Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the paradox of Damai (大麦网), which, despite facing significant public backlash over ticketing issues, continues to thrive financially, highlighting the disconnect between consumer sentiment and business performance in the Chinese internet industry [5][7][31]. Group 1: Ticketing Incident - Damai faced criticism due to a ticketing mishap for a concert by Lu Han, where a scheduled ticket sale did not occur as planned, leading to widespread user dissatisfaction [3][4][8]. - The company's response to the incident was perceived as inadequate, with a lack of sincere apology and a compensation plan that was deemed unhelpful by users [13][14][22]. - The incident resulted in a significant number of complaints on social media, showcasing the company's poor customer service and handling of the situation [18][60]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Despite the backlash, Damai's revenue for the fiscal year 2025 reached 2.06 billion RMB, making it the most profitable segment of Alibaba Pictures [5][31]. - Damai's gross profit was reported at 1.23 billion RMB, significantly higher than the film business's gross profit of 731 million RMB, indicating its dominant financial position within Alibaba [32]. - The overall revenue for Alibaba Pictures was 6.70 billion RMB, with Damai contributing a substantial portion, reflecting its strong market presence [31]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - The demand for concert tickets is extremely high, with a reported 861,000 users interested in a concert where only 13,400 tickets were available, illustrating a significant supply-demand imbalance [34][40]. - The concert industry in China is projected to grow, with the market expected to reach 101.70 billion RMB by 2026, providing ample opportunities for ticketing platforms like Damai [39]. - Damai operates as a primary ticketing platform, essentially acting as a "super scalper," acquiring tickets from event organizers and reselling them to consumers, which allows for high profitability [45][46]. Group 4: Consumer Sentiment - Despite its financial success, Damai's reputation among consumers is deteriorating, as evidenced by numerous complaints and negative sentiments expressed during concerts [27][60]. - The company has been criticized for its lack of responsiveness and empathy towards customer issues, which could undermine its long-term viability in the market [61].