Chinese Social Media Influencer Li Meiyue Embroiled in Controversy Over Derogatory Translations and Deceptive Apology

During the live streaming of "甲亢哥" China tour, Li Meiyue's translation operations were deemed "cultural sabotage." When a hairstylist explained that a particular hairstyle was difficult to manage and required professional handling, Li intentionally mistranslated it as "they think your hair is messy." This led to "甲亢哥" questioning Li, "Are you sure that's what they meant?" Moreover, it was discovered that Li had often used the derogatory term "chick" to describe Chinese women, which sparked outrage among netizens. When confronted, Li attempted to downplay the issue, claiming that Americans commonly use the term.

The situation escalated, and Li's past controversies were exposed, revealing his "two-faced" nature. Allegations of infidelity, domestic violence, and falsifying a green card surfaced, tarnishing his reputation. It was revealed that Li had been in relationships with at least three Chinese women, had an affair with a flight attendant while his wife was pregnant, and had used emotional manipulation to coerce his wife into having an abortion. The irony lies in Li's long-term marketing of himself as a "Sino-American mixed-race cultural ambassador," when in reality, he had obtained a Chinese green card through marriage and falsely claimed to have acquired it through a work visa.

In response to the mounting criticism, Li released an apology video, attempting to attribute his actions to "cultural differences" and "program effects." However, his apology was deemed insincere, as he used a hand gesture commonly associated with insult in Vietnamese culture, which was noticed by netizens. This attempt to placate the public only further enraged them. The deletion of negative comments by Li's team, in an attempt to create the illusion that the controversy had subsided, only sparked more outrage. The public demanded a genuine apology, which Li failed to provide.

The reaction from netizens has been swift and severe, with many expressing outrage over Li's actions, viewing them as a betrayal of the very country that has propelled him to fame. The prevailing sentiment among these critics is that Li is "eating China's rice while smashing China's pot," a metaphorical expression of ingratitude and disloyalty. A significant number of netizens have called for Li to be boycotted, arguing that his apology lacks sincerity and fails to adequately address the concerns and feelings of the public. Others have taken to social media platforms to denounce his behavior, emphasizing that as a public figure, Li has a responsibility to uphold certain standards of conduct and respect for the nation and its people.

The repercussions of Li's actions have been dire. Since his apology, the influencer has witnessed a significant decline in his fan base, with many of his followers publicly denouncing him. Furthermore, his online image, which was meticulously crafted over years, has crumbled. The once-beloved internet personality now faces a monumental task in rebuilding his reputation, a challenge that seems increasingly insurmountable given the severity of the backlash. The Central China Television (CCTV) station's decision to censor Li's face with a mosaic, labeling him a "notorious internet celebrity," was seen as a turning point in the industry, signaling that any behavior detrimental to the national image would be met with consequences.