Actor Zhang Linghe refunds fans after his attendance at a public event was cancelled due to safety concerns.
A public event featuring Chinese actor Zhang Linghe, scheduled for May 31, was canceled. But the reason wasn’t because he was sick or there wasn’t enough demand - quite the opposite. The actor recently gained even more popularity through the Netflix drama “Pursuit of Jade”, in which he plays a nobleman who loses his title and falls in love with a butcher’s daughter. However, it seems his managers underestimated the high demand for his attendance. A glass door of the shopping mall in Nanning where the event was supposed to take place was shattered because the crowd was too large.
Fans Across Six Floors
In order to secure good spots for the promotional event of the eyewear brand Molision, where Zhang Linghe’s attendance was expected, fans started to queue in front of the mall early in the morning. When the mall opened its doors, the crowd rushed forward, resulting in one of the glass doors shattering. Five people reportedly received treatment in the hospital for injuries caused by the accident.
Videos on social media show the massive crowd at the event. Fans filled all six floors of the mall, its escalators, and its walkways, only to be disappointed in the end.
Actor Zhang Linghe Reimburses His Fans
Last minute the event was cancelled and replaced by an online livestream due to “safety concerns.”
The actor’s agency apologized and stated that they would reimburse fans who traveled just to see Zhang. In a statement on Weibo, a Chinese social media platform, the agency declared, "For fans who came to Nanning, all travel and accommodation expenses incurred due to this event will be fully compensated by the artist and his studio." They added that they will identify potential risks to make future events safer.
Fans must fill out forms by June 3 to receive their refunds by June 15.
