From being unpopular to rising suddenly, MIRROR's fanaticism broke the fate of "Cantonese songs being watched to death", and it was placed in the expectation of "revitalizing Cantonese songs".
Compared with 1980s, 1990s and other eras when local popular culture was extremely vigorous, how does the rise of MIRROR reflect the changes and changes in Hong Kong, and what social problems does it reflect?
From being unpopular to rising suddenly, MIRROR's fanaticism broke the fate of "Cantonese songs being watched to death", and it was placed in the expectation of "revitalizing Cantonese songs".
(Photo by Ye Zhiming)
Superstars have the characteristics of the times
From the perspective of cultural studies, MIRROR itself has the characteristics of being young, talented and easy to be popular. In addition, their struggles have given Hong Kong people an inexplicable sense of intimacy and empathy, and they will naturally obtain psychological satisfaction from them; more importantly Yes, the society has experienced several turmoil in recent years, and many negative emotions just need an outlet, and the story of MIRROR is just right for this social climate.
However, some people think that the rise of MIRROR is just a "false fire". For example, the famous writer Tao Jie once pointed out that this kind of political emotion projection is difficult to save Hong Kong's music culture industry. As a result, he was attacked by "mirror fans" online; Becoming a "real fire" is expected to revive the glory of Cantonese songs.
From not being favored to being highly expected, MIRROR will inevitably be compared with Uranus superstars in the booming era of local pop culture such as 1980 and 1990; and an in-depth analysis of the support methods and psychological states of the two generations of "groupies" , it will help us better understand people's emotional needs and the social problems hidden behind "entertainment".
Li Zhanpeng, assistant professor of the Department of Communication at the University of Macau, told Hong Kong 01 that it can be explored from micro and macro perspectives.
From a microscopic point of view, the two generations of "starchasers" have similarities, because starchasers can obtain entertainment, project desires, and emotional recognition, and they all meet the growth needs of young people, so no matter how the times evolve, "idol worship) (that is, Star chasing) This phenomenon has always remained the same; from a macro perspective, the two generations of stars have different characteristics, representing changes in Hong Kong society.
Li Zhanpeng believes that some kind of rebellion can be seen in Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui, and some traditions and boundaries must be broken.
(Photo by Chen Shunzhen)
Singer Traits: From Stylish to Painful
"Many people would describe that when we (post-90s to post-00s) were born, the society was a "Monopoly" (the classic board game Monopoly), and our "Monopoly" has already played to the late stage, and then When we look at the capitalist system of society, it is easy to feel powerless, what can we do?" Chen Jianxin, the founder of "Tree Hole Hong Kong", who is committed to promoting the popularization of psychological knowledge, is a "post-90s". So emotional about the current state of society.
In fact, the powerlessness of young people may be seen in MIRROR's performance.
Li Zhanpeng took Jiang Tao as an example, pointing out that he reflected "pain" in both his dance skills and music themes, such as "Master Class" about society's prejudice against young people, "Lonely Disease" expressing loneliness and emotional depression, and There is "Speaking of Works" against war.
Compared with Jiang Tao's "pain", Li Zhanpeng believes that the performances and dances of the previous generation of superstars such as Anita Mui, Leslie Cheung, and Sandy Lam are "stylish and stylish". To break some traditions, break some boundaries, such as gender boundaries or social taboos, and the whole stage presentation is stylish.”
Here comes the question, why are the two generations of stars with completely different performance characteristics, but they can still be popular among thousands of boys and girls?
This is the same as Li Zhanpeng in "Chasing Star Culture.
上｜Looking at the Emotional Needs of Hong Kong People from the Rise of MIRROR's Fanaticism is related to the "emotional identity" mentioned in "Emotional Identity", from which supporters can gain recognition and respect for themselves.
Li Zhanpeng pointed out that Jiang Tao's works are all bold and innovative, but they are painful breakthroughs.
(Photo by Liang Biling)
Fan mentality: from Mu Qiang to helpless
Li Zhanpeng explained that the 1980s and 1990s were the most glorious "golden age" for Hong Kong. At that time, Hong Kong was known as the "Four Asian Tigers". , Their performances can also reflect the confidence, boldness and innovation of that era.
Chen Jianxin also felt the same way.
He believes that the stars of the previous generation can usually show their strength when they debuted. For example, when Anita Mui participated in the first Rookie Singing Contest in 1982, her cover of "The Season of the Wind" had already amazed the audience. " mentality.
Anita Mui and later became a legendary queen who was popular in Asia, but unfortunately died of cervical cancer in 2003; and at the end of 2021, when Hong Kong was still deeply affected by the economic depression and film industry brought about by the epidemic, the biographical film " "Anita Mui" was released against the market, which once triggered a movie-watching boom and became the highest-grossing Hong Kong movie of the year.
Li Zhanpeng once described in a film review that the social effect caused by "Anita Mui" is already a "sociological event" in Hong Kong, because the Hong Kong stories it presents, the social emotions it captures, the extensive discussions it triggers, and the power to soothe people's hearts, have already Make film a "social phenomenon".
However, Chen Jianxin observed that contemporary young people do not have much resonance with "Anita Mui".
why?
Taking Jiang Tao as an example, Li Zhanpeng pointed out that although his works reflect the struggle and helplessness of today's society, he always strives to find a "breakthrough" in "pain", which may resonate more with young people.
Chen Jianxin also said that MIRROR focuses on "growth", bringing out a message that "ordinary people can become remarkable as long as they work hard", which is more in line with the mood of young people.
What kind of social reality does the mood of young people reflect?
"Chasing a success story in Hong Kong is extremely difficult for young people. For example, when you were in college, you thought that 40,000 to 50,000 yuan (monthly salary) was a lot, but when you borrowed money from the bank, you could only borrow 4 million yuan, 4 million plus. What kind of flat can you buy with an initial payment of 400,000 yuan? It’s an old flat of more than 300 square feet.” In Chen Jianxin’s view, young people’s disappointment with society stems from the government’s neglect of young people. The direction of development has a very clear idea, hoping to practice fairness and justice through democracy and freedom, but these wishes are forcibly misinterpreted by some people as young people just want to buy properties.
When the society is full of misunderstandings and obstacles for young people, young people will continue to accumulate negative emotions, and the information brought out by MIRROR is exactly the emotional outlet they are looking forward to.
Zhang Jianzong said that recent social incidents are not only about youth issues, but also involve social factors and geopolitics.
(File photo/photo by Zheng Zifeng)
Take celebrities as role models
So, do young people regard MIRROR as an emotional sustenance, or do they want to use it as a role model?
Chen Jianxin believes that the difference between "sustenance" and "role model" lies in "passive" and "active". The attitude of the participants will be more active, hoping that they can have the good qualities of MIRROR members, and actively make changes to themselves.
"I would encourage, no matter which idol you like, ask yourself a question, in your own life, how many qualities of the idol you admire have been practiced? For example, Jiang Tao is a hard-working and sincere person, a person who is willing to meet his dreams Difficult to get in; fans also have to ask themselves a question, are you practicing this type of trait in your life?" Chen Jianxin reminded that supporters need to maintain a certain degree of vigilance in the process of "chasing stars" and not allow "chasing stars" to be completely paralyzed Own.
In fact, most of the society has a negative perception of "chasing stars", precisely because some supporters put too much passion into it. The opponent's daily life forces Jiang Tao to ask his supporters to give him space on social media-all of which are unhealthy star chasing.
The outside world should pay more attention to artists' works, which also have more positive characteristics worth learning.
Chen Jianxin described that this is the meaning of idols or film and television roles.
For example, the popularity of Japanese anime is precisely because the protagonist usually has a noble personality: the protagonist of the famous teenage anime "One Piece" Lu Fei's character is set to emphasize friendship, insist on things, and dare to fight against injustice. "Actually (the author Eiichiro Oda) is It has gathered many good qualities for you to learn, refine the brilliance of human nature, and serve as a model to attract you to imitate. If you like AK (Jiang Yusheng, member of MIRROR) with a true temperament, then would you be willing to make yourself For the value of belief, become more outspoken?" Chen Jianxin asked.
"MIRROR has indeed become the sustenance of many people, but how many people has MIRROR become a role model?" Chen Jianxin once again issued a "mental torture" to supporters, "If MIRROR is your sustenance, you might as well make MIRROR your role model. Think about what is good about them, how I can have their good parts, their value. This is important.”
MIRROR concert accidents continue (photo by Kuang Yuying)
entertainment industry gone wrong
Starting from July 25, 2022, MIRROR originally planned to hold 12 concerts at the Hong Kong Hung Hom Stadium, but three accidents occurred in the first 4 concerts; until the evening of July 28, a large suspended screen in the center of the stage suddenly fell vertically, It hit two dancers directly, and Ah Mo (Li Qiyan) injured his cervical spine and is still in hospital.
The incident shocked the whole of Hong Kong. Afterwards, the government and the police investigated and found that three employees of the main contractor, Art Energy Engineering Co., Ltd., were involved in falsely stating that the weights of the various equipment on the two weight scales were the actual weights of the equipment. They have been charged with one count of conspiracy Fraud and 1 alternate charge of fraud.
Looking back at the follow-up of the incident, some commentators praised MIRROR, who had experienced major setbacks, bravely withstood great pressure, vowed not to give up, and continued to "fight against the absurd" in their own way; The stereotype of "don't ask about business" has always been a big breakthrough for urging the units involved to take responsibility.
However, some commentators criticized that the depth and breadth of social reflection are quite limited.
In fact, the accident at the MIRROR concert not only brought out the possibility of cutting corners, human negligence, and regulatory oversight in stage engineering, it should also lead the public to pay attention to the discussion of occupational safety and security and the rights and interests of self-employed workers, and further think about the "capital-forced labor" behind the popular culture industry. Weak" structural problems.
For example, ViuTV, which popularized MIRROR, was originally regarded by young people as a representative of "dismantling the big stage" and "anti-authoritarianism", but its parent company has been repeatedly accused of squeezing the bottom employees in order to save production costs Launched the "Blood Sucking Project" and so on, but many supporters are "selectively blind" and continue to support even if they are dissatisfied.
Star culture.
上|Looking at young people's emotional needs and star chasing culture from MIRROR's fanatical rise.
Next｜Style to pain, Muqiang to helplessness, what's wrong with society?