Summary of the Core Content
This article explores the underlying logic behind the frequent fan conflicts that occur beneath the building of TFBOY (the parent company of Times Peak). The "krumping" (spending money) business model of fan communities, where fans compete endlessly for their idols' resources, combined with the involvement of photoographers and merchants, has turned the Changjiang International Building into a hotbed of conflict. Additionally, society's lenient attitude towards girls pursuing their favorite stars and the vague legal definitions for emerging groups like trainees have led to these conflicts being overlooked for a long time, creating a governance gap.
I. The "Krumping" Business Model of Fan Communities: Why Are Fans Willing to Spend Money?
The core of the "cultivation" fan community model is for fans to participate in their idols' growth, but this has turned into a competitive atmosphere among fans themselves. For example:
- Fan Competition: If you like Wang Junkai and I like Wang Yuan, who gets more lines in a song or a better stage position depends on how much money fans spend—if you buy 10 albums, I have to buy 20, or my idol will be at a disadvantage.
- Generational Competition: Fans from different generations accuse each other of taking resources; it all boils down to who can bring in more money for the company.
- Psychological Tactics: The more you invest in an idol, the harder it is to let go (sunk cost effect). The more fans spend, the more they feel like they have "raised" the idol and must secure the best for them.
This model has transformed fans' efforts from simply buying an album into an endless cycle of comparison, allowing smaller fan groups to generate substantial spending. While companies benefit greatly, it also sows the seeds of conflict.
II. The "Powder Keg" Beneath the Changjiang International Building: Constant Fighting?
Conflicts here are never random due to resource competition and vested interests:
- Fan Brawls: In 2025, Blue and Green fans clashed over banner placement; in 2026, fourth-generation fans engaged in offline fights that required police intervention, with some even using knives.
- Photoographers Causing Trouble: Photoographers are not real fans but businessmen who sell idol videos for money. They use various equipment to secure prime shooting locations, often leading to conflicts with fans.
- Merchants Fighting for Space: Nearby restaurants and vendors compete for space to attract fans, which can also result in fights.
- Disrupting Others: Hundreds of people gather below the building regularly, causing traffic congestion and interfering with other businesses, but these issues are never addressed due to the guise of "star chasing."
III. Why Wasn't It Not Noticed Before? The Protection of Girls Who Pursue Stars
These conflicts are not new, but the public doesn't remember them because:
- Tolerant Public Opinion: Many boundary-crossing behaviors are downplayed when labeled as part of "girls pursuing stars." For example, non-official fans entering the dormitories of 11-14-year-old trainees to take secret photos and sell the footage are considered "excessive expressions of love" rather than criminal acts.
- Governance Gaps: Society's lenient attitude towards female expression, coupled with the fact that the idol economy is an emerging industry, leaves people unsure how to regulate it. Is it normal for adult women to pursue 14-year-old boys? Should fan communities that block buildings and disturb businesses be punished? There are no clear answers.
- Double Standards: If a man were to pursue a 11-year-old female idol, he would be called a pervert, but if a girl pursued a male trainee, it is seen as "courageous expression," making the issue even more difficult to resolve.
IV. Why Is Governance So Difficult? Laws and Experience Lag Behind
The biggest problem is not knowing how to regulate these situations:
- Vague Identity: Trainees are not considered stars, so laws that prohibit minors from becoming stars cannot be applied to them. The "popular trainees" of Times Peak fall between "hobby training" and "commercial profit," creating a legal gray area.
- Lack of Resources at the Ground Level: Staff can only advise fans to stop the trouble, as there are no clear laws, and they fear being labeled as "suppressing women."
- Theoretical Barriers: The legal community lacks mature theories for dealing with these "postmodern issues" (such as privacy rights and the protection of minors).
Conclusion: This Is Not a Small Matter of "Men vs. Female Fans"
The article emphasizes that these conflicts are not simply a matter of gender opposition. They are caused by a combination of a business model (the "krumping" model) and governance gaps in dealing with emerging fan communities. In the future, how to address these complex, postmodern issues will be a significant challenge for social governance. After all, when "star chasing" turns into endless competition and a battle for interests, it is no longer just a personal hobby.