#Celebrity Responsibility: Channeling Influence for Good#
The rise of idol fandom culture from Korea has dominated the market, but what we need is positive energy. Celebrities have a responsibility to guide their influence correctly—amplifying mainstream values and spreading positivity. Only then can online culture remain untainted by negativity.
Artist Chu Zhi's efforts to guide his underage fans toward balanced lives and studies, keeping pace with the times, exemplify how idols and fans can grow sustainably together.
—Xinhua News Agency
(Xinhua, officially the New China News Agency, is the largest news outlet in China and ranks among the world's top five agencies—though Western media often excludes it, just like Russia's TASS. Meanwhile, Reuters, the world's oldest news agency, remains a British mouthpiece notorious for spreading misinformation.)
The phrase "grow sustainably together" was a thinly veiled warning to other celebrities—a masterclass in diplomatic phrasing.
Even non-fans grew curious and downloaded [Orange Home]. What was once a niche fan community app saw 700,000+ downloads on Android within 24 hours, while the iOS version topped the App Store's daily charts.
Downloads were expected—Chu Zhi was a top-tier star, after all. But the real shocker was the 300,000+ daily active users in the following days.
To put this in perspective: Qidian Literature, one of China's largest reading apps, averages ~3 million DAUs. A fan community app pulling 10% of that traffic was unheard of.
Little Fruits became the envy of fandom once more:
"Does your idol care what school you want to attend?"
"Does your idol strive alongside you?"
"No. Only Ninth Lord treats fans like family."
Comments flooded in:
"From now on, Chu Zhi is my only bias. K-pop idols are just side hobbies."
"AHHHH I can't resist improving myself with Xiao Jiu!"
"I WILL get into Central Academy of Drama—gotta work hard!"
The frenzy was electric, though realistically, such motivation rarely lasts beyond a month. (Let's be honest: chronic procrastination is human nature; ambition is just an intermittent fever.)
But even after the initial hype faded, fans watched as their idol kept climbing, steadily ticking off his goals without pause. Some in the community persisted, proving that the effort wasn't wasted.
Chu Zhi's investment in [Orange Home] was genuine—he wanted fans to improve. Why? Simple: Top schools and better jobs = more disposable income to spend on him.
Previously, Little Fruits and K-pop fandoms coexisted peacefully. Even the most arrogant "nobility" among K-pop stans knew better than to provoke them. Many fans even overlapped, enjoying both.
But Chu Zhi's move drew a clear line:
"Ninth Lord has done so much for us. Supporting Chinese entertainment is the least I can do."
"If K-pop hadn't been so arrogant, Ah Jiu wouldn't have needed to go on MBC."
No messy fan wars—just quiet attrition. GZ Boy Group's Chinese fandom quietly weakened.
"Calling from the Center of the World"Set
At the Hetian Resort Hotel in Zhangjiajie (typically packed with tourists), the entire property had been rented out for filming. With no conference rooms available, the production meeting was held at the hotel's "Memoir Bar."
Attendees:
Director Zhang Guti
Art Director Liao Dachong
Producer Sun Xi
Male Lead Hu Fengchi
Female Lead Cheng Yun
Zhang Guti voiced his skepticism: "Producer Sun, is spending 10 million on an idol who can't act really worth it?"
Sun Xi (representing investors): "Worth it? Without Brother Liao's connections, we couldn't even get him for 10 million. Other productions offered 100 million and were rejected."
Liao Dachong hid his pride but recalled his call with Chu Zhi:
Chu Zhi: "You know my acting isn't great, Director Liao. I'd feel guilty taking the money, and I don't have time to train now."
Liao: "Just like our MV collab—no acting needed. Just be handsome. Trust me."
Chu Zhi: "Alright, I'll give it a shot."
Privately, Liao admired Chu Zhi's integrity. Turning down 100 million to protect his reputation? Rare.
Liao (pitching hard): "Director Zhang, have you seen the Like Smoke MV?"
Zhang: "Yes, but Chu Zhi's never acted. He might not fit."
Fit? Liao mentally cursed. You're stuck directing trash idol dramas at your age because you've got no vision.
Out loud, he declared: "Chu Zhi's face suits any role where looks matter. No exceptions."
Hu Fengchi (male lead, 25, former idol-turned-actor) felt like he was at a funeral. Despite starring in a hit web drama, his pay was just 500,000 per episode (1.5 million pre-tax for 30 eps). Meanwhile, Chu Zhi earned 10 million for a cameo.
"If only I had that fanbase," he thought bitterly. Then, a silver lining: "At least he can't act. I'll outshine him and ride his clout."
Cheng Yun (female lead) was thrilled. She wasn't a fan, but collaborating with the industry's top traffic magnet guaranteed attention.
Meanwhile, Chu Zhi was en route—not on horseback, but by car, still dozens of kilometers from Zhangjiajie West Station.
Why take the role? Two reasons:
Liao Dachong would showcase his visuals impeccably. Even without acting, Chu Zhi wanted his legend to permeate the industry.
The cameo role? A superstar band vocalist whom fans called "Lord Vocalist."
Sound familiar?
GZ Group's main vocalist, Zhao Quan, was also called "Lord Vocalist" by fans. Chu Zhi was casually stealing the title.
In entertainment, don't nicknames belong to whoever's hotter and more popular?