TLDR;
The video discusses the scandal surrounding A-Soul, a popular Chinese virtual idol group, which exposed exploitation and sparked international concern. It covers A-Soul's rise to fame, the issues the members faced, the fan backlash, and the eventual fallout, including Carol's departure and the government's involvement. Key points include:
- A-Soul's initial success and the challenges faced by the members due to strict management and character constraints.
- The revelation of low salaries and poor working conditions for the idols, leading to fan outrage.
- The company's inadequate responses to the allegations, further fueling the controversy.
- The division within the fan base and the eventual intervention of the Chinese government.
- Carol's successful return as a FaceCam streamer after leaving A-Soul.
Introduction to A-Soul [0:00]
A-Soul was a highly successful virtual idol group in China, created by Yuehua Entertainment and owned by ByteDance (TikTok). The group consisted of five members: Bella, Diana, Elene, Ava, and Carol. A-Soul gained immense popularity, earning millions in broadcasting revenue. However, a scandal involving exploitation and poor treatment of the idols led to widespread criticism and an international affair, raising questions about the ethics of the virtual idol industry.
A-Soul's Rise and Initial Challenges [0:33]
Launched in 2020, A-Soul aimed to increase its popularity on the Chinese version of TikTok, Duan. The group used 3D avatars to perform in real-time, with actresses behind the avatars. Despite initial skepticism and trolling due to the scripted content and defined character archetypes, the group gained a dedicated fan base. Carol, in particular, struggled with adapting to her character's personality and the live streaming format. A group of fans, known as Carol's Knights, helped her practice and improve. The idols' ability to show their personalities and connect with fans on a human level was a key factor in their success.
The Idol Illusion and Unspoken Rules [4:56]
In the idol world, there's an unspoken rule against "opening the box," which means looking into an idol's past life. This is because idols provide an escape for fans, especially in China where many young people are disillusioned with the demanding 996 work culture (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., 6 days a week). However, some fans attempted to uncover the idols' past lives, leading to doxing incidents where their personal information was leaked. A-Soul remained silent on these matters, which later contributed to the growing discontent among fans.
Carol's Hiatus and Leaked Information [6:24]
On May 10th, A-Soul announced Carol's indefinite hiatus due to health and academic reasons, assuring fans she would not be replaced. This announcement prompted fans to revisit previous leaks and speculations, uncovering worrying screenshots from Carol's alleged account. These screenshots hinted at overwork, suicidal thoughts, and a spine injury. Carol mentioned being yelled at for a face reveal (ending virtual streaming) and expressed concerns about bringing shame to her family due to her work failures.
Revelations of Exploitation and Low Pay [9:01]
Fans discovered that the A-Soul members were paid extremely low salaries, ranging from $990 to $1,500 per month, with a mere 0.5% commission on donations. This meant that out of a $20 donation, the idol would only receive 10 cents. Carol, who generated $300,000 in tips in a single month, would only receive $1,500. It was also revealed that Carol couldn't afford to replace her broken phone. Additionally, Carol mentioned being scratched by the motion capture suit and feeling unwell during a live stream, which A-Soul officials dismissed as "no particular issues."
Fan Backlash and Open Letter [12:11]
Concerned about Carol's well-being and the exploitative working conditions, A-Soul fans, led by the BillyBilly Royal Carol Knights, wrote an open letter to the project staff. They demanded transparency regarding the treatment, working environment, and training schedule of the actresses. They also questioned instances of overwork, workplace bullying, and privacy leaks. The fans wanted assurance that the idols' protection and privacy would be prioritized.
A-Soul's Inadequate Responses and AI Scandal [12:46]
A-Soul's response to the controversy was met with further backlash. Fans criticized the members for being forced to take the blame for management's actions. A-Soul denied rumors of members paying for their own training and the 1% commission, but refused to disclose specific salary information due to privacy concerns. A leaked video showed an AI-controlled vtuber with a redeem option to make her chest bigger, sparking outrage among fans who viewed it as disrespectful and akin to softcore pornography.
More Missteps and Project Lead's Letter [15:15]
A-Soul's official account posted updates that were met with criticism, including a plan to separate Carol from the other members during a live stream. The project lead published a letter apologizing to fans but doubled down on the salary rumors, refusing to provide specific details. The project lead claimed they had never heard the word "abuse" and blamed an IT supplier for a motion capture room information leak.
Live Broadcast and Fan Disappointment [18:36]
During a live broadcast, fans flooded the screen with comments expressing their disappointment and withdrawing their support. Carol indirectly confirmed the authenticity of her leg injury and emphasized that her departure should be based on the official announcement. The other members stated they would stay with A-Soul. Fans felt that A-Soul prioritized the model over the soul, failing to understand that the fans cared more about the actresses behind the avatars.
Going Viral and International Scrutiny [20:47]
A-Soul fans spread the word about the situation, and the A-Soul hashtag started trending on Weibo. The controversy went viral and was picked up by mainstream media, bringing international scrutiny to the idol industry. Some articles criticized A-Soul, comparing their income to other virtual idols and even Hong Kong white-collar workers. The Chinese government launched an investigation into the matter.
Carol's Termination and ByteDance's Response [22:36]
A-Soul announced the termination of Carol's contract, skipping her planned hiatus concert. They claimed to pay a termination fee and vowed not to replace her. An internal letter from ByteDance was leaked, acknowledging the pressure Carol had been under and stating that they had paid her a severance package. The letter denied allegations of exploitation and abuse, claiming that the members' contracts, salaries, and personal safety were top priorities.
Government Intervention and A-Soul's Q&A [25:36]
The Chinese government's district of human resources and Social Security Bureau responded to public inquiry, stating that Carol's contract was legal and no evidence of salary withholding or forced contract signing was found. A-Soul responded to public concerns in their weekly Q&A, denying allegations of mistreatment and stating they had contacted the police regarding the information leaks.
Media Coverage and Internal Letters [27:08]
Some domestic media started reporting more kindly on the A-Soul situation, with articles stating that the accusations of workplace bullying and unfair salary distributions were purely imaginary. Another internal letter from ByteDance was leaked, encouraging the project team to give back to fans with better content and stating that the company should not become a sweatshop.
Fanbase Division and Carol's Behavior [30:10]
The A-Soul fan base became divided, with some highly critical of the company and others defending it. Some fans blamed Carol for the problems, believing she had weaponized her audience and let the situation happen on purpose. Others defended her, arguing that she was not obligated to speak up and that bad workplace conditions could exist without being illegal.
Aftermath and Carol's Return [31:38]
After the incident, A-Soul experienced a significant loss of followers and declining social media numbers. Games under ByteDance got negative review bombed, and A-Soul's merchandise was removed from the platform. Carol eventually returned to streaming under a new persona, followed by a majority of her fans. She released song covers that received over a million views and is now thriving as a FaceCam streamer, enjoying the freedom to express herself.
