Hong Kong actor Chapman To (L) [File photo]
Hong Kong actor Chapman To's deprecating remarks towards Chinese mainland
Internet users has sparked online outrage across the country with many people
now calling for a To boycott.
In March, Chapman To posted numerous supportive comments on Taiwan's
disapproval of the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement on his Facebook account
and was 'attacked' by Chinese mainland Internet users, who held opposing
views.
In response, To wrote, "Sometimes, when faced with the opinionated comments
of Chinese mainland netizens, we don't have to put too much thought in to it.
They are not that capable. They just happen to have enough money to go to the
Internet café."
His deprecating remarks sparked outrage among Chinese Internet users, with
many calling for the actor to stop making a living on the Chinese mainland.
"Don't say 'don't make money off the Chinese mainland' anymore. I'm telling
you, stop me from coming to Chinese mainland if you can!" The 42-year-ole actor
responded.
To's latest film "Let Go For Love" opened in theaters on April 30. Under the
tense atmosphere and Internet users' haste towards To, the film grossed a mere
million in ticket sales in the first two days.
On May 2, the official Weibo account for "Let Go For Love" expressed
disappointment and resentment towards To's comments and said a "mistake was made
in casting."
"We admit it was our mistake in using an inconsiderate actor. We gave all we
had for this film and we have no regrets. We thank everyone for their
suggestions on
Weibo. We accept the ticket office results and take responsibilities for our
own choices."
On March 23, media company MaxTimes became the first Chinese mainland
business to publically boycott To. Chen Lizhi, CEO of MaxTimes said on his
official Sina Weibo account, "I will not use Chapman To in the films I invest in
and produce. My company will never participate in any projects that To is part
of."
As of today, there are more than 250,000 responses under the topic "Let's
stop Chapman To from coming to the Chinese mainland" on Sina Weibo. User
"-Memorial-G" said, "Now it's the time to pay for the price of your words."
User "Hewen312" said many authors from Hong Kong and Taiwan province also
hold the same attitude, making a decent living through Chinese mainland
publishers and calling them unprofessional at the same time. "As to verbally
abuse each other, why not work hard to make ourselves better? Respect is
earned!"
In a survey conducted by Xinhua, when asked whether one would boycott To's
latest film, over 90% of 93,378 voters answered yes, 5.5% (5,679 votes) answered
no, and 4.5% (4,655 votes) said they had no opinions.