Summary of Key Points
On May 31st, during a brand event held by actor Zhang Linghe at Nanning Vientiane City, the glass doors were shattered due to the excessive crowding of fans, resulting in injuries to five people and the cancellation of the event. The artist's studio and the brand apologized and compensated for the travel expenses incurred by the affected individuals. However, the focus of the article is not on the incident itself but on a deeper reflection: Why do similar incidents keep happening? Does the business logic of the fan economy come at the cost of public safety? How should all parties (the artist's team, the brand, and the venue) take responsibility? Should fans' irrational enthusiasm be guided or exploited? The article emphasizes that while the fan economy can generate profits, it must not do so at the expense of safety.
1. The Chain of Responsibility Behind the Accident: None of the Three Parties Put Safety First
This accident was not the fault of any single party; rather, it was a result of the collective negligence of the artist's team, the brand, and the venue:
- The Artist's Team: They claimed that safety was their top priority but failed to assess the risks in advance (such as the number of fans traveling from out of town) and did not propose measures to control the crowd. After all, more fans meant greater commercial value for the artist, and no one wanted to be seen as being uncooperative.
- The Brand (Mosen Glasses): The purpose of holding an offline event was to gain popularity and increase brand awareness; the more people, the better the publicity effect. Therefore, they may have cut corners on safety measures such as hiring security guards and installing barriers, thinking that saving money would be more profitable, which led to the accident.
- The Venue (Vientiane City): They did not clearly inform everyone about the maximum number of people allowed in the area and did not assist in managing the crowd; the glass doors breaking indicated that the number of attendees had already exceeded the venue's capacity limit.
All three parties prioritized popularity over safety, leading to the injuries and the cancellation of the event, resulting in a loss for everyone involved.
2. The Hidden Rule of Prioritizing Traffic: More Dangerous than Broken Glass is the Lag in Safety
This incident exposes a flawed logic within the fan economy: Commercial interests are placed above public safety.
- For brands, inviting top-tier artists is about creating a scene where people crowd around each other. Once photos and videos are shared online, everyone will know that their brand has become popular, potentially leading to increased sales. So, they try to minimize safety investments, assuming that apologies and compensation can cover any potential issues.
- For the artist's team, more fans mean greater fame, which opens doors to more advertising opportunities and business deals. Even though they were aware of the risks, they did not want to restrict the crowd for fear of being criticized by fans or losing their commercial value.
This subconscious preference for generating traffic over ensuring safety is even more dangerous than the physical consequences of an accident; if glass doors can break, a stampede could be even more devastating.
3. The Bottom Line of the Fan Economy: Safety is a Strict Rule That Must Be Followed
The fan economy can indeed be profitable (through endorsements and increased brand sales), but this is only possible as long as safety rules are not violated.
The article mentions the "Regulations on the Management of Large-Scale Mass Events," which state that the party organizing the event is responsible for ensuring safety. If an accident occurs, it cannot be resolved with mere apologies and compensation; fines or legal action may follow.
For example, if the accident had caused more serious injuries, both the brand and the artist's team could face liability. Therefore, high popularity does not equate to success if safety is neglected.
4. Fans' Enthusiasm: It Should Be Guided, Not Exploited
Many fans travel from afar and even queue overnight out of sheer dedication to their idols. While this shows genuine affection, it also poses significant risks. The article questions: Is it a healthy form of love to spend money and take risks just to see an idol? The answer is that fans' enthusiasm should be respected, but it must not be exploited by the artist's team. They have a responsibility to guide their followers:
- By advising fans in advance not to queue overnight and to pay attention to safety.
- By implementing reservation systems or time-slot entry controls to limit the number of attendees.
- By moving events online if the crowd is too large, rather than insisting on offline events.
These measures may result in lower profits, but they protect the safety of the fans—this is a responsible way to show love for them.
5. Reflection: Let's Not Let Safety Be Neglected
This incident serves as a reminder to all parties:
- Artist's Teams: Stop focusing solely on traffic and take proactive steps to ensure safety, such as negotiating with brands about the number of security guards needed and the maximum crowd capacity.
- Brands: Don't mistake a crowded event for success; investing in safety is not a cost but an essential investment.
- Fans: True support should not mean putting themselves in danger. Fans can show their love through online streaming or purchasing official merchandise, rather than risking injury.
The most important thing is to remember that while the fan economy offers significant benefits, safety must never be compromised. Before organizing any event, consider whether safety measures are adequate before focusing on attracting more people.
This article is not meant to blame anyone but to encourage all parties to realize that safety is not a mere formality but a fundamental aspect of event organization. Only by prioritizing safety can the fan economy continue to thrive in the long term.