Cao Yujin: Once you're full, should you let others starve?

In the world of crosstalk, Cao Yujin is undoubtedly a highly controversial figure. From a "rebel" of De Yun She to an independent storyteller, every step he has taken has been accompanied by public opinion storms. Now, he has returned to the public eye with "affordable crosstalk" and "free live streams," once again sparking widespread discussions about the current state of the crosstalk industry.

From a "Rebel" to an Independent Storyteller

Cao Yujin was once one of the "golden partners" of De Yun She, performing with Liu Yuntian for many years and deeply loved by the audience. However, in 2010, he left De Yun She due to conflicts with Guo Degang, and from then on, he cut ties with "De Yun She." Since then, he has started anew as an independent storyteller, gradually developing his own style.

In recent years, Cao Yujin has been active on new media platforms through live streaming, short videos, and solo crosstalk performances. His live stream once received over 200 million likes, attracting the attention of a large number of fans. He openly stated, "I do live-streamed crosstalk to let more ordinary people afford to enjoy crosstalk."

The Dilemma and Reflections of the Crosstalk Industry

When talking about the current state of the crosstalk industry, Cao Yujin admitted that the industry's recent "corruption" has left him feeling helpless. He once said, "There were many people I used to get along well with, but later I deleted their contact information. In fact, I was protecting them."

He pointed out that the crosstalk industry is not static. In the past, crosstalk performers performed in small theaters, and audiences bought tickets to enter, forming a two-way economic cycle. However, with the rise of live streaming, some of his peers have started to accuse him of "giving away free crosstalk," believing this affects their income.

"I give away my own things for free, which hinders you from selling yours, so is that my fault? Besides, I didn't give them away for free, I have the tipping function open, which is not the same as selling tickets?" Cao Yujin expressed his confusion about this.

The "Master-Student" Relationship with Guo Degang

Although his relationship with Guo Degang was once tense, Cao Yujin always stated that he does not deny the teachings Guo Degang gave him. "No matter whether he recognizes me as his apprentice or not, I am grateful to him for teaching me both the art and how to be a person."

Cao Yujin once said that he and Guo Degang do not have "deep hatred" and that in his world, there are no enemies, only teachers. "We can be not friends, and there is no need to be enemies."

Starting Afresh, Returning to the Original Purpose of Performing Crosstalk

Today's Cao Yujin is no longer the "young and fresh" performer who shone on the stage of De Yun She. Instead, he has returned to the storytelling stage with a more mature and steady demeanor. He admitted that after leaving De Yun She, he once faced the dilemma of "no one to listen to crosstalk," but eventually, he chose to return to the roots of crosstalk.

"I came back to perform crosstalk, but I wouldn't say I came back. I am a crosstalk performer, and performing crosstalk is my job." Cao Yujin stated that he hopes to bring crosstalk back to a state where it is "affordable for ordinary people."

The Future Road Lies Ahead

The future of Cao Yujin is still full of uncertainties. However, one thing is certain: he will continue to take "performing crosstalk" as the core and explore more possibilities. Whether it's live streaming, short videos, or offline tours, he hopes to bring joy to more people.

As he said, "I am a crosstalk performer, and performing crosstalk is my job."