866-870

*Chapter 866: Off the Rails*

Wait a minute, is something not quite right here?

Things seem to be going off track; and not just a little, but completely off track.

When media reporters circled around the back of Luxembourg Gardens and sneaked into the performance stage area, they were stunned to find a familiar face among the band members—

Anson?

It was Anson?

The very person whom the entire North American continent was turning upside down to find had somehow quietly appeared on the European continent and was stirring up a commotion in Paris?

And they knew nothing about it?

A herd of alpacas was galloping wildly through their minds.

All the major French media outlets were in an uproar; there was just too much explosive content to handle. They were so exhilarated that they didn’t know where to begin.

Then, the Paris police arrived, seemingly prepared to "invite" the band to the station for questioning. The scene instantly became tense.

Everyone looked at each other—

Wasn’t it just a street performance? How did it come to the point of being arrested by the police?

Just imagine, if Anson got arrested by the Paris police, and the media captured him in a disheveled and embarrassing state, it would undoubtedly blow up the internet. Even the mere thought of it was enough to spark excitement.

The band members were completely bewildered.

It seemed like the story was about to take a different turn and potentially turn into a crime story, but it was Anson who stepped forward to take control of the situation.

It’s unclear how Anson communicated with the police, but he returned to the microphone and candidly talked about the risks to traffic management and public order. Although the band "August 31st" greatly appreciated the audience’s support, they had to agree to meet again next time at an official concert or music festival setting, looking forward to having a proper good time.

Then, the band performed one last song, "Wake Me Up When September Ends." Amid the gentle and soothing melody, Anson loudly called for crowd control, slowly sending off the audience in batches.

The most magical scene occurred—

The audience followed Anson’s instructions to the letter, starting from the outermost edges of the crowd, reluctantly leaving in twos and threes. Those in front even turned around to say goodbye to those behind them.

Bertrand was amazed, his shock and surprise were written all over his face.

However, compared to other traffic cops, Bertrand, who was the first to arrive at the scene, was mentally prepared and quickly accepted what was happening. He stepped forward immediately to help maintain order and disperse the crowd.

One batch, then another.

Although it took some time, the bustling and crowded street gradually revealed its original appearance as order slowly returned.

In the end, there was just a small circle of audience left, who didn’t seem in a hurry to leave. Camilla, Pauline, and the others glared at the Paris police.

Those police officers were equally dumbfounded, their faces full of confusion. They looked at each other, but no one could find an answer. They were unsure how to respond, their heads filled with questions awaiting answers.

Originally, they intended to take the band to the station for questioning on charges of disturbing public order. However, the chaotic situation at hand had been resolved effortlessly, so who was really disturbing the public order here?

So, now what?

Of course, if the Paris police insisted, they could still demand that the band members go to the station. But the situation now was particularly tricky, with an audience, media, and live broadcast—all recording the entire event. Under the public eye, their every move would be subject to public scrutiny.

In the end, the Paris police decided to let it go—

Better to have one less problem than one more.

After all, there was no real issue with the street performance. In fact, Anson helped control the situation and prevented chaos.

Amid the cheers of Camilla and Pauline, the police turned around and left.

Then, the rest of the audience also left, satisfied, one by one, walking away with light steps, even cheering with joy.

Bertrand was about to leave but couldn’t help but glance back at the band.

As the noise died down and calm returned, the news media were still far from settling down. They aimed their cameras at the band, snapping pictures, while the reporters circled Anson like hyenas, refusing to leave.

Strangely, Anson remained unaffected.

No irritation, no anger, no resistance; of course, he didn’t accept any interviews either. Despite the reporters throwing questions at him persistently, Anson didn’t respond. He simply packed up instruments with his bandmates, talking freely and joyfully about the performance’s gains and achievements.

This scene caused Bertrand to fall into deep thought.

After thinking for a moment, Bertrand couldn’t resist. He parked his motorcycle, approached them, and tentatively called out.

“Excuse me… where can I buy the band’s album?”

Anson looked up. “Sorry, we’ve given away all the albums we had with us today. If you’re interested, you can check out the record stores. I believe you should be able to find them there.”

“August 31st band, ‘Midnight in Summer’!”

His smile was bright, no different from any other indie band, eagerly promoting the band and album, shining with all their heart.

Click.

Bertrand noticed a reporter next to him press the shutter to capture the moment—

Turning an instant into eternity.

Bertrand couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion and smiled in return. “Thank you, I’ll go and check it out.”

The crowd gradually dispersed. As Bertrand mounted his motorcycle, he was genuinely contemplating:

After work, he should head to the record store to see if he could find it.

Evidently, Bertrand wasn’t the only one.

Over there, Camilla and Pauline had already arrived at the record store.

“…Even if you had told me beforehand, I still wouldn’t have been able to imagine it. Wow, I mean, wow!”

“Right? Right? Right? I told you, they’re different.”

“Different, really different. I’ve really taken a liking to Miles. It’s unbelievable that they actually incorporated a cello into the band and even used it as the main instrument. Ah, I want to scream.”

“I like them too. I like Lily, I like Connor, but my favorite is still Anson.”

“Okay, I admit it, no one can resist Anson.”

Chattering away, they couldn’t help but scream out loud. Realizing they might disturb others, they quickly shut their mouths, exchanged glances, and giggled, seeing the excitement and joy in each other’s eyes.

Not just Camilla, Pauline felt the same.

Thinking back to the entire afternoon, it still felt like a dream—

From arriving at Luxembourg Gardens to the street performance to the miraculous ending, everything was filled with a sense of wonder.

Who could have imagined that a street performance could attract the police, the performers almost getting detained, but then, because of their quick thinking and calm handling, they managed to avert the crisis?

If Pauline hadn’t experienced it herself, she would have scoffed at such a story if someone else had told her. It would have sounded too far-fetched, like a fairy tale.

But somehow, all of this happened.

Like a dream.

*Chapter 867: Unveiling the Veil*

So, this is what Alice in Wonderland feels like?

Excitement and exhilaration can't be stopped. In a trance, it's as if I've returned to my youthful days, where passion and recklessness could make me run until dawn, temporarily breaking free from life's constraints and the shackles of reality, once again finding a sense of freedom.

Light, wonderful, joyful, carefree, and unrestrained.

Everything is bathed in a golden glow.

Even though the performance ended over half an hour ago and they had already left the Luxembourg Gardens, the emotions continued to surge and burn. Just a quick recall made them want to scream, cheer, and... run wildly through the streets of Paris.

Such feelings haven't been experienced in the adult world for a long, long time. Pauline almost forgot that she once felt this simple joy.

She wants to hold on to this happiness.

Without hesitation, Pauline and Camila went to the record store—

She wanted to buy, to treasure this memory from this afternoon, and because she simply liked this band. It’s just that simple.

"Excuse me, do you have the band August 31st's records here?"

Pauline took a deep breath and struggled to control her excitement as she stood in front of the record store counter, unable to stop herself from lightly jumping up and down on the spot.

Pauline knew such behavior was childish. Forget about being a college graduate; she hadn't acted like this since middle school. But at this moment, she didn't care. She found that simple and pure joy again and didn't want to hide it because of other people's views.

The clerk behind the counter was puzzled: ???

Judging by the look on his face, he clearly had no idea what had just happened outside.

After all, this was not an era where social networks were omnipresent, nor was there any trending list to keep up with the latest happenings.

However, this young clerk in his early twenties began to respond professionally, "In the second aisle, third slot under the letter 'A'."

"Look, someone's already there."

In less than ten minutes, this was the fourth group to ask about this band.

Anyone could guess that something must have happened in the world he didn't know about. The only problem was, there was no way to find out immediately—

He was itching with curiosity.

Taking a deep breath, the clerk barely managed to keep himself in check. He considered asking Camila and Pauline what had happened outside, why this band seemed to have become the star of the hour in just thirty minutes.

However, as he was about to speak, he noticed the two of them stopping and looking up at the TV screen hanging above.

The record store was playing music, and the TV was on mute, looping through daily news.

The clerk looked up as well and noticed the subtitles on the screen, so he turned up the volume a little with the remote.

France’s Channel 4 was broadcasting breaking news.

“...the band August 31st, led by Anson Wood, held a surprise concert at the Luxembourg Gardens, drawing over two thousand spectators and causing traffic to come to a standstill, prompting the Paris police to intervene...”

On the screen was footage captured by a helicopter.

A sea of people.

Literally.

Although the news hadn't yet fully understood the ins and outs of what had just happened, this hot-off-the-press story was still gripping. The reporter was only beginning to gather information, but the aerial shots from the helicopter were already astonishing, directly showing Parisians the grandeur of the scene.

And it was spreading like wildfire across the internet.

This time, it was impossible to "keep it under wraps" any longer.

Of course, it wasn't like the band deliberately tried to hide; they just stayed low-key and maintained their usual routine without overwhelming publicity. But now, the street tour of the band August 31st had finally come into the public eye, and the veil of mystery was lifted.

The buzz began in France.

But it didn't stay confined to France for long. Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, and other countries joined the discussion. The cities where August 31st had just performed on the street immediately woke up and joined the conversation, with netizens scrambling to voice their opinions.

Next, netizens from Spain, Italy, Greece, and the UK expressed their displeasure: Excuse me, the performances didn't cover these territories—what's that about?

There was no need for an official band response; netizens provided the answer themselves. The band's European street tour website, this treasure trove, finally began spreading widely.

At this moment, people realized that, quietly and unknowingly, the band had toured so many cities and continued performing on the streets. After causing a minor stir in Berlin, they had resumed their journey quietly, without slowing their street performances.

Surprise, admiration, and heated discussions—

It exploded everywhere, and it couldn't be stopped.

If this were an independent band, the surprise might be limited because there are quite a few underground bands in Europe. Occasionally, in a bar, a music festival, or another performance venue, bands attract crowds of a thousand or two thousand, which isn't really big news.

It might cause a short-term discussion and attention, but that's about it.

Some true music enthusiasts might even scoff:

"Big deal."

They would then list a bunch of outstanding bands and albums worth collecting that aren’t widely known.

In the realm of underground music outside the mainstream spotlight, there is a vast and mysterious world full of countless hidden treasures.

No need to make a fuss, really.

But the key is, this isn't just any ordinary indie band—

Anson Wood.

That name alone was enough to change everything.

With the ongoing craze of "Catch Me If You Can" still playing in theaters and the band’s memorable appearance on "The Tonight Show," the topics instantly ignited.

The answer became apparent.

August 31st was the very same band that sparked numerous discussions on "The Tonight Show" last year but then vanished without a trace.

Wow.

Instantly, the topic surged, this time spreading across Europe.

Objectively speaking, on the European continent, there are countless viewers who dislike superficial idols and automatically overlook Anson Wood. But this time was a bit different—

That website.

Step by step, not only low-key but also steady, they have toured by relying on a series of street performances, completely abandoning the halo of "Anson Wood," accumulating experience and strength along the way. This kind of attitude was admirable and worthy of being seen in a new light.

The impact was different.

Attention naturally gathered.

Whether or not they liked it, they were at least willing to join the discussion to see if it was just a hype or a genuine return to simplicity and authenticity.

Bit by bit, along with the collision of controversies, the topic continued to rise, spreading across the entire European continent like wildfire.

And it crossed the Atlantic, returning to North America:

Dropping a bombshell.

Chapter 868: Creating a Sensation

Boom! Boom Boom Boom!

Shock, impact, bewilderment, amazement—a full-scale eruption, sweeping away everything.

Not long ago, the entire North American continent was bustling with discussion:

Where is Anson? Anson has disappeared yet again!

As the hottest and most talked-about superstar in Hollywood right now, Anson disappears from public view from time to time. This isn't the first or second time; it's downright baffling.

On one hand, people are amazed. How does Anson do it? Time and time again, he vanishes from the media and paparazzi's sight without alerting anyone. He lives under the spotlight yet always manages to defy conventional wisdom, disappearing silently and then bringing surprises.

On the other hand, people are speculating: What big event is Anson brewing this time? Especially after last summer's "diving" incident, which led to the surprise release of "Elephant," a film that suddenly entered the Cannes Film Festival's main competition. People can't help but wonder what Anson is preparing this time.

The chatter is endless.

Moreover, it just won't stop.

As time passed, Anson's whereabouts remained a mystery, keeping the speculation alive and rampant.

Then, the answer was revealed.

Anson appeared, not in North America, but in Paris.

Paris, again!

But this time, Anson wasn't there to attend Fashion Week or to prepare for a stunning appearance at the Cannes Film Festival. Instead, he broke people's expectations in an unexpected way—

A band.

Undoubtedly, this was something no one saw coming. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't keep up with Anson's steps, being led by the nose once again.

Whether it was the band's street performance causing a sensation in Paris or their subsequent tour across the European continent, all the buzz completely shattered people's guesses.

However!

None of this was the point.

If it were just that, the buzz in North America and Europe wouldn't be much different, and it wouldn't highlight Anson's unique influence on the North American continent.

There are two key elements here.

First, "The Tonight Show" brought the band back into the public eye.

Second, the band's name was August 31st.

These two elements collided and exploded across the North American continent, evolving into a storm on this land at breakneck speed.

The reason?

In fact, behind the widespread buzz, there's a third key element that requires rewinding time a few months, back to last October.

The album "Midsummer Midnight" was completed last summer, although Warner Records took some time for post-production. Even with additional time, it shouldn't have taken until March this year for an official release—

The entire process was somewhat far-fetched.

In reality, Warner Records had been planning and had started early on.

From the moment the band made a sensational debut on "The Tonight Show," Warner Records knew this band was unconventional. This was also the root of the hesitation and considerations during the contract signing process.

Naturally, Warner Records couldn't use the conventional promotion approach, relying on the name "Anson Wood" to easily win over the masses. Success wouldn't come effortlessly without some thoughtful planning—

That wasn't realistic.

Anson's name could only add the finishing touch; the real marketing strategy needed to focus on the band and the music, making it relatable to reality.

So, Warner Records started acting early.

Generally speaking, when an artist releases a new album, they might release a single or even two singles beforehand to build anticipation and get some chart action going. This promotional method enhances the album's visibility, aiming to awaken the market.

This type of promotion is quite common in the North American music market, which is why Billboard's Singles and Albums charts should be considered two entirely different lists.

This time, the band August 31st did the same.

On Friday, October 18th, Warner Records quietly released the first single from the "Midsummer Midnight" album:

"Howl."

After careful consideration, Warner Records didn't choose songs like "Wake Me Up" or "Hero," which had already made a splash on "The Tonight Show." Since these pieces were already fully tied to Anson, the current promotion strategy centered entirely on the band and the music, aiming to open up the market through word of mouth.

Thus, "Howl" was officially released and began its journey up the charts.

"August 31st," a name completely unfamiliar to everyone, led people to naturally assume it was a new band or perhaps an independent band emerging after a long struggle. Anyway, such bands appear in batches from time to time—

Not just one, but a batch.

At least around the turn of the millennium, the music market remained vibrant, with countless outstanding musicians continuously emerging.

Due to the unfamiliarity and freshness, the market didn't gather too much attention. Warner Records didn't pour all resources into a massive promotional campaign but proceeded slowly and steadily, investing in radio play at a measured pace, hoping to let the music speak for itself.

As it turned out, the music did speak for itself—

In its first week, "Howl" quietly landed at number 97 on the Billboard Singles Chart, garnering a bit of attention, but only creating small ripples.

Billboard, North America's most authoritative and popular music chart, lists the top 100 singles and top 200 albums, along with various genre-specific charts. However, without a doubt, the Singles and Albums charts' composite indexes are crucial indicators of the music industry's status.

Simply put, you can equate Billboard with the North American weekend box office chart, as this list comprehensively considers the market's popularity, including sales, radio play, and streaming numbers, presenting a comprehensive view of the music's market heat—a commercial chart.

If you want to know the current most popular music in North America, just listen to the Billboard Singles Chart lineup.

That's how "Howl" was discovered.

Although Warner Records didn't launch a massive campaign, the radio play rate and online discussion for "Howl" quietly and gradually increased.

This process was somewhat slow; it wasn't a volcanic eruption but a solid, steady progression, allowing more and more people to hear the song.

What was even more commendable was that, because there wasn't a sudden widespread explosion that plastered it everywhere, it retained the essence of independent music—the most fundamental, simplest, and purest appeal. Thus, listeners didn't quickly grow tired of the song and didn't realize the connection between the band and Anson. This allowed "Howl" to climb the Billboard Singles Chart steadily.

Since it entered the chart, its ranking has risen every week, never dropping. This was a rare sight—

Good music truly speaks for itself.

Chapter 869: Word of Mouth

Week 1, Rank 97.

Week 4, Rank 74.

Week 10, Rank 49.

Step by step, "Ho Hey" slowly but steadily climbed the Billboard Hot 100 chart. There was no sudden surge to the top, but it never fell in rank either. Each week showed progress, much like an inspiring, heartfelt sports story, witnessing its gradual growth.

Week 15, Rank 38.

Week 20, Rank 27.

For five whole months, "Ho Hey" quietly spread through a small circle, relying on the power of music to conquer listeners.

Gradually, it gained more and more praise and admiration from netizens.

After "Ho Hey" broke into the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100, forums everywhere saw posts from netizens recommending it, claiming they'd discovered a hidden gem of a band or stumbled upon an excellent song. Word of mouth spread quickly.

Later, "Ho Hey" was featured as background music in the Emmy-winning HBO series "Six Feet Under," enhancing its poignant, wandering atmosphere. After the episode aired, the music received widespread acclaim, attracting more fans.

Following that, NBC's classic series "Law & Order" used "Ho Hey" as an ending theme, reflecting the helplessness and sighs of facing reality. This sparked another round of small-scale discussion, further spreading the song.

Amid the bustle, a small group of netizens grew curious: Who exactly is the band August 31st?

However, the level of discussion remained limited—

This wasn't an unfamiliar scenario. An unknown indie band or artist hits big with a single song on the Billboard chart but then vanishes like a shooting star. People forget their name, and only the melody lingers on the tip of the tongue.

Years later, when that familiar tune plays again, many hum along instinctively, but the name of the performer has long been lost in the river of time. Even if the singer were standing right there, people might not recognize them.

So, people often say, the work itself is the only thing that truly matters.

And now, it's happening again.

"Ho Hey" continued to climb the Billboard Hot 100, but genuine interest in the band August 31st remained limited.

Until—

The following week.

In the song's 21st week on the chart, "Ho Hey" continued its magical journey and reached a new level.

Week 21, Rank 19.

From Rank 27 the previous week to Rank 19 this week, "Ho Hey" officially broke through the second barrier and successfully entered the public's view.

On the Billboard Hot 100, the top 100 is the basic threshold, the top 50 is the mainstream threshold, the top 20 is the popularity threshold, and the next peak is the top 10. Each threshold represents a stage and serves as the most intuitive measure of popularity.

Someone once joked, "A number-one Billboard single can guarantee a lifetime of prosperity."

Of course, this is a joke; but it shows the level of popularity and market heat that a Billboard chart-topping single can achieve, as well as the significance of being in the top 10 or top 20.

When "Ho Hey" broke into the top 20, it meant that the song was truly heard across the North American continent.

At this point, let's look at the names in the Billboard Hot 100 top 20:

50 Cent, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Avril Lavigne, Eminem, and so on.

Each name is a powerhouse, undeniably some of the most frequently mentioned names in the current North American music market.

And now, the band August 31st has quietly joined their ranks, indicating that the band finally has the value of being mentioned and discussed—

Not just the music.

So, who exactly is the band August 31st?

However.

No one knows.

From Warner Records to online forums, there wasn't a single clue; since they didn't know German, French, or any other second language, North American netizens who "know nothing but English" couldn't explore the ongoing buzz in Europe, completely isolated from the information.

That's the nature of the internet.

On one hand, it connects the world, making it easier to search for and find information, creating a library at one's fingertips without leaving home.

On the other hand, because of the information explosion, everyone is deep in an ocean of information. Without the right method, one might actually miss what they truly need.

And now, that's exactly the case.

Lacking the correct keywords, North American netizens were completely baffled. The band was shrouded in a veil of mystery.

Then, a rumor quietly spread across the internet—

The band might be a prank.

Look, it's simple. The band's name is "August 31st," which is obviously hiding something. Even if netizens search for it, they'll only find a bunch of calendars; the song's name is "Ho Hey," which also has no distinctive information, exuding a free and bohemian vibe.

Plus, the band has had no formal promotion from start to finish, and there’s no related information online. It's not hard to reach one conclusion:

Maybe this is an independent band playing for fun, never realizing the single would become so successful.

Maybe this is a small prank by a top superstar, using a different name to hide their identity and test the market.

Though a bit far-fetched, this theory had some traction, quietly sparking a series of discussions, and things got more interesting.

Then it escalated.

Week 22, Rank 17.

Week 23, Rank 14.

Week 24, Rank 8.

A breakthrough came.

Advancing unstoppably, after breaking into the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, "Ho Hey" took another step forward, entering the top 10 within just three weeks.

With the song's continued climb, discussions about the band August 31st also heated up—

But Warner Records remained silent, keeping the mystery intact. Netizens let their imaginations run wild, with theories becoming increasingly exaggerated and absurd.

It was unstoppable!

Week 25, Rank 7.

The heat around "Ho Hey" continued to rise. Since its release over six months ago, it climbed from complete obscurity to an incredible height. Even after entering the top 50, it continued to climb each week, staying on the chart for 25 consecutive weeks without ever dropping in rank.

Unbelievable! Truly unbelievable!

Now, it wasn’t just the netizens; Billboard officials joined the discussion, and other media outlets couldn't help but participate. The entire music market was buzzing.

In the lively and bustling atmosphere—

Then, a piece of news crossed the Atlantic from Paris to North America.

"…Anson Wood leads the band August 31st…"

Wait, what?

Boom.

The entire North American continent was shocked. It was so unexpected, so powerful, so astonishing that all the media were momentarily at a loss for words, plunged into a brief state of silence.

*Chapter 870: Three Key Points*

Buzz.

A wave of shock and a full-scale impact surged through, causing a prolonged rumble that resonated in the eardrums, leaving the mind blank.

Unexpected. Completely unexpected. One hundred percent unexpected.

Not only the netizens but also authoritative media outlets like "Rolling Stone," "Billboard," and "The New York Times" were all stunned. TMZ was thrown into chaos.

If even the paparazzi failed to uncover any clues, it meant they had utterly failed at their job, leaving them deeply ashamed.

...Silence.

The world fell into a brief silence. People needed a moment to digest everything.

First, Anson’s work "Elephant" got selected for the Cannes Film Festival.

Then, Anson led his band to ignite heated discussions in both North America and Europe in different but equally impactful ways on August 31.

Two completely different events were connected because of Anson, showcasing his charm from film to music in a unique way.

Imagine this: the "Anson frenzy" sparked by "Catch Me If You Can" and the award season still hasn’t completely died down and is still burning in the air. Then, with a turn, Anson grabs the spotlight again, this time making a grand entrance in an unprecedented, incredible way.

Labels like "pretty face," "idol," and "heartthrob" have always shadowed him, gradually becoming a part of the Anson brand image.

Though the surprise flash mob event added a fashion label to Anson, giving his personal image some edge beyond those stereotypical labels, distinguishing him from other idol heartthrobs, and making him a unique symbol in the entertainment industry.

However, "pretty face" was still the base layer. The fashion label just made this pretty face more special, refined, and attractive, yet still just a pretty face.

This time, things were different.

Whether it was the Cannes Film Festival's main competition or the European street performance that sparked a wave of enthusiasm, these were validations of his talent. Making it into the Billboard Hot 100 top ten relying solely on the music itself and not his name or promotion was even more so.

And it wasn’t just once or twice; three major events occurred one after another, leaving people dizzy and overwhelmed—

"Pretty face," are you sure?

Not to mention the mainstream media, even authoritative experts and stubborn critics were left reeling from these successive heavy blows.

So, is Anson planning to overthrow the pretty face idol label in one go?

This... this?

This!

One breath, almost lost.

Then, they finally came back to their senses and took a deep breath—

The volcano erupted!

"Anson Wood = August 31st Band!"

"Turns out the mysterious August 31st Band was him all along!"

"Finally, we've been waiting for you—it's been a whole year since 'The Tonight Show,' and Anson Wood's band finally brings its first musical work."

"Mysterious band? No, it’s yet another glamorous transformation of Anson Wood."

"If you're curious about Anson Wood's latest moves after his disappearance..."

Major media outlets, front-page headlines, Anson completely took over the public’s attention, creating a vast and sensational wave once again.

Coincidentally, it was a slow season, a brief gap before the summer blockbusters. With a lack of explosive news to capture attention, Anson successfully took center stage again.

Among them, "The New York Times" astutely and skillfully captured the pulse of the times—

"While everyone was lamenting Anson Wood's absence from the Oscars, this young actor was clearly not content with his position."

Does anyone still remember the controversy before the Oscars ceremony? If not, "The New York Times" didn't mind jogging their memory.

At the time, whether Anson would attend the ceremony sparked widespread discussion. Many believed an idol like Anson wouldn’t miss an opportunity to attend an event like the Oscars for the exposure. The undertone was a disdain for idol actors.

In the end, the topic concluded with Anson joining the "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" cast. Despite that, the mocking and disdain continued to simmer, as the prejudice against idol actors was deeply ingrained.

However, now it’s a slap in the face.

Oscars?

Anson never denied its value. But he also wasn't blinded by immediate benefits, always keeping the essence in mind—

The work itself is the key.

Or rather, staying true to oneself, developing oneself, and enriching oneself is the key. In this way, awards and professional recognition will naturally follow. This is much smarter and more effective than constantly shouting and defending oneself.

Now, Anson has handed in his answer sheet.

Without a doubt, Anson is more than just a pretty face. Those who stubbornly continue to cover their eyes with prejudice will only expose their own foolishness.

As an actor, as a singer, as an artist, and as a twenty-one-year-old young man, Anson has shown his wisdom and intelligence—

And, of course, his talent.

That’s what’s truly astonishing.

No matter what happens next, how "Elephant" fares at Cannes, or how the August 31st Band performs in the music market, Anson has already proven himself.

"...He deserves more anticipation."

"The New York Times" ended its special report in this manner. Nicholas Flynn once again captured the trend, showcasing his sharpness, and sparked yet another wave of discussion, promoting Anson.

The madness swept through North America completely.

Amidst this frenzy, "Ho Hey" undoubtedly emerged as the biggest winner.

Although it’s slightly regrettable that the August 31st Band still hasn’t released the highly anticipated "Wake Me Up," which die-hard fans have been waiting for over a year, the excellence of "Ho Hey" has already been proven in the past six months—

Needless to say.

With quality and popularity, the continued rise of "Ho Hey" is an inevitable result.

Week 26, No. 5.

Week 27, No. 2.

From seventh to fifth and then to second, the ranking soared.

You know, in the Billboard Hot 100, the higher the ranking, the harder it is to climb. Entering the top ten is already a huge feat. Many songs only stay in the top ten for one week before dropping out.

However, "Ho Hey" continued to rise—

Its stunning performance continued to amaze.

So, what’s next?

Number one?

The bustling attention of the entire North American continent surged, eyes glued, and excitement uncontrollably soared.

Week 28, No. 2.

Week 29, No. 2.

For three consecutive weeks, "Ho Hey" was stuck at the second spot. After climbing the ranks for seven months, it finally hit a bottleneck.

Of course, this wasn’t a failure. It had nothing to do with failure at all. But the soaring momentum stopped just before the top spot, so close to the climax yet just a step away. The feeling was hard to stomach.

Is this... the end?