China’s beloved “Nation’s Little Sister,” Zhao Lu Si, is under fire for a drastically shortened performance that left fans disappointed and angry.
According to Chinese media outlets like Sohu News, Zhao Lu Si appeared at a music festival this past May. While her set was scheduled for 30 minutes, she sang only two songs and exited the stage after approximately 7 minutes.
After the performance, Zhao personally apologized and offered ticket refunds to fans. The abrupt change in schedule was reportedly due to a traffic accident that caused delays earlier in the event. The performance of the band scheduled before her was affected, leading to a compressed schedule for all remaining artists, including Zhao.
However, many fans were not satisfied with the explanation. “Even with delays, 7 minutes is just too short,” some commented, voicing their frustration online.
Zhao Lu Si debuted in 2016 through a talk show appearance and rose to fame with the 2018 drama Oh! My Emperor. She solidified her place as China’s “Nation’s Little Sister” and gained international recognition, including among Korean viewers, for her lead role in the hit Chinese drama Hidden Love.
Tragically, her personal journey hasn’t been easy. In 2019, she suffered physical abuse from her agency’s CEO, which led to depression, and in 2024, it was revealed that she had developed aphasia, drawing widespread concern from the public.
While Zhao’s health struggles have earned her sympathy, this festival controversy has sparked a new wave of scrutiny over expectations for celebrity professionalism—even amidst unforeseen circumstances.