To the people hating on Wang Yibo for not "speaking up" for Xiao Zhan ...
Some things to consider (and I'm saying this all as a Xiao Zhan fan myself):
- People made awful assumptions about Xiao Zhan for not saying anything after the AO3 incident -- if you defended him then but are trashing WYB now ... doesn't that make you a hypocrite?
- While I do love all the industry people rushing to his defense, XZ himself said in an interview that he doesn't argue with critics, but rather considers what they have to say, as there's usually some value in it. He also seems averse to confronting people online. Don't you think there’s at least some chance that WYB might be respecting XZ's feelings on this? (Don't YOU? Or would you run roughshod over his feelings and defend him even if he specifically asked you not to?)
- WYB doesn't strike me as the type to care about the Golden Brooms, and therefore might consider the outcome to be beneath his notice. Honestly, the best thing you can do with bullies like the creators of the Golden Brooms is to ignore them, since what they want is attention -- that's the whole point of those awards, isn't it? "Looks at me and what I think! My opinions matters! Look as I drag people down and tell hem they suck just because I say so!" Nah, bro, nobody needs that kind of noise. To defend against it is to actually give it power / value. I appreciate the desire to defend Xiao Zhan, but I also see a lot of value in treating it the Golden Brooms -- or Xiao Zhan’s haters in general -- like they’re nothing.
- Tearing down WYB / encouraging people to hate him tears down The Untamed, which tears down XZ. Look at what XZ haters did to attack him -- lowering the rating of The Untamed, which affects all involved, There’s no “winning” in this action. And dammit, if you’re a fan of The Untamed, we’re all on the same side! Unless someone from the cast and crew does something HEINOUS, like being racist or sexually harassing, support them ALL! (Or at least don’t *drag* them.)
- I've seen some of the people who are calling out WYB for not sticking up for XZ, also insist that XZ and WYB aren't actually friends, saying people are reading too much into things between them. Well, which is it? If they aren't friends, why do you care if WYB speaks up or not? For that matter, why SHOULD he?
- As near as I can tell, XZ and WYB haven't been going for the same roles -- they AREN’T rivals! And even if they have or eventually do compete for a role here and there, there are plenty of roles for them both! A lot of friends in Hollywood have gone up for the same part, and are still friends! It’s ridiculously paranoid to think that WYB has orchestrated any sort of coup against someone he obviously got along well with and will likely cross paths with in the future. What has he done that suggests he’s at all vindictive, much less to to that insane of a level?
- And lastly, XZ constantly speaks of love, positivity, and being better. He encourages his fans to be their best, and not cause problems for others. Do you think XZ would *want* us to speak ill of *anyone* on his behalf, much less his friend? Are you really his fan if you're not taking his request for us to behave well to heart, and acting with kindness and compassion, instead of making negative assumptions about a person or situation with NO evidence?
Not speaking isn't "evidence" of anything when you don't know WHY he hasn't. There could be a MILLION reasons why WYB isn't saying anything -- and frankly, NONE of them are our business. If you truly love and respect XZ, ACT with respect towards WYB, whether they are friends or not, because that's what Xiao Zhan would do! For fuck’s sake, there’s enough hate swirling around -- please stop adding to it! LOVE, NOT HATE
