Return to Korea

As soon as the news of Gu Zhiyan's concert was released, the long-silent fan base erupted, and years of pent-up anticipation burst forth, instantly sweeping across major social media platforms.

The super topic square was emptied in seconds, with tens of thousands of comments neatly arranged. There were no fancy comments to control the narrative; they were all the most simple and heartfelt tears and heartfelt dedication.

"We've waited four whole years! Finally, it's official!"

"I've been following the OST of 'The Journey of Flower' ever since, and I will always believe in Gu Zhiyan's singing."

"He never makes empty promises. He keeps his promises to fans as soon as filming wraps up. That's the sincerity of a top star."

"No dabbling, no exploiting fans, just solid preparation – that's the best way for actors to cross over into other fields."

The fan community instantly erupted in celebration, with support groups, data teams, and ticketing groups all operating at full capacity.

There was no ostentatious display of light sticks or competitive cheering; everyone tacitly adhered to the studio's consistent principle of keeping a low profile, quietly anticipating, gracefully making their way to the stage.

Countless longtime fans exclaimed that the Chinese entertainment industry finally has a top-tier concert that doesn't rely on gimmicks to grab attention, but wins hearts with sincerity and word-of-mouth.

Meanwhile, online opinions were completely different.

Previously, the numerous instances of actors in the Chinese entertainment industry failing at concerts, merely filling seats to make money, or delivering perfunctory performances have led the public to harbor preconceived prejudices against "actors holding concerts."

Once the official announcement of Gu Zhiyan's concert was released, all the doubts on the internet were silenced.

The studio simultaneously released detailed preparation guidelines: live vocals throughout with no pre-recording, meticulously polished tracks, transparent ticket pricing, no inflated prices, no excessive marketing, and no gimmicks to attract attention.

Their straightforward and sincere approach to preparation instantly garnered widespread praise online.

"Other celebrities are just trying to gain popularity, but Gu Zhiyan is fulfilling her promise."

"The confidence to promise to sing live the entire song gives them a significant advantage over most of the Chinese entertainment industry."

"They don't use any fancy gimmicks, they just focus on the music itself, and that's so touching."

"After reviewing the preparation plan, I finally understand what professionalism means, rather than just blindly following trends to make money."

It's all over the internet, including Douyin, Kuaishou, and Xiaohongshu.

The official announcement posters, trending topics, and screenshots of the preparation details were forwarded by countless netizens, dominating various sections of the local news, entertainment, and trending topics.

This was followed by widespread praise from mainstream media and official entertainment media.

Several authoritative entertainment accounts published articles commenting: "Gu Zhiyan breaks the deadlock with sincerity, reshaping the benchmark of the Chinese entertainment stage."

The article states frankly that the current Chinese entertainment industry is plagued by homogenization and fast-food chaos. Most tours prioritize marketing over quality and rely on gimmicks to generate buzz. However, Gu Zhiyan's "Walking the Road" tour abandons the traffic-driven approach, focuses on her work, adheres to professional standards, and breaks down the public's stereotypical prejudices about concerts through long-term preparation and meticulous craftsmanship.

Industry media even rated it as the most sincere tour in the domestic entertainment industry in 2026.

In addition, celebrities, music producers, and film and television creators all forwarded the congratulations.

At the same time, ticketing platforms provide advance warnings of congestion.

Less than two hours after the official announcement, reservation channels opened on major ticketing platforms, and the number of reservations in first-tier cities for the first round of the tour instantly exceeded five million.

The ticketing platform issued a hot ticket alert, stating that the booking popularity of this concert has set a new high for cultural and entertainment performances this year, far exceeding the popularity of all singers' tours during the same period.

The buzz across the internet continues to grow, breaking out of the entertainment industry and spreading to the general public.

Countless netizens are discussing how other people's concerts rely on marketing to trend on social media, while Gu Zhiyan's concerts have exploded across the internet thanks to word-of-mouth and sincerity.

There was no hype or scripted promotion; it was simply a commitment made after years of reflection, a journey dedicated to the music itself.

As night fell, the popularity remained high, with the trending search terms firmly holding the top spot, unchallenged by any other group.

……

[On the Road] All preparations for the concert were handled by Xiu Xiu and her team. Vocal training, stage design, approvals and coordination were all meticulously scheduled on a weekly basis, with daily online briefings. Gu Zhiyan only participated in confirming key points.

He was already on a plane bound for South Korea.

During this trip, Gu Zhiyan was invited to attend the 31st Busan International Film Festival, accompanied by Fan Xiaopang, whose film "She Said" was officially selected for the festival's screening section.

The plane landed smoothly at Busan Gimhae International Airport.

The cabin door opened, and a moist, warm sea breeze, carrying the unique salty smell of the ocean, rushed in.

To avoid suspicion, Gu Zhiyan and Fan Xiaopang left the pass separately, using different passages.

The two then parted ways at the covered bridge, each heading towards a different exit.

As soon as Gu Zhiyan stepped into the arrival hall, a deafening cheer rushed towards her.

Many fans waited on both sides of the passage for five or six hours in advance. The crowd was so dense that the ground was almost invisible, and the railings swayed slightly as they were bumped by the surging crowd.

Countless mobile phones and cameras were raised high, their flashes forming a constantly flashing sea of ​​light. Shouts rose in waves, and security personnel formed a thick human wall, struggling to maintain control of the passageway.

Even amidst the frenzied atmosphere, Gu Zhiyan remained calm, waving and nodding to both sides as much as possible before quickly getting into the car under the escort of her team.

Even after closing the car door, the screams outside continued for a long time.

Before they even arrived at the hotel, short videos of fans filming them at the airport had already gone viral on Korean social media.

Naver quickly topped the real-time trending searches, sparking heated discussions.

Gu Zhiyan arrives in Busan

[Frenzied Airport Pickup]

[Gu Zhiyan's popularity]

"The scene at the airport really shocked me. It was almost the scale of a top K-pop star. It's hard to imagine that a Chinese actor doesn't rely on K-pop groups for promotion."

"Even though it was crowded and packed, he kept paying attention to the fans and waving. His attitude was really polite, which earned him a lot of goodwill."

"It's not just about his looks; many people have followed him all the way through his movies and TV series, so his work has a very solid foundation."

"The Busan International Film Festival organizers really have good taste in inviting Gu Zhiyan this time, which is very meaningful for Asian film exchange."

"The popularity is certainly great, but the crowds at the airport can be a bit dangerous. I hope fans will be careful in the future and avoid pushing and shoving."

"Ah, I'm so happy, Oppa is finally back in Korea."

……

Korean film and television accounts and entertainment media quickly released photos and articles, and news articles such as "Chinese film emperor Gu Zhiyan returns to Busan, witnessing his immense popularity at the airport" soon appeared on the front page of the entertainment section.

Many film critics shared fan-taken photos and commented, "Winning international acclaim through one's work is the best form of cultural exchange."

The news quickly spread back to China, and the hashtag "[Gu Zhiyan's grand welcome at Busan Airport]" quickly rose to the top of Weibo's trending topics, sparking heated discussions among Chinese netizens.

"It wasn't a sudden, overnight sensation; it was a steady build-up of international recognition!"

"By making a name for themselves through their works, they have a lot of confidence in breaking into the mainstream."

"Haha, this Korean girl's enthusiasm is truly undisguised!"

In the car, Gu Zhiyan checked his phone. Xiu Xiu had sent him a message: "Preparations for the domestic concert are proceeding as planned. Don't worry about me."

Outside the window, the cityscape of Busan, a coastal city, slowly recedes into the distance, marking the official start of his journey at this year's film festival.