Netizens Respond on Weibo as Kris Wu's Rape Trial Continues and Only One of His Companies Remains Operationa

On July 25, 2023, The Beijing Third Intermediate People's Court heard Wu's appeal in a private session due to privacy considerations for the victim. In November 2022, Wu was found guilty on charges of rape and group licentiousness by the Chaoyang District People's Court and received a 13-year prison sentence.

On the popular Chinese microblogging website Weibo, a flood of netizen reactions paints a complicated picture of public sentiment. The hashtag #吴亦凡公司仅剩1家存续# (Only one of Kris Wu's companies is still operating) trends as Weibo users grapple with Wu's descent from superstar to convicted felon.

Weibo user @陈地球的混沌文学 reflected on the symbolic nature of the fallen star, commenting that "everything returns to one," while user @娱怀小喵 shared a comic visualizing Wu's 13-year prison sentence.

Despite the legal turmoil surrounding Wu, there is a strain of sympathy. User @剧本道 empathized with Wu, arguing that he has paid a double price for his mistakes and suggesting that Wu faced excessive vilification. The user also hinted at potential inconsistencies within the legal system, stirring further debate in the comments section.

However, other users expressed a strong belief in the inevitability of Wu's sentence being upheld. "The evidence is all there. Even if you appeal, the final result is probably the same," posted user @笑迷惑了.

Netizens also showed concern over the survival of Wu's business entities. Data shared by users @长江网_留言板 and @臣文许 indicate that only one company remains in operation out of the four associated with Wu. The surviving company, Xiamen Yihuo Yunqi Cultural Media Partnership (Limited Partnership), is co-owned by Wu and his cousin, Wu Lin.

Moreover, attention is also drawn to other societal issues, with some users accusing the media of using entertainment scandals to distract from major disasters. User @我只有唯一一个愿望 asked why entertainment news often overshadows key social events like the Quqihar 34 Middle School incident. Meanwhile, @易欢矣 joked about the conveniently timed headlines involving Wu's cases during major societal events.

In the midst of the public spectacle, Weibo users are keeping a close eye on the unfolding story. Whether it's the legal outcome of Wu's trial, his remaining business operations, or the broader implications of his fall from grace, netizens continue to scrutinize every development.