Film Crew Helps Wong Kar-wai Buy Late-Night Snacks—Netizens Feel Sorry After Hearing Conversation: 'So Humble'

Wong Kar-wai’s drama Blossoms has erupted in a labor dispute, with team member Gu Er (real name Cheng Jun-nian) claiming he wrote several main plotlines but received no screenwriter credit or corresponding remuneration. He even ended up with a rare illness causing muscle atrophy and weakness. Enraged, Gu Er released audio recordings as a public appeal. The latest excerpt features Gu Er returning with late-night snacks for the team and captures the reactions of Wong Kar-wai, screenwriter Qin Wen, and chief editor Xu Siyao. After listening, netizens bristled: “This recording is the very definition of workplace bullying.”

Wong Kar-wai asked Gu Er what BBQ items he ordered. Gu Er replied: “Oysters, scallops, chicken skin, Xinjiang lamb skewers, potato slices, and edamame.” Wong then asked, “Why do you get chicken skin every day?” Gu Er said it was Xu Siyao’s favorite. Wong followed up: “What’s my favorite?” Gu Er responded, “Your favorite is very healthy.” Wong pressed on: “Besides lamb kidneys, what’s Teacher Qin’s favorite?” Gu Er listed scallion noodles and lamb stew noodles. Wong questioned why they weren’t ordered that night. Gu Er replied it was because Qin Wen asked for BBQ.

Wong Kar-wai still wouldn’t let up, next asking about the potato slices. Gu Er said, “Potato slices are quality carbohydrates.” Xu Siyao jokingly told Qin Wen, “We’re making you gain weight.” Gu Er quickly added, “People who work out need quality carbohydrates.” Gu Er once revealed Qin Wen and Xu Siyao would exercise before meetings, then take the scripts he’d stayed up late to finish.

After an awkward silence in the recording, Qin Wen asked Gu Er: “Do you work out? You don’t seem fit.” Gu Er hesitantly replied: “I...Ever since I started working (writing the script), I haven’t been healthy.” Xu Siyao laughed, “Director, look at this!” Wong Kar-wai, feigning innocence, told Gu Er, “I ruined you.” Both Qin Wen and Xu Siyao laughed.

Netizens who listened to the audio sympathized with Gu Er, calling him “so humble,” and said it was “blatant workplace bullying—ordering takeout felt like a job interview,” and “they’re treating him like a servant”; others felt the conversation was simply everyday banter.

Source: Apple Daily