Photo: A screenshot of PG One Sina Weibo account

The attempted comeback of a controversial rapper sparked outrage as some on the Chinese internet called for no amnesty and a total boycott of the singer for his misogynistic lyrics, promotion of drug-taking and an affair with a married movie star.

PG One had maintained a low profile until Tuesday with the announcement via China's Twitter-like Sina Weibo platform that he hoped to hold a concert in Xianyang, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province on January 12.

Meanwhile, tickets for the "Hello World" concert could not be bought through conventional ticket channels but only via a custom WeChat tool.

PG One urged his fans to be patient as tickets proved hard to buy as there were "too many attempts," according to the concert customer service account.

The high-profile comeback met with many official tuts online, with some users even urging the musician be banned from public performance forever.

"If not (banned) his comeback will surely bring negative influences to teens and may send a signal to other celebrities that it's OK to make mistakes: After a year or two, you will still make a shining comeback,'" posted Sina Weibo user xiaochongya. 

PG One's songs were erased from all Chinese music platforms after the rapper faced criticism for encouraging teenagers to take drugs and misogynistic lyrics in songs in January 2018. 

His already problematic reputation was damaged by a much-publicized affair with Golden Horse-winning actress Jacqueline Li, or Li Xiaolu.

Previous comeback attempts by several other celebrities were all stifled.

"Companies and capitals should not give celebrities who committed serious wrongdoing, such as taking or inciting others to take drugs, opportunity to make a comeback… This will disturb the social order and send wrong signal to others," Zhu Wei, a professor at the China University of Political Science and Law in Beijing, told the Global Times on Monday.

Zhu asserted a celebrity's values should be more important than his or her popularity. 

In December, 2019 when Chinese entertainers Wu Xiubo, accused of an extramarital affair, and Ke Zhendong, arrested for taking drugs, attempted comebacks they met similar opposition from internet users and experts.

"Never forgive entertainers who take drugs! Think about how many police have died while carrying out drug enforcement," user Kindhearted devil girl commented on Ke.
Newspaper headline: Controversial rapper hit by online backlash