Three students prepare for college entrance exams at a KFC shop after school in this KFC ad. Xiao Dong (L) focuses on his study while the two other students seem to focus on their food. (Photo: Oriental Morning Post)

    BEIJING, April 21 -- KFC revised a TV commercial which caused ill feelings among some TV viewers, the Oriental Morning Post reported today.

    The disputed ads played out a story of three high school students who were studying for their college entrance exam in a KFC restaurant. One boy, Xiao Dong was quite diligent at his studies, another boy and a girl did nothing but enjoy their KFC fast food. However, the result of their finals turned out twisted. The studious boy failed his exam while the other two friends made their way into universities in Beijing.

As the ad continues, one of the other two is still playing and eating KFC food as the college entrance exam approaches. (Photo: Oriental Morning Post)

    The "semi-happy" ending unleashed an uproar on Internet not long after its broadcast. Some audience members argued that the failure of the industrious boy may leave a negative implication on millions of real students, un-rightfully stating that KFC food could be more helpful to them than actual hard work.

    College entrance exam is the most important exam in China's education system because whether a student can enter a university all depends on its result.

    KFC responded by saying that the theme of the ad was meant to encourage young people to face up to their failures and to never give up. The young boy's failure was just a coincidence and had nothing to do with whether he was eating KFC or not.

    However, KFC said "to show their vocal audience respect." They have revised the advertisement and change it so all three KFC customers have a happy ending and are "admitted to universities."

    The new version began airing on April 18.

(Source: Shanghai Daily)