The U-Bend #20: The Leung-est Mile
by Andrew Lee
“Mudblood’s a really foul name for someone who was Muggle-born – you know, non-magic parents. There are some wizards – like Malfoy’s family – who think they’re better than everyone else because they’re what people call pure-blood.”
-Ron Weasley (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets)
Hey everybody! It’s only Andrew this week, because Robert is away on “business” (i.e. education). So while I was going to spend this week’s article blaming everything you hate about The U-Bend (basically everything) on Robert, something interesting arrived in my in-box. No, it wasn’t another hate mail, but rather, a link, sent by one of my sources, (which hasn’t been discredited at the time of posting) to a rather disturbing article.
The horror! The Injustice! This looks like a job for…The U-Bend! It appears that a select group has taken it upon themselves to tell Katie Leung (the actress who will play Cho Chang) to…well…let’s just say it was less than flattering. Considering we just finished the shipping article, I didn’t know if I should cry or go into an angry rage. But, if the times dictate it, here I go…WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE THESE DAYS?
I think that one of the main messages of the Potter series is coming together to appreciate our differences, or basically: tolerance. But what do I see? People harassing a poor girl who portrays a fictional character. I find this incredible since we haven’t even seen any scenes of Katie as Cho Chang yet. To tell off a person who we haven’t even seen in any official (or unofficial) acting capacity is just wrong. But, enough of this, I’m mature enough not to launch into endless tirades against this (hopefully minor) group of “fans.”
So let me start over. Let’s talk directly to the person on the receiving end of this barrage of this hate. *puts on writing cap*
Dear Katie,I know you’re probably a very busy person dealing with all those interviews, photo shoots and education, but I’ve heard that you’ve been on the receiving end of a very unflattering campaign. We hope that this hasn’t changed your opinion about the Harry Potter community.
Take it from someone who receives their fair share of hate mail, don’t let these personal attacks bring you down. If you can bring happiness to even one person, then it more than offsets anything that these attackers can bring upon you.
I think I speak for the entire Mugglenet staff, editors and editorial writers when I say that we believe in and support you (except for that jerk Robert at The U-Bend, he hates everybody). Don’t forget, you were the one out of thousands of auditions who was chosen to bring Cho Chang to life on the big screen. You are one of the select few to appear in that most honored and secret society: being a character in a Harry Pottermovie.
Once the movie comes out, you’ll be catapulted into instant stardom! Then you won’t have to worry about a few “misguided” letters. Once you’re famous, you’ll have something more important to deal with: all the crazies and stalkers that will come out of the woodwork. I should know, because of my “Shrine to Katie” that I keep hidden in my room…I think I’ve said too much. Anyways, between dodging obsessed fans and paparazzi, a few angry letters will seem like a walk in the park.
And once you’re famous, you can consider these letters as nothing more than a sampling of the deluge of mail you will get, except that the new letters will be more supportive. Once that fame comes and you get the recognition you deserve, you can look back and remember letters like these which supported you instead of attacked you, and tell yourself that these were the people who stood by you since the beginning.
Which brings me to the whole reason why I wrote this letter in the first place. I’ve always wanted to ask you that eternal question which plagues us who see the development of the Potter films from the sidelines, “Can I have your autograph?”
Reminding you of the sweeter side of life,
Andrew
Mugglenet U-Bend
Author’s Note: Well, I think that went rather well for a solo article. See you next week when I have something with a little more substance. And if I don’t…you can blame it on Robert.