Tale of a Tragic Comic

As a full-time stand-up street comedian, Zhong Yongming has attracted attention not so much for his jokes as his backstory. Six years ago, Zhong quit a stable job to devote himself entirely to his art. But despite performing daily on the Guangzhou streets, he still has difficulty drawing audiences, or even people who get his routines. Having already burned through 100,000 yuan (US$14,937) of his savings, Zhong told news website jiemian.com that he still performs out of his pure love for comedy. While some suggested Zhong move his act online, he refused, saying a street performance is a characteristic element of the art. Some on social media were moved by Zhong’s persistence, while others called him stubborn, saying they could not understand Zhong’s refusal to change with the times.