Overpaid entertainment stars are sign of times

SOME LEADING CHINESE ACTORS AND ACTRESSES are reportedly paid as much as 150 million yuan ($22 million) for appearing in a television series. Beijing Youth Daily commented on Monday:

Although the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, China's media watchdog, has issued several circulars criticizing the excessive pay that some celebrities receive for appearing in TV series, the situation has not changed.

Not just the television regulator and media outlets, but also directors and scriptwriters have also expressed concerns over how much leading Chinese actors and actresses are paid. Nevertheless, the big stars continue to be handsomely paid because they attract viewers.