A few days ago, a Chinese music platform suddenly removed the “original singer” label of singer Zhang Bichen’s “Annual Rings” and replaced it with “singer”, which surprised many people and also caused speculation from the outside world: So has Zhang Bichen been disqualified as the original singer of the song?
Wangzai Xiaoqiao said: I only recognize Zhang Bichen as the original singer.
Meanwhile, internet celebrity blogger Wangzai Xiaoqiao’s online comments about the original singer of the song “Annual Rings” unexpectedly sparked controversy online. Wangzai Xiaoqiao insisted that Zhang Bichen was the sole original singer of “Annual Rings,” angering fans of Wang Sulong. Wang Sulong and Zhang Bichen’s versions were both included on the album “The Journey of Flower Original Soundtrack,” suggesting the song should have two original singers, not just Zhang Bichen as Wangzai Xiaoqiao claimed. Zhang Bichen’s version of the song, a classic OST for the historical idol drama “The Journey of Flower,” is incredibly popular, potentially undermining the popularity of Wang Sulong’s original version.
Wang Sulong’s team has decided to withdraw the authorization for “Annual Rings”
Seeing the public outcry intensify, Wang Sulong quickly responded through his official account in the early morning of the 25th. Regarding the controversy surrounding the song “Annual Rings,” they actively sought to clarify the full extent of the situation, but ultimately, they seemed to find themselves constantly at the center of the controversy. As creators, they wished to focus attention on the music itself. Therefore, on the tenth anniversary of “Annual Rings,” they decided to revoke the copyright for the song and temporarily suspend any performances of the work. Meanwhile, regarding the copyright dispute surrounding “Fantasy Zhu Xian,” another song stemming from “Annual Rings,” verification and investigation confirmed that this song also had two original singers.
Subsequently, Zhang Bichen’s studio also issued a statement at around 2 a.m. on the 25th, insisting that Zhang Bichen was the only original singer of “Annual Rings” based on the release time and copyright registration, and listed the timeline of the release of “Annual Rings”, as well as the song’s registration with the Music Copyright Society of China (MCSC), in which Zhang Bichen was the singer and Wang Sulong was only the lyricist and composer.
[Zhang Bichen officially bids farewell to “Annual Rings”]
Regarding Wang Sulong’s recovery of the copyright of “Annual Rings”, Zhang Bichen’s studio also left a message in the comment area saying, “A public opinion controversy originating from a certain blogger has accidentally pushed a good work that has been with listeners for ten years to the forefront. We feel very sorry.” At the same time, they also thanked the encounter and companionship with “Annual Rings” over the past ten years, and officially bid farewell to this work on the 10th anniversary of the release of “Annual Rings”.
Zhang Bichen’s studio’s statement immediately sparked an uproar online. While Wang Sulong had previously stated on a variety show, “Except for Zhang Bichen, this song is all mine,” asserting his sovereignty as the song’s creator, he had never denied Zhang Bichen’s status as the original singer. However, Zhang Bichen’s studio’s sudden insistence on being the sole original singer of “Annual Rings” seemed to slap Wang Sulong in the face, a move seen as a betrayal of their long-standing collaboration. Some netizens also rallied behind Zhang Bichen, arguing that since Wang Sulong’s team was about to revoke the copyright and prevent her from performing the song, she should simply produce evidence to prove her legitimacy as the sole original singer.
[Zhang Bichen issued another statement: She has the permanent right to perform]
After carefully reading the relevant contracts, Zhang Bichen’s team claimed that Zhang Bichen has the permanent rights to sing “Annual Rings” worldwide, but out of respect and self-selection, she decided not to sing the song “Annual Rings” in the future.
Wang Sulong’s double entendre: A person with integrity is not afraid of his own shadow.
Wang Sulong recently held a solo concert in Shenzhen. During the concert, he used a double entendre, “Shenzhen (a company with a righteous character) is not afraid of its own shadow,” which was seen as an indirect response to the recent online controversy surrounding his and Zhang Bichen’s song “Annual Rings.” He even sang the song, which he composed, at the end of the concert, to a roaring chorus from the audience. What was going through Wang Sulong’s mind at that moment?
Zhang Bichen insisted that she was the only original singer of “Annual Rings”. Wang Sulong finally took back the copyright of the song, but Zhang Bichen’s team claimed that they had the permanent right to sing the song… Although the original singer’s copyright dispute has finally been temporarily calmed down, it is still a pity that we will never be able to hear Zhang Bichen sing “Annual Rings” live in the future!