Chapter 1293: Perfecting a Big Task (II)

How would you evaluate the song "Actor"?

On Zhihu, someone raised a question.

Music-related questions rarely make it to Zhihu's hot search, unless the song is extremely, extremely popular.

The last song that sparked widespread discussion on Zhihu was "Rakshasa Sea Market," where netizens analyzed how many celebrities were cursed in the song.

As for this time, there isn't that much content worth deep analysis—it's simply that the song is too popular, everywhere people are singing it and creating derivative works, and Zhihu wouldn't miss the chance to ride this trend.

Netizens' responses basically stem from the song's popularity itself, rather than boring questions like discussing its depth.

After all, Luo Quan herself said this song isn't the kind of deeply sorrowful, socially conscious track that discusses heavy societal issues.

Making the general public find it pleasant to listen to and sing along with is the true meaning behind its creation; so far, this effect has been quite good.

"This song should be Luo Quan's hottest one this year."

"It's become popular so fast it's almost absurd—today, during school registration for the singing competition, I saw many contestants choosing this song."

"Laziness sickness has flared up like this."

"Isn't the output of primordial mythology just fine?"

Luo Quan looked at Gao Liang helplessly and smiled, then reluctantly stood up: "Alright, since you've said all that, I'll come dance."

"Hard to say—if the brother and sister really finish this Subject Three dance, they might spark a wave of imitation in the U. S."

"Haha, she now wishes we'd make fewer demands, just so she can get by day by day."

But if people are criticizing it just because it's rustic, Luo Quan thinks these folks are being overly pretentious.

Luo Quan anyway feels this kind of hard labor isn't worth praising, yet she feels she can't avoid it.

"I think it's quite fun—I even dance it in my dorm, though I'm not as good as Gao Liang."

"After Luo Quan and Gao Liang dance this time, the popularity is likely to explode even more."

This makes Luo Quan feel utterly bewildered.

Little does she know, truth is often not in the hands of the few.

Is there any law that says people can't watch these rustic videos?

As long as it doesn't affect others, even if the content is a bit awkward, it shouldn't invite such criticism, right?

In the fans' discussion, Gao Liang has already started playing the Subject Three music.

"Such things shouldn't appear in public—wouldn't those who dance it feel embarrassed?"

"During Gao San's tense study period, even during the New Year holidays, students should at least get a week off."

"I admit Subject Three is rustic, but rustic doesn't mean vulgar—so stop showing off your superiority here."

"The things you're saying, even few Chinese people like them—take them abroad for export? Who would bother to understand?"

The barrage is filled with endless arguments, because Luo Quan has already discussed these related issues in her previous livestreams.

The vast majority of students lack the conditions to study refined arts, so appreciating "Learning to Meow" is much easier than appreciating Bach's works.

"This year probably won't work out—Luo Bao said she won't attend the Spring Festival Gala this year, choosing to stay home with family instead."

"I can't." Luo Quan spread her hands, laughing and crying at the same time.

So under such a high-pressure work environment, she naturally grabs any chance to rest.

"Is it really that exaggerated? If so, that's indeed being somewhat narrow-minded and ignorant."

"I think this deserves strong promotion—maybe it'll blow up overseas, and then the whole world will shake it to Subject Three, which would be impressive."

"Damn, are we really going to have to dance?"

Seeing Gao Liang finish picking, Luo Quan laughed heartily while clapping, joking along.

So when people biased against this form of entertainment see it, they physiologically feel a sense of awkwardness.

"During the midday break, the school played 'Actor,' and as soon as the music started, the whole class began singing along."

Mainly because there's too much to do every day, but human energy is limited—no matter how healthy her body is, her spirit needs rest; if she feels overly fatigued, she'll instinctively grow weary of certain things.

Anyway, she's always believed that popular entertainment enjoyed by the masses, though not necessarily refined, must have its merits and shouldn't be blindly belittled.

But in this fantastical era, whatever happens is quite normal.

It's said this is mocking how people in a certain province, when learning to drive, like to awkwardly dance during the Subject Three test, hence naming that awkward dance after Subject Three.

You spend a lot of effort arguing online, and the other person might just block you directly, not caring what you said at all.

She's never danced Subject Three before, but after watching it so many times, the movement details are etched in her mind—she just needs to wiggle a bit to grasp the essence, so for her, it's not difficult at all.

When Luo Quan watches these rustic videos, she often encounters overly superior people mocking her; seeing her laugh so happily, they toss out, "Your taste is just like that," to show off their superiority.

"Good, good, good—this time the international摇子 will welcome a heavyweight star—let me boost my score big time!"

"There are so many options for cultural export—Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, Yin-Yang school—so many excellent cultures; how could something as minor as Subject Three ever get a turn?"

But even so, it still feels somewhat rustic.

"There will definitely be new songs during this period—Luo Quan says she likes to slack off, but deep down, she's someone who can't stay idle."

"Haha, Luo Bao has finally started making rustic videos."

If any particularly urgent issue arises, remote work from home is possible, with overtime pay still given.

If it's because someone occupied the road to dance this, causing congestion and song-related disputes, then being criticized is hardly unjustified.

"Indeed, that's the case."

Moreover, it's already year-end, and the statutory longest holiday is getting closer—this time, her slacking off can be said to be justified and reasonable.

"This thing is just a joke—if it really spreads, China will become a laughingstock."

Without a doubt, this sentence immediately triggered mockery from the superiority crowd:

Because the music is very energetic, plus the dance moves are addictive and fun, it quickly went viral on Douyin, Constable, and Bilibili.

……………………

"Don't come at me, older sister—I saw your livestream, you weren't slacking off without watching this a lot—you've probably already learned it, just too shy to dance."

However, compared to previous years, this year's situation seems to be somewhat different again.

"This kind of thing wants to get popular overseas? Don't kid yourself, do you think foreigners are just as tacky as us?"

"It works. Early in the year it was 'Most Dazzling Ethnic Style,' at year's end it's 'Actor,' Luo Bao's big hit song counts as having a beginning and an end."

Looking at these teasing bullet comments, Luo Quan actually wanted to say it really wasn't that she was lazy.

So even though online public opinion on this thing isn't very good right now, every time Luo Quan scrolls past it, she still watches it through to the end, then comments on the dancer's technical strengths and weaknesses.

Continuing the discussion would just be those same words she said a long time ago.

It sounds very conscientious, but this is actually the treatment workers should have.

Holding down multiple jobs simultaneously, and still doing all of them this well — probably only she could pull that off.

And what can make the general public with no appreciation ability all think is good, that is definitely exceptionally excellent art.

The number of people in Huaxia who have truly received so-called high art education is vanishingly small; more people don't even remember what their own art and music teachers looked like or were called.

Let them argue. Anyway, in this society right now, the hottest things can never be unanimously praised; half praise, half curse is the norm.

Why do you have to overanalyze just watching a funny video for a laugh?

What can make most people think it's good, that is good art.

But in the public's eyes, tuhai is tuhai; even if the technical content improves a bit, it still makes people feel it's low-class.

Once the four words 'sharing joy with the people' come out, that hat gets pinned on too big — as if not dancing means you're putting on airs, looking down on the masses.

After all, appreciating the latter's works requires a certain threshold.

A DJ-style fast song was playing on the phone, and his legs were like noodles, starting to sway left and right.

Luo Quan watched from the side for a while and felt her little brother danced quite legitimately; he had definitely put in the effort to practice.

"Does Luo Bao count as international?"

People used to say New Year's was the happiest holiday for most workers, because it's the grandest festival; nothing, no matter how big, compares to New Year's, compares to family reunion.

At least art isn't like that.

Because when art is born, it doesn't tag itself as only appreciable by highbrow groups.

Luo Quan's cheeks were slightly red; after all, it was still her first time livestreaming such a tacky dance, so she felt a bit embarrassed deep down.

This is quite shocking, because at least since Luo Quan can remember, aside from a few special occupations, she's never heard of New Year's not letting people go home for reunion.

Just like Gao Liang, a dignified Oscar Best Actor, actually learned to dance Subject Three in the style of a 'spiritual lad.'

"That artistic atmosphere abroad, seeing us dance this they'd probably think we look like monkeys, really so embarrassing."

As a branch of the modern tacky dance 'Shake,' Subject Three has a bit more technical content than things like Flower Hands or Qinghai Shake, and it looks better too.

Gao Liang's mouth curled up, and he kept egging her on: "Since we're at it today, you come dance one too, sharing joy with the people isn't good?"

What she can do is ensure her own company won't have this kind of situation.

Regarding Subject Three, Luo Quan actually often sees it when scrolling Bilibili.

But besides holding these two identities simultaneously, she is also simultaneously an actor, advertising spokesperson, company boss, producer, etc.

It's just that in the current broader environment, basic operations have become 'conscientious entrepreneur,' and Luo Quan sometimes feels it's pretty surreal.

The same topic she rarely discusses a second time, especially art-related issues.

"Had it long ago. Subject Three is now the hottest dance on TikTok, imitators too numerous to count!"

And once this weariness appears, it's extremely detrimental to work.

Subject Three is tacky, but not vulgar.

Although the specific arrangements aren't known yet, one can imagine this year's Spring Festival Gala will probably feature some skits related to workers still sticking to their posts on New Year's Eve.

"Love you is even more exaggerated than you imagine; this dance's popularity is no less than Gangnam Style back then."

Being able to make so many people chase and imitate it, there is a certain reason.

"Looking forward to this year's Spring Festival Gala bringing another new song; then it can be popular for a whole year again."

But supposedly starting this year, New Year's Eve might not necessarily be a day off either.

Originally Luo Quan planned to wait until everyone argued themselves tired then switch topics; didn't expect Gao Liang to pull a fast one on everyone, directly pointing the camera at her, making her dance Subject Three too.

Actually not just Huaxia, the whole world is like this.

The superiority faction uses learned knowledge to separate themselves from the masses, deludedly trying to use a minority's quantity to seize the majority's discourse power.

So having explained it once, Luo Quan doesn't plan to explain a second time.

………………

If she only had the single job of singer or director it would be fine; she could have ample time to coordinate between releasing new works and resting.

Whether it's Quan Shui Entertainment, or Illusory Game Studio, or Bilibili, all must start vacation three days before New Year's Eve and not return until a week after Spring Festival to continue working.

"You've already started pulling this kind of big stunt?"

Result: after starting work, days passed more bitterly than senior year of high school, which made people feel awful.

"High art and low art can never be cooked in the same pot; Luo Quan has always been working to eliminate the barrier between the two, but currently the effect seems minimal."

………………

"With this face put out there, who wouldn't take her for a Huazi? Add in Gao Liang, it's a proper American branch shake."

Luo Quan went downstairs to pour some boiling water and saw Gao Liang livestreaming dancing in the living room.

"Oh, that's too bad then, but spending New Year's with family is indeed more important."

"That's after Luo Quan's artistic processing; in your words it's bullshit. How could a proper myth possibly be like this?"

"Originally quite liked Gao Liang, didn't expect he'd dance this too; filter shattered all over the floor instantly."

Everyone else says Subject Three is tacky, curses it, so she just has to finish watching Subject Three.

"If Luo Bao hears you now, she'll scold you for spreading rumors again."

She actually has a bit of a rebellious mentality in this regard.

Damn, is there anything more impressive than horseback dancing? I can't imagine a viral dance from our China would be this popular.

But when she started moving her legs and swaying her body to the music, that sense of shame quickly vanished, replaced by the joy of being immersed in dance in both body and mind.

Gao Liang soon joined the dance as well.

For someone like him who loves abstract and rustic things, dancing Subject Three was truly a joy, all about enjoyment, with a smile on his face happier than when he won the Oscar for Best Actor.

Such an infectious expression and dance moves caused the barrage of comments to fill with praise.