Controversy Surrounding 'The Little Mermaid': Don't Misjudge Chinese Audiences

The film 'The Little Mermaid' has faced constant controversy since its release, with poor box office performance in Asia and Europe in addition to North America. As a big-budget production with a well-known intellectual property and extensive exposure, the film's performance can only be described as dismal.

Box office performance is a reflection of the market, yet certain foreign media outlets and even some prominent figures in China have unjustly criticized Chinese audiences, accusing them of various shortcomings. They claim that the Chinese version's blue-themed poster is racially discriminatory based on skin color, that poor pre-sale results indicate a decline in aesthetics and aesthetic bullying, and that low ratings from Chinese netizens signify a lack of inclusivity and intellectual regression.

Not to mention that these accusations hold no ground and demonstrate a clear double standard. Even Americans have voiced their concerns about casting choices, so why should China be expected to be endlessly accommodating? European, Japanese, and Korean box office performances were even worse, yet no one questioned their aesthetic sensibilities. This kind of behavior, cloaked under the banner of political correctness, involves placing unsuitable actors in inappropriate roles to generate buzz and manipulate public opinion. It is more akin to a commercial advertisement than anything else.

There are many reasons behind the failure of 'The Little Mermaid.' Apart from changing the ethnicity of the protagonist, the film lacks originality in its story and essence. It relies solely on controversies to generate hype, while stagnating in terms of visuals, music, and technology. Even the nostalgic appeal of a classic intellectual property is handled with indifference by the production team. The so-called 'guardians of justice' turn a blind eye to these issues and instead use the United States' brand of political correctness to educate Chinese audiences on 'elevating their aesthetic standards,' which is truly laughable.

The audience is not the one that needs reflection; it is those who kneel before 'political correctness.'