The Most Hated Man by the WebNovel Community

Summary

The video discusses Jang Wei, the creator of 'Douluo Dalu,' and how his public image has shifted over the years. Once a celebrated author, Jang's involvement in political matters and support for controversial industry regulations led to widespread criticism. His proposal for stricter censorship in web novels angered fans and fellow writers, leading to accusations of hypocrisy. Personal controversies, including comments related to his late wife, further tarnished his reputation. The video explores whether Jang’s actions directly influenced the widespread censorship in the Chinese web novel industry.

Takeaways

• 🚀 Jang Wu, the creator of 'Dolu O Dalu', initially admired for his humble beginnings and success, has seen his public image tarnish over time.
• 💰 Jang Wu earns over $18 million a year from his works, which include live-action shows, animations, and games.
• 📚 His proposal in 2019 for a standardized guideline for web novel publishing in China has been a significant factor in his declining public perception.
• 🚫 The proposal led to a massive purge of online literature, with over 1.2 million works removed from one site alone, impacting Jang Wu's reputation.
• 💬 Critics accuse Jang Wu of hypocrisy, given the content of his own works, and question why his novels were not censored or banned.
• 😢 The death of Jang Wu's wife has been used against him, with some accusing him of exploiting her death for sympathy.
• 📝 In 2020, Jang Wu supported a controversial new contract by Kon, which many authors opposed, further damaging his image among writers.
• 🤝 Jang Wu's support for the contract and his perceived alignment with corporate interests have led to a loss of support from the web novel community.
• 🤔 The script raises questions about Jang Wu's influence on the web novel industry's censorship and his personal integrity.
• 📉 Jang Wu's actions and the industry's changes have made him one of the most hated figures in the web novel community.

Q & A

Who is Jang Wei, and what is he known for?

Jang Wei is the creator of 'Dolu O Dalu,' a popular web novel. He rose from being a humble author to a prominent figure in the industry, with his works adapted into live-action shows, animations, manhua, and games, earning him millions annually.

What was Jang Wei's proposal to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in 2019, and why was it controversial?

Jang Wei proposed a standardized guideline for web novel content to prevent vulgar, deviant, and pirated works from being published. He also called for stricter enforcement through fines or other punitive measures. The proposal was controversial because it could lead to increased censorship, affecting creativity and limiting non-traditional content.

Why did people criticize Jang Wei for hypocrisy regarding his censorship proposal?

People criticized Jang Wei for hypocrisy because his own works contain vulgar and deviant content, yet he supported a proposal that could lead to the censorship of other authors' works. His works remained uncensored while others were removed, fueling the backlash.

What was the impact of Jang Wei's proposal on the web novel industry?

In May 2019, a massive purge of online literature occurred, with over 1.2 million works removed from one platform alone. Many popular web novels had significant portions of their content removed or were banned entirely, leading to widespread outrage in the web novel community.

How did Jang Wei's public image change after his proposal and the 2019 novel purge?

Jang Wei's public image shifted from being a role model to being seen as a villain. His proposal for censorship and support for a new unfavorable contract in 2020 led to widespread criticism. People accused him of forgetting his humble origins and betraying the very authors who admired him.

How did Jang Wei's personal life, specifically the death of his wife, become part of the controversy?

Jang Wei brought up the death of his wife in unrelated public statements, such as his defense of a controversial contract, leading some to accuse him of using her death to gain sympathy and deflect criticism. This worsened his reputation, even among those who had previously supported him.

What were the key issues with the 2020 contract that Jang Wei supported?

The 2020 contract gave publishing platforms significant control over authors' works, treating them as contractors rather than creators. Authors risked losing ownership of their intellectual property, and platforms could even have others finish an author's work if they chose to terminate the contract.

What were some of the rumors and accusations made against Jang Wei after his support for the 2020 contract?

After Jang Wei supported the 2020 contract, rumors spread about his personal life, including allegations that he remarried a college student after his wife's death. These rumors, along with his controversial takes, further fueled public disdain.

Is Jang Wei solely responsible for the 2019 web novel purge?

It is unlikely that Jang Wei is solely responsible for the 2019 purge, as the Chinese government had already been looking at the web novel industry before his proposal. However, some believe his proposal may have accelerated the process.

How did Jang Wei's views on monogamy and world-building contribute to his declining public perception?

Jang Wei's controversial opinions, including claims that his world-building is better than J.R.R. Tolkien's and his unfavorable views on monogamy, further alienated readers and added to the growing negative perception of him in the web novel community.