Validation

Xiao Shiong led a mediocre existence, studying for a degree he hated. One day, his violent junkie father was released from prison but immediately returned to his old ways, beating his wife for not properly welcoming him back. When Xiao Shiong confronted him outside, his father attempted to kill him, stabbing himself in the process. Tired of being betrayed by those he' d trusted, Xiao Shiong ended his partnership with Dian Nao. Shortly after, he received a call from Red Lion. An ex-commando turned fitness-blogger, Red Lion took up his own superhero identity to play copycat to Xiao Shiong's popularity online and offline. Enraged that his cop brother got killed, Red Lion warned Xiao Shiong that if he didn't show up to a televised one-on-one fight on a national landmark, Dian Nao whom he recently kidnapped, would die in a live-internet streaming broadcast. Validation explores the inadequacy felt when we are unable to live up to the expectations of society. It also explores the phenomenon of people turning to the internet for instant gratification and validation for their actions, getting virtual shares and likes that ultimately mean nothing.