Chinese entertainment, from radio love songs to superstars

Chapter 172, Grammy
"Turn Left, Turn Right" is adapted from the comic book of the same name by Formosa Province, directed by Du Qifeng and Wai Ka-Fai.

Du Qifeng is known as the "Godfather of Hong Kong Noir Films", "The Godfather of Hong Kong Gangster Films" and "The Traitorous Boss of Hong Kong Police and Gangster Films". His works are cold and cruel in style, with dark and gloomy tones. The action scenes are restrained and exquisite, mostly static standing scenes and slow-motion gunfights, full of masculine romanticism and chivalrous feelings.

Wai Ka-Fai is a famous screenwriter and producer in Hong Kong. He has participated in films and TV series such as "Peace Hotel", "The Unforgiven", and "The Greed of Man".

The two are a golden pair, and have made classic films such as "Love Is Sweet", "Slimming Men and Women", "My Left Eye Sees Ghosts", "Cuckoo Cuckoo New Year's Fortune", "Zhong Wuyan", and "Big Guys, Big Wisdom".

The budget for "Turn Left, Turn Right" is 2500 million. With such a high cost for a romance film, it is highly likely that the cost will not be recovered.

The film market has been like this in recent years. Many films are critically acclaimed but not box-office popular, and they all lose money but gain publicity.

The reason why Shen Lang invested in this movie was purely because Gao Yuanyuan was chosen as the heroine. This was an opportunity for her to enter the Hong Kong film industry. The box office performance or whether it made money or not was not important.

Although Hong Kong films have been on a downward trend since Infernal Affairs, the quality of Hong Kong films will not drop so quickly, and they will still be the first choice for winning awards and gilding themselves for a long time.

"Hello, Mr. Shen!"

"Hello, Brother Lang!"

"Hello."

When Shen Lang arrived at the crew, he naturally came to visit the set as the boss of Julang Film and Television, under the pretext of checking the progress of the filming, but in fact he was using this as a pretext to visit his lover.

When Gao Yuanyuan saw him, her eyes were filled with joy.

"Are you used to living here?"

"Habits are not much different from those in the mainland."

After talking with Du Qifeng, Shen Lang approached Gao Yuanyuan and said, "How about I upgrade your hotel?"

Gao Yuanyuan smiled and said, "No need. The hotel arranged by the crew is pretty good. Besides, we will shoot in Taibei for two more days before moving to Hong Kong."

At that time, regarding the filming location, Du Qifeng considered Shanghai, Berlin or New York, because the buildings in the comics were more Westernized.

But in order to win the Asian market, we finally decided to go to Formosa Province where the original author is from, so that it would resonate more.

Therefore, the exterior scenes were shot in Taibei, and the interior scenes were shot in Xiangjiang.

Shen Lang nodded, then looked around the set and asked, "Why don't I see Jin Chengwu?"

Gao Yuanyuan explained: "He and Director Wei were filming in other places. In fact, in this movie, he and I had very few scenes against each other. Most of the time, we acted separately, as if we were filming two movies."

Shen Lang raised his eyebrows and thought, this is amazing, the male and female protagonists in a romance movie don’t even have many scenes together.

After a few words, Gao Yuanyuan went to film.

After work in the afternoon, Shen Lang treated the entire team to a meal at his own expense.

After dinner, he did not go to the hotel with Gao Yuanyuan because the entire crew was there and it would be too obvious if they just went there. If love between two people lasts for a long time, why would they need to be together day and night?

He first called Wang Lihong to come out for a drink, and then went to Stefanie Sun's place.

"Is there no room for your trophy?"

"The study is a little small, so I made room for the side bedroom."

After gaining weight, Sun Yanzi not only feels much better, but also has improved endurance.

After a fierce fight, the two hugged each other in bed and chatted.

At the end of last year, Shen Lang purchased a lot of goods at several major music award ceremonies in mainland China.

Even though he didn't release an album last year, he did release seven or eight singles, such as "Blue and White Porcelain", "Yanjing Yanjing", "Stranger" and "I Love You China", all of which are very competitive for awards.

There are also songs written for others, such as "Little Dimples" by Stefanie Sun, "Look at My 72 Changes" by Cai Yilin, and three songs sung by Liu Yifei, which can also compete for awards for lyrics, music and arrangement.

The result was the same. The two songs "Blue and White Porcelain" and "I Love You China" became very popular.

There were many popular songs in the Chinese music scene last year, but not many of them were of high quality.

Jay Chou finally stood up and won many awards for songs such as "Orc", "Peninsula Iron Box" and "The Last Battle" from his album "Octave Space".

The evaluation given by the media is: "Nan Jie Lun" and "Bei Shen Lang" are in harmony with the autumn scenery for the first time.

Is this really the case?
Looking at the domestic situation alone, and looking at last year alone, this is indeed the case.

If overseas is included, Zhou Jielun can't even see Shen Lang's taillights.

The three English singles "Hall of Fame", "Fire" and "Believer" released by Shen Lang last year were favored by countless rock fans, topping the music charts in eleven regions in Europe and the United States, with cumulative sales exceeding 200 million copies, making them the best-selling singles by Chinese singers in non-Chinese regions.

That’s not all. “Hall of Fame” has been nominated for the German Echo Music Award for Best Rock Song of the Year. This is a famous music award in Germany, known as the “German Grammy”, and is one of the most important international music awards besides the Grammy Awards and the Brit Awards.

He was also nominated for the Brit Award for Best Rock Vocalist of the Year for "Fire", which is the most prestigious award in the British music industry. Compared with the Grammy Awards, the Brit Awards do not break down the awards by music genre, but instead compare all singers and groups together to select the best one.

"Believer" was nominated for the 13th Billboard Music Awards for Best Rock Song of the Year, a music award hosted by the well-known American music magazine Billboard. Its influence in the United States is second only to the Grammy Awards.

As for the Grammy Awards, Shen Lang was successfully nominated for two major awards at the 44th Grammy Awards: Best Rock Male Vocalist and Best Rock Song because of these three outstanding rock songs.

If Shen Lang wins one of these awards, his value and popularity overseas will rise to a higher level.

Because these awards are not the so-called "consolation prizes" prepared for singers and songs from outside Europe and the United States. They are awards that require real competition with songs from foreign singers.

Not to mention winning it, just being nominated is already a demonstration of one's strength.

Domestic media have been reporting on this for a week and publishing related feature articles.

——[After Hang Tianqi won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for his performance of "Chasing Fate" in 1999, Shen Lang became the second Chinese to be nominated for a Grammy! ]

——【Shen Lang, the first Asian singer to enter the Grammy Awards as a "singer" in the true sense! 】

——【Three songs were nominated for five world-class music awards. Shen Lang is on his way to the top of Asia! 】

The media is still praising him, but what is different from before is that this time Shen Lang used his strength to shut up many people, resulting in a lot fewer voices of doubt.

Admittedly, few does not mean none. There are still a small number of people who will criticize or attack you without any reason.

They may be driven by groundless malice or some unreasonable prejudice.

However, from a broader perspective, voices of appreciation remain the mainstream.

Your efforts, your talents, and your achievements are seen by everyone. Most people can understand and evaluate you in a rational and objective manner, and give you the respect and praise you deserve.

"I have something serious to tell you. My contract with Warner Music is about to expire. Mr. Zhou has offered me a signing fee of 3000 million. I want to hear your opinion on whether to renew the contract."

"If you ask me, then I definitely want you to come to my company."

In the original time and space, Stefanie Sun also parted ways with Warner in 2003 and established her own music company Make Music.

Then he released two albums in one year, both of which sold very well, one sold 200 million copies throughout Asia, and the other sold 170 million copies throughout Asia.

In August of that year, she held a farewell concert due to depression and announced that she would temporarily withdraw from the entertainment industry. She then chose to travel to Paris and did not make a comeback until October 8, 2004 with a new album.

But here, with Shen Lang's care, there is no such thing as depression.

As for signing the contract, putting aside the relationship between the two, just based on Stefanie Sun's singing ability and her popularity in Asia, any record company would sign her.

Shen Lang’s meaning is also very clear, which is to keep the benefits within the family.

"If I go to your company, do I have to move to the mainland? I've only just gotten used to living here."

"It's up to you to choose. The company will set up a branch in Taibei this year. You can live here if you want."

Most of the first batch of singers signed by Jingtao are from Formosa Province, so there must be an office here.

In fact, the two branches, Xiangjiang and Tiaobei, were established at the same time, but they are not as big as the Yanjing headquarters. Currently, there are only three departments: recording studio, public relations department, and artist department. Things like corporate publicity, music production, and finance and taxation are all completed at the headquarters.

There are not so many artists at present, and setting up too many departments will result in huge waste and redundant expenses.

After hearing what Shen Lang said, Sun Yanzi said happily: "Okay, I won't renew the contract, I'll go to your company."

Shen Lang arranged for her: "When you come, we will start the Asia tour first, and then release a new album."

Sun Yanzi put her face on his chest, listened to his strong heartbeat, and said sweetly: "I'll listen to you."

As for her departure, Zhou Jianhui tried his best to keep her.

In fact, when Shen Lang's Jing Tao Music came out, he had already predicted that Sun Yanzi would leave. Although their relationship was not public, he had been used as a shield many times, so he could guess a thing or two.

"Ah, Lao Chen, I really envy you for being so free and easy. You can go wherever you want without any restrictions."

Zhou Jianhui's situation in Warner at this time is similar to Chen Yaochuan's situation in Xinsuo before.

The president is just a handyman and everything he does has to depend on the head office.

If his home wasn't in Tiaobei and his family wasn't counting on him, he would have gone to join Shen Lang.

As for Stefanie Sun’s departure, Warner executives don’t care at all.

Because they have long passed the darkest moment in 2000, and the artists they currently have include Aaron Kwok, Fei Yuqing, Na Ying, Zhang Huimei, Sammi Cheng, Cai Jianya, Dada Band, Lao Lang, Ye Bei, Wang Feng, Zhang Yadong, Pu Shu... It can be said that they are strong and powerful, and the absence of Stefanie Sun is no big deal.

The 3000 million signing fee was given out of consideration for Zhou Jianhui's face, and their intention was just to make a pie in the sky.

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After leaving Taibei, Shen Lang returned to Yanjing and worked overtime day and night to shoot "Love Call Transfer".

Before the Spring Festival, filming was completed for Qin Lan, Ning Jing, Zhang Junning and Deng Lixin, who had smaller roles.

That leaves only Dong Xuan, Zeng Lai, Song Chen and Li Xiaoran, and the filming is expected to be completed one month after the Spring Festival.

January 1th, there are 26 days left until New Year’s Eve.

In the evening, the fourth rehearsal of the 2003 Spring Festival Gala was held in CCTV Studio 1.

This was also the last rehearsal with an audience, and all programs were performed in accordance with the formal live broadcast requirements.

Shen Lang didn't come for the first three times. He was too busy and asked for leave from the program crew.

Knowing his ability, the director approved it, but he had to come one last time.

There's no way. Other stars might beg them to perform on the Spring Festival Gala, but in Shen Lang's case, it's them who beg Shen Lang to perform on the Spring Festival Gala.

And after seeing Shen Lang’s new songs bring great responses at the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala and the National Day Symphony Concert, they also wanted to replicate this success.

Therefore, as long as Shen Lang's demands are not particularly excessive, they will agree.

It’s just that you don’t come to the rehearsal, it’s no big deal. Many big stars only come to the last rehearsal.

Facts have proved that Shen Lang's strength is unquestionable and there were no mistakes during the rehearsal.

When he returned to the villa, it was empty and he was the only one there.

Gao Yuanyuan will continue working during the Spring Festival, and the crew of "Turn Left, Turn Right" will not take a holiday.

Stefanie Sun returned to Singapore and celebrated the holidays with her family.

Shen Lang simply called Zhang Guirong and went to Shachang Reservoir to fish for winter fish.

It happened to be the Spring Festival when there were few people and it was a quiet environment.

Zhang Guorong has now settled in Yanjing. Every day she goes to the teahouse to drink tea, plays mahjong in the alley, and goes to the reservoir to fish. She leads a very leisurely and comfortable life.

And at such times, the mood is like the warm sunshine in spring, bright and comfortable, without any haze or disturbance.

In this tranquility, the body seems to be injected with endless vitality and regains a lot of energy.

"You were busy from the beginning of last year to the end of the year, and you made a lot of money both at home and abroad. You must have earned at least 2 million, right?" Zhang Guorong was sitting by the fishing rod, smoking a cigarette, and gossiping about Shen Lang's income.

"Almost." Shen Lang replied.

This is the truth. When I filed my taxes at the beginning of the year, it was more than 2 million.

Companies like Alibaba, Penguin, and Sina are all in the development stage and did not distribute much dividends last year. The income was purely from his work in the music and film and television circles, as well as endorsements, advertisements, and commercial performances.

But there is actually not that much money in the account, most of it is used for investment.

"It's a good thing to be young, energetic and driven, but you also have to make sure to rest and don't end up like me." As a person with experience, Zhang Guorong reminded Shen Lang that no matter how much money you make, you must have a good body and a good attitude.

"I understand." Shen Lang nodded. His experiences in two lives had already forged a strong heart.

"I have something to talk to you about. At the end of last year, I returned to Hong Kong to make a guest appearance in the MV of Twins' new song "You Are the Most Popular". I ran into Du Qifeng and Wai Ka-Fai who were preparing for the start of their new film. I had dinner with them and we talked about a script. Currently, there is only a rough outline of the story. It tells the story of a schizophrenic retired policeman who was entrusted by someone to get involved in a gun missing case. I am quite interested. How about we work together?"

"sure."

As soon as Zhang Guorong mentioned Du Qifeng, Wei Jiahui, a schizophrenic retired policeman, and a missing gun case, Shen Lang knew it was the movie "The Detective", a suspense crime film that he liked very much.

The original time and space starred Liu Qingyun, An Zhijie and Lin Jiadong, and was released on November 2007, 11.

Although this movie was a commercial failure, with a box office of only 200 million RMB in mainland China and 1105 million Hong Kong dollars in Hong Kong, failing to recoup its costs, it has become a classic Chinese-language suspense crime film, with brain-burning, twists and turns, and high energy, which is very exciting.

I saw this movie in my previous life when the sequel was released in 2022. I watched it on Penguin Video. After watching it, I felt that the subject matter was very novel, but the only flaw was the ending. There was no expected reversal ending.

As a result, I found out after watching short videos that it was not that the movie was bad, but that the ending was changed by the mainland censor. In the name of protecting young people, some bloody scenes and the ending where the bad guys won were deleted.

Shen Lang is 100% willing to work with Zhang Guorong to make this movie.

"Then I will find some time to talk to Du Qifeng and Wai Ka-Fai," said Zhang Guorong.

"How about we do it together? I'll buy the script." Shen Lang felt that he wouldn't necessarily lose money by operating it.

"That's fine." Zhang Guorong nodded.

As he spoke, Shen Lang's fishing float was suddenly pulled into the water.

"We caught a fish!"

"Finally!"

On the sparkling water, a tense battle between man and big fish is going on.

The fishing rod was bent into an astonishing arc, and the fishing line was buzzing in the water.

Shen Lang held the fishing rod tightly and immediately stood it up, maintaining a good posture. He did not rush to drag it back, but observed the reaction of the fish. He felt the powerful force coming from underwater, his eyes full of excitement and concentration.

Zhang Guorong, who was standing by, holding a landing net, said excitedly, "I'm afraid it must be more than ten kilograms!"

He goes fishing twice a month on average, and sometimes he catches nothing, but sometimes he catches fish, the largest of which weighs only three or four kilograms.

This was also the biggest fish Shen Lang had ever caught in his two lives. He said calmly, "I'll let it slide first."

The big fish struggled hard in the water, sometimes rushing away, sometimes suddenly changing direction, trying to break free from the hook.

After a long and arduous tug of war, the power of the big fish gradually weakened.

Shen Lang keenly noticed this change and began to gradually retreat, leading the fish slowly to the shore.

Finally, the figure of the big fish gradually surfaced. It was a silver carp, shining silver in the sun.

He kept raising the fishing rod, letting the fish's mouth emerge from the water several times, causing the fish to choke on some air.

"Brother, it's time to fish."

"It's done!"

After a stalemate lasting ten minutes, the big fish was finally caught by Shen Lang.

I didn't bring a scale, but I estimated it to be around 15 pounds.

If Shen Lang hadn't exercised regularly, this fish would not have been able to escape at all because it was too strong in the water.

"You caught a big fish in the New Year, which indicates that you will have smooth sailing and a lot of harvest this year!"

"I'll lend you some good words."

Shen Lang couldn't hide the joy on his face.

Zhang Guorong took out her camera from her bag and took some photos.

I had fun fishing today!
(End of this chapter)