Chinese Actor Who Was Myanmar Scam Victim Was Asked To Re-Enact His Kidnapping Ordeal On Variety Show

Chinese actor Wang Xing, 23, went missing in January near the Myanmar-Thailand border after being tricked to go to Bangkok under the pretext of an acting gig. He was rescued from a scam hub in Myawaddy four days later.

Subsequently, more actors were reported to have been trafficked to Myanmar after falling for similar scams. The cases not only shocked many, it also brought widespread attention to these human trafficking operations in the region. 

Just three months since his harrowing ordeal, Wang Xing made his first TV appearance on a Chinese variety show where producers of Zhejiang Television’s Memories Beyond Horizon requested that he re-enact the traumatic experience.

In the episode, Wang Xing was taking part in an acting test segment when he was given a prompt by director Wong Jing.

Tasking Wang Xing to act out a scene where he is being kidnapped, Wong Jing said: “Your life may be in danger at any moment, but you are given a chance to call your family or your girlfriend. Can you perform this scene?”

The young actor gamely accepted the assignment.

Wang Xing played a kidnapping victim who was allowed to video call his girlfriend, but could not give away his situation. During the skit, the actor displayed palpable fear and anxiety even as he spoke about everyday topics, like his haircut. “This is my new haircut, I look handsome right?” asked Wang XIng, who had his hair shaved during his time in actual captivity.

He then teared up as he ad-libbed the rest of his lines, occasionally choking up and turning his head away from the ‘phone’.

He also held back his tears as he chatted with his girlfriend about her bonus and becoming a “rich tai tai”.

Hong Kong star Francis Ng, who is a mentor on the show, hopped in to reply as his ‘girlfriend’, and asked why Wang Xing was “acting out of the ordinary”.

Wang Xing continued to insist there was nothing wrong, and even lied that he was “getting into emotions” for the 'show' he was acting in, and said  he was even praised by the ‘director’ he was working with.

Wang Xing’s performance came to a close and he received overwhelming applause. Francis praised Wang Xing for doing a good job, and some of the cast members were seen wiping their tears after watching his display.

However, the entire portion of the show proved to be a hard watch for audiences. Many have since criticised the programme for giving Wang Xing a task that “hit too close to home”.

They lambasted the show’s production team for being “insensitive about Wang Xing’s trauma”, “pouring salt on his wound”, and potentially sparking memories that he’s likely trying to put behind him.

Some also expressed their pity for Wang Xing, believing that the skit might bring him further mental harm. They demanded the people behind the programme show him more sympathy and respect.

As of press time, the Memories Beyond Horizon team have yet to respond to the public uproar.

Seriously though, what were they thinking?