Chinese Canadian actor Kris Wu was detained by the police on July 31 for "repeatedly luring young women into an ambiguous relationship".

The police formally arrested him in Beijing on Monday on suspicion of rape. That means the police have obtained more substantial evidence during their investigation of the case over the past two weeks.

Any of his fans harboring the belief that everything was just a "misunderstanding" or it was just a trivial matter should accept that his arrest on suspicion of rape means he will stand trial and face years behind bars if he is found guilty.

Whoever breaks the law will be punished by the law. Wu enjoys no privilege no matter how many fans he has and which country's passport he holds. None of these grants him immunity from the law.

Like many other young stars, Wu acquired his stardom quickly with the help of the internet and venture capital. Although talented, Wu's quick success in the entertainment industry has not inspired him to pursue a bigger dream and higher objectives. Instead, regretfully, it seems to have led him astray.

The case should serve as a reminder to his peers and those longing to emulate his success that huge social influence does not allow one to flout the law. Instead, celebrities should practice self-discipline and behave as role models for their followers.

Actors, singers and livestreamers should cultivate their morality before cultivating a following. They should realize that their every word, deed and move is related to their outlook on life and will influence their fans, many of whom are minors.

Fame and wealth are a good test of a person's character, as they tend to mislead their owners into believing they can do anything they want. That's dangerous yet infectious thinking in the celebrity circle nowadays where success is mostly judged by appearance fees.

No wonder the China Association of Performing Arts has issued a statement after Wu's arrest, urging all in the performing and related industries to draw lessons from Wu's case and urging public figures in these industries to uphold their professionalism and fulfill their social responsibilities.

At the same time, relevant administrative departments should also strengthen their supervision of show business, the livestreaming market, and other entertainment industries to guarantee not only a well-regulated market order, but also that the right values are respected and demonstrated.

Young people should be taught how to raise their media literacy, and develop independent judgment and critical thinking so that they can tell the difference between true artists and fake ones.

— Thepaper.cn