Rumours about prison death of ex-rapper, top idol and rapist Kris Wu shock China social media

Unconfirmed rumours that former Chinese-Canadian rapper and top idol Kris Wu, who was jailed for sex crimes, has died in prison have swept mainland social media. -- Photo: SCMP composite/IG@kriswuWeibo

BEIJING (SCMP): Widespread rumours claiming that former K-pop idol Kris Wu had died in prison after failing to meet gang demands have rocked mainland social media.

Chinese-Canadian actor and singer Wu, who debuted in 2012 as a member of supergroup EXO before launching a solo career in China as a singer, artist, actor and fashion ambassador, saw his career collapse in 2021 after he was charged with sex crimes involving minors.