This director is vindictive.

Zhang Yi has recently experienced what it means to be "in heaven one moment and on earth the next"—life's ups and downs happen so fast.

When he first started filming "Happy Breakup", he didn't actually intend to "piggyback" on anyone's fame.

As a new director just starting out, his starting point is already higher than many of his classmates—because he made a film that can be released in theaters.

It's important to understand that every year so many people graduate from film school directing programs, but the vast majority of them either start as odd jobs or assistants on film sets, or if they're lucky, they get to shoot commercials to gain experience. Most of them can only practice by making short videos that cost almost nothing.

This is thanks to the current widespread availability of filming equipment and the low technical barriers to entry.

But if you really want to make a movie, even a "web movie" that is only broadcast on an online platform, you will have to invest at least hundreds of thousands or even millions of yuan.

More importantly, most of these kinds of movies are money-losing ventures, purely for the purpose of gaining experience.

Don't be fooled by the frequent reports of certain online movies becoming box office hits; that's just survivor bias, okay?
The vast majority of online movies actually have a very hard time breaking even.

Directors from ordinary families rarely get this kind of opportunity.

In terms of entry requirements, becoming a director is actually much more difficult than becoming an actor.

After all, even extras can be called actors!
However, for a director to truly direct a film independently, especially a theatrical film that is properly shown in theaters, it often takes several years of hard work and struggle, and many people never get such an opportunity in their entire lives.

Don't be fooled by the hundreds of films released nationwide each year; each project is a one-man show – if you haven't proven your abilities, who's willing to risk investing in you? It all boils down to money. Why is it relatively easy for actors to transition into directing? Because they have money and connections.

Therefore, Zhang Yi was very clear about how difficult it was for him to get this opportunity.

Zhang Yi naturally cherished it immensely.

After experiencing numerous setbacks and finally completing the filming of his first movie, Zhang Yi suddenly realized that the real test had only just begun.

However, an even greater challenge loomed ahead for him: the film was about to be released, and its box office performance and return on investment became a sword of Damocles hanging over his head.

He not only poured his heart and soul into the project, but also raised a considerable amount of money from his family to invest in it, so much so that by the time the film wrapped up, he had very little money left.

He practically gritted his teeth and forced himself to get through the premiere.

The on-site setup was rudimentary and the scale was meager. Unless alternative methods were sought, conventional publicity and distribution would hardly make a splash.

He was keenly aware that if things continued this way, the film would likely face a "one-day wonder" fate—disappearing quietly on its opening day.

Without proper promotion, a film directed by a newcomer like him, with relatively unknown actors and virtually no star power, would be incredibly difficult to succeed.

These days, it's no longer the era where good wine needs no bush. Unless it's truly exceptional and has reached the level of a classic, if you don't promote it, it will most likely go unnoticed.

It was under this pressure that Zhang Yi made a bold decision: to stage an accident involving Chen Mo.

He scheduled the film's release for Singles' Day (November 11th) and deliberately raised three fingers during promotional activities to generate buzz and attract attention.

Unexpectedly, this strategy initially proved highly effective—Chen Mo's influence far exceeded his expectations, bringing unprecedented exposure to the film.

However, despite his surprise, Zhang Yi was still deeply uneasy.

After all, Chen Mo was his legendary senior at the Beijing Film Academy, and he was already very familiar with Chen Mo's achievements and stories during his time at the school.

For him, Chen Mo is not just a name, but a symbol.

Using such a senior figure for publicity, while gaining attention, also made him feel uneasy and apprehensive.

Then, as the topic gained traction, various marketing accounts and self-media outlets flocked to the scene, praising Zhang Yi and his film, and hailing him as a "daring and innovative new director," a "marketing genius comparable to Chen Mo," and "Chen Mo's successor."

This sudden surge of popularity made Zhang Yi feel somewhat giddy, as if success was truly within reach.

But fortune and misfortune are often intertwined in life.

He gained attention by "faking an accident" against Chen Mo, but ultimately suffered a major setback because of it. The backlash came quickly and fiercely, completely exceeding his expectations.

Firstly, in terms of word-of-mouth, "Happy Breakup" received the lowest scores on various platforms due to the collective outrage of Chen Mo's angry fans.

This is just the beginning.

Overnight, public opinion completely reversed, as if the whole world was targeting him.

Every detail in the film—whether it's the plot logic, the actors' performances, the cinematography, or even the costumes and props—is subjected to constant scrutiny, relentless nitpicking, and merciless denigration. Any minor flaw is magnified and turned into "ironclad evidence" to attack him.

What's even more frightening is the chain reaction it triggers.

This "extortion" has angered far more than just Chen Mo's fans.

The entire film industry seemed to have shut its doors on him because of this.

Industry peers considered him to be "unscrupulous" and "breaking the rules," and were unwilling to work with him; some film critics and media also criticized him, believing that his hype damaged the industry's reputation.

Most fatally, even his investors were implicated and questioned, seen by the industry as "short-sighted" and "opportunistic," which even affected the financing of other projects. Zhang Yi then realized with horror that his one act of speculation had not only mired him in a quagmire but also almost destroyed all his future possibilities in the industry.

Life's ups and downs really come too quickly.

It's happening so fast it's overwhelming; one moment you're the center of attention and the most sought-after, the next you're utterly devastated.

Actually, the so-called opportunism is not the point at all. He knows this too. If you were to try to take advantage of other directors, the problem might not be so big, but Chen Mo is different.

On the one hand, Chen Mo had just announced his retirement from the entertainment industry not long ago, and fans were in a "window period" during which they were particularly sensitive.

Just when I was wondering who to vent to, he appeared.

What else is there to say? Just do it.

How many dishes are there to drink like this?
What level do you have to dare to mess with Chen Mo?
On the other hand, it was also due to Chen Mo's identity.

Just like those in power, they don't even need to lift a finger or express their opinions; there are always people willing to do it.

This time was no exception. To his surprise, Chen Mo was much more magnanimous than he had imagined.

Chen Mo did not respond, but a simple like spoke louder than a thousand words!

Chen Mo's "like" was like a gentle whistle, instantly setting the tone for this noisy public opinion battle. This legendary senior, who had been "framed," did not choose to remain silent or take advantage of the situation to kick them while they were down. Instead, he used a simple action to demonstrate unexpected tolerance and magnanimity.

This move quickly triggered a chain reaction: Chen Mo's initially furious "rageous fans," seeing their idol himself take the lead in showing goodwill, lost their main support for their intense confrontation. Many began to calm down, realizing that attacking a newcomer's work and director might have gone too far. Although the quality of the film itself remained controversial, the verbal attacks against Zhang Yi personally noticeably decreased.

#ChenMo Likes Zhang Yi's Post#
#ChenMoSupportsNewDirectorZhangYi#
It instantly became a trending topic.

In fact, Chen Mo's response of simply liking the post was a relatively peaceful way of handling the situation.

He couldn't possibly blame his fans; after all, that would be tantamount to betraying them.

But at the same time, I don't want to leave people with the impression that I'm petty.

After all, they are alumni of the same school.

To condemn them outright is going too far.

So one like is just right.

Soon, the fans calmed down after giving this thumbs up.

"Teacher Chen Mo liked the post. It seems he doesn't care about this at all. Did we overreact?"

"Senior, you're so generous! Since Chen Mo has already made his stance clear, let's not keep pressing him. Let the market judge whether the movie is good or bad."

"Actually, if you think about it calmly, it's not easy for a new director to make a name for themselves. The methods used were a bit opportunistic, but at least the film got noticed. Giving it low scores was really unnecessary."

"Chen Mo gave this a thumbs up; he's broadened his horizons. Those who joined in the criticism before are a bit embarrassed now. Let's leave it at that."

"Don't let fans' actions affect the celebrity himself! Chen Mo's attitude is very clear: he doesn't encourage opportunism, but he won't push people to the brink either. Let's all move on and wait for his future works."

"I suddenly admire Chen Mo a bit. Even when someone is trying to ride his coattails, he's still willing to give young people some leeway. From now on, I'll focus on my own company and stop blindly following the trend of criticizing others."

The media has always been adept at changing its stance based on public opinion.

Chen Mo himself liked the post, so they naturally knew it was time to change the direction of the reporting.

Soon, various media outlets began a new round of traffic-grabbing drama.

Film critic "Sound of Light and Shadow" published a column commentary, providing an in-depth analysis:
"At a critical moment when director Zhang Yi was caught in a media storm and faced a collective boycott from the industry due to his 'opportunistic' marketing, Chen Mo's seemingly casual 'like' was far more powerful than any statement or rebuttal."

Faced with this dispute arising from his own reputation, Chen Mo did not choose to remain silent and indulge, nor did he take the opportunity to retaliate. Instead, he took the initiative to put a stop to this escalating storm with an almost elegant silence of goodwill.

This move is by no means a simple act of forgiveness or compromise. Its deeper meaning is a profound understanding and tolerance of the helpless struggle of younger generations in the industry under difficult living conditions. It also conveys a sense of industry responsibility that transcends personal honor and disgrace—a silent but powerful sober examination of the current impetuous ecology of the film and television industry, which is characterized by short-sightedness and hype.

This demonstrates that true industry leaders and artistic benchmarks are not distinguished by petty squabbles or vindictiveness, but rather by their ability to set the tone amidst chaos and clamor with a grand vision and broad-mindedness, calming unnecessary disputes, guiding attention back to the artwork itself, and thus safeguarding the long-term healthy development of the industry.

Industry observer media outlet Film Insider analyzed: "Chen Mo's move, seemingly understated, is actually quite meaningful. At a time when he was being used as a marketing tool and fans were collectively outraged, his 'like' not only stopped the spread of cyberbullying but also left a glimmer of hope for the new director. This 'statement without taking a stand' precisely reflects the industry responsibility of a top filmmaker—protecting the ecosystem is far more important than winning a temporary verbal battle."

Entertainment media outlet Star News Weekly published an article titled "Chen Mo's Vision: Why is He Still a Legend?" which stated: "When the entire internet was waiting to see how Chen Mo would 'fight back' against those who tried to profit from his misfortune, he turned the tide with just a single 'like.' Without a statement or a lawyer's letter, he silenced the angry fans and prompted the industry to reflect on the distorted public opinion landscape of 'praise to death and criticism to death.'"

This is perhaps why Chen Mo is still regarded as a role model even after retiring from the entertainment industry: his talent determines how high he can go, while his vision determines how long he will be remembered.

Other media outlets followed suit.

"This is the mindset of a top artist. In comparison, how narrow-minded those predecessors who nitpick at their juniors seem."

"Liking this post is not a compromise, it's a decisive blow. Chen Mo's actions show everyone that true strength lies in not getting involved in petty squabbles."

"If there were more Chen Mos in the industry, perhaps young directors wouldn't have to resort to 'extortion' to survive."

The public opinion shifted after Chen Mo liked a post.

The rating for "Happy Breakup" has gradually started to rise. Although the movie itself wasn't that good, it wasn't that bad either.

On the other hand, Zhang Yi bowed deeply again on his personal social media and in public, his face sincere but weary, and said:

"First of all, I want to sincerely apologize to senior Chen Mo. As a junior at Beijing Film Academy, I used inappropriate 'opportunistic' tactics in the film's promotion due to my eagerness for quick success and instant benefits. This not only damaged my senior's reputation but also betrayed the original intention of the film industry. I am ashamed of my short-sighted behavior and am willing to accept all criticism."

"At the same time, I would also like to thank senior Chen Mo. During my most difficult time, your likes showed me tolerance and vision. It was not just a simple gesture, but a rescue for a lost newcomer like me. It made me realize that true filmmakers should let their works speak for themselves, rather than resorting to opportunism."

"Finally, thank you to everyone who criticized me; you made me realize the truth. I also thank the audience who are still willing to pay attention to 'Happy Breakup'. I will remember this lesson and devote myself to creation with a more down-to-earth attitude in the future, and strive to prove myself with real works."

Chen Mo's "like" acted as a gentle "pause," quickly quelling the collective attack from film fans. Comments shifted from anger and mockery to praise for Chen Mo's magnanimity and reflection on the overreaction. Film fans gradually stopped giving low scores and nitpicking, and the focus of public opinion shifted from "Zhang Yi's attempt to gain attention" to discussions about the industry's ecosystem; some even began calling for rational evaluation of the film itself. The controversy cooled down rapidly due to Chen Mo's tolerant attitude.

Of course, many people envy, are jealous of, and hate Zhang Yi!

Especially the same up-and-coming director.

After all, everyone knows that this time, although Zhang Yi seemed to be condemned by the entire internet, Chen Mo's like completely reversed the situation.

At least, he was labeled as Chen Mo's junior.

With so many students at the Beijing Film Academy, not just anyone can be recognized.

It can be said that the future is bright.

As for trying to emulate Zhang Yi by copying Chen Mo? Forget it! You can't do it twice. Just look at the reactions of Chen Mo's fans and those investors before.

If someone were to try and mess with it without thinking, they would never be able to replicate Zhang Yi's outcome.

In the end, only one person will be made an example of! (End of Chapter)