2008 Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremony – Say what??

Response to this post.

Lin Miaoke, the image (left) and Yang Peiyi, the voice (right)

When the 2008 Beijing Olympics hosted its opening ceremony on August 8th 2008, approximately a billion spectators awed at the incredible feats the Chinese featured to its international audience. Graceful dancers, euphonious music, and the amazing torch-lighting ceremony, all led to a positive opening impression on the Olympics. However, the international audience has fallen victim to the mundane phrase, “Seeing is believing.” One certain segment during the ceremony presented a pigtailed 9-year-old girl, dressed in a red dress and white shoes, singing “Ode to Motherland” capturing the hearts of many people. The girl’s name was Lin Miaoke and she was instantly considered a celebrity from her performance.

“Lin Miaoke might only be nine years old but she is already well on her way to becoming a star…thanks to her heartwarming performance…”

But there was one problem: though it was Miaoke the audience watched and adored over at the ceremony, the singing and the voice was not hers. In fact, what the audience heard was a recording of a 7-year-old girl, Yang Peiyi, who was unable to appear on stage because she was judged not as “cute and appealing” as Miaoke for her slightly chubby face and crooked teeth. Under pressure of international interest and perfections, the ceremony production team ultimately decided to use two girls for the ballad performance.

As one of the people who watched and felt touched by the grand and spectacular opening, I felt more disappointment than shock. Now some people disparaged how this certain choice was “typical of Chinese who always sell fake products” and such. In my opinion, I think that this certain choice is understandable: the Olympics is a major event, a giant sports competition where hundreds of countries marshal at one nation and reach for the medals. Of course the Chinese would want to release the “best possible image to the outside world” under all that pressure. And yes, I think it was the best possible image they gave yet I –and perhaps many others – feel down from the thought that certain aspects of the ceremony weren’t presented in an honest manner. The Chinese have attempted to present a positive image yet what they actually did was exactly the opposite.

Moreover, it is NOT the two girls’ fault that so many people feel discouraged and/or raged at this controversy. I find it even more ridiculous how some criticize Miaoke as being a “fake star”. Whatever did she do wrong? All she did was following orders. Still, I feel that it is a shame that the audience wasn’t able to watch Peiyi stand on that stage; she could have become a bigger star than Miaoke could ever be. I don’t believe that looks matter as much as talent; it is the inside that matters, not the outside. Peiyi has commented that she didn’t mind who was up on stage; she was only happy that her voice was heard. Peiyi is only seven years old! How would she understand a situation as big as this? On the other hand, I am sure that the poor girl is hurt deep, deep inside. She doesn’t realize it yet.

~ by aliciapark on August 19, 2008.