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| Hello Saturday Reportedly Edits Segment After Zhang Linghe Comment Sparks Debate Among Southeast Asian Netizens. (Credits: Weibo) |
A moment from the popular Chinese variety programme Hello Saturday has stirred widespread discussion online after actor Zhang Linghe made a remark during a drawing game that some viewers interpreted as a reference to Southeast Asian appearance. The short clip, which quickly spread across social media platforms, prompted debate among viewers across the region and placed the young star at the centre of an unexpected online storm.
The discussion began during a light-hearted segment of the show where cast members attempted to sketch abstract portraits of each other. When Zhang Linghe saw a drawing of himself created by a fellow participant, he joked that the figure in the sketch looked like someone “born in Southeast Asia”.
The line was brief and delivered in a playful setting, yet the moment was quickly clipped and shared widely online.
Within hours, the comment was circulating across various platforms, triggering conversations among viewers in China and Southeast Asia.
Some internet users argued that the remark could reinforce stereotypes about physical appearance.
Critics said the phrase risked implying that certain features associated with Southeast Asian people were less flattering, which is why the clip drew such attention.
Others, however, defended the actor, pointing out that the comment appeared to be made casually in reaction to an exaggerated drawing.
Supporters said the context suggested the remark referred only to the cartoonish sketch rather than any real group of people.
As the debate intensified, reports began circulating that producers of Hello Saturday had edited or removed the segment from later broadcasts and online versions of the episode.
While the programme has not issued a detailed public explanation, viewers noticed that the moment appeared shortened or absent in subsequent uploads.
Facing growing scrutiny, Zhang Linghe later addressed the issue through his social media account.
In his statement, the actor apologised to anyone who felt uncomfortable with the comment and stressed that he had no intention of speaking negatively about any community.
He also thanked fans from different countries who have supported his work.
What do you think about the moment from Hello Saturday and Zhang Linghe’s response? Was the reaction online justified, or did the clip lose its original context once it went viral?