Celebrity online classes: knowledge or publicity?

This episode explores the phenomenon of celebrities, specifically Daniel Wu, venturing into online education. Against the backdrop of the booming knowledge commerce industry in China, the panelists discuss Wu's English-language course, which generated significant revenue and social media buzz within days of its launch. More significantly, the conversation delves into the mixed reactions from internet users, highlighting both positive feedback regarding the course's affordability and accessibility and negative critiques concerning the limited personal engagement from Wu himself and the perceived shortcomings of the AI-powered supplementary content. For instance, the panelists compare Wu's approach to the MasterClass model, contrasting the high-production value and aspirational storytelling of MasterClass with the more practical, skill-focused approach of Wu's course. Ultimately, the discussion concludes that while celebrity involvement can drive initial interest, the long-term success of such ventures hinges on the quality and value of the educational content itself, reflecting broader industry patterns in online learning.