The much-anticipated performance video of Super Star by Wang Leehom and Ella (of girl group S.H.E) was abruptly removed from online platforms, sparking concern among fans. The removal stemmed from a copyright claim, leading Wang Leehom’s team to pay over 40,000 CNY (approximately 5,500 USD) to regain the rights.
The duet was a highlight of Wang Leehom’s concert tour The Best Place, serving as a nostalgic tribute to Mandopop’s golden era. After its online release, the video quickly surpassed 10 million views on Douyin within a month, signaling its immense popularity among fans of both artists.
However, the video suddenly disappeared from digital platforms. Fans were puzzled, and investigations revealed that a German copyright holder had filed a takedown request. The claim involved the instrumental arrangement and performance rights, which were apparently under their jurisdiction.
What complicated the matter further was that the official copyright for Super Star is held by Avex, the Japanese company managing S.H.E. This meant any international distribution or reuse required full licensing a detail seemingly overlooked by Wang Leehom’s production team.
In response to the wave of reactions from fans, Wang Leehom’s manager, Yang Wenjie, told the media that they paid the licensing fee without hesitation. “We did it for the fans. Spending over 40,000 CNY to reclaim the rights was necessary and absolutely worth it. Now everyone can enjoy the beautiful performance of these two iconic artists anytime,” he stated.
The team worked directly with both the German rights holder and Avex Japan to resolve the issue. Within 48 hours of removal, the video was reinstated, although its original tens of millions of views were lost. Despite this, fans celebrated its return and the fact that the video could now be viewed without legal complications.
This incident sheds light on the tangled web of copyright laws in the digital age. A minor oversight in licensing especially for live performances, remixes, or livestreams can lead to sudden content removal, even for high-profile artists.
Wang Leehom’s tour, The Best Place, marks his return to large-scale performances after a hiatus. Running from June to the end of the year, the tour celebrates his 30-year music career with stops in major cities including Beijing, Suzhou, Shanghai, Xiamen, Hefei, Nanjing, and Chengdu.
Astonishingly, five back-to-back shows in Shenzhen broke revenue records, attracting tens of thousands of attendees. Another duet from the tour, Love Wrong with singer Shan Yichun, garnered over 122 million views on Douyin, entering the top 3 of Tencent Music’s chart and staying in the top 10 for over a year further proof of Wang Leehom’s enduring popularity in the Chinese music scene.
Sources: K14
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