Core Viewpoint - The internal letter from New Oriental's founder, Yu Minhong, on the company's 32nd anniversary sparked significant public backlash, leading to multiple apologies and clarifications from him regarding his trip to Antarctica, which was perceived as a luxury vacation rather than a work-related trip [1][3][6]. Group 1: Public Reaction - Yu Minhong's attempts to clarify his intentions were met with skepticism, as many employees were busy working while he was in Antarctica, leading to accusations of insensitivity and a disconnect between management and staff [5][9]. - The public perceived his explanations as superficial and failing to address the core issues, resulting in further criticism [8][12]. - The stark contrast between Yu's experiences in Antarctica and the struggles of his employees led to negative comparisons, with some viewing his actions as flaunting wealth [9][12]. Group 2: Internal Company Dynamics - Despite Yu Minhong's efforts to maintain a positive company culture and retain key talent, he faced significant challenges, including the departure of prominent figures like Dong Yuhui and Sun Dongxu from the company [14][16]. - Yu's management style, characterized by a desire for balance and harmony, ultimately did not prevent the loss of these critical team members, raising questions about his leadership effectiveness [20][22]. - The company's performance metrics, such as the drop in GMV from 143 billion yuan in the 2024 fiscal year to 87 billion yuan in the 2025 fiscal year, reflect the impact of these internal conflicts and leadership challenges [22].