The chairman's pretense and the unexpected ending.
(Baonghean.vn) - Let's assume that after a war fought with sweat, tears, and sometimes even blood, when we have reached a height where people praise us (sincerely or falsely), do we ever look in the mirror and ask ourselves: Do we respect ourselves?
"The CEO goes back to his hometown, pretends to wash a car, gets scorned by his friend, and the ending," "The CEO pretends to ride an ox cart, gets caught by his ex-girlfriend, and the ending," "The CEO pretends to submit a job application, gets kicked out, and the ending,"... these are the titles of a series of short film clips that are attracting tens of millions of views online. This trend is so popular that regardless of the content, just adding the phrase "The CEO and the ending" makes netizens flock to watch. We in the media industry also tried watching an episode of "The CEO" to join the trend, and the result was... we didn't have the patience to watch the ending. The content was poor, the acting bland, the visuals shoddy. We wanted to criticize it, but looking at the number of views, we could only hang our heads in shame. Truly, never underestimate the online community!
Why is the trope of "laughing at others today, only to be laughed at tomorrow," where a poor, despised character reverses their fortune and becomes rich, so popular? I think it's probably because many viewers see themselves in it. Not necessarily in material poverty, but in the craving for social status. These are people who constantly harbor resentment over the injustices (from a subjective perspective) they have suffered. Injustice because others are richer, more successful, more beautiful, more loved, or more respected than them… This resentment is a manifestation of inferiority complex and dissatisfaction with what one has. This mentality can easily develop into jealousy, envy, and even greed for what belongs to others.
Humans are both complex and contradictory creatures. We want to elevate our individual selves while simultaneously wanting to belong to a group. Within that group, we feel secure when our opinions are accepted and valued when we are praised. While material things are often considered the most powerful motivators, praise is the drug that makes people willing to do anything, even lose themselves. Just like the story of the golden apple for the most beautiful woman – the source of the Trojan War in Greek mythology: the three beautiful goddesses Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite turned against each other over a single apple. We humans are also willing to trample on each other in the struggle for vanity – even if that vanity may not be worth more than a rotten apple.
Let's assume that after a battle fought with sweat, tears, and sometimes even blood, when we've reached a height where people (sincerely or falsely) cheer us on, we sometimes look in the mirror and wonder: Do we respect ourselves? Or, after all this, are we left with nothing but a tarnished conscience, concealed by a cloak and a glamorous crown? I believe that being despised by oneself is far more despicable than being despised by others. Because ultimately, no one will whisper flattering words in your ear forever, nor will anyone shout insults at you forever. Only the voice of conscience is always within you. And it will tell you the truth. Only the truth!