Generation Z Artists

Chapter 420 Let the storm rage on!

Tuesday, October 12nd.

Throughout the morning, movie theaters across the United States were sparsely populated, and Taken's box office revenue fell to the $100 million level for the first time.

Although the morning should have been quiet, the audience for Superbad was significantly larger than that for Hurricane.

Even without this new film, "Hurricane" would have had more viewers, even with fewer viewers. With this new film, even with more viewers, the audience would be divided.

In fact, there is very little marketing about "Superbad" in print media and online. It is a low-budget, low-profile, weak genre film, but it did put a lot of pressure on Hurricane.

There's no way around it; the "teen sex comedy" label is like a crab that runs rampant in the European and American markets. Once you put this label on someone, you don't need a large-scale promotion; naturally, a large number of teenage couples and otaku will go to the cinema.

Fang Xinghe doesn't remember how much box office "Superbad" earned in the original story. He wants every penny that North American teenagers spend on him, as long as there's even the slightest chance.

So he "diligently" went to the cinemas, and then "unfortunately" got cornered by the media at the entrance.

"SR! What do you think of Iceman's attacks on you?"

"Who?" Fang Xinghe asked, puzzled. "What did they say about me?"

"Chuck the Iceman!"

"The ruler of the UFC light heavyweight division!"

"A very famous fighter!"

"Don't you remember those guys who yelled at you in the movie theater last time, the day you went to see Tommy?"

Fang Xinghe seemed eager to get away, waving his hand as he walked away: "Sorry, I don't know him, and I don't care what he said. It's not important to me."

The reporter panicked and quickly added, "But they called you an Asian coward!"

"Um?!"

Fang Xinghe finally stopped and turned to look at the camera.

"Has he gone mad?"

He frowned, his eyes showing obvious dissatisfaction, and his expression was somewhat cold.

The reporters were overjoyed and began to embellish the story.

After listening for a few minutes, Brother Fang finally understood what had happened, but his final reaction surprised everyone.

"So, he's just another clown trying to ride my coattails and revive his career? I have nothing to say to him, and I don't want to give him a second glance."

"Forehead……"

The reporters were all dumbfounded, feeling that something was wrong, yet it perfectly matched the public's perception of Fang Xinghe.

Of course, they wouldn't give up; they racked their brains trying to ignite the conflict.

"Actually, not really. Iceman is a very famous mixed martial arts athlete, and he's quite popular..."

Is he more skilled or more famous than Tyson?

Fang Xinghe's rhetorical question immediately left them speechless.

The handsome guy scoffed, stopped responding to any questions, and strode away.

……

In fact, if things had ended there, the situation would have calmed down quickly.

Although North American audiences are very curious about Fang Xinghe's strength, they will not force him to step into the ring, as this does not meet their expectations.

The comment made by a columnist for The Washington Post on this matter is very representative of the public sentiment—

"If Fang Xinghe is just a kung fu master from mysterious China, then I would really like to see him face off against a real fighting master and see if he is really that newbee, and if Chinese kung fu is really that newbee."

However, SR is first and foremost a great artist, secondly a super-rich man, and also a very loving philanthropist, and only lastly a kung fu master...

Do you understand? This attribute accounts for a very small percentage of his personal image.

So I don't want him to step into the ring to prove anything—well, I'm still a little curious, but I know it's neither realistic nor necessary, and even the thought itself is impolite.

Therefore, we have no reason to put any pressure on him whatsoever.

To be honest, I really like SR's response: Don't give him any looks.

This is cool, and I truly believe it's not out of fear, but rather SR's consistent style, which is also what makes it so captivating..."

On Weibo, in the comment section of The Washington Post's official account, about 70% of netizens expressed their approval.

"Yes, not responding is absolutely the right thing to do!"

"The two are not equal in fame and status at all, and the topic itself is ridiculous."

"Iceman is desperate to turn things around, isn't he?"

"I'm curious too, but I don't agree with SR going up against Iceman, it's too beneath him!"

"Even Tyson fully acknowledges SR's strength, so what is Iceman?"

"I learned a new Chinese word, pengci. This is pengci."

"Ignore those idiots! What do you mean 'hadn't won't win'? For Iceman to stand in front of SR, he needs to cross an entire tier!"

"That's unpleasant to hear, but you're right."

"Our esteemed Son of Washington always manages to maintain his nobility just right!"

"That's a nice thing to say, and you're absolutely right."

……

Apart from the 30% of onlookers who were eager for drama, all the neutral crowd, as well as Mantianxing, did not support Fang Xinghe's "condescension" to give Bingren a look.

It's a fact that the West admires strong individuals and appreciates tough guys who face challenges head-on.

However, class consciousness also exists in Europe and America, and they often do not approve of opportunistic attempts to gain attention when there is a significant gap in social status. This is also a fact.

Otherwise, if anyone wanted to become famous, they could just pick a top figure in the industry, criticize them, and try to get close to them. If the other party didn't respond, it would mean they were afraid. Wouldn't everyone become an overnight sensation then?
For example, Teacher Da Dan, in his early years, many newcomers made outrageous remarks about him, but when did he ever receive support from the media and public opinion?

Similarly, Fang Xinghe's disdain is precisely the response that best conforms to the "might makes right" rule of Europe and America.

Only a small number of people mocked him for "only talking big and not daring to do anything real," while most people ridiculed Iceman for overestimating his abilities.

If the Iceman understands the rules, he should issue a statement, explain the situation, and then let the controversy die down completely.

but……

Things didn't go as everyone expected at all.

Fox approached Iceman again, and he replied, "I have no intention of fighting SR in the ring. I am a light heavyweight, and I weigh 93 kilograms when I step into the ring. How much does SR weigh? Is he 80 kilograms?"
I'm not sure, but in any case, we're not fair opponents of the same level, so even if he stood in front of me and spat in my face, I wouldn't punch him.

I am an athlete with professional ethics, and even more so, a proud ruler!
The above is a clarification. I am not good with words, and my response last time was indeed too casual, which caused misunderstandings. I apologize to everyone and SR.

Then, I want to ask everyone: As a top MMA fighter, I personally believe that Chinese Kung Fu is purely flashy and ineffective. Is there anything wrong with that?

No matter how much you insult me, I will stick to my beliefs.

In my long career, I have never seen any kind of Chinese Kung Fu appear in the ring, nor have I ever seen a Chinese person reach the UFC gold belt level.

Have you ever seen it?
Do you really believe that SR's kung fu can be used in real combat in the ring?
I respect his talent and admire everything he has done, but I don't approve of his kung fu skills, that's all.

I watched *Taken*, and my honest opinion is—it's ridiculous and fake. The gunfights are fantastic, but the close-quarters combat becomes incredibly nonsensical and incomprehensible.

Slap the enemy's chin with your palm, hahaha!
With that kind of ability, why not just use a hook punch to smash his liver?
The path is shorter, the force is more fully exerted, the strike is more concealed, and the damage is stronger.

As a professional, I have every reason to believe that this movie sacrifices authenticity for the sake of showing off, so I don't like it.

Both The Bourne Identity and Ocean's Thirteen are better than this. The former is closer to real spies, while the latter plays to its strengths and avoids its weaknesses. If it doesn't work out, it uses its brain, so it doesn't make a professional like me feel uncomfortable.

So please, stop hyping up "Hurricane"! I don't like it, and nobody in the fighting game world likes it either…

The response was issued, and the pace quickened.

Fang Xinghe's fans were naturally furious, but a considerable number of neutral onlookers were persuaded to join in.

"Although I still don't think SR needs to prove anything to anyone, these words do make sense. Chinese Kung Fu is probably not very effective in combat, and SR is not a top expert either."

"He wasn't even a top-tier fighter to begin with! Who made that claim?"

"That's quite a lot."

"Yes, his management team's marketing, as well as many American media outlets, have been trying to establish him as a top kung fu master."

"Isn't it universally acknowledged that SR is a great player? Just think of those NBA players!"

"But being able to play ball doesn't mean you can fight; they're two different things."

"He can only bully amateur newbies. Chinese Kung Fu is trash, and SR himself is an Asian coward!"

"Wow, you're so bold, but I love it~~~"

……

The enthusiasm of neutral commentators led to a surge in the topic's popularity, while the surge in haters also prompted a counterattack from the "Starry Sky" (a group of online commentators).

Thus, a topic that was originally quite niche gradually began to become a major phenomenon.

Iceman's statement that "nobody in the fighting world likes it" was the fuse that brought out a bunch of fighting experts who desperately needed attention.

Mirko, the "Croatian policeman" who just signed with the UFC, is arrogant and disdainful.

"Fang? That fair-skinned, delicate-looking guy? I could knock him home to his mother with one punch!"

Don't ask me why I don't respect him. I only respect real men. A significant portion of my earnings goes into charity. I'm not lacking anything off the field!

Georges St-Pierre, the Canadian fighting star nicknamed "GSP," is both polite and direct.

“I respect SR, but I don’t believe in Chinese Kung Fu either; these are two different things.”

Mixed martial arts training is more scientific, stronger, and more in line with future trends. If he's willing, I'd be very happy to have a friendly sparring session with him. I'm a welterweight, and if I fight him, I can cut my weight down to 75 kilograms.

Brock Lesnar, who recently left WWE and signed with UFC, also has a very clear need for popularity.

"As someone in the fighting world, yes, I don't like SR's new movie."

Of course, I must clarify that I am a huge fan of "Better Days," and I will always remember the emotions it evoked in me.

You might not know this, but I really, really want his autograph.

However, Chinese people are indeed not suitable for appearing on the fighting stage. I think he really doesn't need to market himself as a kung fu master; he is already a great artist.

Okay, I guess I'm a bit schizophrenic, but if he really wants to prove something, I'm willing to provide him with personal guidance and sparring. Like I said, I respect him.

Dana White, true to his usual big mouth and foul language, acted like a madman.

"Stop fucking insulting combat sports!"
My boxers sweat for 12 hours a day in the training ground, risking injury, disability, and death to throw punches for true masculinity. I will not allow any **** to trample on our heads and bully us!

If some people insist on doing this, I'll arrange a match for you right now!

Is giving you a 5kg weight class enough?
If that's not enough, 10 kilograms!

Come on, you coward!

……

Besides these people, well-known fighting masters such as Minotaur, Werewolf, Spider-Man, Country Strongman, and Bad Boy all participated in the discussion.

Well, perhaps "diss" would be a more appropriate term.

The sensational nature of their collective speech ensured that everyone's voice was heard.

In short, the American fighting community has spoken out in unison, expressing their lack of confidence in the opponent, Xinghe, in a way that is either strong or subtle, further fueling public opinion.

The media went crazy searching for Fang Xinghe; they knew Fang's personality all too well and couldn't wait to get the first-hand response.

What is Brother Fang doing at this time?
He is playing golf with Dana White at one of Washington’s most private golf courses.

He swung the club with both hands, and with a thud, the ball vanished.

"Wow!"

Dana White raised his hand to shield his eyes, looked at the landing point, and exclaimed, "Your strength is incredible. Now I believe you are indeed capable of stepping into the ring."

"I have the ability, but whether or not I step into the ring depends on the interests involved."

Fang Xinghe added with a light laugh, "Enough to entice the interests of the world's fourth richest man."

“I’m afraid I can’t afford that.” Dana White shrugged. “You are my benefactor, what can I offer you? Nothing more than some insignificant flattery.”

The two did not take a car, but strolled over to the spot where the golf ball landed.

Dana White is the president of the UFC, a legend of the American Dream.

The UFC was once a "human cockfighting" organization banned in 35 states and on the verge of bankruptcy, while Dana White was an impoverished amateur coach, fighter agent, and event promoter.

They have a lot of titles, but they're actually trash.

In January 2001, Dana White persuaded the Fertitta brothers to buy the UFC for $2 million and became its president, officially beginning his meteoric rise.

They changed the rules, partnered with the state sports commission, launched the "Ultimate Fighter" reality show, acquired PRIDE FC in Japan, cracked down on and merged with other competitors, unified and monopolized global MMA fighter resources, collaborated with major brands such as Nike, and appeared on mainstream sports channels such as ESPN and FOX...

UFC is not at its peak yet, but the rise of this sports brand is clearly visible.

Therefore, they need to expand their reach, gain greater visibility, generate more buzz and discussion, and attract more investment and capital.

Just then, Wang Charlie, representing Fang Xinghe, approached Bai Dana, and a grand drama began smoothly.

Fang Sheng deceived the entire American public, but apart from Dana White, who had undergone three body searches and was personally brought by Du Yu, no one else knew.

He knew nothing, including the Ice Man.

Iceman is Dana White's good friend, a tool to initiate the whole plan, and the most likely sacrifice to be abandoned in the future, but also a lucky one who has the opportunity to complete his film and television transformation.

Apart from him, the other fighters were not even toys, just wild dogs fighting for food.

Whether or not to step into the ring is something only Fang Xinghe knows for sure. Bai Dana is simply aware that this is an opportunity that must be seized, even if it means cooperating with a Chinese person to betray his country, comrades, reputation, and soul.

Is there anything wrong with that?

He asked himself the question and answered it as if talking to himself.

This is wonderful! I need this opportunity. I need this new master.

Then come on, let the storm rage on!

(End of this chapter)