Zhang Jinlai portrayed Sun Wukong in the 1986 TV adaptation of "Journey to the West." (Photo : YouTube/ho quan)
Chinese netizens were enraged when they found out that one of the country's most beloved actors to play the Monkey King would not be appearing at the Spring Festival Gala on CCTV 1, an annual event set to kick off the Year of the Monkey, as reported by the Global Times.
The 57-year-old actor Liuxiao Lingtong played the Monkey King in the 1982 TV series adaptation of "Journey to the West." The show, one of the earliest TV adaptations of the novel, has been considered a classic by many people in China.
Public outrage began earlier in the week when rumors made rounds on the Internet about the actor's appearance at the gala being canceled by CCTV.
Liuxiao Lingtong told the Global Times that the rumors were false. The truth is that he had not been invited in the first place.
"But if I'm needed, I will perform," said the beloved actor.
While the cancelation was proven to be a rumor, the public's anger got even worse when fans discovered that the actor did not even receive an invitation.
Fans online have been particularly vocal as thousands of netizens have been posting on the official social media account of the gala, expressing their outrage at the absence of the actor and calling for CCTV to include Liuxiao Lingtong.
"Liuxiao Lingtong may be old, but we'll be happy if he just stands on the stage. He doesn't even need to speak or move. We grew up with him and it's the Year of the Monkey. We just want to see our childhood hero again," wrote Sina Weibo user Jinmuyan.
Liuxiao Lingtong, whose real name is Zhang Jinlai, has regularly appeared at the gala, leading many to take his appearance for granted.
According to an earlier report by China Daily, the actor was invited to the "opera show," a companion event with lower viewership.
