On the morning of February 9, news about a peculiar Chinese idol group named SHA48 shocked various netizens across the world. Initially, many assumed that SHA48 was affiliated with SNH48, the Chinese “branch” of the famous Japanese idol group AKB48. However, in reality, the two groups have no connection whatsoever.
SHA48 debuted in early 2023, originally perceived as a girl group based on their glamorous and polished teaser images. At the time of their teaser release, fans noticed nothing unusual and eagerly anticipated their official debut after seeing the youthful and charming visuals of the members in promotional posters.
However, during SHA48’s first live performance, audiences were stunned to discover that one member not only looked vastly different from the teaser images but also appeared distinctly masculine. It was soon revealed that this member, named Lingdang, was actually a male. The agency had deliberately styled him in female clothing to attract public attention to the group.
Following the exposure of SHA48’s male member, the group faced widespread criticism from the public. Amidst the backlash, the agency issued an official statement, which said, “From the beginning, we never explicitly stated through media channels that SHA48 was a girl group. Moreover, none of the members ever claimed they were part of a girl group.”
Meanwhile, regarding the similarity of their group name to China’s top girl group SNH48, SHA48’s representative clarified, “SHA stands for Shanghai, China. The number 48 was included because we aspire to follow in the footsteps of AKB48 and SNH48.”
Despite the controversy, Lingdang remains an active member of SHA48. Over the past two years, he has continued to perform alongside the four female members in live performances and fan meetings. SHA48 released a song titled “Like You” last year, and in 2024, they gained attention by hosting a fan event to celebrate their first anniversary.
Lingdang’s promotional images were heavily edited to enhance his feminine appearance. However, in one photo, netizens could spot his visible Adam’s apple.
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