When the wall falls, the crowd pushes; there is logic in this.
Usually, FALSE relies on the backing of the sponsor and the Han family to act recklessly, with many who have been offended fearing to confront them openly due to their low influence and mild voices.
This time, as the interview report came out, it once again stepped on the sore feet of many defenders.
The complainant came prepared, not only showing the creation and backup times of their original files but also handing over evidence of their meeting with FALSE to the cameras.
They were somewhat famous in the industry, although they worked independently with a company, unlike those big names who could take orders freely, but at least their works had several songs with good popularity.
Two and a half years ago, FALSE’s agent talked about a potential collaboration on a new song, and even had members try singing the DEMO, but it all fell through.
Then, five or six months later, this boy group released an all-original new album, one of the songs was just his music sped up and the lyrics changed.
The reporter did their duty diligently: “Did you not raise any objections at that time? Why speak up now?”
The victim was also helpless: “How could I not have objections… Otherwise, why would I have been chased and cursed by their fans for two years…”
“When I stood up to speak out, several seniors in the company tried to help me, but they were accused of chasing clout and causing trouble, and some even received private messages threatening to kill my family.”
“Thisโthis can’t be, right??”
The other party chose to directly show the morbid photos from the toxic fans’ private messages.
The reporter was almost scared to tears: “Damn!!!”
In no time, many special studies and related comments also emerged:
ใAbnormal Trend: What Are We Really ‘Fanning’ใ
ใIdols, A Fast-Tracked Packaging Industryใ
ใIs Fan Culture Poisoning the Youth?ใ
Many fans from other groups quickly spoke up: “It’s only their house that breeds such vices! Do you think everyone condones plagiarism and sexual harassment, and lets fans run amok???”
“Blame specifically, don’t slander everyone, one group’s reckless actions don’t represent all artists who are unjustly successful, many older brothers and sisters have worked hard to get to where they are, stop the baseless accusations!”
“FALSE’s, I know… Their company has always been particularly close with professional fans, even tacitly allowing fans to help in tearing down others for resources, right?”
“Don’t say being popular invites trouble, your ‘oppa’s’ popularity is all marketing, hilariousโ”
The issue gradually continued to ferment.
First, multiple reporters dug up the related bribery case, shifting the situation from the entertainment circle to corporate corruption, unearthing old dirt along the way, increasingly magnifying its impact.
Then, OSC Asia headquarters dismissed several people overnight, with the top management releasing a video explaining the situation and collectively bowing in apology.
Basically confirming these rumors.
FALSE had already secured a global endorsement with the international brand AME this year, which now quietly fizzled out.
Originally, even the behind-the-scenes footage of the advertisement shoot had leaked, and last month the brand’s founder even took a group photo with them, but now the advertisement was gone, and it seemed there would be no future opportunities.
A super popular boy group built up in just four years was now on the verge of collapse.
CaiBi Media, FALSE boy group, and everything associated with the Han family crumbled like an iceberg breaking into pieces.
“The main players are restricted from traveling abroad, and you still have money to pull from the search results??? Seriously???”
“Fake group, everything about them is fake! Fans, stop defending them!!! It’s embarrassing!!!”
“What on earth is Han Qu? Is he the troublemaker of the entertainment industry, I’m totally fed upโ”
The last tsunami was still biding its time, waiting to strike.
People did not understand these secrets before, nor did they grasp the underlying capital and blood, but now they seem to be awakening en masse, opening their eyes to see the desperation behind many shining illusions.
Among the stars we gaze upon, are there not some that do not shine at all?
The ultimate beauty we once obsessed over, could it also possibly contain deliberately disguised conflicts?
As various topics took turns trending, more and more people turned their attention to this drama.
Originally, people of three generationsโyouths, middle-aged, and the elderlyโcared about their respective interests, but they unexpectedly found a common topic of discussion.
Middle-aged people were shocked by the overnight collapse of Eshan Venture Capital, while the younger generation followed the trend and gossiped.
As they talked, they realized that it all related to one familyโthe Hans.
Han Qu’s photo spread across the internet, even the elderly women who spent their days playing mahjong in small towns had seen him on the news.
Before leaving with the group, Han Yang visited the Han family one last time.
Han Qu had been taken away for investigation by the Securities Regulatory Commission, and Han Gaozhi had just been interrogated and was now waiting at home for the next inquiry.
Han Yang, who had grown up in his mother’s family, didnโt share his household registration, assets, or connections with Han Gaozhi; he merely carried the surname symbolically.
Because of this, he was not much interfered with personally, even as the Han familyโs business was being rigorously audited and liquidated.
Overnight, the Han household had become much simpler. The grandparents stayed behind closed doors, and only Han Gaozhi sat crouching by the grass in the courtyard, silently smoking.
Han Yang walked over quietly, pulled out a tissue to wipe the green stone bricks nearby, and sat at a neither close nor distant spot.
Han Gaozhi did not greet him, nor did he avoid acknowledging the presence of his second son.
He thought for a long time.
As the sun set, a streak of wild birds flew out of the deep courtyard.
“Yang Yang,” the middle-aged man extinguished his cigarette and looked up at the sky beyond the wall.
“Aren’t you curious about your brother’s affairs?”
Han Yang touched a foxtail grass, indifferent to judge if this was a final test.
He had never initially approached the Han family by his choice; whatever actions he took later were all measured by his conscience.
Reconnecting with this family, encountering Doctor Xu, and being involved in many unspeakable past events had never been his choice.
“Not curious.”
Han Yang slowly said, “It’s not right for me to say more now.”
Han Gaozhi silently observed Han Yang for a long time, as if studying his expression at that moment.
“I’ve been wary of you,” he began. “I’ve had my suspicions from the beginning.”
“But perhaps Iโm getting old, every time I see you, I feel relieved and happy.”
“Han Qu has always been like this since he was a child, always shielded by the elders, getting into bigger and bigger troubles step by step.”
In the end, he destroyed the entire family business and even dragged the whole family down to the point where their backbone was poked at.
“Your mother made the right choice back then.”
Han Yang started to smile.
“Our kind of ordinary families always have a strong will to survive.”
Han Gaozhi stroked his graying stubble, taking the scattered foxtail grass from his hand.
“The day Eshan Venture Capital got into trouble, your mother returned all the money she had received over the years, untouched.”
“She said, ‘Yang Yang has grown up, he can support the family now.'”
“If times get tough, you can always call your second son.”
Over the years, Han Gaozhi had his mistresses, and the pocket money and investments he gave to his eldest son were countless.
Millions meant little to a wealthy family, not even enough to buy a rare gemstone watch, yet now it had become a rare sum used in urgent rescue.
Han Yang smiled, reaching out to hug him.
Han Gaozhi turned to look at the tightly closed high windows, chuckling bitterly.
“I’ve thought about cutting ties with your brother, to save whatever little we can.”
“Your grandparents always refused. Even though it angered them to the point of stroke, they kept shaking their heads.”
They felt the child was too pitiable, even though he had killed someone, even though he had committed countless disgraceful acts in his father’s name, he was still just a child.
They still refused to let go.
Han Yang, feeling a pang of pity, stood up and said, “It’s getting late, I need to go back and say goodbye to my mom.”
Han Gaozhi did not ask him to stay, sitting there smiling as he watched him leave.
“Yang Yang.”
“You have always been… a good child.”
On September 15, Huo Ren’s solo concert entered the final stages of rehearsal.
All program plans had been finalized, the stage lights were gradually set up, and all the staff were in place.
This seemed no different from the dozens of performances in the past.
Huo Ren was always an outstanding idol.
Even though he had been seriously injured once and had disappeared for several months.
When he returned, from his meticulous attitude to his stunning performance, some things had never changed.
Many of the staff were veterans from before, who had initially been secretly worried, but after following a few rehearsals, they couldn’t help but inwardly marvel.
When he was first chosen over others, many fans of Long Jia and Mei Shengyao had been upset for a long time.
Who would have thought that the frail boy would step by step walk to where he is today.
He was once the core of the entire supergroup, and now he has become a supergroup in himself.
Huo Ren stood in the very center of the stage, looking towards Pei Ruye who was facing away from him.
That person still wore a work badge, continuing his role as dance director just like he had for the past ten years.
The electronic music was noisy and loud, and the staff moved busily below the stage.
Yet he stood behind Pei Ruye, taking deep breaths to adjust to everything, the stage he had once feared and had deeply adored.
This stage had always had six people.
Flames and frost, rivers and phoenixes.
And colors, purely splendid and intensely warm colors.
And he was the puppeteer.
Six people, including himself, every gesture, every breath, all were real and deeply interconnected, tugging at each other like ropes.
He controlled and led six people both on stage and in life, and they too were closely linked to him, unintentionally pulling at everything in each other’s lives.
After returning to his country, Huo Ren delayed finishing his album, pushing the concert from August all the way to his birthday, the reasons quietly surfacing.
He still couldn’t face a stage where he was alone.
In the studio, there was still a bunch of young men laughing and frolicking non-stop, like clusters of earthly fireworks pausing and tumbling, making one feel warm with just a little more stay.
Now standing here again, his side felt emptily vacant.
Those strings, once connected to his pulse, triggering his nerves and heartbeat.
Pulling, restraining, balancing.
All had disappeared, he was completely free now.
Huo Ren stood quietly for a long time, not moving even when the music started.
Pei Ruye turned around and walked a few steps towards him.
“The wind is a bit strong today.”
“Ren Ren, are you cold?”
Huo Ren suddenly opened his arms and hugged the man tightly.
“Don’t move.” He buried his face in his chest and whispered lowly, “Let me hold you a little longer.”
When I let go, I can completely step out and redeem my independent soul from today.
Teacher, give me a little more courage.
Holding you a little longer is enough.
Author’s note:
Not finished, there will be more tomorrow.
I strive to finish the main text and extras by March 20th… so I can rest a bit more _(:ะทใโ )_