Lusi was reported to have serious health issues. Her close friend Wei Xiao posted an update on her behalf, reassuring the public that she "is slowly able to speak and has begun to stand up to undergo rehabilitation exercises." The post mentioned that Zhao Lusi experienced "speech loss symptoms," causing the public to be deeply concerned about her health condition. While many netizens expressed their well-wishes, some cynical remarks sparked heated discussions, with some bluntly stating, "Feeling sorry for a 208 is not as worthwhile as feeling sorry for yourself." In response, state media also issued a stern criticism.
On December 30th, the 'Liberation Daily' published an article titled "Sympathizing with Zhao Lusi's Illness is Not Shameful," criticizing the behavior of some netizens who made sarcastic remarks. The article specifically mentioned that some people used the term "208" to mock Zhao Lusi. It is understood that "208" originates from an earlier incident where an unknown actress was revealed to have earned a daily income of 2.08 million yuan (approximately 1.27 million MYR) during her trial for illegal activities, thus becoming a byword among some netizens for describing highly-paid actors lacking in high-quality works.
'Liberation Daily' pointed out that the issue of unreasonable high pay for actors and a young person's sudden illness are entirely different topics. "Having sympathy for someone who is ill is a basic human emotion." The article mentioned that Zhao Lusi appeared extremely weak in a disclosed video, with friends confirming that she experienced speech loss symptoms, indicating a serious condition. "Such a situation arising in a person who has just turned 26 years old indeed evokes sympathy."
The article concludes by emphasizing that diseases or disasters do not differentiate based on a person's wealth, social class, or moral standards. Regardless of their status, an ill person faces both physical and mental anguish. "Even if the person has a higher income or yet to have a representative work, having compassion towards them is not shameful."
This commentary sparked heated discussions among netizens, with many supporting the state media's viewpoint, urging everyone to maintain basic human compassion instead of replacing empathy with indifference and ridicule.
'Liberation Daily' pointed out that the issue of unreasonable high pay for actors and a young person's sudden illness are entirely different topics. "Having sympathy for someone who is ill is a basic human emotion." The article mentioned that Zhao Lusi appeared extremely weak in a disclosed video, with friends confirming that she experienced speech loss symptoms, indicating a serious condition. "Such a situation arising in a person who has just turned 26 years old indeed evokes sympathy."
The article concludes by emphasizing that diseases or disasters do not differentiate based on a person's wealth, social class, or moral standards. Regardless of their status, an ill person faces both physical and mental anguish. "Even if the person has a higher income or yet to have a representative work, having compassion towards them is not shameful."
This commentary sparked heated discussions among netizens, with many supporting the state media's viewpoint, urging everyone to maintain basic human compassion instead of replacing empathy with indifference and ridicule.