One KPI a Day: Who Am I Selling Myself to Today?

On the survival show Shining Boys, contestant Wu Yayi refuses to sign an exploitative contract with the industry power players. They join forces with his fellow contestants to frame him, and he gets mercilessly dragged online. Netizens curse him as an “ungrateful leech,” a “bloodsucker,” and a “leech prince.” The powers that be threaten to cut his screen time unless he signs. They think they can force him to give in, but who could have guessed...

Fans everywhere: Why does my fave keep clinging to this contestant called Wu Yayi? Aaaah, please, can someone keep him away from that “bloodsucker” and “leech prince”!

After shipping them, fans everywhere: Aaaah, give us more moments together! My ship is the sweetest!

Then one post took the internet by storm, and Wu Yayi became inseparable from the “beautiful, strong, and tragic” label. His popularity exploded.

Every clip of him sharing the screen with another contestant, edited by the show, trends the next day. The shipping fans spend every day arguing that “my ship is the sweetest.” Here’s the evidence:

The Fayi Zhou ship [Zhou Jiayou x Wu Yayi] is here to make its case: “They even named the ship this! You know what that means. The size difference, the height difference, the dark-skinned wild king x the slender-waisted beauty. If you ship them, you’re in for a treat!”

The Yixing Yiyi ship [Yan Xingzhou x Wu Yayi]: “The aloof beauty who descends from his pedestal for love x the flirtatious, oblivious sweetheart. Wow, how did you know this is exactly what I love?”

The Yali ship [Song Li x Wu Yayi]: “The cunning fox x the adorable little bunny. Judy and Nick brought to life! My ship for life!”

The Wu Lu Ke Tao ship [Lu Yubai x Wu Yayi]: “A puppyish younger guy who’s secretly a little schemer x a gentle, accommodating older beauty. That puppy only dares to act so cocky because his senior gives him the confidence! Oh my god, this pairing is so good!”