Scandals involving "beauties" happen every year, but this year feels different. Recently, four women have frequently topped the trending searches, not for their talents, but because they "messed up." Their stories, like a mirror, reflect some unspeakable truths behind Chinese education, especially the Gaokao (National Higher Education Entrance Examination).
Let's start with Ms. Dong, a Ph.D. from Peking Union Medical College, who was pushed into the spotlight due to academic misconduct and ethical issues. She slept with quite a few people and was exposed thoroughly, resulting in a miserable outcome.
Then there's Ms. Huang, who flaunted her wealth online, wearing Graff earrings worth 2.3 million yuan at her coming-of-age ceremony. It was later revealed that her father might have embezzled funds during an earthquake relief effort.
Next is Ms. Jiang, who delivered a speech at her Harvard graduation ceremony that echoed the theme of a "community of shared future for mankind." She was suspected of entering Harvard through special channels.
Finally, there's Ms. Na, who was also exposed for Gaokao cheating, failing to serve in Inner Mongolia as part of her directed placement program and instead becoming a teaching assistant at the Shanghai Theatre Academy.
Three out of these four individuals are related to Gaokao resources. The Gaokao affects the hearts of countless families and is also the most likely to trigger people's sensitive nerves.
Why is this the case? Because many people believe that the Gaokao is currently the fairest system in China. Like the imperial examination in ancient times, it gave ordinary people hope for upward mobility. But the reality is that the Gaokao has never been an absolutely fair competition.
Gaokao: Looks Beautiful, But the Differences Are Huge
The simplest fact is that exam papers vary by region. The difficulty of the Beijing paper is fundamentally different from that of the Shandong paper. Some say that if Shandong examinees took the Beijing paper, they could basically all get into 211 and 985 universities (top-tier universities in China).
Is this fair? Definitely not. Of course, some will find reasons, such as differences in educational resources. But regardless, the difference in admission scores in the Gaokao already determines its unfairness.
Given this, some people try to find shortcuts by all means. Similar situations exist in the United States and Japan, but in China, power and money have opened up more avenues.
County Town "Brahmins": Shadow Operations of Power and Resources
Interestingly, those who can pave the way for their children are not necessarily high-ranking officials. Often, they are the "county town Brahmins" who have cultivated deep roots in their respective fields.
They may be grassroots civil servants, CCTV producers, or mid-level leaders in central enterprises. But they have the ability to maneuver and get their children into certain industries, gaining access to resources that others cannot.
The families of these four women all fall into this category. Their parents may not be able to control real public opinion, but they have the ability, through connections, to secure a future for their children.
For example, the entertainment industry is very lucrative. If you weren't really rich, why would you go to great lengths to send your children there?
In the end, the Gaokao is just a beginning. Going to university may only make you more aware of your position in society, which may still be that of a "beast of burden."
Their Endings: Some Escape unscathed, Others Fall into the Abyss
The unluckiest is Ms. Dong, whose career may be ruined. Because the medical industry is the most critical, and the system can control it.
As for Ms. Huang and Ms. Na, although they are in the film and television industry, actors are basically self-employed, making it difficult to deal with them directly. At most, there will be an internal ban, but what does that matter? Education is not that important to them.
As for Ms. Jiang, there is even less to criticize. She got into a prestigious university with the help of her family. What can you say?
What does this show? In truly professional fields, if there is a problem, they will still come after you. But in other areas, even if it is unfair, there is nothing you can do.
| Name | Main Issue | Potential Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Ms. Dong | Academic misconduct, ethical issues | Career may be ruined |
| Ms. Huang | Flaunting wealth, father may have been involved in corruption | Potential industry ban |
| Ms. Jiang | Suspected of entering Harvard through special channels | Public opinion pressure, but limited actual impact |
| Ms. Na | Gaokao cheating, failure to fulfill directed placement | Potential revocation of degree, but little impact on acting career |
Conclusion
The Gaokao is not a truly fair channel. There is no absolute fairness in this world, but relative fairness may not exist either.
Those "county town Brahmins" will operate through their connections. Even if the public opinion pressure cannot be suppressed, they may only suffer some losses in their careers. After a while, people may forget.
So, don't think too much about it. They will all be stronger than you.