Refer China: Jolin Tsai's Tour Called ” Cult-Like, ” Sparks Art Debate

A critic attacked Jolin Tsai's concert for religious imagery and a mechanical serpent, calling it "cult-like." Her team defended the art, citing inspiration from a classic painting. The singer received strong support from fans and state media, which praised the show as a major contemporary art piece.

A storm of controversy has engulfed the launch of Mandopop superstar Jolin Tsai's new world tour, Pleasure, after a mainland influencer branded the spectacular show "cult-like." The accusation, centered on religious imagery and a giant mechanical serpent, has sparked a fierce online debate about artistic expression, but the singer has received robust backing from both fans and official media.

Taiwanese pop star Jolin Tsai has triggered mixed reactions to her concerts in mainland China, with some netizens likening her shows to cult-like experiences. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo

The controversy erupted when a mainland influencer with 400,000 followers, @celialiang, claimed Tsai's concert featured "dark elements from Western religions." The critic specifically targeted a 30-meter-long mechanical serpent the singer performs atop, alleging it "sucked away audiences' luck." The influencer reportedly mobilized hundreds to file complaints with Chinese city governments in an attempt to cancel the tour's upcoming mainland leg.

A component of Jolin Tsai's new stage show sees her dance and sing atop a giant serpent's head. Photo: Eternal Music Production

A Firm Legal Rebuttal and Artistic Defense

In a swift and decisive response, the company collaborating on Tsai's mainland concerts, Yong Dao Xing, announced it would hold the influencer legally responsible for spreading false information. Tsai's creative team clarified that the tour's inspiration is the renowned Dutch painting Garden of Earthly Delights, which depicts the world's creation. They framed the $29 million production as a celebration of the theme: "Pleasure is not a sin, and desire deserves to be embraced."

The elaborate stagecraft, which includes hybrid animals and acrobatic pole climbing (an intangible cultural heritage from Jiangsu), portrays Tsai as the "mother of pleasure" guiding the audience to a "universe of pleasure."

Widespread Support for Artistic Freedom

The backlash against the criticism has been significant. Fans and commentators have rushed to defend the concert's artistic merit. Many praised the production's scale and creativity, with some comparing it to "an Olympic Games opening ceremony." Crucially, the singer's vision received validation from an outlet under China Media Group, the state media giant, which described the concert as a "large-scale contemporary art piece."