Lost slumdog millionaire

Man Wenjun, a popular mainland singer fancied for his modest and rustic image as "the son of peasants", was detained on May 19 for allegedly taking drugs. The incident draws public attention as it's not an entertainment circle event. With more show biz stars involved in civic or criminal offences, people are appealing for a reconstruction of the cultural values of these public figures, says an article in The Beijing News. Excerpts:

As the Chinese version "slumdog millionaire" in many people's minds, the singer had been selected as the torchbearer of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and the charity ambassador for the Children's Social Facilities Committee. Now people can barely associate his previous positive image with a drug addict under detention.

However, the half-angel half-devil image has become a common scene on the stage of show biz. From Zero Band and Xie Dong to Man Wenjun, all of them have moved countless fans with exciting songs and energetic images, yet none of them escape from the tragedy of becoming disillusioned idols due to dependence on drugs.