Chinese actor Zhu Yilong has become the center of online discussion following his appearance at Lululemon’s Great Wall event on May 30, 2026.
The controversy began after Zhu Yilong was seen performing with a large drum during the opening segment.
Some social media users argued that the instrument resembled a Japanese taiko drum, particularly the nagadō-daiko, citing its barrel-shaped design, red rope bindings, and the angled performance setup.
The discussion intensified after screenshots of what appeared to be rehearsal documents surfaced online.
The documents allegedly referred to the instrument as a “Japanese drum” before the related content was reportedly removed.
However, others have disputed the claim, suggesting that the drum was a recreation of the jiegu, a traditional percussion instrument from China’s Tang Dynasty.
Supporters of this view pointed to the involvement of the percussion group Fanxiang HiiKo, which has previously been featured on national television for its efforts to revive traditional Chinese music.
As of June 16, 2026, neither Lululemon nor Zhu Yilong’s studio has issued an official response regarding the controversy.
After the video went viral, a percussionist named Xu Yang responded to the issue.
He explained to the public, clarifying that it was a Chinese jiegu drum. (Overseasidol.com)
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