September 22, 2011 - In the end, after my rage has gone down, I believe I can talk about this topic as an Anson fan's perspective, without swearing! If you would like to read the news article first, you may skip to the bottom. I have decided to share it with my fellow friends because it has become a big personal attack for Anson from many people. In the article below, they have not released where Anson did the live chat video, but I can tell you that it's Youku Video. Many of Anson's music videos, news, related promotions are done on the popular Youku video site. So now, after this controversy, is Anson's popularity going to be negatively impacted? Everyone knows that its never a good idea to go against any major media source. The truth is out, but also the made up stuff. Which one will people read first?
(Youku video attached at the bottom. @ 40.30 you can see Anson leave.)
What exactly did Anson do? He felt really uncomfortable chatting with the Youku Video host (you can tell how uncomfortable he was by the look on his face) and so he walked off a live chat. What's the problem? Well, on one side, people thought that Anson couldn't handle the host's pressing questions because he has an attitude problem, or that Anson has a big ego and couldn't face the host's criticism. They also saw Anson's disrespect for the media because he walked off the live chat. On the other side, people saw Anson's point-of-view: it was his promotional period, so he would probably be prepared to discuss about his new creation in a relaxed state; and not in an interview style: where every question was slapping-his-face, life threatening questions about his thinking and money. Anson said: "I don't see a point in continuing the chat because we are not on the same ground/level."
From what I see: A host is usually the lead of a discussion: they would ask the guest to introduce themselves, and then ask a series of questions, correct? So this host, decided to fire up a series of "don't tell me that you don't want to earn money from album sales, because you are lying" type of question trap for Anson. From what I have personally seen, I know that this host has went through hard journey to get to where she is, and she isn't all that happy with her life. She negatively reflected the money issues that she has to face onto Anson. As an Anson fan, we probably already know that Anson doesn't aim to make money from his album sales, or that he really wants to satisfy the music industry. He wants to make good music, to satisfy himself first, then the music lovers. We all know Anson is someone who makes music as well as he can, and the music is true as it can be. So the host kept pressing questions about money and other unrealistic scenario questions for Anson. Well, from what I see, Anson was pretty calm for the entire show. He actually didn't throw a fit, he just looked really uncomfortable, and he mentioned 4-5 times to the host that he believes that they don't understand things the same way and "are not on the same ground/level." Well, Anson was there to promote his new album, and not to face these stupid, unrealistic questions from a host. He finally decided to walk off because he didn't want to waste time, and after all, it was going no where. Yes, he did apologize to viewers on microblog after he walked off.
Needless to say, from that point on, the rumors spread like wildfire: there were thousands of video comments, many microblog messages, and lots of hate messages supporting either side. Youku video tried to erase a lot of user comments, and even changed the video heading to protect themselves. People made up a lot of side stories, headlines, comments, and personal attacks. A lot of people took the chance to fire at Anson for his non-shanghai accent, commented on the way he looks, has an American-ized Ego, has an attitude problem, has no respect for the media, etc, and those are just the "nicer" out of the worst comments. As an Anson fan, it hurts to read them.
On behalf our Anson fans from outside of China, I wrote a few lines to Anson to support him.
Finally, I want to thank Pheonix New Media for releasing "the truth" version of the story.
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On September 21, Anson Hu participated in a live chat program, and the host set off numerous pressing questions, which eventually led to Anson's unexpected departure. That night, it set off many different versions, different video titles, and thousands of user comments that was eventually cut to hundreds. Subsequently, the program broke the news to the media network, which then lead to many speculations about Anson's new album, and then to personal attacks. Anson did write on his microblog after 15 minutes of leaving the show: "I apologize to all viewers watching live. The conversation with the host became disagreeable, and if we were to continue, it would waste everyone's time."
About why Anson decided to leave, the audience who had watched the video should have it clear in their mind that it has nothing to do with the site, but rather the host. The host had started to talk about his/her personal experience as soon as the program started, and it did lead the audience to feel strange. As the chat went on, the host constantly mixed the discourse of music with extremely dark and realistic life issues, and set up a series of "to do music is to make money" question trap for Anson to answer.
Throughout the chat, there were apparent two sides: one talking about the money trap, and the other about music. When the context isn't on the same level, what is the meaning of the discussion? As a musician, is it necessary to cast aside all thoughts and beliefs, and to accept all types of unreasonable problematic questions?
To a large extent, a host is like a facilitator, and should connect to reach people on the outside. This is a general downturn of the music industry today. The host should stand up actively and rationally guide the public. They should not be taking problems due to their own situation, and spread negative emotions. If music is really to make money, then why are there so many still children that are desperately fighting to learn about the music and to aim for music industry, how should we make of this argument? Faced with unscrupulous traps and personal attacks, Anson Hu has remained calm.
(Note: there may be Youku server loading errors at times, refreshing this page usually helps. If not, you can try the original source via the link below.)
Source: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzA2MTE1Mjky.html / http://ent.ifeng.com/idolnews/mainland/detail_2011_09/22/9399075_0.shtml
Opinion + News: Anson Hu's Live Video Chat Program Buzz
2 comments:
"don't tell me that you don't want to earn money from album sales, because you are lying"
my response to that host:
don't tell me that you don't want to earn money from people watching your show?
Anson working hard for money doing his job what is wrong with that, and money means he can continue to write good music =D
@ Toilet: my full support for what you said!
The ugly comments were at thousands, then Youku cut them off, and now it's going back to thousands again....they're getting more painful and painful for me to read.
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