NETIZENS: SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE REVEALS CHEN XIANG CHEATED ON MAO XIAO TONG + HE RESPONDS

Chen Xiang and Mao Xiao Tong announced their relationship in September 2015.

They broke up in October 2017. Mao Xiao Tong posted "I never thought this scene would appear before my eyes". Chen Xiang said it was his fault for failing to protect Xiao Tong. These vague statements resulted in bitter fights between the fans. While these fights never died down, public interest in the breakup was reignited when Mao Xiao Tong denied Chen Xiang's narrative that the reason for the breakup was distance.

video

On the 24th,  a netizen released surveillance footage taken in the elevator at Chen Xiang and Mao Xiao Tong's apartment building. It shows on October 1 2017 at 20:40, Chen Xiang and Jiang Kai Tong entering and leaving the elevator together. 4 minutes later Mao Xiao Tong returns home. And four minute later Jiang Kai Tong leaves the building. At 21:45 she posted, "I never thought this scene would appear before my eyes". At 00:15 on October 2 2017 people believed to be her staff begin moving all her belongings out of the apartment. By 1:20 she has moved out.

On the 25th, Chen Xiang released a statement. As the release of the video was malicious and a violation of privacy he is considering taking legal action. He admitted he did not deal with the breakup well which has resulted in friends being roped into the situation. And for that, he apologises to them.

Chen Xiang's studio also released a statement. They allege the video has been edited maliciously, Chen Xiang's reputation has been slandered. They urge netizens to stop spreading misinformation or they will take legal action to protect Chen Xiang.


TRUTH BEHIND CHEN XIANG AND MAO XIAO TONG'S BREAKUP EXPOSED

COMMENTS: 4114
1. [+6994] My heart hurts for Mao Xiao Tong 

2. [+7433] ah ah, do the zha nan's fans still have face?

3. [+6638] You guys wanted definitive proof  Are you satisfied now  Do you want to say the rumours are not about your side  My heart hurts for my family's little sister Tong. Out of respect for their previous relationship as lovers she protected him and in return received your endless verbal abuse and attacks  Xiao Tong jia you, it will be better in the future 

4. [+5051] ah ah zha nan, there's finally definitive proof

5. [+4498] So it turns out Jiang is this disgusting

COMMENTS: 2074
1. [+8087] My heart hurts for Mao Xiao Tong. Her and her family have been attacked by Chen Xiang's fans for months. On reality shows Chen Xiang is still acting like a man who's been hurt by love  Can't believe it.

2. [+5378] Chen Xiang's character is no good. Trying to white-wash himself in the The Inn is so embarrassing.

3. [+4682] Can't believe it. Can't believe it.  He cheated but is acting pitiful  I've never seen such a shameless person 

4. [+3782] The Oscars owes Chen Xiang a Best Actor award.

5. [+3517] Chen Xiang can be considered the bastard of the century!  He cheated yet is shameless enough to buy a trending search and act pitiful!


CHEN XIANG RESPONDS

COMMENTS: 6969
1. [+11656] ah ah da  [T/N: kinda like "okay okay sure. whatever you say. *rolls eyes*]

2. [+10087] Taken down

3. [+7366] Still making excuses even though it's so obvious. We have eyes.

4. [+5670] I saw an interview. Mao Xiao Tong was hurt deeply by him. You can't only look at a man's appearance.

5. [+5269] Mao Xiao Tong is simply a role model for girls! Immediately moves out! My heart hurts for Mao Xiao Tong. She's been attacked by Chen Xiang's fans for months and they're still not letting go of her. And a certain someone was acting pitiful on a TV program successfully white-washing himself  Those who attacked Mao Xiao Tong shouldn't you apologise?

COMMENTS:
1. [+6655] Clearly a lack of confidence. He can only say it's a serious violation of privacy  There's nothing else he can say.

2. [+5279] The truth is he cheated.

3. [+4927] Stop the spread of misinformation??  Your side muddied the female. When your fans attacked the female until she was bloody [T/N figuratively not literally] why didn't you come out?? If it wasn't for the video we would still be pitying you. You really know how to act on the TV program.

4. [+4807] Mao Xiao Tong moving houses in the middle of the night was so damn hot. So courageous.

5. [+3411] Now what has Mao Xiao Tong done wrong 
[T/N: picture of comments attacking Mao Xiao Tong]


THOUGHTS:
- I liked them as a couple so I was disappointed when they broke up. I also liked them individually. My heart breaks for Mao Xiao Tong and I've lost all respect for Chen Xiang. He is literally the epitome of a zha nan.

Read More »

MUSIC: MOST VIEWED CPOP MUSIC VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE*

1. 151 million views

A Little Happiness (小幸运) - Hebe Tien (2015)

A Little Happiness was the first cpop song to break the 100 million view mark. 

It was the theme song to the Taiwanese movie Our Times (我的小女时代) which was a box office hit. 

The movie and song was quite popular in South Korea. It has been covered by numerous kpop idols including SNSD's Yoona and Jessica, VIXX's Ken, Apink, Lee Hi, IU, Song Joong Ki, Park Bogum (on piano). Due to the success of the film in South Korea, the male lead Darren Wang is also quite popular amongst Korean netizens. 

2. 120 million views
Those Years (那些年) - Hu Xia (2011)

Another theme song to another Taiwanese box office hit, You Are the Apple of My Eye (那些年我们一起追的女孩).
This song was one of the biggest hits for its time. I believe it was the first cpop song to break the 10 million view mark doing so within a couple of months. Back in 2011 this was a pretty big deal.
It also broke the record for the KKBOX singles daily chart remaining on top for 64 days.
This song has also been covered by kpop idols most recently VIXX and Seventeen.

3. 117 million views
You Exists in My Song (你的歌声里) - Wanting Qu (2012)

Due to the popularity of the song, it was selected to be the theme song for the Hong Kong movie Love in the Buff.

Wanting Qu is a Chinese born, Canadian based singer-songwriter.

4. 113 million views
Twilight - JJ Lin (2015)

Twilight was nominated for Best Song of the Year at the 27th Golden Melody Awards.

5. 106 million
Let's Not Be Friends in the Future (以后被做朋友) - Eric Chou (2014)

The ending OST for the Taiwanese drama The Way We Were which was produced by and starring Ruby Lin.

6. 93 million views
Love Confession (告白气球) - Jay Chou (2016)

From Jay Chou's latest album, Jay Chou's Bedtimes Stories.

7. 90 million million views
Rhythm of the Rain (听见下雨的声音) - Queen (2013)

Theme song to the Taiwanese movie Rhythm of the Rain which was directed by Vincent Fang, Jay Chou's long time lyricist.
Listen to Jay Chou's version here (36 million views)

8. 89 million views
What Brings Me to You (是什么让我遇见这样的你) - Ann Bai (2012)

The lead single in Ann Bai's debut album Catcher in the Rye.

9. 89 million views
Shouldn't Be (不该) - Jay Chou X aMei (2016)

Theme song for the Chinese drama Ice Fantasy.

10. 86 million views
Practice Love (修炼爱情) - JJ Lin (2013)

I wrote a post about this MV a couple of months ago. I don't think there's anything else for me to say.
______________________________________________________________________________

Those are the Top 10 most viewed c-pop songs on YouTube of all time as of July 2017. 

THE BREAKDOWN:

• 7/9 singers are based in Taiwan (Wanting is based in Canada, Hu Xia in mainland China)
• 6/10 songs are theme songs
• 3/10 songs are from debut albums
• JJ Lin and Jay Chou are the only singers to appear multiple times (twice)
• All songs are solo acts (no bands/idol groups)
• Jay Chou and aMei are the only duet

100 MILLION VIEW CLUB:

• cpop 'only' has 5 songs in the 100 million view club compared to kpop which has 20-something
• 4/5 songs are theme songs
• 4/5 singers were based in Taiwan at the time (Hu Xia is from mainland China and is now currently based there)
• 2/5 are from very established singers, 2/5 are from debut albums and there's Hu Xia who fits neither category

THOUGHTS:

When seeing that cpop 'only' has 5 songs in the 100 million view club many will probably attribute it to YouTube being banned in China. While I'm sure this is a contributing factor, I personally do not think it is the main reason. I believe the reason is the lack of fandom culture.

cpop simply does not have a fandom culture like kpop especially as these singers are mature (ie. older) artistes not idols (and I mean no disrespect to kpop idols when I say that). The lack of fandom culture means that nobody really cares about the views on a MV. You won't see comments saying "let's get this to one million in 24 hours" etc... 

I think the lack of fandom culture and care for MV views is really evident when you look at the breakdown of the songs are in the Top 5 and 10. 2/5, 3/10 songs are from debut albums. The only criteria to become one of the most viewed cpop songs is it has to be good/public friendly (once again no disrespect to kpop). 

This all being said though, I am happy/excited to see these songs hit the 100 million view mark and maybe even 200 million view mark. It'll be interesting to see what the Top 10 cpop songs will be by the end of 2017. I started writing this post back in the beginning of July. During the time this post sat in the drafts each song received an extra 2 or 3 million views. While no song was bumped out of the Top 10, the order was rearranged. Based off the increased view count over that short 2 week period, I tentatively guesstimate that all 10 songs will have over 100 million views by the end of 2017.

I would love to hear your thoughts! 

What do you think about the Top 10 cpop songs? Are you a fan of the music, the singer, the movie/drama? 

Do you agree or disagree with my thoughts on the 100 million views club?

Do you think cpop will be able to break 200 million views by the end of 2017?

NOTES:

* to find the Top 10 cpop MV I went onto the official YouTube accounts of record labels. If you believe I have missed a MV please let me know. 

Read More »

ADORABLE VIDEO OF YOUNG YANG MI CIRCULATING ONLINE

SINA WEIBO:
[T/N: video in link] 

So cute! An upgraded video of young Yang Mi telling a story.
Small curls with a sweet voice, as well as very bright eyes. Did such a cute cute Xiao Mi Mi eat cuteness to grow up?

COMMENTS: 2050
1. [+2653] So she has been beautiful from young

2. [+2057] Thank you netizen for sharing, or else I wouldn't have been able to see such a cute Xiao Xiao Mi 

3. [+1388] So beautiful. Looking forward to 6.30 Reset.

4. [+1343] Had so much character when she was young. She speaks her lines so well 

5. [+1127] So cute 

6. [+982] I've always liked and supported Yang Mi 

7. [+917] Da Mi Mi is so cute 

8. [+805] Yang Mi 

9. [+769] So cute. Looking forward to Yang Mi's new film

10. [+734] OMGsh, too cute. Kiss Kiss!!

Read More »

MUSIC: HUA CHEN YU'S MY SKATEBOARD SHOES 2016

If you go on any one of Hua Chen Yu's songs on YouTube you will find comments saying they went from a passerby to a fan after Hua Chen Yu performed My Skateboard Shoes 2016. I am one such person who went from a passerby to a fan after Hua Chen Yu performed My Skateboard Shoes 2016.

The first version I heard of My Skateboard Shoes 2016 was the version in the video above. 

The first time I heard it I fell in love. I know I said that in my previous music feature haha. I guess for a song to score a feature post I must fall in love with it at first listen. Anyway, I digress. 

Although I watched Hua Chen Yu rise to fame as he participated in Super Boy 2010, eventually winning the competition I was never his fan. But all that changed when I heard My Skateboard Shoes 2016 and learnt the context of how that song came to be. 

The video above shows the first time Hua Chen Yu performed My Skateboard Shoes 2016. It was on the television program Tian Lai Zhi Zhan (unofficial translation Sounds of War) where Hua Chen Yu was a set cast member alongside Karen Mok, Yang Kun and Fei Yu Qing. The concept of the program PK-ing celebrity singer-songwriters against non-famous singer-songwriters. The twist was the celebrities would be given 24 hours to remake a song selected by the non-famous singer-songwriter. In Episode 3, Hua Chen's Yu non-famous singer-songwriter opponent was Lu Mo Yi, a backing vocalist at his concerts and his good friend. The song she selected was My Skateboard Shoes.

This song was the viral hit of 2014/2015 for reasons I believe are clear after listening to the song.
The video above is actually the official music video which was released after the song went viral. The only aspect of the song that Hua Chen Yu did not changed was the lyrics.

My Skateboard Shoes 2016 was arguably one of the most talked about songs in the program being mentioned every so often. Hua Chen Yu even performed part of it in Yang Kun's performance in Episode 8.

Due to the popularity My Skateboard Shoes 2016 received, Hua Chen Yu released an official studio version later that year.

Read More »