The boy band itself is half-real, which means that they did go out and perform, but the songs are satirical and purposely horrible (I think?). I can’t quite figure out how much of it was just a fancy marketing vehicle for the movie.

Boy band and movie aside, the team (pictured above) have also decided to start a social networking sites to “promote artists” in Hong Kong, enlisting the help of one of the Rotten Tomatoes co-founders.

Even though it’s never explicitly defined, their use of the term “artist” seems to fall closer to the Hong Kong usage (actors/actresses or singers) rather than the broader dictionary definition.

For example, on the boy band’s last performance, they cited 16 axioms:

1. We are worried about our future
2. We have 300 directors, but only 30 films
3. So many singers, where are the bands?
4. Music is not just KTV
5. Quality productions will win back our audience
6. We need to innovate, not copy and follow
7. Hong Kong needs to keep its identity
8. Care about Hong Kong, Care about the entertainment industry
9. A healthy creative environment requires diversity
10. Invest in our future
11. Without independent productions, the mainstream will not progress
12. Support Indie music / indie films

Unfortunately, the social networking site, Alive Not Dead, just seems like another MySpace clone. Despite what they say, the pitch seems to be: Look! Famous artists are on here! You should join too! (There is a profile picture for Jet Li on the front page.)

And the project? So far, it still looks like the plaything of a group of well-connected people in the industry, but only time will tell if it takes off.

In the meantime, get yourself an Alive Not Dead trucker hat: