I’ll put all the interviews, posts related to Word Of Honor that I’ve translated in this post. (There might be spoilers if you haven’t watched the drama yet)
All right, I will activate my research scientist brain for this. Although I’m out of the field now, I was an NSF Graduate Fellow (National Science Foundation) in the US and was lucky to receive valuable and advanced training in research science (biochemistry/structural biology) in undergrad and during my PhD in a few research universities, I think it’s time to use this skill, my one logical brain cell left is for this moment >:(
As background, when looking at a problem, I will lead you through the steps that researchers will ask and take in order to solve a problem. I think in these times of emergency, it’s important to force yourself out of your own shoes and look at the big picture, then zoom in on the details, separate yourself from the facts at hand, ONLY then can we actually start finding out what’s happening.
For example, if we want to create a new vaccine for a disease, we ask, what is the problem at hand? An example answer, there is a new infectious disease and it’s causing deaths in the population. Then we ask, what is the new virus? What is it made of, what is the outer envelope or shell made of? What do we ALREADY know? We compare it to similar viruses. We try to completely understand the virus inside and outside. Then when we have full knowledge of it, can we develop a strategy to combat it, i.e. creating a vaccine (its own long steps).
Let’s try it with what happened with this video today.
What is the problem?
How did it happen? Why is it important?
Why did this information come out now? Is it believable? What is the method we should use to break this down? Do we need repeat trials in duplicate, triplicate and what are the statistically significant facts?
What can we conclude and how do we move forward in future directions? Why would someone fake this?
Follow the money.
Let’s begin:
1 - What is the problem?
Facts: A video was posted on ZZH’s instagram featuring his likeness and vocal affectations. An english subbed video is linked above. He discusses these issues ONLY: the cp fandom, his merchandise, his journey to learning poetry and guitar, and blaming/flaming people for his current state.
2 - How did it happen? Why is it important?
There were three sources of “ZZH” - the WeChat profile of ZSJ (now gone), Li XueZheng Uncle Li (his weibo is now deleted), and this hacked instagram account.
The video was uploaded to his known-to be hacked instagram. We can glean that this instagram is hacked because of QuelleVous2 and various videos debunking each and every new post on his instagram. I, myself, have also made a post debunking the ZSJ (Zhang Sanjian) video that accidentally showed a portion of the guitarist’s face/chin - this was posted on the ZSJ WeChat profile that is now deleted.
We know that ZZH’s instagram was hacked because Xie Yihua, his ex music manager in 2021’s son, Abner, liked to talk up his connections to famous people back then. He made a post saying that many people have access to ZZH’s account, and the phone number linked to it isn’t even ZZH’s phone number. He didn’t realize that people would be going through all his comments and posts to find out what he’s said.
This is important because he has an ongoing legal case against CAPA. Anything that affects his image will affect public perception, will affect government perception, will thus AFFECT HIS CASE.
3 - Why did this information come out now? Is it believable?
Timing: Today is the fandom’s happiest day, the anniversary of the Word of Honor / Shan He Ling concerts. It’s also CPF’s happiest days. The timing of this video is in itself, suspicious. Why post it today of all days? I have two answers: 1) To have maximum impact against ZZH/GJ’s fandom and break CPF’s hearts. 2) In having this maximum impact, it was either HIS OWN intention to do so, OR whoever orchestrated this video’s intention to use their strongest weapon against us, and therefore, HIM.
Is it believable?
Deep Fakes exist. It uses computational AI to calculate and map out a person’s facial features, and in doing so can manipulate those features into different expressions. AI is trained to do this by just going through large databases of human faces and expressions and slowly forms an algorithm that the user can manipulate. One can also do this with voices. Look at this famous deep fake of Tom cruise. I’m NOT saying it’s a deep fake, because with sufficient technology, it’s hard to actually TELL that it’s a deep fake, it’s just ONE possibility.
3i - What method should we use to break this down?
So the next question is, is the video authentic?
First, it could be a deep fake (like above).
Second, since sometimes we can’t even believe our own eyes and ears in today’s world of advanced technology, I have to rely on what I KNOW from previous years. Compare the data to known data sets, known circumstances.
Facts we know: From LXZ’s audio interview, ZZH is very focused on gaining back his name and reputation and his fight against CAPA. This instagram video, however, mentions NOTHING about his case against CAPA. Which we know, for a FACT, that he’s filing with the Beijing Police Department against CAPA. Uncle Li showed this. Who could possibly benefit from distracting us, the public, and fandom from CAPA SO MUCH? HM? WHO.
3ii - ZZH’s vocal affectations are free-style, but not in this new video.
Also in this audio interview, and previous interviews if you’ve watched his, ZZH tends to make very deep statements in REAL time. So he’s often just freethinking and word vomitting and sometimes it doesn’t make sense. lol. He says “uh”, “um”, “and,” a lot. Compared to the instagram video, that insta video is definitely scripted. He’s very smooth here and it’s like practiced lines, which is against his character to do so.
Just listen to his birthday live stream and compare it to the new insta video, it sounds noticeably different, you don’t even need to know mandarin??
Compare ZZH’s audio interview with LXZ vs this new video, notice the difference? This is also AFTER the trauma of 813. Why would there be such a marked difference between when Uncle Li posted the video and now?
ZZH himself said in interviews for SHL/WOH that he rarely read his lines before the day of filming, he liked to read them right before or the morning of so he could really get the feeling of what he’s saying and not wear it out.
Conclusion so far: This “ZZH” is different from what we know. He’s distracting from his own legal case. His speaking cadence is different. He’s reading off of a script. It DOESN’T mean that it isn’t him, but it casts a lot of doubt on the circumstances of this video, doesn’t it?
What else do we know about ZZH? He hates making fans spend money on shit that’s out of their comfort zones. He’s apologized to fans for his albums costing them money. THIS IS ZZH. In this video, this “ZZH” is peddling his new merch, which is notoriously overpriced and costs a few bucks to make, but is charging like 10x the cost. It’s also PROVEN TO BE REUSED DESIGNS from other idols that Xie Yihua has managed.
Why would a person who is in massive debt want to suddenly start shilling merch for a cancelled idol? And that idol couldn’t speak up or else it would jeopardize his legal case? And the fans are so desperate for his safety and well-being that they’d be fooled into purchasing these outlandishly priced items? Is this not too convenient a case for her to pass up? Free money to pay back her debts? It’s certainly a possibility.
In most scandals, most cases, as you would know if you’ve lived in this world long enough, all you have to do is follow the money.
Follow the money: Let’s not FORGET that Xie Yihua and her sister own 100% shares of the company that sells this “ZZH” / “ZSJ” merchandise. THIS IS A FACT. It’s public information and listed, check QV’s tweets for it. I don’t have time to go find it rn. SO, if Xie Yihua is so indebt and attached to CAPA, is it not in her interest to distract us SO BADLY that ppl stop caring about CAPA? That ZZH truly loses his fans for good? That she can use him to make a quick buck to pay off her loan sharks and debtors? IT absolutely is. Always follow the money.
IF IT WERE TRULY HIM, why wouldn’t this company be registered under ZZH or his mom? He’s said so in interviews that he doesn’t even look at his own bank account bc his mom handles all of that. He owes his mom so much, she gave up their house, her job, her life to make sure he succeeded as an actor. Of course he would give her and trust her with his money. It’s not even illogical to make this leap, it’s just fact?
Other items from this instagram have been debunked:
The handwritten letter was already debunked bc the handwriting style is different, the signature is TOTALLY different, the thumb is photoshopped, the shadows are unnatural. And this video mentions the fake letter as being real, so does it not cast doubt on the authenticity of the video itself? That it tries to make a fake letter real? Then what does it mean? The video itself seems fake, then. Just by the transitive property. A=B, B=C, therefore A=C. The letter is fake, so the account is fake. If the account is fake, the video is fake.
The photoshoots were probably older and already been debunked. His necklace seemed to be photoshopped on because you could see the reflections in it that didn’t reflect the buildings of the Forbidden City. His earrings were probably for promoting Ambush, could’ve been an endorsement that didn’t go through. Also on Bluebirdmuppet’s twitter or QV’s, go check it.
3 iv - ZZH’s character as we know it is different from what this video shows
This ZZH is consistent with the LXZ Zhang Zhehan. He takes all the hits on the chin, he picks himself back up, he believes in procedural justice, he takes things slowly, and life slowly. He doesn’t jeopardize his own case even when his whole world was shutting down in 813. SO why speak up now? He wouldn’t. The timing is for MAXIMUM hurt for us, the CPF’s. The fandom that Xie Yihua has been trying to break up. The fandom who loves Gong Jun, who Xie Yihua hates, and has been actively goading her ZSJ stans to attack. The Gong Jun who has had to endure cyberviolence the past couple of weeks, who had his private information leaked.
ZZH’s character isn’t one to point and blame, if he doesn’t like you, he just won’t listen to you, but he won’t call you out on it. He’s said so, if the fans want him to do something, he won’t listen, he just does whatever and if you like it, you like it, he’s not gonna go after you for it. He’s a grown man who has real shit to deal with? Not fandom disputes all the time.
3v - Do we need repeated trials of his character? How do we compare this version with previous? How many instances do we need?
If you can’t trust your eyes and ears, and you need more information, rely on information that’s already been confirmed. On facts that are already out there. In science, if a new virus emerges, we immediately compare it to what we know, what DNA/RNA sequences does it have in common with other viruses? What protein structures? What infection mechanism is it using that’s similar? This will guide us on how to analyze the new virus. It’s the same here.
We know ZZH wouldn’t goad his fans into fighting, wouldn’t sell his merchandise vs getting on with his own legal case, wouldn’t speak from a script instead of from the heart. These are valid conclusions based on his previous actions, interviews, interactions, and observations of personality. There are HUNDREDS if not thousands of instances that we can compare this ONE video from a DEBUNKED instagram account to. That’s how many trials we have, how many repeated observations we’ve made.
This video is statistically insignificant compared to the literally boundless endless piles of evidence we have that this isn’t “ZZH” as we know him.
4 - So then what? What can we conclude? How do we move forward?
So now that we’ve established the facts:
Follow the money: Xie Yihua is involved in many failed companies and trademarks, and may be in debt enough to manipulate an easy target (ZZH) and milking him and his fans out of their $$$. Why wouldn’t his ZSJ merchandise be registered under him and his mother? And why do all proceeds go towards Xie Yihua and her sister?
ZZH’s voice and vocal affectations are different from this instagram video, which may mean the video is scripted
ZZH’spersonality is calm and chill, even after 813 as shown during LXZ’s audio interview with him about his case against CAPA
Thisnew ZZH’s personality is markedly different: cold, and harsh, and pointed. Especially at CP fans.
Deep fakes exist. It can mimic both faces and voices and bodies.
So the answer to, “Is this video authentic?” can be
1) No, it’s not because of all the previous evidence listed above.
OR2) Yes, it is, and he’s being coerced into saying these things as we know how shadowy and corrupt c-ent actually is. His face does not look okay. He doesn’t look healthy and happy.
OR3)Yes, it is real, and he’s a changed person, which is a conclusion that is easy to make at first glance, but does not benefit him AT ALL. It only serves to break up his fandoms, drain him of his support in the public eye, and distracts from his case against CAPA.
Point 1 is what I believe. Point 2 is possible. Point 3 is what I believe Xie Yihua and the minions behind the instagram account want us to believe. Point 3 easily knocks out all of her problems, doesn’t it?
No one would be around to debunk her shit bc mostly CPF’s do it or people who like both GJ and ZZH as individuals like QV/Blue. This shitshow will take over weibo and cause public opinion to turn back, after the leader of the justice for the people movement - Uncle Li - was deleted. It will cause a distraction against the real ZZH’s legal case against CAPA. AND CAPA will be let off the hook because no one will be around to care anymore. See? In what way would point 3 make sense? He’s actively advocating for his own social and legal suicide? No.
So how to move forward? The journey is the same. I still support him and his case to clear his name. I still support THEM and their love, which after hundreds if not thousands of interactions and so-called “candies” have already proven. This one video is NOT enough evidence to debunk thousands of things, although it may be the MOST emotionally provocative - as it is its intention to be.
Now I have to go do actual work now, I thank you for reading this far and hanging in there. Wait for the next days. I will update as I see fit.
I’ve had a bit of fun collecting data for the WoH fandom on AO3 and made a few charts to visualize what I’ve found.
I have only looked at works that have been tagged as belonging to the Word of Honor (TV) fandom. I’ve not excluded works with TYK or Qi Ye tags, but I’ve not included works that only have those tags. I collected all my data on the 10th of April 2022.
The total number of WoH fanworks is 5149, which translates to 0,057% of the whole archive.
You might want to click on every image to get better resolution.
Timeline
First we have the timeline. Because I’m lazy I looked at the number of works per month by using AO3’s filtering to limit the works in the WoH tags to a specific month. I know that AO3’s filter isn’t always 100% reliable, but for a simple overview I think this method of data gathering works fine. I did not include the 130 works published in april 2022, since April is not over yet.
What this tells us is that May 2021 was the most productive month of the WoH fandom, so far. This is not surprising as the final was released May 5th. Since then we’ve had a bit of decline in works published per month, but February was as “productive” as November last year.
let’s see, gao chong named cheng ling the successor of yueyang sect which leads the five lakes sect and made him his future son in law, he is the only living heir of the mirror lake sect, he’s officially the successor of the four seasons manor and unofficially of the healer valley too, now the long guy named him the successor of the longyuan cabinet, the sword immortal is basically his unofficial master too and lastly, the ghost valley as well.
conclusion: who needs the glazed armor when cheng ling IS the armory
A little preview for the piece I did for the Siji Hua SFW zine! I’m so happy to have been a part of this project, it was so much fun to work on this alongside so many other amazing creators. Thank you to the mods and contributors both for all your hard work in putting this together! It’s really beautiful!
1. Goodbye My Princess 东宫 2. Yanxi Palace 延禧攻略 3. House of Flying Daggers 十面埋伏 4. Killer and Healer 恨君不似江楼月 5. Tomb of the Sea 沙海 6. Nirvana in Fire 琅琊榜 7. Legend of Zhen Huan 甄嬛传 8. Word of Honor 山河令 9. Scarlet Heart 步步惊心
