Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Song Qianming had long since registered a Weibo account. However, he had signed a contract with the previous company for a few years, and his number of fans never exceeded 50000. Furthermore, most of these fans were fake.
Ever since ‘Frost Falls’ became popular, the number of followers had reached millions. He had never bought any followers, so these were all active users who followed him.
However, after some of the breaking news about him was posted a few days ago, he lost another 100000 to 200000 fans. Now, he still had about 800000 fans. He felt that no matter these were anti-fans or those who really liked him, he should give them an explanation.
He had never studied public relations, but he wanted to tell the truth. If they could understand him, then so be it. If they couldn’t understand, then so be it. As for whether people believed it or not, he didn’t really care.
The fact is, he was not a bad artiste, and he did not intend to go for the popular route in the future.
Popularity could bring huge benefits and attention, but at the same time, the views of the industry and the outside world on popularity were too biased. In the future, it would be more difficult to obtain more acting resources on different levels.
This was actually not a bad thing. After knowing that he had a child, everyone would not fight to be his girlfriend fans and then quarrel with other people every day.
He really didn’t want to see that happen, especially when most of his fans were students who hadn’t formed a sound social mindset. When he had just become popular last month, he was afraid that these fans would like him too much and affect their study and work.
Now that these irrational fans had quit, he didn’t have to worry about misleading them or holding them back. He also didn’t have to worry about them being too extreme and bringing him trouble in the future. He liked people who paid more attention to his works than to him.
After some thought, Song Qianming explained the situation clearly and posted it on Weibo.
“I’m sorry to have caused trouble for the ‘Frost Falls’ crew because of my personal matters. Please look at the drama rationally. I, Song Qianming, do have a daughter, and I’m indeed unmarried. I don’t want to explain what happened, but I really didn’t know that her mother was pregnant and gave birth to my daughter at that time. I’m very sorry that I wasn’t by their side all those years, but from now on, I will shoulder the responsibility of being a father and take good care of my daughter. Thank you for your attention.”
As soon as he posted this on Weibo, Director He and Shen Bao’er sent him a message, “Aren’t you being too straightforward?”
“You should have been more tactful. This way, some fans might criticize you even more.”
“The truth is the truth. I don’t want to lie.” Song Qianming looked expressionlessly at the comments on his most Weibo post asking him to get out of the entertainment industry. Then, he looked at the next comment.
Director He paused for a moment before saying, “Actually, thinking about it, this response isn’t too bad. It’s not your fault. If you say too much, people will think that you’re deliberately trying to shirk responsibility. Although some fans might be disgusted and step back now, the responsibility of this matter isn’t on you. As time goes on, as long as you have better works, everyone will slowly understand.”
Shen Bao’er sent a regretful emoji. “I just feel that it’s a pity. You just became popular. You could have been even more popular.”
“If this gets brought up after I got even more popular, the backlash might be even greater. Thank you for your concern. I’m fine. I’m just afraid that it’ll affect the image of ‘Frost Falls’.
After a while, Director He sent a laughing emoji with its hands on its waist. “Just now, the streaming site told me that the new episode’s viewership is actually higher than before. So, Xiao Song, you don’t have to blame yourself. We were too anxious before.”
Hearing that, Song Qianming heaved a sigh of relief.
However, although the number of views was high, the bullet comments were all scolding him. It just so happened that this episode was broadcasting his true colors. In fact, from the beginning, the encounter with the female lead was all planned by him, so everyone scolded him even more.
“I thought he was acting as a good man. I didn’t expect him to be a scumbag both inside and outside the show.”
“No wonder he acted so well. It turns out that he’s acting in his own character.”
“Song Qianming, get out of the entertainment industry! Song Qianming, get out of the entertainment industry! Song Qqianming, get out of the entertainment industry!”
“Everyone, there’s no need to be like this. A drama is a drama, and a person is a person. Besides, he didn’t do anything wrong.”
“He didn’t do anything wrong? He’s not even taking responsibility for making a girl give birth before marriage. If he’s not scum, then what is?”
“But didn’t Song Qianming already explain that he didn’t know about the woman’s pregnancy? He didn’t even know that he had a daughter. How was he going to take responsibility? It’s also very hard on him to suddenly have a daughter to raise, okay?”
“So, he was forced to get another girl pregnant? Do you believe this? A scumbag’s life is dark anyway.”
“I think he’s quite courageous. He didn’t shirk the responsibility just because he’s popular. He’s brave enough to take on the responsibility.”
“The mother of his child has already contacted the media. How can he not bear the responsibility?”
“Please, the child’s mother was already at the terminal stage of her illness. If Song Qianming didn’t agree to do the DNA test, no one could do anything to him, okay?”
“That’s right, so what if he has daughter? Is it against the law for adults to have sex?”
“Ha, do all fans have such a mindset now? Are you saying that you’re a good person as long as you don’t break the law?”
“Don’t argue with these brainless fans. In their hearts, even if their idol killed someone, they would still think that there’s a reason behind it, and they can forgive their idol.”
“Song Qianming’s hater forever, no explanation needed. I’ll always boycott him.
Xiao Ting was about to die from anger. How was she a brainless fan? It was all her fault for being too impulsive and giving others a chance to rebut. She was so angry, how should she refute?
Because he didn’t have a management company, nor did he have a manager or assistant to manage his fans, even though Song Qianming came forward to explain, the number of people who criticized him increased. This was because many of these haters were hired by his competitors who had resources. They had plans and tricks, so how could ordinary fans deal with them? He had fallen into the trap just by being a little careless.
Even if Song Qianming had a clear conscience, he knew that he couldn’t go on like this. He had to control the reviews. Otherwise, if the general public started to dislike him, it would really be bad for his future acting career.
As the saying goes, when you’re sleepy, someone will send you a pillow. Someone contacted Director He and said that they wanted to talk to him about the signing a contract.
“I’ve already understood everything that happened after you debuted. Actually, it’s not a big deal for you to have a daughter before marriage, but can you tell me honestly if you’ve made any mistakes in your principles in this matter?” After the basic requirements of both sides were discussed, the capable woman opposite him asked very straightforwardly.
“No, I didn’t,” Song Qianming replied with certainty, “We only had sex once, and it was an accident. I didn’t even know that her mother was pregnant and gave birth to her. But let me make it clear to you, Youhuan is my daughter. Even if I didn’t know before, I love her very much now.”
“Of course, our company will respect your personal choice. Song Qianming, here’s to a happy cooperation in the future.”
“Okay, Ssister Hong.”