(Video) What Happened to Zhu Yilong? Great Wall Drum Performance Triggers Heated Cultural Debate

Zhu Yilong Drum Performance at Great Wall Sparks Debate as Actor, Brand and Performers Respond to Cultural Controversy. (Credits: Weibo)

What began as a high-profile wellness event on the Great Wall has turned into an unexpected cultural flashpoint for Zhu Yilong. The award-winning Chinese actor found himself at the centre of a growing online debate after a drum performance during a Lululemon event prompted questions about whether the instrument being presented as a traditional Chinese drum bore closer similarities to Japan's taiko tradition. Within days, a routine brand appearance had evolved into one of the most discussed entertainment controversies on Chinese social media.

The controversy stems from a yoga-themed event organised by sportswear giant Lululemon at Beijing's Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall. During the opening performance, Zhu Yilong joined percussion ensemble Fanxiang HiiKo to perform what promotional materials described as a "Chinese traditional drum" presentation. For a brief moment, everything appeared perfectly choreographed. Then the internet arrived.

Days after the event, percussion professionals and cultural commentators began questioning whether the instrument featured on stage was actually a traditional Chinese drum. 

Critics argued that its barrel-shaped design, red rope lacing and angled performance style closely resembled the Japanese taiko, particularly the well-known nagadō-daiko. 

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Before long, screenshots allegedly showing internal event documents referring to the instrument as a "Japanese drum" spread across social media, fuelling further speculation.

As the debate intensified, discussion moved far beyond music. Some online users accused organisers of failing to properly verify cultural elements before presenting them at one of China's most recognisable historical landmarks.  

Cnetz argued that the controversy highlighted broader concerns surrounding cultural representation at major commercial events. What was supposed to be a wellness festival suddenly became an unexpected lesson in drum genealogy.

Supporters of Zhu Yilong and several cultural enthusiasts pushed back against claims that the performance promoted Japanese traditions. They pointed to the involvement of Fanxiang HiiKo, a percussion group known for recreating ancient Chinese instruments, including drums from the Tang Dynasty. 

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According to this perspective, the instrument used at the event may have been a reconstructed version of the traditional Chinese jiegu, rather than a Japanese taiko.

The conversation took another turn when percussion performer Xu Yang publicly addressed the issue. Xu Yang argued that the instrument should be identified as a Chinese jiegu, urging the public to examine historical evidence before reaching conclusions. 

His remarks added further complexity to an already heated discussion, with experts and enthusiasts continuing to debate the drum's exact classification.

On 16 June, Lululemon issued a public apology, acknowledging that the company had not fully identified potential areas of controversy during the planning and review stages of the event. 

The brand said the original intention had been to celebrate Chinese culture and confirmed that all related promotional materials had been removed. 

The company also apologised directly to the public and to Zhu Yilong, promising a more rigorous review process for future events.

Shortly afterwards, Zhu Yilong Studio released its own statement. The actor's team said it welcomed public supervision and had immediately urged the brand to verify the full process behind the event. 

The studio stressed that Zhu Yilong has consistently supported the promotion of traditional culture and pledged to approach future projects with greater caution.

The percussion group involved in the performance also issued an apology and announced a temporary pause in content updates while conducting internal reviews. 

The group said it would strengthen quality control and continue studying traditional cultural material to avoid similar disputes moving forward.

For Zhu Yilong, one of China's most respected actors, the timing is unfortunate. The award-winning star, known for acclaimed films such as Lighting Up the Stars and Lost in the Stars, has spent years building a reputation based on strong performances rather than controversy.

Many fans argued that Zhu Yilong was simply participating in a scripted event and should not be expected to conduct a forensic investigation into every stage prop before stepping onto a platform and believed brands and event organisers carry greater responsibility when presenting cultural elements in highly symbolic locations.