A new documentary revisits Wham!'s 1985 China tour, exposing pop music as a tool for political soft power.
FO Take · Score 75
Wham!'s Chinese escapade was never about cultural exchange. It was a calculated exercise in soft power, a shallow projection of Western consumerism masquerading as connection. Pop music, like any cultural export, becomes a propaganda tool in the hands of the astute. Did anyone genuinely believe George Michael was fostering true understanding?
The strongest counter
To dismiss Wham!'s China tour as mere propaganda ignores its genuine cultural impact. Even staged exchanges can spark curiosity and open minds, fostering connections beyond political agendas.
