The Company's Missteps: A Tale of Decisions, Backlash, and Boycotts
- Axden Jackson
- Apr 6
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 14
In the world of entertainment, few announcements can generate excitement like the reveal of a new series featuring beloved actors. Recently, rumors about a major project involving a prominent company and a star-studded cast ignited a fervor among fans. Excitement filled the air as hopes soared for collaborations that could turn beloved actresses into a dream team. However, as events unfolded, it became clear that not all stories have a fairy-tale ending.
The Build-Up of Excitement
An exciting new project had been announced by Idol Factory, which was set to bring together multiple iconic acting pairs from different companies for a thrilling four-part series! The pairings were teased through well-known emojis that represented each actress, and it was confirmed that the fandoms guessed them all correctly. Fans looked forward to an incredible mix of chemistry, drama, and unforgettable moments as the beloved pairs would come together for something truly special.
The initial buzz surrounding the project was electric. Among the pairings was FayeYoko. Fans of the well-known acting duo, who were celebrated for their exceptional chemistry and charisma, converged online, eager to share theories and wishes about the new series. The involvement of additional renowned pairs increased the excitement even further.
Fans immediately purchased the books that the series would be based off of, and even helped translate them for international fans. This reaction was not surprising. Fans of entertainment often create close-knit communities that celebrate their idols and their work. Social media platforms overflowed with trending hashtags, as fans expressed their enthusiasm with posts full of anticipation. With multiple fandoms uniting, this was a powerful demonstration of support, showcasing the strength of enthusiasm in the entertainment world.
The Shift: The Unraveling Announcement
Just when the excitement peaked, a shocking announcement disrupted the festivities: one of the acting pairs had been pulled from the project due to alleged internal conflicts within their company. This news threw fans into a whirlwind of disbelief and disappointment. Questions flooded social media: Why would a company step back from a project that had spurred such excitement? What kind of internal issue could be serious enough to justify this move?
Adding to the turmoil, it was revealed that just a day prior, the company was embroiled in a political issue. The newly appointed CEO took to Facebook to explain her role and goals for the company. In her post, she accredited the success of the company so far to the fans of Blank the Series, specifically mentioning a few countries where FayeYoko are popular. Among this list was Taiwan, which greatly offended a large portion of the Chinese fans who abide by the One China principle.
This spurred a conflict between the fans and the company and even among fans themselves. On one side, Chinese fans were worried that if the company didn’t address the situation and assure everyone that they too abided by the One China principle, that their business in China could be negatively affected. They feared that this would damage FayeYoko’s reputation there and make them lose out on opportunities. On the other side, Thai fans were worried that the company choosing a side in this political issue would affect their business in Thailand. Ultimately, the CEO would go live on TikTok (which isn’t available in China) and apologize for offending the fans and asked for our continued support. This seemingly wasn’t enough, and they were urged to properly address the issue, ending in them releasing an official statement hours later stating that they abided by the One China principle.
This revelation sparked more speculation. Fans wondered if the timing was a coincidence or if the announcement was linked to the political turmoil. The uncertainty fueled heated discussions within fan communities, reflecting the intense emotional investment their followers had in the project.
One thing remained clear though: it made absolutely no sense to pull them out of the project for a company to pull their actresses from an upcoming project that was set to be a game-changer for their careers. This project had the potential to not only make all of their fans incredibly happy after waiting so long for a new series that had been promised to them, but also become a massive success, opening doors to opportunities that they may never have had the chance to experience otherwise. The decision to step away from such a groundbreaking opportunity seems counterproductive, especially when it promised to elevate their careers and further solidify their place in the industry. It's hard to understand how such a move could benefit anyone involved.
Fans Rally for Change
Following the announcement, fans waited patiently expecting the company to release a statement. As the hours went by, fans grew anxious and worried about the future as rumors began to spread. The biggest rumor was that the company had in fact pulled FayeYoko from the project because they were intent on splitting them up and had even attempted to replace Faye with another actress.
Taking matters into their own hands, fans harnessed their collective energy and frustration to demand answers. Social media platforms transformed into spaces of protest, with hashtags trending globally as fans expressed their discontent with the company's decision. The fan movement escalated into a boycott, with many unfollowing the company on various social media platforms and choosing to disengage with their content, when they were met with silence. This movement was not simply about losing two beloved actresses; it was an outcry for accountability.
The Silence and Anticipation
Days continued to pass, and still, the company remained silent amid rising criticism. As tensions grew, fans found comfort in their shared frustration. They created artwork, wrote heartfelt letters to the actresses, and even organized online campaigns to amplify their message. During this period, the company sat in an increasingly uncomfortable silence, which encouraged the boycott to officially begin.
Worries began to increase amidst rumors, specifically one in particular that the company had pulled them from the project after attempting to switch their acting partners, which would split up the current pair. A producer stated, "Today, I got to hear the real facts, and I feel sorry for both of them. It's such a waste of opportunity for them, but it was the executives who ordered their withdrawal from the series and even planned to switch partners---what were they thinking? (Separating them is something that should never be done.) Their popularity comes as a duo, they've built their work together, and their fans love them as a pair. If they get separated, everything will fall apart."
Fans began by creating trending parties to express their love and support for FayeYoko and their discontent with the company. What began as a plea to get the two reinstated into the 4 Elements project, with the hashtag #SHINE ON FAYEYOKO TO 4E that ranked #1 on the worldwide trends on X, turned into simply a plea for answers with hashtags like #9STAR PLS CLARIFY TO FC and #RESPECT OUR VOICES 9STAR, also trending worldwide.
As this was happening, the company not only remained silent, but continued business as usual following their schedule to release content for their new show The Newbies. The show was set to air that weekend, with a theme song being released the day before the show. This only angered fans, who felt that they were being deliberately ignored. Amidst all of this as well were Faye and Yoko, who fans love and care about deeply. Their friends and fellow industry colleagues encouraged fans to send them as much love and support as they could because they were going through a difficult time, which only increased the fans' worries.
In the wake of the inadequate response, emotions swelling, and rumors of possible contract terminations looming, the once-unified communities began to fracture. Some fans urged for a complete boycott of the company and hoped that both actresses would leave, while others maintained hope that redemption was still possible. The dynamics shifted; what was once a source of excitement now felt burdened by uncertainty and discontent. One thing was certain though: silence doesn’t solve problems and answers were needed.
After what felt like an eternity, the company finally announced they would address the public in three days, on Monday, February 17th, nine days after the initial 4 Elements announcement. Anticipation surged again. Would they provide a sincere explanation? Would they address the rumors and speculations? Might they restore the actors to the project? Fans held their breath, longing for clarity.
The Long-Awaited Statement
A little over a week after the initial announcement broke, the company delivered a statement meant to clarify the situation. The moment held potential for either easing tensions or escalating them further. Unfortunately, as the statement unfolded, it quickly became clear that many fans did not accept the company’s response.
Representatives attributed the changes to business-related complexities while failing to address the recent issues. Disappointment swept through the fanbase, with many feeling their concerns were ignored. Within hours, social media erupted in criticism, with words like “disrespect” and “betrayal” circulating rapidly, signaling a shift towards a more hostile attitude against the company's actions. Read more details about the statement and the response from the fandom and the industry: Faye's Termination.
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