Divided Opinions Emerge in Weibo Debate Over Western Holidays and Cosplay Celebrations
In recent Weibo posts, Chinese netizens have been divided over the celebration of Western holidays in China and the practice of cosplaying famous individuals. A heated debate has erupted following the posting of various Halloween cosplay videos featuring popular celebrities, which some users argue is disrespectful and infringes upon the right of portrait.
30 October 2023
One user, @TheRealNeYu, expressed concern over what they perceive as the excessiveness of a recent Weibo video showcasing an idol surfer superstar's cosplay. They argued that using one person as a joke in such a manner is not only disrespectful but also infringes upon their right to portrait, a legal concept in China which states that no one can use another person's name, image, or likeness for commercial gain without the person's consent.
In response to this, some netizens have criticized the practice of celebrating foreign holidays such as Halloween, questioning why Shanghai youths are happy celebrating Western culture when traditional Chinese festivals are equally important. They argue that Shanghainese celebration of what is called 'Halloween' has become quite far from its original Western traditions, with the concept of trick-or-treat and candy being ignored.
However, other netizens have embraced the festive spirit, praising those exhibiting creativity and wit in their Halloween costumes. One user tweeted, "I feel a bit excessive. Besides Halloween being an imported culture, using one person as a joke in cosplay is really okay?" They further added, "Not only does it infringe on the right of portrait, but also disrespect others."
A group of users have expressed their support for those who use cosplay to express themselves creatively and humorously. They argue that such behavior is not vulgar, but rather a form of artistic expression. One user tweeted, "I love this feeling of collective madness! I don't dare think about how happy I would be in Shanghai. Weiwei Gong's Weibo video"
Despite the divided reactions, one thing is clear: Halloween cosplay has become a popular and creative form of celebration for many Chinese netizens. It is an opportunity to showcase their artistic abilities and humor through the transformation into famous individuals or characters. As one tweet aptly put it, "Halloween changed to Whacky Day – no joke."
In conclusion, while there are differing opinions on whether Halloween cosplay is acceptable and the extent of celebration of foreign holidays in China, it is evident that this form of artistic expression has become an integral part of Chinese culture.