Weibo

Biodata

Role in Story

Weibo becomes Lin Chuan's primary public-facing platform after the viral success of Spoon Killer Demon. It enables him to build a following, promote films and music, communicate directly with viewers, organize giveaways, and respond to industry controversies. 7 14 41

The platform also serves as the main arena for audience-created memes, film reviews, trending discussions, and public opinion surrounding Lin Chuan's works. 8 21 38 45

Platform Activity

*Spoon Killer Demon* Promotion

• Photographer Wang Dong shares Spoon Killer Demon on Weibo, helping spread the short film beyond Bika Net. 4
• Lin Chuan completes real-name verification, renames his account Director Lin Chuan, and describes himself as a “Bika Net Uploader, Director, Screenwriter, Horror Film Enthusiast.” 7
• His giveaway announcement for 600 numbered Spoon Killer Demon cloak, spoon, and mask sets brings his Weibo account above 140,000 followers. 7
• Fans post photos of the giveaway merchandise; Lin Chuan also sends sets to influential supporters such as Wang Dong. 8
• Wang Dong receives permission through Weibo private messages to create and commercially photograph a female Spoon Killer Demon cosplay. The resulting post exceeds one million views in an afternoon and inspires further memes. 8

*Balloon* and Lin Bai

• Lin Chuan creates the Weibo identity Lin Bai to promote the song “Love Confession Balloon” without revealing that he is the singer. 11 12
• Lin Bai posts a two-minute excerpt of “Love Confession Balloon” on Weibo and identifies it as the promotional song for Director Lin Chuan’s Balloon. 12
• Musicians and industry contacts repost the song, pushing “Love Confession Balloon” and Lin Bai into Weibo’s top-ten trending topics. 14
• Following Balloon’s release, discussions of the film’s horror and the song’s popularity become major trending subjects on the platform. 21
• Lin Chuan uses private messages to authorize Wang Dong’s Head Balloon cosplay and to encourage voice actress Jiang Kui. 22
• Jiang Kui’s Head Balloon cosplay, photographed by Wang Dong, is posted on Weibo and catches Lin Chuan’s attention. 23

*Happy Family* Promotion

• Lin Chuan releases the Happy Family trailer on Weibo; Jianghai City Film Academy’s official account reposts it, and Lin Chuan publicly thanks his alma mater. 32
• “Rice Fragrance,” the film’s promotional song, is posted on Weibo and generates discussion alongside news that Happy Family has wrapped filming. 35
• Viewer reactions to Happy Family rapidly enter the trending topics after release. 38
• Lin Chuan posts Happy Family’s box-office milestone after it surpasses 100 million in three days; the related hashtag reaches the top of Weibo’s trending list. 42
• By the time of the film’s celebration activities, Lin Chuan’s combined social-media following has reached 11.53 million. 45

Public Controversies

*The House That Never Dies* Dispute

• The video of Ren Hang being struck by a popcorn bucket during a screening of The House That Never Dies spreads on Weibo and becomes a meme after users identify him as Golden Warrior. 38 39
• Ren Hang clarifies on Weibo that he watched the competing film at Lin Chuan’s request to “scout the enemy”; Lin Chuan reposts his statement to confirm it. 39
• Actress Lin Gege accuses Lin Chuan’s group of staging the incident to exploit her film’s popularity, triggering widespread backlash in her comment section. 39 40
• Lin Chuan posts a public response, denies staging the incident, announces legal action for defamation, and asks witnesses to provide evidence. 41
• In the same post, he offers to reimburse ticket costs for 10,000 ordinary viewers of The House That Never Dies, allocating 600,000 yuan for the effort. 41
• The hashtags #LinChuanRefundsTicketsForViewersWhoWatchedTheHouseThatNeverDies# and #TheHouseThatNeverDiesCrewIsPlayingDead# trend on Weibo, with total views exceeding 100 million. 41
• Lin Gege issues an apology statement on Weibo one day later. 41

Writing Contest

• Lin Chuan collaborates with Weibo’s official team to launch a 1 million yuan writing contest with 20 winners. Entries may be Happy Family fanfiction or personal stories, provided they do not violate laws or regulations. 45
• The contest becomes a venue for Fang Qingyong’s public challenge against Lin Chuan, while Lin Chuan responds indirectly by posting three short stories on Weibo. 47 48

Notable Accounts

• Director Lin Chuan — Lin Chuan’s verified main account; used for film announcements, giveaways, public statements, and fan engagement. 7 32 41
• Lin Bai — Lin Chuan’s alternate singer identity, used to release and promote “Love Confession Balloon.” 12 14
• Wang Dong — Photography and travel blogger whose early share of Spoon Killer Demon aids its spread; later produces authorized Spoon Killer Demon and Head Balloon cosplay photography. 4 8 22
• Jianghai City Film Academy Official Weibo — Promotes the Happy Family trailer and publicly supports Lin Chuan. 32
• Weibo Official — Coordinates the rules and administration of Lin Chuan’s 1 million yuan writing contest. 45