The main variety show of Zhejiang TV (China) Keep Running is again entangled in a new wave of controversy. This time it is no longer a matter related to a specific member like the scandal of Bach Loc, Ly Than or Pham Thua Thua, but the entire program crew being criticized.
In the latest episode, Keep Running was filmed in Anyang city, Henan province (China). A local netizen expressed disappointment, saying that the program crew let fans trample on the lawn, and after the filming ended, they left trash everywhere.
This person also pointed out that the official broadcast version appeared with a clear editing error, promoting the location in An Duong but using the wrong image of Ham Dan (Ha Bac).
In addition, there are many posts accusing Keep Running of collecting advertising fees from local cultural and tourism agencies when filming in a locality. Now they have received money but have not promoted the locality seriously, so they are suspected of violating commitments.
According to media reports, there is currently no solid evidence that Keep Running collected advertising fees from the city's tourism agency.
But audiences discovered a public document about the cultural and tourism agency of Jiangshan district (Zhejiang) and Sung Le district (Hubei) spending up to 8.5 million CNY (about 33 billion VND) on promotional fees for the program.
Looking further a few years ago, the advertising fee of Keep Running was even higher. The tourism agency of Xinchang district (Zhejiang) alone spent more than 9 million CNY for the program.
Even the famous tourist city of Luoyang (Ha Nam) had to pay 5 million RMB for promotional fees for Keep Running, and that is also the result after the negotiation process.
At the peak of the program, the opening price offered by the crew was said to be up to 13 million CNY.
Meanwhile, in recent years, Keep Running has always built an image of supporting the locality in promoting tourism and doing good deeds to create good reputation.
On the afternoon of June 8, the producer of Keep Running apologized for falsely promoting the typical landmarks of An Duong.
The producer admitted that in episode 7 of Keep Running season 14, the program made mistakes in the process of using image materials, leading to the inclusion of some scenes not belonging to An Duong.
After discovering the problem, the team said that they had immediately edited all documents on the platforms and reposted them.
However, Keep Running did not explain the information related to the 8.5 million CNY advertising fee. Many people believe that this apology is insincere, only admitting the mistake of using the wrong image but avoiding bigger controversial issues.
Currently, the public is calling for the temporary suspension of Keep Running, requesting a comprehensive investigation into the issue of excessive advertising fees for variety shows.
