China concert storm after organisers offer ‘free’ tickets in exchange for adopting calves
‘Privileged’ seats on market for people who pay as much as US$17,000 to buy baby cattle in unusual bid to boost the income of farmers
A controversial “get good seats by adopting calves” scheme put in place for a sell-out concert by one of China’s top entertainers has caused a stir on mainland social media.
Actor and singer Yi Yangqianxi’s concert sparked a nationwide ticket-buying frenzy.
But a public welfare project has captivated social media by offering tickets for privileged seats for people who pay 120,000 yuan (US$17,000) to adopt 12 calves.
Yi, 24, who is also known as Jackson Yee, is regarded as the most accomplished star in China born after the year 2000.
Since making his debut as a member of the boy band TFBoys at the age of 12, Yi has become hugely popular.
When tickets for his concert in Shanghai on August 2 went on sale on July 24, they sold out in seconds, Hubei TV reported.
Some good seats have attracted bids of as much as 80,000 yuan (US$11,000) on the second-hand market, the report said.
However, internet users soon noticed another way to get precious seats: join a “calf adoption plan”.