The controversies surrounding fortune teller Chan Wei-Chung (詹惟中) in recent years primarily focus on three areas: appearance discrimination, professional ethics, and gender views, reflecting numerous inappropriate actions in his public statements and professional conduct.
1. Public Appearance Discrimination: Criticizing Sanae Takaichi as having a “Sharp-Mouth and Monkey-Cheeks” (尖嘴猴腮)
One of Chan Wei-Chung’s most contentious actions was his public criticism of the appearance of Japanese politician Sanae Takaichi on social media, using traditional physiognomy terms.
• Controversy Content: Chan Wei-Chung described Sanae Takaichi’s appearance as “Sharp-Mouth and Monkey-Cheeks” (尖嘴猴腮), which in traditional face reading refers to a thin, sharp face, considered mean-spirited and lacking good fortune.
• Points of Criticism:
o Malicious Appearance Attack: This is an open act of appearance discrimination, maliciously diverting professional political discussion into a negative attack on an individual’s physical appearance.
o Spreading Stereotypes: Through physiognomy terminology, he spread the negative stereotype that “appearance determines fortune and character” to the public, showing a lack of respect for individuality and diversity.
2. Professional Ethics Controversy: Upselling, Missing Compass, and “Lucky Urine”
Chan Wei-Chung’s Feng Shui service procedures have repeatedly been questioned by clients, mainly regarding professionalism and suspicion of profiteering.
• Controversy Content: Clients complained that he provided Feng Shui consultations without a compass, finishing quickly in a very short time. He claimed that leaving “lucky urine” at the client’s home would bring wealth, and subsequently aggressively promoted expensive auspicious decorations.
• Points of Criticism:
o Lack of Professional Integrity: As a Feng Shui master, performing a consultation without professional tools like a compass compromises the professionalism and objectivity of the judgment.
o Controversial Business Practices: The high-pressure sales tactics and the “lucky urine” claim make his conduct resemble a commercial salesperson rather than a professional geomancy consultant, raising suspicions of misleading clients for financial gain under the guise of metaphysics.
3. Inappropriate Remarks on Gender and Marriage Views
Chan Wei-Chung’s comments on marital conflict and the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law on variety shows have repeatedly sparked widespread criticism.
• Controversy Content: He suggested that when dealing with mother-in-law/daughter-in-law disputes, one could choose to “just remarry for a wife,” because “you only have one mother.” He also downplayed the seriousness of a mother-in-law hitting her daughter-in-law with chopsticks, calling it “just a chopstick thrown at the face.”
• Points of Criticism:
o Objectification of Women: His comments treat a wife as a replaceable accessory, embodying an extremely objectifying, disrespectful, and outdated patriarchal view of marriage.
o Lack of Empathy: Trivializing marital abuse and mistreatment reveals a fundamental lack of empathy when addressing complex emotional family conflicts.
4. Copyright and Litigation Controversy with Peers
Chan Wei-Chung has also been involved in public disputes and legal controversies with fellow fortune teller Chang Sheng-Shu.
• Controversy Content: Chang Sheng-Shu accused Chan Wei-Chung and his partners of plagiarizing his original Zi Wei Dou Shu (Purple Star Astrology) content and specific slogans, leading to public insults and threats of legal action.
• Points of Criticism: Involves intellectual property rights and professional academic ethics. Regardless of the final verdict, being embroiled in plagiarism accusations severely damages the fortune teller’s professional credibility.
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In Summary, Chan Wei-Chung’s controversies indicate a failure as a public figure to uphold the following:
• Respect and Ethics: Engaging in discriminatory attacks on appearance and politicians in public forums.
• Professionalism and Integrity: Being questioned for insufficient professionalism and engaging in aggressive sales tactics and misleading rhetoric in service provision.
• Progressive Views and Empathy: Spreading outdated and controversial views on gender and marriage.