Late October, everyone had mastered five-person “Why” and title track “Nirvana” dances, also rehearsing several times with Yan Chi’s backup dancers. Remaining time needed reserving for MV filming.
Mo Xun found Director Qi, with whom he was familiar, to film MVs.
Fang Yinnian’s “Nirvana” told the story of phoenix nirvana—enduring hardships and rebirth through fire, very similar to FTM’s experiences and deeply relatable.
Since lyrics described the ancient mythical phoenix, Director Qi’s concept required MVs with the epic grandeur of “Classic of Mountains and Seas,” needing extensive post-production animation effects.
The five cooperated with directorial arrangements, wearing specially custom-made black-red ancient-style costumes.
They would film continuously for three days in specially constructed studios.
Fang Yinnian also tried wire work for the first time.
Wire harnesses tied around waists lifted people into the air. Actors needed strong core stability to control body balance—otherwise flying and descending would look awkward on camera.
Mo Xun had extensive action filming experience—wire work was routine for him. His aerial postures were especially handsome, as if naturally skilled in martial arts.
The other four lacked wire work experience, requiring repeated adjustments under crew guidance before mastering body control.
“Wire ready, 1, 2, 3, up.” Director Qi commanded from the side as wire operators immediately acted, lifting all five into the air.
“Xiao Fei’s hair is covering his eyes—take it again.”
“Yinnian, look ahead, not at the camera—I’m shooting profiles.”
“Tang Che, your expression is too cold—adjust slightly.”
Director Qi had high standards. This five-person flight scene was shot over thirty times. Fang Yinnian repeatedly took off and landed, pulled around by wires until his waist nearly broke.
He suddenly felt very sorry for Mo Xun.
Mo Xun’s recent films “Wind Rises Chang’an” and “Qingzhou Mystery Files” had extensive period action scenes. On set filming action sequences, suspended on wires sometimes all day.
He must have worked countless times harder than today.
Being an actor wasn’t easy—especially someone as serious as Mo Xun who never used stunt doubles, doing everything personally… He must be very tired, right?
Fang Yinnian gritted his teeth, standing up to continue filming with everyone.
With Mo Xun setting an example, teammates all competed intensely, embarrassed to give up.
Mo Xun also taught them some wire work techniques—how to straighten legs when flying up, how to extend arms when descending for the best visual effect.
He’d accumulated extensive experience these years, almost becoming half a martial arts director.
The five worked hard to learn, united in overcoming difficulties. Originally scheduled for three days of filming, they finished early in two and a half days.
Director Qi praised: “You learned so quickly.”
Xu Baichuan actively shook hands with the director, smiling: “Director Qi, we’re counting on you for post-production. Please personally oversee it—there’s no budget limit.”
Director Qi’s eyes lit: “No limit? Then I can find industry-leading special effects companies?”
Xu Baichuan said: “No problem—you can work to film standards.”
Director Qi was thrilled. He loved such “well-funded” clients, allowing him to work freely and achieve his most satisfying results. This was his first MV—the final product absolutely couldn’t disappoint.
***
One MV for an album would seem perfunctory. After discussion, everyone decided to film another ballad MV, ultimately choosing “Distance.”
Yinnian’s song had a somewhat sad tone, telling of unrequited love without results.
The ballad MV needed modern fresh style. Tan Junwen found a director friend to help. MV filming was simple—could be finished in one or two days if fast. The director had free time and agreed since he’d get paid anyway.
For MV leads, the director found two film academy students.
Both actors were handsome and beautiful, very well-matched. Though their acting was raw, they could be coached. As MV stars, no big-name actors were needed—fitting image was sufficient.
FTM’s five would sing from observers’ perspective about this unrequited love story.
The script had a boy secretly loving a girl since childhood, but later the girl dated another classmate. Childhood friend couldn’t beat the newcomer—the boy’s hidden feelings were never spoken.
This bittersweet ballad would definitely make many people cry.
Tan Junwen’s director friend was also highly skilled, having filmed numerous campus dramas. This summer’s blockbuster modern romance “Midsummer” was his work. Given their good relationship, the director gave face to help FTM film the MV.
After finishing both MVs, Fu Fei couldn’t help sighing: “Brother Mo and Brother Junwen both invited major directors they’d worked with to film our MVs—we definitely have the music industry’s most luxurious MVs, right?”
Tang Che said flatly: “You two didn’t waste these years—quite impressive connections.”
Tan Junwen smiled: “Not bad. Mainly because FTM’s fame is huge now, plus it’s our first post-reunion album with guaranteed popularity—that’s why directors were willing to give face and come. If small-time groups filmed MVs, big directors wouldn’t bother.”
This industry was always like this.
Once famous, more and more good people appeared around you.
Director Qi always appreciated Mo Xun, having collaborated on two dramas. When Mo Xun sincerely invited him and he had schedule availability, he readily came to help. Director Chen was similar—unexpectedly “Midsummer” became summer’s blockbuster, inseparable from male lead Tan Junwen’s temperament and acting. So he also gave Tan Junwen face, spending a day helping finish the MV.
These industry connections accumulated slowly.
From debuting as nobodies, they’d finally made some progress—makeup, directors, photography could all invite industry celebrities to help, further improving their MV quality.
Of course, MVs were just icing on the cake.
The key was singing and dancing well themselves—otherwise spending more money was useless.
***
Both MVs needed post-production time.
Early November, they finished recording the entire album but didn’t leave the base, staying to practice the other two singing-dancing songs’ group dances.
After FTM’s reunion, many brands approached them.
Sound Wave’s management team carefully investigated and selected several endorsements.
The first was an international first-tier brand producing music equipment—also the company that custom-made their microphones back then, specializing in microphones, Bluetooth headphones, speakers with excellent professionalism.
The brand gave them the title “Asia-Pacific Brand Ambassadors.”
This was the brand’s first time using Asian celebrity endorsers.
Music equipment manufacturers choosing “music group” endorsement fit brand image perfectly. They wanted to leverage the music group’s popularity to further boost recognition in China, offering excellent treatment—industry first-tier pricing, 20 million endorsement fee, extensive promotional coverage in national CBD commercial centers, subway stations, and airports.
Everyone enjoyed filming advertisements since they genuinely liked this brand—their previous microphones were from this company, with excellent headphone and speaker sound quality.
As brand ambassadors, they received gift packages—including latest noise-canceling headphones, Bluetooth speakers, and new custom microphones engraved with “FTM.”
Back then Xu Baichuan bought custom microphones at 300,000 each. Everyone was extremely careful performing with custom microphones, afraid of dropping them.
Now the manufacturer promised: You’re ambassadors—microphones available unlimited.
The brand first gave each person three—black, white, red. The metallic microphones looked stunning, with three colors matching different performance outfit colors.
Fu Fei hugged three microphones with beaming smile: “Brand daddy treats us so well!”
Fang Yinnian held the brand’s latest headphones, also very moved.
They’d truly made it.
Current brand endorsements were all first-tier celebrity treatment. Future headphones, microphones, speakers wouldn’t need personal purchase—earning endorsement fees while saving massive expenses. This endorsement was worthwhile.
Xu Baichuan’s second endorsement was a domestic famous sportswear brand. All five FTM members had long legs and handsome looks, making sportswear appear high-end and attractive.
The brand valued their image and popularity—collaboration was very pleasant.
Future airport and practice room casual wear could feature comfortable sportswear. The brand sent a wardrobe of new clothes by their measurements for free wearing.
Celebrities wearing endorsed brand clothing also helped manufacturers promote sales. This brand’s clothing quality was excellent—everyone didn’t mind wearing it casually.
The day after filming advertisements, all five collectively wore sportswear back to the base.
The third was food endorsement—also a first-tier brand snack available in national supermarkets.
Actually, many daily goods, cosmetics, personal care brands were queuing. Xu Baichuan wasn’t rushing—immediately endorsing everything after comeback would suggest harvesting fan money.
One per month, steady pace.
After top music star Tao Yizhou’s scandal, he terminated many brands. Xu Baichuan seized opportunities contacting international luxury brands with vacant Chinese ambassador positions, wanting FTM to get luxury endorsement.
Luxury endorsements symbolized status. Major entertainment celebrities also needed fashion industry stability. After luxury endorsements, brands promoted globally—worldwide recognition plus many international first-tier magazine covers.
Of course, luxury endorsement competition was especially fierce—many celebrity teams fought for such opportunities. Xu Baichuan was contacting brands who wanted to assess FTM’s post-reunion popularity.
Currently negotiating—success depended on new album sales.
***
Under Xu Baichuan’s arrangements, FTM’s post-reunion work proceeded systematically.
Time quickly reached mid-November.
FTM Studio finally began promoting their new album!
First releasing behind-the-scenes clips from recording studios and dance practice rooms across all platforms. When these clips released, fans, casual listeners, and haters all rushed to watch.
The five’s dancing was especially synchronized.
Fans excitedly commented: “Fantastic—chemistry as good as before!”
“Despite disbanding over two years, dancing skills weren’t wasted? Can’t believe they still dance so uniformly”
“Brother Mo’s dancing was always amazing, Junwen and Xiao Fei stable as usual, Yinnian and Che Che’s dancing also improved~”
“Really anticipating complete stage performances.”
Haters were furious.
Why? These five had left the stage over two years—returning, they could still dance so well?
When would they finally flop?
Being FTM haters watching them get increasingly popular was daily heartache.
With excellent teaser reception, many netizens wanted more and began pressuring the studio.
“Stop being stingy—serve up the album for tasting.”
“If you don’t release the album soon, we’ll mail razor blades to your studio.”
“Stop teasing us with clips—have guts to serve the main course”
“Ahhh can you hurry up? Release the new album tomorrow, okay?”
November 20th, 8 PM sharp.
Amid countless anticipation, FTM’s post-reunion new album “Nirvana” finally launched simultaneously across all platforms.
Simultaneously, title track “Nirvana” and secondary title “Distance” completed MVs were released on FTM’s official accounts on Bilibili, TikTok, Little Red Book, etc.
This album included 2 old songs—”Thank You” performed at fan meetings and five-person version of “Why” that Fang Yinnian performed on “Chinese Good Songs”—plus 8 new songs.
All 10 songs’ lyrics and composition were by Fang Yinnian, surprising countless fans.
Digital album: 8 new songs + 2 re-recorded old songs, priced at 25 yuan—very reasonable pricing.
Upon release, the album immediately entered new song and rising charts on major music platforms.
Clicking any music platform showed FTM songs dominating homepage popularity.
With new album “Nirvana’s” release, FTM’s first album “Forever FTM” was also rediscovered by netizens for revisiting. This week’s rising charts were completely swept by FTM’s new and old songs!
The rising charts showed an incredible sight—the top 15 positions were ALL FTM songs?
Domestic entertainment hadn’t seen such spectacular chart dominance in ages!
Music industry veterans were shocked—this group’s popularity was too high!
People said idol boy group albums were fan-exclusive, but FTM was completely different.
From debut, this group blazed the music industry path with full live singing and dancing. They won three consecutive “Music Billboard” music show championships, participated in “Sounds of Nature” helping mentors win seasonal championships, won the most prestigious “Song of the Year Award,” and their member Fang Yinnian won “Chinese Good Songs” championship.
Call them idols?
They were indeed young and attractive, could sing and dance, fitting public idol impressions.
But they weren’t just idols.
They were a music group—professional singers too!
FTM’s debut anniversary first album ultimately sold 30 million yuan.
Now in their fifth debut year, could their reunion album sales after four years still compete? Countless industry professionals, fans, and haters watched the second album’s sales.
On FTM’s “Nirvana” release day, massive review videos appeared on Bilibili.
The long-missed “Good Song Recommendations” content creator excitedly promoted overnight.
“I absolutely love FTM’s post-reunion album!
Never expected Fang Yinnian to write singing-dancing songs so excellently. Title track ‘Nirvana’ is arguably the most magnificent song I’ve heard this year.
Plus the adapted five-person ‘Why’ with various two-person and multi-person harmonies sounds infinitely better than Fang Yinnian’s original Good Songs stage performance.
The other two singing-dancing tracks ‘Light and Shadow’ and ‘Against the Wind’ also have strong rhythm.
Fang Yinnian’s ballads are excellently written. Secondary title ‘Distance’ tells an unrequited love story that makes people heartbroken. Paired with the sad MV, I nearly cried.
There’s also ‘Far Away’—extremely difficult, a technical showcase song. FTM’s vocals are fully displayed, with Tang Che and Fang Yinnian’s superhigh falsetto duet giving me goosebumps!
Additionally, ‘Spring Blossoms,’ ‘Years Like Songs,’ ‘Farewell Under Starlight,’ and ‘Thank You’ are also very beautiful.
The entire 10-song album has no bad tracks.
MV production is super impressive. I definitely recommend watching ‘Nirvana’s’ MV—the phoenix nirvana special effects completely rival domestic first-tier animated films.
I’m so excited! Thank you music group for reuniting. I’ll recommend this album to all relatives and friends—a rare premium music album everyone deserves to collect!”
Since the content creator praised it so highly, many bullet comments joked.
“Did advertising fees arrive?”
“You’re probably Sound Wave Entertainment’s paid commenter?”
“The creator is probably about to become an FTM fan hahaha”
“Your voice was trembling while recording—clearly you were really excited~”
“Fine, taking the recommendation. If it’s not good, I’ll come back to scold you [dog head]”
With the creator’s strong MV recommendations, many followed suggestions to click Bilibili’s official videos, then were all amazed.
This MV was magnificently filmed, like a mythological animated film.
The phoenix falls from peaks to valleys, endures hardships, then rises reborn through fire—returning through nirvana.
When it spreads fiery wings soaring skyward, the special effects were so gorgeous people couldn’t believe this was actually a song MV? Better than some theatrical animated films!
FTM’s five-member styling was also innovative. Black-red ancient costumes, all wearing long ancient hair—the ancient costume versions had completely different temperaments from their modern selves. Everyone flew through air on wires, following phoenix trajectories as if witnessing this ancient nirvana legend.
Finally, when the phoenix spreads wings skyward with blazing flames rising from earth, the five slowly emerge from flames—seemingly representing the music group’s rebirth through fire, returning through nirvana.
Nirvana—Fang Yinnian’s song was written too perfectly.
Bullet comments exploded.
“Holy crap, this MV was amazing—like watching animated films!”
“These effects must be charged per second, right?”
“Glanced at special effects company—industry’s top animation company, really generous”
“This year’s most shocking domestic entertainment MV, no competition!”
“Director is ‘Qingzhou Mystery Files’ Director Qi—amazing, major director personally filming MVs, no wonder it’s so good”
“Family, seeing you at the beginning, I’m rewatching~”
Meanwhile, “Distance” MV comments had completely different style.
“The leads are attractive—are they newcomers?”
“This song is so heartbreaking, suddenly reminded me of my former crush”
“Fang Yinnian, you really know how to write, you killed me with feels”
“Who hasn’t had crushes during school? This song is so relatable”
“Simple MV nearly made me cry T_T”
“Why must ballads be so torturous?”
“This is the album’s only torturous song—other ballads aren’t cruel~”
“Well filmed, clearly told an unrequited love story in minutes”
“‘Nirvana’ director is Director Qi, ‘Distance’ is Director Chen—FTM has such connections, even MV director lineups are so luxurious?”
“No wonder visuals and lighting are so beautiful—filmed by TV drama major directors?”
“Major directors are indeed professional—both MVs are definitely collectible!”
As more people watched both MVs, cross-platform views rapidly exceeded 10 million.
When FTM debuted, a content creator who’d once commented on their raw vocals, “Poison Tongue Reviews,” also released a video today promoting FTM’s new album.
The creator said: “Has everyone heard FTM’s new album? All five’s vocals improved greatly, especially ‘Far Away’ with masterful high note and run handling.
What surprised me most was FTM’s five-part harmony.
When they debuted, I recommended this boy group because I felt they were distinctive and would definitely become popular. Unfortunately, their agency later self-destructed by disbanding the group.
I’m glad these five perfectly matched voices can finally reunite—this is what moves me most: their loyalty, chemistry, and group spirit are unmatched.
I’m happy that despite years apart, they didn’t forget their original intentions, willing to reunite the music group for public display. Today I’ll briefly become a musical note, organically recommending FTM’s new album ‘Nirvana.’
They’ve truly achieved phoenix nirvana, returning through fire.
I hope everyone supports this group and that they can go higher and farther.”
…
FTM originally had strong music industry influence. Their first album built a solid fan base of very loyal fans with excellent public reputation. Many Bilibili music review creators had been optimistic about this group and regretted FTM’s hasty disbandment.
Now with the top-tier group’s king return, countless well-disposed content creators, bloggers, and passersby organically recommended them. On album release day, data exploded across all major platforms.
Weibo topic #FTM New Album Nirvana Released Today# exceeded 100 million views with “explosive” tags.
Bilibili’s two MVs became this week’s trending #1 and #2, firmly occupying the homepage.
TikTok recommendation videos and Little Red Book recommendation posts were countless.
Forums started several tall buildings guessing sales in fan-hater battles.
Chinese music industry was as lively as New Year celebrations.
Industry reporters couldn’t help sighing: “FTM’s popularity is too high!”
Other boy groups releasing albums were fan-circle exclusive with only fans paying attention. FTM releasing albums exploded across all platforms with fans, haters, and passersby all discussing—this was truly a “national boy group.”
***
Next evening, someone suddenly posted on forums: “FTM’s ‘Nirvana’ sales exceeded 30 million!”
Everyone seeing the post was incredibly shocked.
“Holy crap?! The last album took four months to reach 30 million—this is just one day?”
“Don’t scare me, poster—30 million in one day? [horrified][sweating]”
“Check major music platforms’ data—this album’s collection count exceeded millions. Assuming collectors all purchased at 25 yuan each, that’s 25 million, plus direct purchases without collecting, so the data matches.”
“Music group has excellent public reputation—definitely massive general audience participation”
“30 million in one day, terrifyingly strong, later sales can still increase”
“Many singers released albums this year—30 million can probably rank annual top three?”
“Anticipating monthly sales statistics, hoping FTM takes first this time!”
One day reaching top three—even Xu Baichuan was extremely surprised by such results.
FTM’s popularity exceeded his expectations significantly.
Since singers release albums at different times—some first half, some second half—year-end Golden Song Awards calculate album sales from release dates by monthly periods.
If FTM’s “Nirvana” could win this year’s sales championship, they might also win Golden Song Awards’ “Annual Best Music Album.”
Though Golden Song Awards didn’t only consider sales but also album quality. But this album’s quality was especially excellent—two exquisitely filmed MVs with outstanding harmony arrangements for every song.
Fang Yinnian spent enormous time and energy revising songs while teammates practiced day and night in seclusion, striving for perfect every note. Albums created with such serious attitudes were definitely premium among premiums.
***
Amid everyone’s anticipation, time reached December 20th.
FTM’s album “Nirvana” had been released for exactly one month, and sales statistics finally emerged.
—60 million. Double the 30 million from release day.
Breaking domestic entertainment’s digital album sales record for the past three years!
Entering this year’s “Global Music Digital Album Rankings” top five!
The industry was incredibly shocked, netizens incredibly excited.
The impact of the top group’s return was too frightening—this wasn’t just leading domestic entertainment, but directly breaking into annual global rankings! Several million higher than Asia-wide popular Korean boy group BNC’s album sales this year.
This group truly brought honor to Chinese music!
Netizens excitedly discussed.
“Let’s congratulate FTM for making their mark on global rankings [confetti]”
“FTM reuniting is really so wonderful ahhh~”
“No bias either way—this album’s quality matches these sales”
“60 million is amazing—last year’s annual champion was only 40 million”
“Producer Fang Yinnian is incredible, all five FTM members are amazing—being their fan is steady happiness”
“Looking forward to concerts, looking forward to live ‘Nirvana'”
“Ahhh album sales are so good—hurry up and prepare concerts, ticket money is ready~”
“I also want to see concerts—MV dance moves were limited, live knife formation dances will definitely be more stunning”
With the entire internet pushing for concerts, the hashtag #FTM Concert# was actually pushed to trending.
Xu Baichuan was both amused and exasperated, immediately having promotional staff use FTM Studio’s account to post a statement: “Thank you very much for everyone’s support of FTM’s second album ‘Nirvana.’
Year-end and January next year, FTM will participate in some TV station activities.
Concerts are in preparation, officially launching in February, with Jiangzhou confirmed as the first stop.
Jiangzhou is where FTM originated—let this national tour also start from Jiangzhou.
Please pay attention to FTM official accounts on major platforms for specific ticketing information.
All five members are prepared and look forward to meeting everyone ^^”
**
