Thanks to the media and the model agencies, a considerable number of young ladies are pumped out last summer. Right before June, some of these nameless girls were ordinary students like you and me. Some were working part-time and some were idling the days away. These girls, aged between 17 to at most 24, appear to be a different kind of models—what we now call the pseudo-models. Not receiving much education, they can still earn a lot, which brings them criticisms of setting bad examples to children from the general public. Honestly, I am writing to express my approval of this critical comment.
Charging far less than famous artists or fashion models, these ubiquitous pseudo-models exist in all sorts of promotion, advertisements and even in book fairs to earn as much as they can. Since one of the most significant features of ‘liang-mo’ is being young, they have to take the opportunity and the time to work as pseudo-models, despite the fact that study should be the more important focus in their age. Balancing study and modeling is no easy task. Therefore, some of them choose to quit school and continue their so-called career. This sets a bad example for teenagers. Modeling is never a long-lasting job, not to mention the pseudo one. One day, after they ‘retire’ from modeling, what can they do? Go back to school or work as unskilled workers? Teenagers may imitate their behavior due to their hasty decision of giving up study.
Yes, being knowledgeable is not the only way-out. Many successful people may not have high educational qualifications, but they can still have excellent reputation. However, with limited knowledge or talents, pseudo-models easily give an illusion to youngsters that the road to success is hurdle-free. Being ‘liang-mo’ offers a gateway to the attractive entertainment industry. They do not need to work hard or get good results in public exams in order to start their career. They don’t realize that it is actually a future which has no guarantee because it is reported by the media that some of the pseudo-models do earn a lot! Chrissie Chow, a representative of ‘liang-mo’, whose educational level is up to F.5, has already earned more than a million dollars by selling her sexy portrait albums and attending various kinds of promotion. Consequently, youngsters, whose values are still being fostered, may think or even behave in the same way.
Apart from this, when we surrender the headlines, book fair and even the streets to these sexy kittens, we are in fact inculcating another wrong message into teenagers’ minds at the same time. Unlike fashion models, they do not sell the products by using techniques like sauntering along the cat-walk elegantly. Unlike singers, they do not gain publicity by their singing skills. Their mere selling points are all about youth and body figure. Beyond expectation, they have succeeded, at least for a couple of months. Here is where the virus develops. Women’s figure should not be treated as a tool for earning money. But pseudo-models are exactly doing this. This sends a message to teenagers that even though they do not have any other special endowments, they, especially girls, can still earn by showing off their body. It is completely warping youngsters’ minds.
Undeniably, the pseudo-models reached fever pitch last summer. Yet, their publicity comes along with criticisms of distorting teenagers’ values and setting bad examples for them. I personally think that earning by our own ability is fine as long as it does not produce a bad effect on others. The criticisms are not wrong or exaggerated at all. It’s time for the shine of the pseudo-models to fade.