9 Forum Reactions After the Theme Song's Release
After the re-evaluation, there were eleven trainees in Class A, and the center position for the theme song would be chosen from among these eleven.
The production team hastily constructed a circular stage. The Class A trainees would perform the theme song in groups on this stage, while trainees from other classes sat around the stage to watch and then vote for their preferred center.
When Qiao Yiqing took the stage to perform, she noticed Fu Huanhuan and Ye Banshuang in the audience, clenching their fists in support. This gave her a moment of resolve.
Of course, she didn't want to be center—it was impossible not to—but Qiao Yiqing understood clearly that votes were often based on popularity, fame, or talent. She lacked all three. She barely knew a handful of other trainees, was an unsigned amateur with no fame, let alone talent, and there was the formidable Lan Chenxi in the mix.
Still, no matter how slim the chance, if given the opportunity, she had to give it her all.
Zhai Xingwen, the representative of the national producers, stood center stage holding the script. “The candidates for the center position have been announced. Please look at the big screen.”
The faces of three Class A trainees appeared on the screen.
“Qingbao! It's you!” Fu Huanhuan grabbed Qiao Yiqing’s shoulders and shook her excitedly, more thrilled than Qiao herself.
Qiao Yiqing could hardly believe it—how did she make it to the candidates?
“Will the three trainees please step onto the stage?”
The three candidates stood in place: Wen Yali from Xingyuan Entertainment, Lan Chenxi from Yunding Entertainment, and the solo trainee Qiao Yiqing.
“As representatives of the 101 trainees, the center position for the theme song of ‘Starlight Shines’ Season Two is...” Zhai Xingwen deliberately paused, glancing at the nervous faces of the three trainees. Fu Huanhuan clenched her fists tight and silently prayed.
“Congratulations to trainee Wen Yali!”
Qiao Yiqing looked in surprise towards Lan Chenxi, then joined the applause.
The vote counts appeared on the screen: Wen Yali with 23 votes, Lan Chenxi with 22, and Qiao Yiqing with 11.
Though trailing by a wide margin, Qiao was happy to have eleven trainees acknowledge her.
Lan Chenxi was just a single vote shy of the top.
In Qiao Yiqing’s eyes, though Wen Yali danced well, Lan Chenxi was clearly more outstanding.
At this moment, Wen Yali was overcome with tears.
The center position for the theme song meant standing at the heart of the stage, gaining the most screen time and becoming the focus of the show's promotion. Anyone following the program would see her name first. Securing the center was almost a guarantee of debut.
Wen Yali composed herself, lifted the microphone, and said, “Thank you all very much for choosing me. Honestly, I thought I wouldn’t get this position because there are other trainees who are more outstanding.”
When she said “other more outstanding trainees,” Wen Yali subtly glanced at Lan Chenxi beside her.
Lan Chenxi simply looked straight ahead, unmoved.
Wen Yali withdrew her gaze and continued addressing the trainees below, “I will work hard and live up to everyone’s trust. I will take on the responsibility of the center and lead everyone to complete the theme song’s stage!”
She bowed deeply.
The applause roared again.
Wen Yali’s glance was too obvious; Qiao Yiqing couldn’t help but look at Lan Chenxi once more. Lan Chenxi’s face showed no surprise, no regret for missing the center by a hair, only calm acceptance.
After sharing her doubts with Fu Huanhuan, Fu glanced around to make sure no one was nearby before leaning close to Qiao Yiqing’s ear, carefully covering her mouth. “I heard some trainees talking, saying ‘Lan Chenxi’s popularity is so high—if she took center, nobody else would get to be seen.’ Quite a few trainees think that way.”
Seeing Qiao Yiqing’s confused look, Fu sighed, “Everyone here is a rival. Everyone has their own agendas. Fairness isn’t always guaranteed. Last season there were tricks, cliques, and moral pressure. Wherever there are people, there’s intrigue.”
“You have to be careful, too. Always be wary.”
Fu Huanhuan hugged Qiao Yiqing’s arm and rested her head on her shoulder, her tone lighthearted. “But don’t worry, I’ll always be on your side!”
After choosing the theme song’s center, the training intensified. They had to learn the full song and rehearse the formations for the theme song’s performance—time was tight.
When the curtain was pulled aside to reveal the newly built stage, everyone gasped.
“It’s huge!”
“We’re going to dance here?”
The stage was nearly the size of a gymnasium, triangular in shape. The center stage was for Class A trainees, while Classes B, C, and D stood on steps around the triangle’s edges. Class F trainees were not allowed on stage and could only stand around the lowest circle around it.
Class A’s formation was a V-shape, with Wen Yali in the center, Lan Chenxi and another Xingyuan trainee as her protectors, while Qiao Yiqing was assigned to the far ends of the V.
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“You’re just a center candidate! Why are you placed at the very end?” Fu Huanhuan protested in frustration. “This lousy—”
Qiao Yiqing quickly covered Fu’s mouth to stop her from saying “lousy production team.” Although Fu often cursed, cameras and many staff were present; someone might overhear.
Actually, Qiao Yiqing had felt the production team’s cold treatment before.
Some trainees, no matter how much they performed or joked around, never got camera attention, while others doing nothing had countless cameramen following them. Some had brief interviews; others talked for long stretches. Some never participated in small material shoots, while others appeared multiple times.
Even the staff’s attitudes revealed subtle biases.
This unfairness was present from the very start.
Like some fans who chose their favorites before the show even aired or the trainees were known—sometimes not because they liked them, but because they thought these trainees would succeed and wanted to invest early. The production team also preselected focus trainees, giving them lots of screen time and shaping their growth storylines—the so-called PD (program director) picks.
Clearly, Qiao Yiqing was not one of the production team’s chosen trainees.
The theme song was recorded over a dozen times. It was exhausting to record but heartbreaking when it ended.
This was the first and last stage with all 101 girls together.
The theme song would soon be released, and the trainees would officially be revealed to the public. Paper petals fluttered down, heralding the start of this grand show.
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@“Starlight Shines” Season Two Official Weibo V: #StarlightShinesSeasonTwo# #ThemeSongTowardsTheFuture# Dear national producers, thank you for waiting! The Season Two theme song of “Starlight Shines” is now online. Come pick your favorite trainee! [Theme Song Video Link]
As soon as the post went up, comments and shares exploded, quickly surpassing ten thousand.
Various marketing accounts, influencers, onlookers, and reality show fans flooded the reposts, creating a lively buzz.
“I’ve waited so long; you finally came!!!”
“So many pretty girls! Love it!”
“The uniforms look great; this season’s aesthetic is nice [thumbs up]”
“Who’s the center? Can someone introduce?”
“Lan Chenxi isn’t center?!”
“Who’s the third girl in the ending shot? I’m in love [heart]”
“So many familiar faces...”
...
#StarlightShinesSeasonTwo#, #ThemeSongTowardsTheFuture#, #FirstCenterWenYali#, #LanChenxiNotCenter#, #StarlightShinesSeasonTwoDebut# and other topics quickly trended. The long-quiet forums sprang to life, new posts piling up instantly.
[2154 replies | Official photos and personal profiles of the 101 trainees]
[316 replies | Yunding Entertainment trainee recommendation thread, continuously updated...]
[270 replies | Xingyuan Entertainment trainee photo thread]
[145 replies | Lefan Entertainment trainee dedicated thread]
[305 replies | Lan Chenxi fan thread, enter at your own risk]
[1154 replies | Ending screenshots collection]
[2451 replies | Theme song recognition thread]
[75 replies | Introducing first center Wen Yali, welcome to pick]
[357 replies | Promoting Chi Xin, a very interesting young lady]
[342 replies | Is this the little fish from “Fairy Fate”? She actually joined Starlight Shines Season Two?]
[316 replies | Shock! The daughter of Shao Feiying, the emperor of acting, has also joined!]
[177 replies | Am I the only one who thinks Wen Yali doesn’t fit the center? This important role should go to Lan Chenxi]
[122 replies | I think the first center is fine; if you disagree, take it to the production team]
...
Previously, the production’s scant materials sparked little discussion. Only today, with the theme song and trainees revealed, did the reality of following the show take hold.
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At once, materials and reposts surged, with arguments and recommendations coexisting—a lively spectacle.
[125 replies | This is the current trending list. How good is our Season Two?]
Original poster: [Screenshot] Six of the top ten trending spots, thirteen total show-related topics.
Reply 1: It’s blazing hot, debut top star guaranteed.
Reply 2: Great, waiting for my property prices to soar.
Reply 3: Honestly, this is the level when the production and agencies are pushing hard.
Reply 4: Not as good as last season.
Reply 5: Are you kidding? This heat is great. The theme song hit a million views in under an hour, faster than season one. I bet it will be more popular.
Reply 6: If not riding season one’s popularity, who would watch this? All plastic faces. Still want to be famous?
Reply 7 replying to 6: If you hate it so much, keep watching season one alone and don’t go crazy in the season two forums.
Reply 8 replying to 6: Haha, that’s the quality of the senior fanbase.
Reply 9 replying to 8: Don’t generalize. I’m a 7Stars fan, but I also like this season’s girls.
Reply 48: I don’t think it can surpass season one. The discussion volume is smaller at this point.
Original poster replying to 48: I don’t ask for much; half the popularity of season one is fine.
Reply 48 replying: Half is doable, but season one set the ceiling. Surpassing it is tough.
Reply 59 replying to 48: Wait and see.
Reply 96: This season’s theme song is pretty good. Even in quick shots, there are several pretty girls. I’m optimistic about the show’s success.
...
[211 replies | Place your bets: who will be the final center?]
Original poster: Following my eight-hundredfold speed reality show rule, let’s start guessing the final center. Here’s a poll. If you don’t have a favorite, choose “just watching.” We’ll check after the show if anyone guessed right. [Forum poll link]
The original poster favors Lan Chenxi. Though she doesn’t know why Lan Chenxi didn’t get the first center, she believes Lan Chenxi’s talent will allow a comeback in later performances.
Reply 1: Lan fans, be gentle with the hype.
Reply 3: Most still don’t know the trainees yet; I’m just voting randomly.
Reply 7: Last season I immediately picked Zong Ming, who debuted as center. This season I pick Lan Chenxi. Hope she also debuts center.
Reply 100: Haha, Lan Chenxi is definitely the top.
Reply 124 replying to 100: Maybe many people only just know her now.
Reply 175: Wen Yali’s vote count is so high? The power of first center is real.
Reply 186: Why are the votes concentrated on Xingyuan and Yunding trainees? What about others?
Reply 187: Is Lefan Entertainment not worthy? [doge]
Reply 188: Yeah, plus there’s a solo trainee who’s pretty cute.
Reply 194 replying to 188: Based on last season, solo trainees are cannon fodder. Making it to the second round is a challenge…
Reply 201 replying to 175: That’s why so many want first center—it boosts recognition instantly.
Reply 211: Voted. Waiting for the drama.
Pu Jingjing casually chose “just watching” for the poll. She hadn’t watched the theme song yet nor recognized all the trainees, so she hadn’t picked a favorite.
Pu Jingjing started following “Starlight Shines” from season one, watching every episode. After that season ended, her favorite debuted successfully, and she was happy with the group. She intended to keep following the group, 7Stars, but less than a month later she felt bored. Only when she heard about season two did her interest revive.
Pu Jingjing realized she only liked them under the reality show’s spotlight. She decisively abandoned 7Stars and embraced season two, joining the new forum group as it formed, checking related news from time to time.
Now with some free time, Pu Jingjing opened the video and began watching the season two theme song.