Jolin Tsai Accused of Illuminati Imagery at Concert—‘Stepping on a Giant Python’ Makes Chinese Approval Difficult

Taiwanese diva Jolin Tsai will take the stage at the Taipei Dome for the first time on December 30, 2025, investing NT$900 million (approximately RM110 million) to create a “Paradise on Earth.” The show features a variety of giant props including a bull, a huge python, a golden pig, and a Pegasus, leaving the 40,000-strong audience in awe. However, on Threads, many netizens discussed the concert's implied elements of the “Illuminati,” “cults,” and “sacrifice.” In response, music director Chen Junhao humorously refuted, “If Jolin is Illuminati, then I’m Takeshi Kaneshiro. If there’s a mysterious sacrificial ritual at the concert, I’ll willingly put the fat from my belly on the altar.”

Jolin’s “Pleasure” album is themed around the seven deadly sins and adopts a dark visual style. The concert is structured around six fantastical, lavish settings: “Summit of Awakening,” “Exotic Realm of Desire,” “Sensory Wonderland,” “Book of Truth,” “Vivid Dreamland,” and “Paradise of Pleasure.” Music director Chen Junhao posted a Day 1 write-up on Threads, revealing that before preparing the concert music, the director and Jolin wanted him to thoroughly read a 300-page script, which felt like returning to his college days studying English literature. Every prop, scene, animal, sound, and dance holds meaning—but Jolin doesn’t want to provide a standard answer, leaving fans to “treasure hunt” by watching multiple times or pondering on their own.

Chen Junhao admitted the acoustics at Taipei Dome are truly challenging, and he browses Threads to seek feedback from all sides, striving to provide the best sound experience. So he inevitably saw discussions about the Illuminati and quipped, “If Jolin is the Illuminati, then I’m Takeshi Kaneshiro. If there’s a secret sacrificial ritual at the concert, I’m willing to put the fat from my belly on the altar.” Netizens replied with laughter, saying, “You specially responded to the Illuminati part.”

The concert is scheduled to kick off its first-ever China tour on March 7, 2026, starting in Shenzhen, followed by Xiamen. However, some audience members are already concerned about review restrictions. Some netizens believe the venue’s stage might mean the Taiwan version’s stage setup can’t be fully recreated, and fear that segments like the “giant python parade” and the “floating sword platform” may be cut. Other netizens mentioned that some people are afraid of snakes and feel that the singer performing atop a giant python could make the audience uncomfortable. #

News sources: Apple News Network + ETtoday Starlight Cloud