Taiwan magician Lu Chen may return to CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala after 5 years
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Taiwanese magician Lu Chen rose to further fame in China when he performed at CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala in 2009, and it led to appearances in subsequent editions.
PHOTO: LU CHEN/WEIBO
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It may be time to witness a miracle again during Chinese New Year.
A man believed to be Taiwanese magician Lu Chen, who created the mantra for his magic shows, was recently spotted at the first joint rehearsal for China Central Television’s (CCTV) Spring Festival Gala on Jan 15.
The video went viral on Chinese social media and prompted speculation that the 47-year-old will return to the show on Chinese New Year’s Eve for the first time in five years.
Lu was previously a judge on the magic show contest segment in Taiwanese veteran host Chang Fei’s variety show Variety Big Brother (2002 to 2011).
The magician rose to further fame in China when he performed at CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala in 2009, and it led to appearances in subsequent editions.
A man believed to be Taiwanese magician Lu Chen was seen leaving the rehearsal of CCTV's Spring Festival Gala on Jan 15 in a video which went viral on Chinese social media.
PHOTO: SOHU ENTERTAINMENT/WEIBO
However, there was controversy in 2013 when he performed his magic act with Chinese classical pianist Li Yundi and teased Li about his rumoured relationship with Taiwanese-American singer Wang Leehom.
Lu’s comments set tongues wagging and CCTV was quick to issue a statement distancing itself from his remarks, adding that they would be removed from the repeat telecast.
He returned to the gala in 2019, and came under great pressure when his magic trick was allegedly exposed.
Some viewers pointed to slow-motion footage to claim that his feat was accomplished with the aid of his assistant, though Lu denied this. He disappeared from the small screen after that.
