Singer JJ Lin considers quitting showbiz due to negative online comments

SINGAPORE – Local singer JJ Lin admitted that he once considered quitting show business due to frequent online attacks.

Lin, who debuted with his debut album Music Voyager in 2003, made the announcement in a recent episode of Chinese talk show Conghe Shuoqi. In the episode, which aired on July 11, Lin was interviewed by host He Runfeng.

The 43-year-old said he takes his fans’ opinions to heart and describes them as part of his “music family” who grew up with him.

Lin, who released his latest album, “Happily, Painfully After,” in 2023, said it was becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish whether online comments were serious suggestions from his fans or malicious attacks from netizens.

“I don’t care what my family thinks of me if news is distorted or I’m slandered for no apparent reason,” he said. “If I treat my fans like they’re my own family, then I definitely don’t care about their opinion because they may not know the real me.”

Lin said he doesn’t blame anyone for misleading his fans, but the negativity has affected him.

“For a while I seriously considered closing all my social media accounts,” he said.

In his emotional crisis, he asked himself several questions: “Should I continue singing? Should I continue to be an artist? Should I release another album? Should I give another concert?”

The singer, who is currently touring China with his JJ20 world tour, said he ultimately decided to stay in the industry.

“It was a simple decision: Do I want to continue with this? If I want to do this, I have to deal with it and endure it.”

Lin was also asked if he was afraid that his creativity might dry up.

He said: “I don’t think about it. A person or a group of people might say I’m out of inspiration or my work isn’t improving. But it’s dangerous if I believe them and doubt myself.”