Huayu: Starting with Xiang Yu, the Hegemon of Western Chu

012. Undercurrent

As filming entered its third week, some unpleasant comments began to appear online.

It all started with an article from a marketing account with a very "damaging" title.

Is the role of Xiang Yu in the Legend of Chu and Han pre-selected? Chen Daomin's support for a close associate sparks controversy.

The article was written skillfully, without a single piece of solid evidence, relying entirely on vague phrases such as "according to insiders," "there are reports," and "suspected."

But the core message is only one: Chen Mo was able to play Xiang Yu not because he acted well, but because Chen Daomin got the role through connections.

The article also "thoughtfully" listed several so-called "evidence".

First, Chen Mo joined the crew through Chen Daomin's recommendation, and was originally just a minor extra.

Secondly, Chen Mo has no notable film or television works. His only representative work is "Young Huo Qubing," which was ridiculed by the entire internet five years ago.

Third, Chen Mo's teacher at the Central Academy of Drama, Wang Zhiping, is a close friend of Chen Daomin.

All three of these points are true.

However, the combined narrative leads to a completely different conclusion.

The comments section quickly split into two camps.

One group consists of Chen Mo's "rehabilitation team" of fans who have been building up his reputation recently, insisting that Chen Mo rose to prominence based on his own abilities.

Another group consists of bystanders who were swayed by the article, believing that "there's no smoke without fire" and "if there's a connection, there's a connection."

There is also a third force mixed in: a group of clearly organized online troll accounts that simultaneously publish negative comments with almost identical wording on various platforms.

"Another one who rose to fame through connections; the entertainment industry is truly rotten."

"Chen Daomin used to be such an upright person, how come he's started doing this? Disappointing."

"No matter how bad Ji Yu's acting is, at least he was selected through proper casting. What about Chen Mo? He got in through connections."

These words, taken individually, are not particularly offensive.

But the sheer volume of it is overwhelming.

Overnight, the topic "Chen Mo snatches roles through connections" surged into the top 20 trending topics on blogs.

Moreover, thanks to the efforts of some people, this buzz has spread wider and wider, even reaching ordinary people who are not interested in the entertainment industry.

In the end, news even came out that "Chen Mo is a relative of XXX and joined the production team with his own investment."

That's truly outrageous.

Chen Mo only saw it the next morning after he finished his run.

He sat in a chair in the rented room, scrolling through the comments one by one, his expression remaining unchanged from beginning to end.

It's not that I'm pretending not to care.

They genuinely don't care.

Five years ago, he was criticized by the entire internet as the "expressionless general." He survived the overwhelming ridicule and malice that followed. What can this little bit of trouble do to him now?

He even found it somewhat amusing.

He brought his own funding to the project?

How could someone who was fired by his agency for lacking commercial value bring his own investment to the production team? How could someone who only had about 10,000 yuan left have the ability to bring his own investment to the production team?

Unless he's hooked up with a rich woman.

Also, is it true that "Chen Mo used connections to snatch roles"?

What a brilliant word: "grab".

When he arrived at the film set, he was wearing the armor of a lowly Qin soldier, and his name was listed near the end of the call sheet.

Gao hope asked him to take the role.

It was Gao hope who said in front of everyone, "You play Xiang Yu."

He completely silencing his opponent during the public audition.

Is this what you call robbery?

However, he did not respond on any platform.

It's not that I'm afraid.

It's unnecessary.

Explaining this kind of thing is like rolling around in the mud with someone; no matter what you say, you'll only get yourself covered in mud too.

There is only one thing that can wash these mud spots off.

the work.

Once the show airs, the audience will see for themselves.

He put down his phone and went to the kitchen to cook a bowl of noodles.

While eating noodles, I thought for a moment and sent a message to Wang Zhiping.

"Teacher Wang, please don't take what happened online to heart."

Wang Zhiping's reply was brief.

"I have nothing on my mind. What about you?"

"I don't have any either."

"That's good. Focus on filming."

Chen Mo put down his phone.

Some people in the film crew also saw those articles.

The assistant director approached Chen Mo with his phone, looking somewhat indignant.

"These marketing accounts are so unethical, shouldn't you issue a statement or something?"

"No need," Chen Mo shook his head.

"But this won't be good for your reputation."

"Reputation is acted out, not declared."

The assistant director looked at him, paused for a moment, and then smiled.

"Fine. You've got a big heart."

What he didn't know was that Chen Mo wasn't a big-hearted person.

It is hard.

He had already gotten over being ridiculed by the entire internet five years ago, so this little thing is like a tickle to him now.

Moreover, he knew very well who was behind these articles.

The writing style subtly and intentionally draws attention to Ji Yu, as if afraid that others wouldn't know the implication that "if Chen Mo hadn't taken the role, Ji Yu should have played Xiang Yu."

It's too obvious.

It's obviously rather low-level.

But as low-level as it may be, it is genuinely useful.

There is indeed a group of people online who have been misled by the narrative.

However, Chen Mo was not worried.

He only needs to focus on filming his own movies.

As for the rest, let time and the work itself answer that.

Unbeknownst to him, the people behind these marketing articles were currently in an apartment with a monthly rent of 60,000 yuan, looking at the same trending topics with satisfied smiles on their faces.

Sun Zhe pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and said something to Ji Yu.

"The first wave has already been deployed. A second wave is coming."

What is the second wave?

"You'll see when 'Legend of Chu and Han' airs," Sun Zhe said calmly. "For now, let's plant a seed so that the audience has the impression that 'Chen Mo got in through connections.' After the show airs, regardless of how well he acts, people will watch him through that lens. Even if he acts well, there will be comments saying, 'No matter how good his acting is, he still got in through connections.'"

Ji Yu thought for a moment and nodded.

"high."

"That's not high-level," Sun Zhe smiled. "That's just basic operation."

He picked up his coffee, took a sip, and looked out the window.

The era of relying solely on acting skills in this industry is over.

Now it's all about storytelling.

Whoever controls the narrative of public opinion can control the likes and dislikes of the audience.

What good is Chen Mo's acting, no matter how well he acts?

If the audience has a preconceived notion that he is a "connected person," every highlight of his career will be diminished.

This is the power of public opinion.

Sun Zhe firmly believed this.

But what he didn't know was that there was a force more powerful than public opinion.