In recent years, Kenji Wu has shifted his career focus to China and proactively participated in public welfare. Recently, he transformed into the 'Vegetable-Selling Guy' and ventured deep into rural Guizhou, demonstrating impressive appeal—helping farmers sell 30,000 jin of vegetables in just one hour. Despite these eye-catching results, some netizens questioned whether it was a 'staged act for views.' Wu responded head-on by submitting an op-ed to the Chinese state media People's Daily on the 9th. Entitled 'Behind the Views: Trust and Responsibility,' the article reveals his innermost thoughts.
Awakening in Life After the Pain of Losing His Mother
In his piece, Wu revealed that 2018 was an extremely trying year for him—he faced setbacks filming a movie and lost his beloved mother. This blow made him re-examine his life and realize that 'life shouldn't be just about performing under the spotlight.' He began trying to step out of his comfort zone—from volunteering haircuts in Zunyi, to late-night New Year's Eve dinners in Chongqing, to experiencing farm life in Baise—he walked the streets and alleys, saying that in recent years 'the world has rushed toward me, and life hasn't been this colorful in a long time.'
Going Deep into the Countryside to 'Take the Bus and Sell Vegetables'
In response to being labeled as part of a 'view-driven rural campaign' and facing accusations that his vegetable-selling event on Guiyang's No. 252 bus (a special farmer support route) was 'just a show,' Wu responded graciously. He recalled that when he shouldered baskets weighing tens of jin, he truly felt the 'weighty hope' of the farmers. He emphasized that views come from the public, and so the benefits should also return to the public.
Confronting external criticism that he 'does charity just for views,' Wu boldly replied in his article: 'If views can flow through me to reach those in need, if I can showcase the beauty of more places, then I will keep doing it.'
Source: United Daily News