Summary of Key Points
Recently, many actors who are not singers by profession (such as Zhao Lusi, Bai Lu, Yu Shuxin, Yue Yunpeng, etc.) have started holding concerts in large numbers. Despite their average singing skills and limited musical output, concert tickets often sell out immediately. The reason behind this is the cooling down of the film and television industry (a sharp decline in the number of projects launched, reduced pay rates for actors, and slow revenue collection). Concerts, on the other hand, offer high profits, quick cash flow, and hidden commercial opportunities. There is also a difference in the income models between singers and actors: top singers earn significantly more from copyright and touring, while mid-to-lower-tier actors have more stable incomes. Therefore, actors use the fan base they have built through films and television to leverage higher returns and cope with the industry's downturn.
1. Concerts vs. Acting: Faster Income and Greater Stability
Why do actors choose concerts over acting? The main reason is that the money is more direct and certain:
- Income Comparison: From a concert attended by thousands of people, artists can earn 42%-47% of the ticket sales, which amounts to around 10-20 million yuan—this is roughly equivalent to half of the pay for a top-tier actor in a TV show. Concerts can be held one after another (with 30% more performances this year compared to last), whereas acting income is usually a one-time deal.
- Revenue Speed: Acting is like taking out a loan; actors have to wait for the production company to sell the show to a platform, and they only get paid after the platform collects the money. This can result in delayed payments, sometimes up to half a year after filming is completed. Concerts, however, involve immediate cash transactions—fans pay in advance, and the organizers settle the fees immediately after the event. Top artists even receive most of their payment before the concert.
- Examples: Zhao Lusi’s concert in Bangkok had tickets priced as high as 1940 yuan (more expensive than those for K-pop groups), and all 12,000 tickets were sold out in 38 seconds. Wang Hedi’s concert in Thailand also sold out; even with average singing skills, her fans are willing to pay, ensuring a stable income.
2. The Cold Winter of the Film and Television Industry
Just how bad is the film and television industry right now? The numbers speak for themselves:
- In 2025, the number of domestic TV shows released will be 50% less than the previous year, and the number of projects launched in Hengdian this quarter has dropped by 75% compared to last year.
- Pay rates for top actors have decreased by 40% compared to three years ago, leaving many without roles and at risk of being forgotten by the market.
Concerts have become a lifeline for actors to maintain their popularity. A successful concert can quickly gather a loyal fan base and demonstrate their influence to platforms and brands, which directly affects the pay rates for their next projects and sponsorship opportunities. For example, actors like Bai Lu and Wang Hedi can use concerts to remind fans of their presence and avoid being overshadowed by newcomers.
3. Concerts Offer More Than Just Ticket Sales
The profits from concerts go beyond ticket sales; brand collaboration and enhanced commercial value are the real gains:
- Brand Integration: Zhao Lusi’s purple-themed support during her Bangkok concert was a full-scale partnership with a beauty brand, where the brand paid for the promotion and the artist earned a fee.
- Proving Commercial Value: The speed at which tickets sell and the enthusiasm of fans serve as a measure of an actor’s popularity. If a concert sells 10,000 tickets, it shows that fans are willing to spend money on the artist, making it attractive for brands to collaborate.
- Building Industry Influence: Artists can take control of their concerts, from planning to ticket sales, learning how to manage large-scale events, which gives them more confidence in their future careers in film and television.
4. Singers vs. Actors: Who Makes More Money?
Not all singers outearn actors, but top singers far outperform the best actors, while mid-to-lower-tier actors have more stable incomes:
- Top Singers: They earn from copyright and touring (e.g., Adele’s daily copyright fees amount to 500,000 yuan, and Taylor Swift’s single tour generated 2.077 billion US dollars—more than the combined annual income of the top 20 Hollywood actors). However, pay rates for top actors are limited, and they also depend on the script and director.
- Mid-to-Lower-Tier Actors: In the music industry, the top 1% of artists dominate 90% of the playback; many singers fail to become successful enough to cover their expenses. In contrast, the film and television industry needs a large number of actors, so even if they are not very famous, they can still find work.
Therefore, singers may transition to acting to earn stable incomes, while actors use their fan bases to generate higher returns through concerts.
5. Are Actors “Free Riding” or Making Smart Transitions?
In essence, holding concerts is an act of strategically adapting to industry changes:
- It’s not about wanting to become singers; rather, it’s about using the fan base built through film and television to quickly generate income from concerts.
- It also helps maintain visibility and avoid being eliminated during the industry’s downturn.
- Concerts can also enhance an artist’s commercial value, paving the way for future acting roles and endorsements.
For example, Yu Shuxin focuses on acting but benefits greatly from her concerts, as they not only bring quick income but also demonstrate her fan appeal to brands.
In summary, actors holding concerts is not about “free riding”; it’s a smart strategy to leverage their existing resources for greater commercial gains. In a struggling industry, surviving and making more money is the key.