According to Chinese media QQ, Keep running came under fire after reports revealed that the production team received 8.5 million yuan (about $1.2 million) from Jiangshan to promote the city’s tourism and culture.
The revelation shocked many viewers because the show had long cultivated an image of supporting local tourism as a public interest initiative rather than a paid-for business deal.
Industry insiders said the production team regularly charges local governments between 5 million and 20 million yuan to film episodes promoting regional attractions and cultural monuments. In addition to these expenses, local authorities are reportedly expected to provide security, location preparation, accommodation for celebrities, crowd control and logistical support during filming.
The backlash intensified because Keep running had often presented its tourism-focused episodes as charitable efforts aimed at supporting local economies. As news of large promotional commissions spread across Chinese social media, many viewers accused the production team of misleading the public.
Critical comments about the show quickly gained traction online, with netizens questioning why a commercially successful program would portray paid promotional campaigns as goodwill initiatives.
Another controversy erupted during a recent episode filmed in Anyang. Despite reportedly receiving significant funding to promote the city, the producers mistakenly included footage and images of an entirely different city located in neighboring Hebei province. The mistake sparked outrage among local residents, who argued that the production failed to adequately represent the town despite receiving substantial financial support. Following the public backlash, the show’s producers apologized for the editing error.
The controversy worsened when a large crowd of fans gathered at the Yinxu Museum during filming. According to reports, visitors trampled grass, damaged structures and left behind significant amounts of trash. Local authorities reportedly spent around 50,000 yuan to repair damaged areas and clean up the site after the event. Photos and reports of the aftermath circulated widely online, further fueling criticism of both the production team and participants.
The show’s cast has also become the target of online scrutiny. Actress Bai Lu was criticized for allegedly displaying a cavalier attitude during games and interactions with veteran cast members. Some viewers accused her of avoiding physically demanding challenges and making comments perceived as disrespectful towards senior entertainers including Li Chen, Zheng Kai and Sha Yi. Several moments from recent episodes have been widely debated on Chinese social media, with critics saying his behavior lacked consideration for older cast members.
Meanwhile, Fan Chengcheng also faced criticism for comments directed at veteran member Zheng Kai. Some viewers interpreted his remarks as disrespectful and accused him of undermining the original cast members who helped build the show’s popularity.
The controversy comes at a time that many longtime viewers already believe Keep running has suffered a decline in quality. Critics say the show increasingly prioritizes celebrities with large fan bases because they generate social media engagement and attract advertisers, rather than focusing on entertainment content.
Many viewers also complained that:
- The games seem less exciting than in previous seasons.
- The chemistry of the cast has weakened.
- Celebrity favoritism has become more evident.
- Tourism-focused episodes often fail to effectively showcase local culture.
As criticism continues to spread, some netizens have even called for the program to undergo major changes or be discontinued altogether.
Although the production team publicly apologized for Anyang’s editing error, they did not directly address the allegations regarding tourism promotion payments. The controversy has become one of the most talked about entertainment topics on Chinese social media, reportedly generating over 100 million views across various platforms.
If Keep running Whether it can recover from the mounting criticism remains to be seen, but the latest controversies have intensified concerns about the direction and credibility of the show.
Sources: TP
