Broken Promises: The Untold Story of Fan Disappointment with a Failing Company

In the evolving realm of entertainment, fans often form deep emotional connections with the stories and characters they adore. They dedicate their time, resources, and loyalty to companies that create these enchanting worlds, vesting their hopes in future projects and events. However, what happens when these hopes are dashed by repeated false promises? This post delves into the disheartening experience of fans who have been left waiting for projects that were never delivered, focusing on a company that has, over time, become synonymous with unmet expectations.

The Genesis of Fan Trust

When a company announces an exciting new project, fans are typically quick to react with enthusiasm. This initial excitement is often rooted in trust—a trust that is slowly built over time through consistent engagement and delightful content. People invest emotionally in their favorite shows, films, and characters, and when a company makes promises, those promises translate into expectations.

However, this trust can be fragile. Once shattered, it can take an immense amount of time, transparency, and genuine effort to rebuild. Sadly, some companies seem to disregard this sacred bond with their fanbase, opting instead for hollow promises that simply aim to generate buzz.

The Promises Kept in Shadows

Recently, one particular company has faced considerable backlash due to an alarming pattern of recurring disappointments. Fans have reported feeling neglected, with numerous announcements made about various projects—only for those projects to fall into oblivion. The thrill of anticipation soon breeds resentment as fans realize their hopes were made of air.

At the heart of this discontent are several high-profile projects that were advertised but ultimately never materialized. These included announcements of a tour and a new series featuring beloved actresses, which sparked excitement but disappeared without a trace, leaving fans wondering what went wrong. It’s a painful irony: an eagerly awaited creation quickly becomes an emblem of unfulfilled promise.

Even on a smaller scale, the company failed repeatedly to deliver and properly execute their plans announced to fans. For example, following the finale of Blank the Series in June, fans were promised that additional content would be released weekly, including workshops, behind the scenes, reaction videos, and the release of the OSTs on streaming platforms. It wouldn’t be until October that behind-the-scenes videos were released, and although the reaction videos were supposed to come out weekly following the finale episode, the final reaction video wouldn’t be posted until November. The OSTs were posted to streaming platforms in August without any notice or promotion, leaving fans wondering if they were even official or not. This was only confirmed when the producer of the songs posted about it on his Instagram story. 

The World Tour Debacle

Tour announcement from the Love is U Fan Meeting in Bangkok (Sept. 14, 2024)

The disappointment didn't end there. During a fan meeting, the company announced a world tour for FayeYoko, complete with locations and the months that they’d be visiting each place, offering fans a chance to meet their beloved stars in person. This initiative was met with a strong wave of enthusiasm, as fans imagined they’d finally get a chance to meet Faye and Yoko. However, the thrill was short-lived when the tour never took place. Not only that, but the company never actually officially cancelled it, simply moving on without acknowledging fans’ concerns. The silence surrounding the cancellation was deafening, leaving fans not just disappointed but feeling abandoned. 

As each month came, fans waited eagerly for the calendar so they could prepare for the date that they’d be able to meet Faye and Yoko. With no dates in sight on the monthly calendar, fans took to asking the company for updates on the tour. While they initially responded that they’d keep everyone updated and that they couldn’t disclose details yet, eventually they took to ignoring fans completely. Instead of going on a world tour, they held fan meetings in China, including mostly solo events. 

Fans from all over the world had eagerly awaited the opportunity to see their favorite artists perform live, yet the company’s decision to ignore these global expectations in favor of limited events felt like a blatant disregard for the loyal supporters who had been patiently waiting. The lack of acknowledgment of fans’ concerns and the absence of communication only deepened the frustration. Fans deserve to be treated with the respect and attention they’ve been promised, and it’s incredibly disappointing to see a company fail to deliver on their word.

Shifting Blame

Following criticisms specifically about the seemingly cancelled tour, the former CEO took to a livestream, where she claimed that the tour had in fact been planned, but several organizers had backed out, insinuating that it was due to fan backlash. Considering what happened with the Vietnam fan meeting, it is safe to assume that this statement was more than likely untrue.

Faye and Yoko were scheduled to do a fan meeting in Vietnam on February 16, 2025. The fan meeting was announced by the organizer, showing the fan benefits and announcing that tickets would soon go on sale. Fans were extremely excited and looking forward to finally being able to meet them in their country. As the date drew closer, fans began becoming worried as they were unsure why the tickets had yet to go on sale, when suddenly the post announcing the fan meeting had been removed. Due to this, several fans reached out to the organizers of the event with questions. The organizers responded stating that due to a lack of response from the company, they had to cancel the event. They stated that they had been trying to reach out to the company regarding the event for weeks, but had gotten no response, and apologized to the fans. The issue being brought up to the company was of course met with silence, and they have still not addressed it at all.

In a statement released by the company that they would be taking legal action after a barrage of haters attacking the artists a few months back, the company mentioned these actions, as well as haters attacking the company, were damaging their opportunities. While this may have been true, the company proceeded to lump the actual fans in with these haters in their press conference (Read more here), claiming that we’ve been making them lose out on opportunities for months. When in actuality, fans were happy that the company had finally acknowledged the stream of hate the artists were facing and were planning on taking action against it. Fans banded together to help gather evidence of malicious and defamatory statements made against the artists and provided it to the company, with hopes of protecting them. There has been no update of any of these prevalent cases of hate being actually taken care of legally; instead, fans who simply criticized the company’s lack of promotion for the artists were the ones who were pursued legally. (Read more here)

It's incredibly disheartening when a company shifts the blame onto fans for their artists' lack of opportunities and work, rather than taking responsibility for their own shortcomings. Fans are the lifeblood of an artist's career, offering unwavering support and passion. However, it is the company's duty to secure opportunities, manage contracts, and create pathways for their artists' success. To deflect blame onto fans not only undermines their loyalty but also highlights the company's failure to provide the necessary resources and industry connections needed for their artists to thrive.

False Promises to Actors and Fans Alike

Even more perplexing was the company's assurance not only to the fans but also to the actors that they would be part of new projects. Immediately following the successful finale of their first series, Blank the Series, fans inquired about the potential of the company creating more shows with FayeYoko. The company eagerly responded that they were already planning more series, and were looking forward to showcasing it to us. With the promises of new series on the horizon, excitement permeated the community. Faye and Yoko were equally enthusiastic, sharing their eagerness with fans and teasing glimpses of what might come. 

In several interviews towards the end of last year, Faye and Yoko expressed their excitement about the projects that were planned for the upcoming year. They stated that they were looking forward to upcoming projects, even adding filming a new series as their wish for the new year in their new year's calendar. Fans finally had something to look forward to, and even though their monthly calendars showed no signs of a new project, there was hope that something big would be coming soon. Then, the news of the 4 Elements project was announced, with great speculation that FayeYoko would be a part of it. This generated a ton of excitement amongst the fandom, as this was an incredible opportunity for them. Unfortunately, just before things were set to kick off with 4 Elements, Faye and Yoko were pulled from the project. (Read more here)

This bred not only disappointment but also a growing unease in the community regarding the company's future endeavors. When the integrity of both fans' and actors' engagements is compromised, the foundation of trust erodes quickly. The shared frustration manifests itself online, creating an echo chamber where voices of discontent gather strength. 

After months of anticipation and excitement, it’s incredibly disheartening to see a company promise a new series only to leave fans waiting endlessly, with no final product in sight. The constant delays and lack of communication felt like a betrayal of trust, especially when the promise of something new created such hope and excitement. It’s frustrating to invest time, energy, and money into believing that something great is on the horizon, only to be met with silence and unfulfilled promises. Fans and the actress themselves deserve better than empty words; they deserve the respect of seeing the commitment made to them come to fruition.

The Ripple Effect of Disappointment

When promises go unfulfilled, the ramifications extend far beyond just the company and its immediate stakeholders. The dissatisfaction festers in the hearts of fans, leading to a ripple effect that can significantly impact a company’s reputation.

Disillusioned fans often take to social media platforms, sharing their grievances and spreading awareness about their disappointment. This creates a negative narrative surrounding the brand, one that is hard to shake off even for companies that wish to change course in the future. Every unfulfilled promise adds to a growing list of grievances, and the cycle of disappointment can perpetuate itself if not addressed sincerely.

Furthermore, can a company afford to lose the trust of both fans and creative talent? The longer-term implications can stifle creativity, as trusted crew members become increasingly reluctant to engage with a company known for unmet commitments. In this case, the company not only lost one of their two talents in Faye Malisorn, but also the support of the fans, who are now determined to boycott the company’s activities entirely.

The Importance of Accountability

Across industries, accountability plays a crucial role in maintaining fan loyalty. When expectations are set, it is vital that companies align actions with promises made. Acknowledging past transgressions and issuing public apologies when warranted can be the first steps towards mending relationships with fans.

Furthermore, companies can invest in teams dedicated to fan engagement, ensuring that concerns and inquiries are addressed effectively. This shift demonstrates a commitment to not only understanding fans but valuing their time and emotions. 

One practical step a company can take is to openly communicate about challenges and offer realistic timelines for project developments. The emphasis should be on keeping fans in the loop, rather than allowing them to speculate or wonder what went wrong. Regular engagement through updates—even when things are delayed—can show a willingness to mend broken bridges.

Additionally, implementing feedback mechanisms can empower fans, providing them a sense of ownership in the narrative. By addressing grievances, companies can start the healing process, allowing fans to feel heard and valued once more. Collaboration with fans can pave the way for renewed trust and loyalty. When both sides work together, the results can be rewarding—creating a vibrant ecosystem, fueling creativity, and bringing cherished projects into fruition. 

However, the company has shown absolutely no signs of implementing any changes to mend their relationship with fans. It seems as though their plan is to actually completely dissolve their previous support and try to build new support from scratch. Unfortunately for them, their actions and lack of change will undoubtedly prevent them from ever establishing a lasting support system.

Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale

The journey of a company that has repeatedly disappointed its fans is a cautionary tale for the entertainment industry. Broken promises not only affect public perception but can undermine the very essence of creativity and connection at the heart of storytelling. 

As a loyal fan, it’s incredibly disappointing to witness the repeated pattern of broken promises and unfulfilled expectations. The company has continually made false promises, advertised events and shows that never materialized, and canceled them without any prior notice or explanation. What’s even more frustrating is the complete lack of transparency or communication when fans have tried to inquire about these issues. Instead of taking accountability and addressing the situation, fans have been left in the dark, feeling completely disregarded. Fans deserve respect, honesty, and proper communication, yet time and time again, they’ve been met with silence and disappointment. It’s hard to continue supporting a company that has so little regard for the fans who have stood by them.

Fans are the lifeblood of any entertainment venture—they invest more than just money; they invest emotions. At the core of any successful narrative is a connection that remains unbroken, promising not just entertainment, but a shared journey into realms of imagination. When a company loses sight of this inherent trust, the fallout can be severe and long-lasting.