China teacher turns tardy boys into ‘wrongdoers boy band’; dance video garners million likes

A teacher in eastern China has turned her tardy students into an online sensation after transforming their punishment into a viral dance performance.\nWhen several 15-year-old boys from Dezhou, Shandong province arrived late for class, their teacher, surnamed Feng, came up with a creative and lighthearted idea.\nInstead of a typical reprimand, she made the boys stand on a podium and shake their bodies to the 2009 hit Mistake.\nFor many young listeners, the catchy melody and sincere yet somewhat outdated lyrics struck a nostalgic chord.\n\nWhen the boys made the heart gesture, their classmates erupted in laughter.\nFeng told the mainland media that lateness was a minor issue and harsh punishments could make children fear making mistakes.\n“Music and interaction can ease their embarrassment. A gentle reminder is always warmer than criticism,” she said.\nFeng added that the boys were cooperative and looked adorable while dancing.\nThe video went viral on mainland social media, attracting more than one million likes.\nOne netizen said: “This humane punishment is more effective than making them stand for hours. With a loving teacher, students are happy and joyful.”\n\nAnother suggested they form a wrongdoers boy band, joking: “I am afraid they will get addicted to dancing.”\nMany also praised the boys for looking like stars.\nThe mother of one of the boys said: “My son told me about this, and my husband and I laughed to tears. Thank you, Teacher Feng, for such a fun punishment. Tomorrow, I will wake him up an hour earlier to avoid being late.”\nOn December 17, Feng posted a new video of the boys dancing again, this time with more complex moves.\nShe captioned it: “The wrongdoers boy band is officially here. What started as punishment has become a fun ‘reward’ for them.”\nA netizen then commented, saying that they hoped their child would have a teacher like Feng.\nTo which Feng replied: “Happiness and learning never conflict. In a relaxed classroom, kids are more proactive in learning and improving.”\n\nHer social media bio highlights Feng’s six years of teaching experience and her goal to be a “warm, multitalented educator”.\nSome online users noticed that the thoughtful teacher had set up a rack in the classroom for students to hang their heavy winter coats.\nCreative and compassionate teaching methods continue to garner attention in China.\nA primary teacher from Shandong, surnamed Zhang, bought gifts with her own money and held auctions, encouraging children to earn stamps for good behaviour in exchange for prizes.\nKnown for her talks on sex education and anti-bullying, Zhang has more than 1.2 million followers online.\nIn January, a teacher in central China used artificial intelligence technology to make professional portraits, inspiring pupils to chase their dreams.\n