Former top-tier Chinese-Canadian entertainer Kris Wu, who was once a “top star” in the entertainment industry, has been in prison for three years due to allegations of rape. However, a new tax debt announcement on April 19 suddenly surged to the top trending on Weibo. Some netizens expressed surprise, saying, “How is there still news about him?”, “He has been missing for three years, isn’t it normal that no one is handling the tax debt for his company?”
The information related to Kris Wu’s hot search revealed that this time it was not due to his appeal against the court’s decision, but because two companies under his name issued new tax debt announcements. The tax debts are both in the category of corporate income tax, with balances of approximately 2.227 million yuan and 2.049 million yuan, totaling about 4.28 million yuan.
Reports indicated that after Kris Wu was incarcerated, several brands “sought justice” from him, all relating to the two companies: one is “Inner Mongolia Fanshi Film and Television Media Co., Ltd.,” a subsidiary of Kris Wu’s talent agency company with his cousin Wu Lin as the legal representative; the other is “Inner Mongolia Chaoting Culture Media Co., Ltd.,” a company established by Kris Wu’s mother holding full ownership.
In 2021, Kris Wu was criminally detained and later arrested for alleged rape, leading to a complete ban on him across the internet. Not only did his entertainment work come to a sudden halt, but he also faced demands for hefty compensations from endorsing brands. After the first trial in November 2022, Kris Wu was sentenced to 13 years in prison and would be deported back to Canada upon completing his sentence.
Following the first trial, Kris Wu, who was then in prison, appealed to the Beijing Third Intermediate People’s Court. On July 25, 2023, the second trial was held, without a public hearing, and the court announced to deliver the verdict at a later date. It wasn’t until November 24, 2023, six months later, that the court upheld the original judgment.
As Kris Wu, who is currently in prison, still manages to trend on social media, some netizens jest, saying, “His popularity hasn’t waned a bit, just like the old times,” and “Long time no see, but still as strong as ever.” Regarding the revelation that Kris Wu was engaged in labor work within the prison while his companies outside still face tax debts, some online users mockingly commented, “Is he going to operate the sewing machine for a few more years?”
Kris Wu was once a top-tier star in China. Even back in 2021, following his arrest, Chinese TV planner and financial columnist Shi Shusi predicted, “The Kris Wu incident may be an important signal for the regulatory authorities to comprehensively overhaul the entertainment industry.” Indeed, soon after, Zhang Zhehan, Zhao Wei, and others were also banned, Zheng Shuang was fined 299 million yuan for “yin-yang contracts,” and Li Yundi was detained for involvement in prostitution. As of now, everyone in the Chinese entertainment industry remains on edge, coupled with financial scandals, severe economic downturn, and a slump in the cultural market, forcing many celebrities to lay low.