This week in talent contests: Has China found its own Harisu?

“I am still suspicious about your identity. Can we examine your gender?”
“How do you examine?”
“Do you choose a male judge or a female judge to verify? I still have doubts about your identity. I think you are a girl.”
“I didn’t lie. Thank you.”
“But I feel if you are lying, you are playing tricks on us and the viewers.”
“I didn’t lie or play tricks on you.”
“Then I hope the netizens will human flesh search you! Can you swear on your dignity?”
“I can swear on it on anything…”

Geez, Ms. Rose, don't ya think he would have gone through all that "identification business" during the registration process? Human flesh search? Ouch.

Liu Zhu (刘著) was apparently born in Nanchong Sichuan and a student at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music. The judges appear to be at a loss of what to do next -- but it seems that, by and large, netizens are supportive of Liu Zhu's participation (Annie Rose's cynicism notwithstanding). Liu Zhu's Baidu Wiki page also indicates that he has long been accepted by his friends, family and teachers -- and that he identifies as a "she."

Given the somewhat delicate situation of transgenders and transsexuals in China, we can't help but welcome the dialogue and the attention. However, Liu Zhu's choice of "Super Boy" as a launching pad invites some questions: given his self-identification, would he have been better off trying out on "Super Girl" instead?

So yeah, Korea may have Harisu, and Taiwan may have Regine Wu. But maybe China has just found something that will give those two a run for their money?

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