Chinese actor-singer Zhang Zhehan wasn’t able to explain himself prior to him getting the blacklist in China three years ago, so he decided to clarify his previous scandal while performing in Seoul.
As reported on Epoch Times, the singer, who was banned in August 2021 due to leaked photos of him near Japan’s Yasukuni Shrine, the same place that commemorates those who died in service of Japan including war criminals, recently held his concert in South Korea, where he also performed on the piano for his fans.
Following a performance of his song called “Going Off”, Zhang said, “”The Chinese name of the song I just sang is ‘Le’, which means to end. Today I also want to put some things to rest.”
Walking to the centre of the stage, Zhang expressed, “For three years, I have never found a chance to tell everyone the facts of that year. But now, I want to tell everyone that in 2018, during the Sakura season, I walked along the Chidorigafuchi Moat to enjoy the flowers. I passed by a garden and didn’t know what was behind me.”
“Three years later, when I saw the news and wanted to explain, I had lost all channels to explain,” he said.
Zhang stressed that he is a native Chinese and will never ever visit or pay homage to the Yasukuni Shrine.
“I love my motherland deeply. It is your trust and support that has brought me to where I am today. Thank you,” he added.
Back in 2021, Zhang found himself being banned after he was accused of being pro-Japanese for taking photos of himself in front of the said shrine. Although he tried to clarify the issue, he wasn’t able to do so after his social media platforms were immediately shut down. He also lost various endorsement deals as well as TV and movie works because of it.
(Photo Source: Zhang Zhehan Fanpage IG, WJ)