Li Yitong recently faced criticism after a performance at Hunan TV’s Little New Year Gala sparked accusations of lip-syncing. While she and Chen Zheyuan initially appeared stable and well-rehearsed during their duet of “I Want to Possess You,” a noticeable moment—when she failed to raise her microphone in time while the vocals continued—led viewers to question the authenticity of the performance.
In large-scale televised galas, the use of backing tracks or even full lip-syncing is not uncommon. From a legal standpoint, non-ticketed events such as this are generally classified as non-commercial performances, meaning they are not bound by the same anti–lip-syncing regulations that apply to ticketed commercial concerts under China’s “Regulations on the Administration of Commercial Performances.” Therefore, legally speaking, the performance did not violate any laws.
However, legality does not necessarily equate to public acceptance. Audiences often hold artists to standards that go beyond the minimum required by law. A stage performance represents an implicit contract of trust between performers and viewers. Even if lip-syncing is tolerated in certain contexts, the expectation remains that the presentation should be polished and convincing. A visible lapse—such as a mismatched microphone cue—can undermine that trust.
The duet format also complicates matters. In live sound mixing, it is generally difficult for one performer to sing live while the other fully lip-syncs without noticeable tonal differences. As a result, speculation extended beyond Li Yitong to include Chen Zheyuan, broadening the scope of the debate.
Yet what fueled the controversy further was the response. Instead of directly addressing the issue, Li Yitong distributed a 49,999-yuan red envelope on social media, followed by trending topics praising her “high-EQ PR strategy.” For some observers, this approach appeared to prioritize image management over transparency, raising broader questions about the role of money and marketing in shaping public opinion.
In the long run, audiences tend to respond more positively to clear communication than to strategic silence. A brief explanation—whether attributing the arrangement to production decisions or acknowledging a mistake—might have mitigated the backlash. Ultimately, the incident underscores a broader reality in the entertainment industry: meeting legal standards is only the baseline; professionalism and sincerity are what sustain public trust.
