Nanjing Metro Removes Haunting Poster After Passenger Complaints
A recent social media post has gone viral after a passenger claimed to have been startled by a haunting face on a poster while riding the Nanjing Metro Line 3. The image, which was part of a promotional campaign for the play "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea," depicts the character of First Mate Filipos from the submarine vessel, the Nautilus. According to the play's official social media account, Filipos is a loyal crew member and not a figure intended to inspire fear. The account reassured potential viewers that the play contains "no horror or thriller elements" and is suitable for audiences aged 8 and above.
9 April 2025
The incident began when a netizen posted on social media that she was startled by the poster, which was posted in the metro tunnel, and when the train stopped, the transparent glass window reflected the face of a man, causing her to be frightened. The man in the picture had a pale face and blood on his teeth, making him look somewhat eerie. After the post went viral, a reporter from Modern Express called the Nanjing Metro as a passenger and asked about the issue. A staff member said that they were not very clear about the situation, but after inquiring about the specific line and location of the poster, they promised to feedback the problem and inform the result within three days.
Following an investigation, it was found that the picture came from the promotional poster of the play, which will be performed in Nanjing from May 10 to 11. The Nanjing Metro has since promised to remove the poster, with a staff member stating that they will communicate with the advertiser and plan to remove the poster in the near future. This decision comes after a wave of complaints and comments from passengers who were startled by the image. By taking steps to address the issue, Nanjing Metro aims to provide a more comfortable and reassuring travel experience for its passengers.
The reaction from netizens has been varied, with some expressing that seeing such a haunting face, especially at night, can be quite frightening, particularly for children. Others believe that while the advertisement has achieved its purpose of grabbing attention, relevant departments should strengthen management to prevent similar incidents from happening again. Some netizens have also shared their own photos of the same advertisement, with some commenting that when viewed in its entirety, the poster doesn't seem so intimidating. The discussion has sparked a debate about the balance between effective advertising and ensuring the comfort and safety of the public, especially in confined and unexpected spaces like subway cars. As of April 8, there were over 1,700 comments on the post, highlighting the significant impact of the incident on the public.
Comments
