Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

Kai's words, "I'm sorry the filming wasn't good," exploded like a bomb in the media circle and instantly swept across the country.

The next day, all the entertainment headlines were about him apologizing to the audience!

The major media outlets that were criticizing the day before have suddenly changed their tune and are now praising the media.

The Beijing News' front-page headline read: "[Brother Kai Apologizes: The Promise Wasn't Good, I'm Sorry]". The article stated: In an era where people stubbornly deny making bad films, Brother Kai, with a simple "I'm sorry," showed everyone what true mastery looks like. The Promise may be a failure, but he, as a person, has won!

Southern Weekly published a commentary: "[One Apology is Worth Ten 'The Promise' Films]". The article argues that Kai's apology is not only a reflection on one film, but also the beginning of a collective reflection among the Fifth Generation directors. One editor commented: "When a master is willing to bow his head, he truly becomes a master."

Sanlian Life Weekly published a special feature titled "Brother Kai's Turnaround," which used the images of Brother Kai's high spirits during filming, his silence at the premiere, and his haggard appearance and bowing apology in an interview program. The magazine also interviewed several industry insiders to give their opinions on the matter.

Even the usually critical self-media community has fallen silent.

The blogger who previously wrote "The Ten Bad Points of The Promise" deleted the old article and reposted a new one titled "Why I Went from Hating Chen Kaige to Being a Fan," which instantly garnered over 100,000 views.

The online response was more enthusiastic than that in print media.

The group of netizens who had previously been the most vocal critics were the first to express their shock.

[Holy crap? Kai apologized?]

[Wasn't there a rumor that they were going to sue Hu Ge? How did it turn into an apology?]

[This...this attitude is so unreasonable! Is this still the arrogant rich guy?]

Am I the only one feeling sorry for Kai? Those three photos from different periods posted by Sanlian show him looking at least ten years older.

On Tianya Forum, a post titled "Apologize if you don't take good photos, that's the demeanor a master should have" garnered tens of thousands of replies in a single day.

In the post, netizens who had previously criticized "The Promise" harshly all changed their tune.

To be honest, *The Promise* was indeed terrible, but I admire Director Chen's attitude.

[To err is human, to forgive divine; Kai is far better than those directors who make terrible films and then stubbornly deny it.]

Honestly, I admit I went a bit too far with my criticism before. I apologize. Director Chen, please make a better film next time, and we'll watch it again.

Just for that one "I'm sorry," I'll give his movies at least one more chance in the future!

The director who could make "Farewell My Concubine" truly has integrity.

[Upstairs, wasn't there already a rumor that Ba Wang was directed by his father?]

[The person upstairs is an idiot. They believe everything they hear. Anyone who's seen Kai's previous movies knows this news is ridiculously false. Every director may have a different style, but their lighting and visual effects always have a unique perspective!]

[The person upstairs is awful. The internet is a mess because of people like this. They don't use their brains to think; they blindly believe whatever post they see.]

Amidst the heated discussions,

Hugo himself also responded on his blog.

He said he never expected Kai to react this way, and he was prepared to be sued. He added, "Director Chen's magnanimity is admirable. 'A Bloodbath Caused by a Steamed Bun' was just a joke, without any malicious intent. I hope Director Chen won't mind."

Kai Ge did not respond, but Chen Hong said with a smile in an interview: We watched that video, it was quite interesting. Kai Ge said it's a good thing that young people are creative.

This caused an even bigger uproar among netizens.

[Holy crap? Kai read "A Bloodbath Caused by a Steamed Bun"? And said it was quite interesting?]

[Praising someone while getting close enough to use their ultimate skill? That's truly the demeanor of a master!]

I even insulted them before, but now that I think about it, I feel really ashamed.

[Just for that line, I watched "The Promise" twice!]

[Yes, yes, yes, even just thinking of it as taking a nap at the movie theater is fine!]

The dramatic shift in word-of-mouth even led to a rebound in box office revenue.

The weekend after the apology was announced, the daily box office of "The Promise" jumped from less than a million to three million.

Many viewers said that they originally didn't want to watch it, but now they want to see just how bad it is that Director Chen would put aside his dignity and apologize like this.

Many viewers who watched it a second time shared their opinions: "I was too busy complaining the first time, but after watching it carefully the second time, the visuals are actually not bad."

With such a sincere attitude, Kai's reputation was preserved.

Previously labeled as a bad director and a pretentious person, he has been replaced by the demeanor of a master, the ability to admit mistakes and correct them, and his genuine personality.

On Douban, Kai Zi Ge's personal profile score has risen from 5.8 to 7.2.

One critic said: "The Promise" was a failure, but the director turned failure into victory with an apology.

Some people say this may be the most successful crisis management in the history of Chinese cinema.

In the Sugar Heart Building in Los Angeles, Zhuang Huai'an leaned over his computer, looking at the comments.

Zhang Yimou sat opposite him, also holding a newspaper. He read it for a long time, finally sighed, and put the newspaper on the coffee table.

"I never expected this, I really never expected this."

Zhang Yimou shook his head, his tone full of sighs, "Kaige has been proud his whole life and has never been willing to bow his head. This time... he actually apologized publicly on the show. What a huge blow it must have taken for him to change his nature."

Zhuang Huai'an closed the webpage and sighed, "Senior Brother Kai, I guess he's really come to terms with it."

He never expected that Brother Kai would be able to go this far.

"Have you come to terms with it?"

Zhang Yimou gave a wry smile. "It's not that easy to let go. After 'Farewell My Concubine,' he held back for more than ten years, wanting to make another work that would surpass his own. But it turned out like this. Anyone would find it unbearable."

"But he still accepted it." Zhuang Huai'an handed over a gold coin and smiled, "Judging from his appearance, he accepted it calmly."

Zhang Yimou lit a cigarette and fell silent.

He recalled many years ago, on the campus of Beijing Film Academy, that spirited young man, that young man who argued with him in the dormitory about what art really was, and that genius director who made films like "Yellow Earth," "The Big Parade," "King of the Children," and "Farewell My Concubine."

Back then, Kai was the banner of the Fifth Generation directors, someone everyone looked up to.

After "The Big Parade", he transitioned from cinematographer to director, and his films won awards one after another. He also opened up the Chinese commercial film market with "Hero".

With Zhuang Huai'an's help this year, he achieved a grand slam at the three major European film festivals, becoming the talk of the town and completely surpassing Kai Zi Ge.

He knew that Brother Kai would be unconvinced, would challenge him, and would create a better work to prove himself.

As a result, they made a movie called "The Promise".

Then, just when everyone thought that Kai would stick to his guns, he chose to apologize.

"Huai'an," Zhang Yimou's voice was muffled, "Do you think Chen Kaige has truly let go?"

Zhuang Huai'an smiled and waved his hand, "Whether he's let go or not, only he knows, but at least he's willing to face it."

"It's enough that he's willing to face it." Zhang Yimou sighed. "No destruction, no construction; destruction precedes construction. After this experience, Kaige might really be able to make even better works."

Zhuang Huai'an smiled and said nothing more.

On his original trajectory, Kai's reputation was ruined by "The Promise" and the "bloodshed caused by a steamed bun" incident. He remained silent for three years until "Forever Enthralled" slowly brought him back, but he never managed to return to the heights of "Farewell My Concubine".

Now, because of his appearance, perhaps it was his and Zhang Yimou's three gold medals that spurred Kai Zi to choose another path.

Face the situation honestly and issue a public apology.

Zhuang Huai'an didn't know how far this road could take him.

But at least at this moment, Kai has earned everyone's respect.