As soon as a concert begins, it's time for fans and fan site administrators to clash with on-site staff.
Most concerts generally prohibit photography, but enforcement in China is lax, almost non-existent. However, Random Entertainment is different. Their determination to ban photography rivals that of drug prohibition. Staff members monitor each section, stopping anyone caught taking photos and even demanding content deletion. Confiscating fan site admins' memory cards is a common occurrence.
Moreover, attendees must sign an electronic contract before purchasing tickets, agreeing not to spread concert audio or video content on social media platforms, or face potential lawsuits.
This extreme stance leads to Random Entertainment being criticized every time they sell tickets. People don't understand why they prohibit what could be an excellent promotional opportunity.
Sometimes, fans really want to open up the brains of Random Entertainment's executives to see if they've been eaten by worms.
Despite the risk of lawsuits, people still want to take photos. If they can't post on Weibo and other platforms, they can at least show off on their personal social media. So many still secretly take photos.
The concert starts at 6 PM on Saturday, but many fans arrive by noon. Hoping to soak in the atmosphere by coming early, some fans discover that Random Entertainment has launched a surprise sale of concert merchandise.
"Title: Gossip discussion / Random Entertainment suddenly selling concert merch... What, afraid I'll buy it?"
"I came early to scope things out before getting food, and found people queuing in the square. I went over and saw they were selling merchandise."
"Well, Random Entertainment keeps quiet, and you all at the venue keep quiet too, huh?"
"There's lots of merch on site. Ticket holders can get light sticks with their tickets, and VIP ticket holders can even get photo cards."
"I'm being nice, sharing such important news with you all."
Comments:
"First time I've seen someone sell things so secretly!"
"We've grown apart, they don't even tell me when they're selling merch anymore."
"? But the concert merch sold out 10 minutes ago. Light sticks and photo cards are still available though, you can go get those."
"You didn't happen to post this after Random Entertainment sold out, did you?"
"No wonder my timeline was so quiet, you were all secretly buying!"
"Haha, the concert merch sold out ages ago. Staff said there were only 100 sets, mainly for Random Entertainment staff and trainees as souvenirs. They made extra, so they put them on sale."
"...I can't even get the leftovers."
"Damn, only 100 sets? That's going to drive up resale prices like crazy!"
"No, no, it's all very normal merch. 10 yuan solar-powered hand warmers, 15 yuan thermal mugs, 35 yuan down vests. Just these three items, nothing else."
"How much?"
"???? How much did you say?"
"Sister, you're missing a few digits, right?"
"No wonder no one said anything!!!!"
"I'd take these clearance items too..."
"Sell to me, no joke, I really need them."
"There are also food trucks at the venue, with unlimited drinks! Sisters with nothing to do can come early!"
"Yes! There's oden and hot water on site, you can choose four items each! It's free!"
"Just now a curious cleaning uncle came to look, and the staff even gave him a set. So sweet."
"No joke, I'm still mad at myself for missing out on the 35 yuan down vest."
"Don't worry about the 35 yuan down vest, I've already got tickets for the Shenzhen show."
"Do you need to wear a down vest in Shenzhen?"
Jiang Juyou, wearing a black down jacket, blended into the crowd, unrecognizable with her hat and mask on.
Instead of staying backstage, Jiang Juyou's main purpose was to identify and address any shortcomings. Sometimes, staying in the company for too long can lead to fixed thinking patterns and a disconnect from fans' needs. To minimize this gap, Jiang Juyou decided to experience the entire process alone this time, from travel to accommodation, to understand the fans' perspective.
Since she made this decision, she naturally started with buying a ticket.
But by the time she had this plan, tickets were already sold out. In fact, they had broken Galexy World's record, selling out in just 2 minutes and 23 seconds. Jiang Juyou only remembered she hadn't bought a ticket on the third day.
With no other choice, she had to use her connections to enter as staff, unable to sit down and instead tasked with preventing fans from taking out their phones to record.
The northern winter was dry, and Jiang Juyou couldn't help but lower her head and cough lightly. Then she heard someone behind her whisper:
"Hey, Jiang Juyou just coughed!"
"Could she have a cold?"
"It sounds like it. Look how lightly she's dressed!"
Jiang Juyou froze: "..."
How did they recognize her?
Though she thought her disguise was perfect, Jiang Juyou was actually too conspicuous.
What fan comes to a concert without a single piece of fan merchandise? Not only that, she didn't even have a bag, and apart from her phone, she carried nothing else.
Add to that her cool, slim figure and all-black outfit, who wouldn't recognize Jiang Juyou?
At times like these, the social butterflies among fans can't resist approaching for a chat.
Seeing other fans dropping the pretense, someone called out to Jiang Juyou, "Why is Jiang-jie outside?"
Jiang Juyou's toes curled: "..."
She wasn't wearing headphones this time and couldn't pretend not to hear. She had to answer reluctantly: "The staff was short-handed, so I came to help out."
Before she could finish, fans started surrounding her like zombies.
A fan who missed out on the merchandise put her hands on her hips, looking disgruntled as she said to Jiang Juyou, "Can you make more merch next time? I was almost at the front of the line when they said it was sold out."
"Yeah, I was next in line."
"Come on, I only just found out there was merch for sale."
"I told my online friends there was still merch, and when they got here, we all just stared at each other helplessly."
Perhaps because the term "fan" online gives an impression of ferocity, Jiang Juyou always approached them with caution, afraid of saying too much or making mistakes. She was also worried her actions might negatively impact the trainees, so she always maintained a quiet image.
But she came this time for research and experience, so she couldn't keep silent. She actively asked, "What areas do you think we can improve on? Since I'm here, you can tell me."
Hearing this, a fan who had been secretly recording immediately straightened her phone and pointed it at Jiang Juyou, "I have a question! Why exactly can't we take photos at concerts? We rarely get to come, but we have to sneak around like thieves."
Jiang Juyou glanced at her phone and smiled helplessly, then asked, "You're a fan site admin, aren't you?"
Normal fans would obediently put away their phones after learning about the no-photo policy. Some might take out their phones to secretly snap one or two photos, just like taking a couple of pictures during a movie, mainly to post on social media.
Only fan site admins and professional photographers would be this upset, as their memory cards keep getting confiscated. They might need to prepare three or four memory cards for one concert, which is quite troublesome.
The fan, hit right where it hurt, averted her gaze for a moment before stubbornly replying, "No, I'm not!"
"This rule is mainly to accommodate the majority of fans. Think about it, you come to watch a concert, but everyone in front of you is holding up their phones, blocking your view. Would you stand up to watch or just sit there feeling frustrated?"
"Taking out your phone to record is like a butterfly effect. First, one person takes out their phone, then others see it and do the same. The result is everyone holding up their phones. People in the back rows, trying to get a clear shot, have to raise their arms higher. In the end, those in the very last row of the floor section might only be able to watch the big screen."
"Paying 400 yuan for such an experience certainly wouldn't be pleasant."
"It's the same with the stands. I know you fansites like to shoot from the upper levels, but the shutter sounds are also very disruptive to those around you trying to watch the performance. It's the same principle as not being allowed to eat in a theater during a concert. I hope everyone can be understanding and considerate. We're not targeting anyone specifically, but we want this experience to be worth the ticket price for everyone."
Ultimately, it's mostly teenagers and young adults who are fans, many of whom aren't financially independent and need to ask their parents for money. Their monthly allowance is only about a thousand yuan, with nearly a thousand going to food alone. There's barely any left for purchasing emotional value.
She didn't want attending concerts to become an unattainable dream, so she eliminated scalpers and lowered ticket prices.
When Jiang Juyou was initially planning, she used herself as the target demographic. She thought most people were like her - attending ordinary schools, with about 1,500 yuan left for living expenses after tuition.
People can't be like machines, just eating, sleeping, and working in an endless cycle without any entertainment. Everyone needs to find some joy, and they do it in different ways. Some find emotional value in dating, some in being fans, and others, like her, immerse themselves in books and novels.
After living expenses, she left herself only two to three hundred yuan for entertainment each month. Jiang Juyou felt this amount was just right - any more and she'd get greedy, any less and it wouldn't be enough.
Therefore, all Random Entertainment merchandise and concert tickets didn't exceed this amount. Even the 580 yuan tickets were priced that way to boost box office numbers; otherwise, it would be too low to make a profit.
Jiang Juyou wasn't sure if they understood her explanation. Just as she was feeling pleased with her thoughtfulness, another sharp criticism came her way.
"Why aren't fan supports allowed? I really don't get this," the girl said, rolling her eyes.
Jiang Juyou: "..."
Unbelievable, are these people uncomfortable if they're not spending money? They could donate the extra to her!
Jiang Juyou: Getting criticized for not letting them spend money...
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