Summary of Key Points
The concept of "CP" (Character Pairings) has become the "traffic code" in today's film market: it serves as a significant motivation for audiences to go to the cinema and also provides free promotional material for films. Screen-based CP is more flexible and versatile than TV series, appealing to different age groups. Audiences are no longer passive recipients; they actively seek out and even "create" their own CP pairs. However, artificially created CP can sometimes seem like "industrial sugar additives," causing backlash, while truly compelling CP often emerges from the audience's own engagement and interpretation.
I. CP as a Film's "Dual Engine": Attracting Audiences and Promoting the Movie
The role of CP in films is akin to having two engines:
- Attracting Audiences: Many people watch movies not for the plot itself but because of the potential romantic relationships between characters. For example, the preview of *Baxian!* was highly anticipated, partly due to the popular CP between Lü Dongbin and Zhong Li Quan. In *Nezha*, the "Oubing" CP attracted children with its action scenes, adults with its themes of redemption, and fans of fanfiction with its emotional tension, appealing to audiences of all ages.
- Saving on Promotion Costs: When audiences engage with a CP, they create their own content (such as images of Oubing on social media or fanfiction about *Fengshen*), which acts as free advertising and continues to fuel discussion. The marketing strategy around the CP in *Fengshen: The First Part* helped expand its female audience, with over 65% of viewers being women, significantly outperforming similar mythological films, and resulting in a longer-lasting box office impact.
II. Screen-based CP is More Versatile than TV Series: Appeal to All Ages with Open Relationships
Unlike TV series, which often focus on romantic relationships between men and women (BG), film CP can be more innovative:
- Appeal to All Ages: Characters like Judy and Nick in *Zootopia* are appealing to children, while their adult-like interactions (such as visiting a "relationship counseling room") resonate with adults. The "Oubing" CP in *Nezha* addresses the issue of the young protagonist's appearance while avoiding making the relationship too childish, attracting audiences of all ages.
- Open Relationships: Good CP doesn't explicitly define the nature of the relationship; it remains open to interpretation. For example, Nezha and Ao Bing can be seen as enemies, close friends, or even twins with a shared identity. The relationship between Nick and Judy has been debated for years, adding to its popularity—the key is to create a sense of "uniqueness" that makes the audience believe they are a perfect match.
III. CP as an Active Audience Experience: From Creating Pairings to Building Complex Characters
Audiences have become highly skilled at creating their own CP:
- Boundless Pairing: Even if characters have no real connection in the story, audiences can still imagine them together. For example, the pairing of Dilraba and Zhang Xiaofei in *Kung Fu Girls* was sparked by the line "Because I miss you." In *The Saving Plan*, the cross-species relationship between Grace and Loki became popular among fans as a symbol of soulmates.
- Complex Characters Lead to More CP Possibilities: The more characters and relationships there are, the more potential CP pairs can be formed. In *Fengshen: The First Part*, there are pairings like Yin Jiao and Ji Fa, Yin Shou and Daji, as well as less obvious ones like Bo Yi Kao and Chong Ying Biao.
- Promotion Follows Audience Interest: Film promotions that incorporate CP themes (such as "variety show-style skits" during roadshows) enrich the audience's interpretation of the story, creating a positive cycle.
IV. The Risks of Artificially Created CP: Avoid Being "Industrial Sugar Additives"
Artificially designed CP can backfire:
- Lack of Authenticity: Forcing a CP pairing, like in *Baxian!,* can make other characters seem insignificant and lead to criticism from audiences.
- Unpredictable Audience Preferences: Creators' chosen pairings may not be successful; unexpected combinations can become viral. For example, in *The Annual Meeting Cannot Stop!,* the director's intended focus on three lower-class workers led to the unexpected popularity of the Xu Yunfeng and Ma Jie pairing due to their similar rings.
- The Power of Audiences: Fans are like "text predators"—they take the provided material and give it new meaning. The goal of CP marketing is not to create a perfect formula but to encourage audience participation in creating the story.
Conclusion
CP is not an added element in films; it is a core component tied to the plot and promotion. Well-executed CP can help a film gain popularity, but the key is to leave room for audience imagination. After all, the audience is the main driver of CP enthusiasm, and their active engagement is what gives it real life.