About

VERY EROTIC! VERY VIOLENT!

Very Erotic Very Violent (occasionally translated to "Very Pornographic Very Violent") is a Chinese internet catchphrase involving satire and criticism of China Central Television's daily news show, Xinwen Lianbo, and its usage of the phrase, "Very Erotic Very Violent" in a news report. As part of a series on "Very X Very Y" phrasal templates, "Very Erotic Very Violent" is also related to Very Good Very Powerful.

It is most commonly used as a sarcastic comment regarding obscene images, videos, or people.

Origin

On December 27th of 2007, Xinwen Lianbo aired a report on how "easy" it is to access objectionable content on the Internet. In it, 13-year-old schoolgirl Zhang Shu (张殊) says, "上次我上网查资料，突然弹出来一个网页，很黄很暴力，我赶紧把它给关了。"(or "Last time I was on the internet, a web page suddenly popped-up; it was very erotic, very violent, so I quickly closed the page.", in English).

In Simplified Chinese, "Very Erotic Very Violent" is written "很黄很暴力" (Pinyin: "hěn huáng hěn bàolì"). When translated literally, however, this means "Very Yellow Very Violent," and as a result, calling something "too yellow" is oftentimes considered a part of the joke.

Thus, in early 2008, internet parodying ensued along with ridiculing of the CCTV network, and "很黄很暴力" became an internet catchphrase.

On January 1, 2008, a human flesh search was started on MOP forums for information about the "Very Erotic Very Violent" girl. The thread enticed users with virtual currency as a reward, and it eventually reached more than 1200 posts. The users revealed much of Zhang Shu's personal information, including her address, phone number, and other contact information.

• Original Thread

Spread

• Ning's Blog named CCTV's website as the number one "very erotic very violent" website on January 7, 2008.
• Other toplists of "very erotic very violent" things, like this one posted on January 8, 2008 (which says shows similar to The Simpsons are apparently "too yellow").

Derivatives

One of the most popular images associated with "Very Erotic, Very Violent" is a drawing of Zhang Shu saying, "Very Erotic Very Violent," and originates from the original MOP thread. These two are the most popular variations:

They parody the actual interview:

And spawned derivatives like this:

It was very erotic, very violent, so I quickly X

Another way the "Very Erotic, Very Erotic" phrase is used is through the form, "上次我上网查资料，突然弹出来一个网页，很黄很暴力，我赶紧 _______"

In English, this means, "Last time I was on the internet, a web page suddenly popped-up. It was very erotic, very violent, so I quickly _______"

Examples:

收藏型：上次我上网查资料，突然弹出来一个网页，很黄很暴力，我赶紧给添加到收藏夹了。
Collecting type: Last time I was on the internet, a web page suddenly popped-up; it was very erotic, very violent, so I quickly added it to my favorites.

做贼心虚型：上次我上网查资料，突然弹出来一个网页，很黄很暴力，我赶紧关了门。
Guilty-conscience type: Last time I was on the internet, a web page suddenly popped-up; it was very erotic, very violent, so I quickly closed the door.

无耻型: 上次我上网查资料，突然弹出来一个网页，很黄很暴力，我赶紧拉下了拉链。
Shameless type: Last time I was on the internet, a web page suddenly popped-up; it was very erotic, very violent, so I quickly pulled down my zipper.

A larger list can be found at hi.baidu.com

Videos

Like image derivatives, many also created video parodies of the interview, originally on Youku and Tudou, before being shortly mirrored to YouTube later.

Notable Examples

Response

The incident garnered a lot of attention because of the rarity of violent and erotic sites in China, as well as the mystery surrounding the schoolgirl herself before the MOP thread was started.

The report was criticized by Chinese internet users for suggesting that the current internet filters in China were not tight enough already, and a general consensus (404'd) agreed that Zhang Shu would not have seen such an obscene advertisement unless she was looking for it intentionally. The original article is archived here.

However, the Chinese media downplayed the role that CCTV played in the "Very Erotic Very Violent" incident and instead criticized the internet for violating Zhang Shu's privacy.

Her father supposedly spoke out on January 4, 2008:

"必要时我会使用法律武器维护殊凡的合法权益和人格尊严！”“我希望这件事就这么平静地过去，不要再起什么波澜。这是一位父亲发自内心的请求。我想我们每个人都应该有做家长的责任感，去正确地引导教育孩子，而不是在一旁挖苦讽刺。即便他们触犯了我们，也应保持宽容的态度。"

Which can be translated as:

"If necessary, I will use the law to protect the legitimate rights and interests of dignity! I hope this incident will disappear quietly and never come back. This is the request of a father who speaks from the heart. I think everyone should feel the responsibility of parents, who want to educate their children, and to properly guide them. Not a mean 'dig' or 'jab' for the sake of irony. Even if they violate our rights, tolerance should be maintained."

External References

External References