Huayu: Starting from the top talent show

Chapter 455: A Nationwide Ban on Entertainment Just to Make Way for One Person?
On April 3, after a brief promotional push on social media TikTok, the new single "Stuck With U," a collaboration between Shen Juan, the male lead of the World Championships, and Ariana Grande, the current female lead of the Super Generation, was officially released. Under the name of yet another "Alexana collaboration single," it quickly sparked heated discussions among fans around the world.

This work, which blends retro soul music with modern pop elements, not only continues Shen Juan's prolific output in recent years, but also has become a hot topic of public opinion due to its charitable nature during this special period, as well as the appearance of celebrities, internet personalities, and trans-Pacific couples in the music video.

A quality above average + buzz generated during a special period + a popular pairing = another hit single!

This is why Alovers' fascination with and personality cult of Shen Juan has reached a whole new level worldwide.

Some fans said they listened to the song on repeat until the early hours of the morning, saying that the warm feeling it created left a lasting impression on them.

Some people used the lyrics to trace Shen Juan's journey from a trainee who couldn't debut to a pop superstar whose songs resonated worldwide, and wrote messages thanking Shen Juan for becoming a ray of light for them to follow.

Some people saw clips of Shen Juan's private life in the music video and thus perceived her as having a boyfriend-like quality and a married man-like quality, further deepening their fantasies about her.

Undoubtedly, Shen Juan's deep cultivation and development in the field of public welfare and charity during this period has yielded visible returns.

Through his multi-dimensional management of music, charity, and personal image, he has made his Alex Fever increasingly popular, successfully transcending geographical boundaries and racial and ethnic boundaries, and continuously radiating his influence to various countries and regions around the world, becoming a phenomenal pop storm in 2020.

As per the original publicity plan, Shen Juan took advantage of breaks in filming to start a live stream on Instagram.

First, he chatted with his collaborator Ariana Grande about their recent situations and also revealed his creative process for writing this song.

"Without work, without worries, without troubles, I can calm down and truly appreciate life. This month and a half of staying at home and not being able to go out has probably been the most relaxed and peaceful time I've had in the past three years. So during this time, I created many songs that reflect my current state of mind."

"Some fans asked me whether I'll continue releasing singles or an album next? I'll take this opportunity to give a unified answer as a preview. Before the official album release, there will be a single to release. Also, because Ari and I plan to donate all the proceeds from this song, 'Stuck With U,' this collaboration will not be included in the album. In other words, I will release a total of five singles before the album release."

"That's right, everyone doesn't need to worry about whether my new album has enough new songs. The number of singles included in this AS3 will be my highest ever. The specific number is related to this era and to me personally. That's all I can tell you. As for other information, I can't reveal it for now."

"How to balance a work's high aesthetic appeal with its ability to be understood by a wide audience? That's a good question! It could be considered one of the ultimate questions. I feel you have the potential to be a journalist, I'm serious. Please give me some time to think about how to answer you."

In fact, due to various reasons such as the rise of short videos, the arrival of social media, and the global economic downturn caused by social media, the development and progress of music itself will be hindered. Under such circumstances, it is difficult to go against the times and force a version to pursue musicality.

However, if you completely disregard musicality and simply follow the market, it will appear low-class and lack artistic integrity.

For example, Drake and Justin Bieber, two of the top five male celebrities of the new generation, later became unpopular and unpopular figures.

Therefore, this is indeed a question that every big-name singer, including Shen Juan, needs to seriously consider at this stage.

“I believe that the level of aesthetic appreciation objectively exists, but it should not be used to create class, isolation, and antagonism. Instead, it should be used to solve problems. I have been trying to capture the market demand and improve my aesthetic awareness. I have also been working with a group of people with extremely high aesthetic appreciation. Now, my production team and I are using what we have learned to offer something to people in this special period of righteousness and compassion. This is just a small beginning.”

"So, why not save today's live stream clips? Maybe five years from now, you'll know what happened."

After ending his live stream with Ariana Grande, he went on to connect with his absolutely loyal and ever-available friend Li Nacha, Justin Bieber who was staying home in quarantine and had nothing to do but chat via live stream, Kendall Jenner and Sydney Girl who were eager to interact with Shen Juan and ride his coattails, Zendaya whom he met through Sydney Girl, and Tom Holland and Timothée Chalamet whom he met through Zendaya, completing live stream connections that no one expected.

(Sydney Girl worked with Zendaya on "Euphoria," while Zendaya worked with Tom Holland on "Spider-Man" and Timothée Chalamet on "Dune.")
As fellow Gen Z celebrities in the entertainment industry, Shen Juan didn't necessarily have to cultivate good relationships with these Hollywood's new generation of top stars.

After all, isn't that what the saying goes?

Don't force yourself to blend into circles that don't belong to you.

Although Shen Juan has no immediate plans to enter Hollywood, he will not have much interaction with these individuals in the workplace.

But they are all young people in their twenties, and the entertainment industry will eventually have to let their generation take the lead.

So let's just let each get what they need.

Everyone here is a leader in their respective fields. Without competition or conflict of interest, making ordinary friends, maintaining a superficial friendship, and engaging in so-called dream collaborations to break down the barriers between dimensions, thereby gaining more exposure and publicity for their own products and works, obviously has no downsides.

The half-hour live stream quickly came to an end, and the crew had just finished setting up the set, so Shen Juan had to go film.

However, before saying goodbye to his fans and viewers in the live stream, he had something very important to tell everyone.

"Finally, the 'One World: Together at Home' global charity concert, which Taylor Swift and I co-founded, will be held tonight at 6 PM China time, which is early morning in the United States and noon in Europe."

"The entire event lasts eight hours. The first phase, a six-hour online live stream, is divided into two halves. The first half features mainly East Asian artists, while the second half will feature European and American artists. If our American friends want to watch, they'll probably have to go to bed early tonight and try to get up early tomorrow."

"Then the second phase, which will last for two hours, will be broadcast live on television, and Taylor, Ari, and some other well-known singers and artists will perform for you."

"Here, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to every friend who has contributed to the fight against Illness. It is this love and courage that transcends national borders that has made art a torch that illuminates the darkness. So no matter where you are or what difficulties you face, please do not forget that we are with you!"

At 6 p.m. Beijing time, which is dinnertime, the "One World, Together At Home" charity performance livestream has officially begun.

China
Shen Juan personally contacted more than 30 celebrities, including Faye Wong, Na Ying, Han Hong, Chen Yixun, Da Zhangwei, Zhou Bichang, Mao Buyi, Zhou Xun, Lin Junjie, David Tao, Xue Zhiqian, G.E.M., Li Ronghao, Zhang Yixing, Wang Jiaer, Lu Han, Cheng Xiao, and others through intermediaries.

Japan and South Korea
More than 20 guest performers, including BLACKPINK, (G)I-DLE, IZONE, ITZY, Bae Suzy, Kim Ji-won, IU, TWICE, Red Velvet, YOASOBI, King Gnu, Masaki Suda, Satomi Ishihara, Vaundy who recently signed with Starlink, and many veteran artists.

Artists from three generations in East Asia participated, forming the guest performers for the first half of the show, contributing their efforts to the fight against the pandemic.

At the same time, due to the strong lineup of guests, which combined national popularity, topicality, and traffic, it has gained unprecedented attention and discussion in East Asia.

In addition, today, April 4th, is Qingming Festival in China. To express deep condolences for our deceased compatriots, the authorities have decided to ban entertainment nationwide.

This directly made this star-studded global charity concert the only legal form of entertainment at the moment.

Therefore, the number of viewers watching the live stream is unimaginable, and many people have gone to various social media platforms to express their thoughts and opinions after watching the charity performance.

[KunKun played "Home" on a children's toy piano! As a resident of Wuhan, hearing this song warmed my heart; hope and love have never left! This is what a truly dedicated musician looks like! Thank you, Teacher Shen Juan, for giving KunKun the opportunity to speak out for the resistance!]

[Zhang Yixing's "It Will Be Alright" is also great! The lyrics are very meaningful! I even cried listening to it. To those who say Zhang Yixing's songs are only suitable for hip-hop and not for the general public in China, please listen to it, calm down and appreciate it! It's not just Shen Juan who is improving; Zhang Yixing is also working hard!]

[This isn't a friendly gesture. Everyone else is singing anti-government songs or other meaningful songs to encourage people, but Wang Jiaer is singing his own new song to promote it? What's the difference between this and selling music at a funeral? This is incredibly disgraceful! Did Shen Juan invite you to this charity performance to promote his new song?]

[While singing "100 Ways" is indeed a bit odd, he signed with 88rising and wants to expand overseas, so he definitely cares about the new song's performance! There's nothing more to say about it; after all, he really flattered Shen Juan, so it's normal for Shen Juan to give him a chance to promote himself. People who are good at flattering always do better.]

[Princess Na Ying and Han Hong are truly the number one Shen fans in the Chinese music scene, hahaha! They're always there for you, ready to help at any time! And Gem actually sang Juan Juan's "Ordinary Angel" this time!!! I never expected my favorite male and female singers to collaborate in this way! I'm so happy today!]

The star power of the guests at this charity performance was truly remarkable, ranging from veteran artists to newcomers, from international superstars to popular young idols. Regardless, the simultaneous live broadcast in 160 countries worldwide showcased the immense appeal and prestige of being a leading man in the world!

[Pass this on: A nationwide entertainment ban is in place to make way for Shen Juan's charity performance! Who would believe this without some powerful connections?]

Shen Juan's journey is legendary among celebrities, with many favorable circumstances, but most importantly, it's his unwavering pursuit of challenges. Celebrities all have a persona to some extent, but I believe Shen Juan's persona is something he's built step by step, so I'm willing to continue to believe in him, support him, and love him even more!

[I can understand IU's Red Velvet bunny gas, after all, she was a guest at Shen Juan's concert or recorded a variety show with him. But what's with Kim Ji-won and Bae Suzy? Did they have any connection with Shen Juan before? Could they be his hidden sister-in-law? It can't be that outrageous, can it?]

[Waaaaah, my poor Hormone Sister! I don't know how many times Wajue investigated her before she got this chance to show her face. Aren't the other three foot-washing maids going to thank Hormone Sister? Without Hormone Sister's willingness to offer her body and cultivate a good relationship with Wajue, where would you get so many opportunities to leech off him overseas?]

[Didn't Jennie say in a previous interview that she and Alex are good friends? They often chat on Kakao and stuff. And Lisa also filmed Running Man with Alex last year and had dinner together. I still have the photos she posted on Instagram. So who wasn't invited?]

[Besides Jisoo, who is indeed related to Shen Juan, can the other two even be associated with him? This is really confusing!]

[According to you guys, does that mean Sister Quan also sacrificed herself for the stage? Why don't you hurry up and say Sister Quan is great?]

What about the girl? Who was the great one among the girls?

Can't everyone just be great? (Funny)

Those who spread rumors about female celebrities deserve to die!

The comment sections of major social media platforms, including Weibo, Douban, Twitter, and YouTube, have become battlegrounds where fans fight to protect their idols' dignity and integrity.

On the one hand, these fans are very grateful to Shen Juan for inviting their idol to participate in this global charity performance.

Although it's not a formal stage and has no commercial value, it will boost their popularity.

For big-name singers like Shen Juan and Taylor, this might just be an ordinary charity performance.

But for those idol singers who can only reign supreme in their own country and instantly become little karaoke fans when they go abroad, this is undoubtedly their ticket to enter "high society".

Even if it's just a temporary trial voucher!

Even if I can only enjoy this glory for one day!

No one could resist such a great marketing opportunity!

On the other hand, male celebrities are better off, since Shen Juan hasn't come out yet or been rumored to be gay.

He just happens to have a legitimate gay black friend; that doesn't mean he himself is gay.

But female celebrities?

Given Shen Juan's chaotic private life and his glorious achievements in global fish farming, it's hard not to speculate.

Therefore, many fans who don't want their idols to date have a love-hate relationship with Shen Juan.

They didn't want their idol to be too far away from Shen Juan, but they also didn't want their idol to actually have close contact with Shen Juan.

Meanwhile, Shen Juan's PR team also released the press release they had prepared in advance to trend on social media.

Although Shen Juan rarely buys trending searches to promote himself these days, such opportunities are rare.

The organizers of the benefit performance in cooperation with the WHO and ordinary performing guests are two completely different concepts.

The initiator is way more impressive than the invited guests!
Therefore, in order to seize this opportunity and solidify his extraordinary position, Shen Juan needs to once again deploy his prized public relations team, forcing them to unleash their full potential. He needs to become a leader of the era, comparable to superstars or even legends, in the eyes of the wider public outside the entertainment industry!
This benefit performance eliminated all commercial elements.

Singing songs does not require music copyright, does not accept sponsorship or naming rights from advertisers, and watching the live stream is free.

This was undoubtedly a charity event completely separate from commerce. The celebrities took turns appearing and singing, doing whatever they wanted, which was quite casual and unrestrained. The fans and viewers watching also found some comfort in music during this special and difficult time.

Although eight hours is enough to wear down most people's patience, very few people can stick around and watch the whole thing.

But almost everyone knows that big stars like Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and Justin Bieber will definitely appear in the official performances that are broadcast live on television in multiple countries and regions.

So Alovers around the world had to be patient, and after what seemed like an eternity, the charity performance finally came to a close.

华国时间凌晨1点45分，米国时间下午13点45分，欧陆时间晚上19点45分。

After a short propaganda video about resistance was played, the host came back on stage to introduce the evening's final guest.

"He has just won multiple Grammy Awards, becoming one of the hottest and most influential stars on Earth!"

"He called on his fans and the public to donate generously, which has already made a huge contribution to helping those affected by the virus!"

"He is the primary initiator of the 'One World: Together at Home' charity concert to support the fight against the epidemic!"

"The one and only Alex Shen!!!"

As the event drew to a close, Shen Juan, currently the hottest pop singer, finally made his first official appearance tonight.

"Hi everyone, I'm Alex Shen Juan. I'm very happy to meet you all through this benefit performance today. I feel honored to be a member of the WHO, to be one of the global citizens fighting the pandemic, and to raise funds for the Cooperative Response Fund!" Shen Juan introduced himself in Chinese.

“I am very concerned about the medical workers who are risking their lives to protect us. I think about them every day and pray for them at home every day. I am also very concerned about those who are forced to stay at home because of the epidemic. Everyone is concerned about when the epidemic will end.”

"So if possible today, I just want to bring you a moment of peace and comfort through music."

"The next song I'm going to perform is a newly written song, dedicated to all the anti-epidemic personnel, and to everyone who works hard and perseveres silently in their respective positions, but may still be nameless in the eyes of the outside world." As soon as Shen Juan finished speaking, the intro to the song started playing in the live broadcast room.

Performer: Shen Juan

Song title: The Nameless Man

When I heard that Shen Juan had even prepared a new song for this charity performance to fight against the epidemic, and it was even a Chinese song!
The fans and viewers watching on their screens were all excited, feeling that the long wait had definitely been worthwhile!
[Ahhhhh, finally Shen Juan! I waited from afternoon until 2 AM, and when I saw the song title "The Nameless Man," I burst into tears. It must be dedicated to those frontline workers! I waited eight hours for this moment! The intro is both gentle and powerful; this is the warmest tribute we should receive for Qingming Festival!]

[The final guest introduced himself and performed entirely in Chinese. Am I dreaming? Is this for real?]

[I originally thought that since this benefit concert was for a global audience, Juanjuan would sing English songs, or if he sang a Chinese song, it would be his previously released "Ordinary Angel." I never expected that he would write a new Chinese song specifically for the unsung heroes, and that he would sing it on Qingming Festival. I burst into tears instantly!]

[We just observed a moment of silence yesterday, and now I can't stop crying just from hearing the intro. I'm so grateful to Shen Juan for remembering these ordinary heroes and bringing them to the benefit performance so that people all over the world can remember them!]

[After having dinner out, I went straight home to watch the live stream. My German roommates immediately ran out of their room when they heard Shen Juan was going to sing a Chinese song. Shen Juan has truly brought Chinese music to the world stage! He didn't just shout slogans; he got it done quietly! This is more impressive than any commercial promotion!]

Although Shen Juan was already shining before, he shone especially brightly today. This is the social responsibility that a celebrity should have!

"I am a nameless person on this road."

"I have no news, no one is commenting."

"We have to give it our all to get an ordinary script."

A gentle and clear voice flowed through the screen.

It's like a gentle spring breeze, bringing warmth and touching moments.

It also seems to be telling the heartfelt words of countless ordinary people.

As the song progressed, countless people were drawn in by its melody.

As more and more fans and viewers in front of the screen felt the emotions contained in the lyrics and the emotions that Shen Juan wanted to express, they fell silent. Some thought of themselves or their parents and family members rushing around every day, while others thought of the figures of those on the front line of the fight against the epidemic who were silently contributing in protective clothing.

Zhou Shiyu, who had waited until 2 a.m. to see Shen Juan, had her eyes welling up with tears early on.

Unlike many Alovers, she actually started liking Shen Juan back in 15 during the "Super Idol" competition.

Although he was young and naive at the time, and still had a childish air about him, he was full of curiosity and longing for everything around him!
This fresh-faced beauty is exactly what attracted her to become a fan!
His youthful energy is absolutely dazzling!

Therefore, liking Shen Juan is something to be proud of, and every fan can boldly reveal their identity.

But at the same time, it's a very hard and tiring thing.

This year marks the sixth year that she has liked Shen Juan.

Over the past six years, she has accompanied Shen Juan through many things, big and small.

She would fight against her brainless sister until three or four in the morning, and she would also work day and night to help Shen Juan with data in response to the call of the big fans in the group, just to help him climb higher and higher.

But as Shen Juan became more and more popular, more and more people around her liked her, and Shen Juan changed more and more, she sometimes felt a sense of gain and loss.

She worried that after Shen Juan became a sensation, it would be even more difficult to meet him, and the distance between him and his fans would grow further and further.

I hope you get better and better, but I'm also afraid that you'll forget me after you become famous. But I'm even more afraid that you'll stay where you are.

The bond between fans and idols is always so complex.

but now?
She no longer has that concern.

Because she knew that no matter how Shen Juan changed, no matter if he lost his youthful spirit, no matter how far he went...
He was always Shen Juan.

He was always listless.

He's still the same boy who, when he sees you sad or upset, will kneel down in front of you and comfort you with a smile.

So while he shines to illuminate others and the world, isn't it enough to silently stand behind him, watching him realize his ideals and achieve greatness, and to receive a tiny bit of light from him to warm and illuminate him?

He deserves all the flowers, honors, and reliance!

Four minutes later, the song ended.

Live streaming platforms also became incredibly popular instantly.

Countless bullet comments flooded in like a tidal wave.

[I can only say that those who didn't make it to this point really missed out! It's truly hard to describe the feeling and emotions of hearing this song at 2 AM during this special time. I don't care about the composition or arrangement; I only know that the lyrics and Shen Juan's vocals moved me, and that's enough.]

[Who understands the feeling of someone tossing and turning sleeplessly at night, then hearing this song? I was so moved I burst into tears.]

The lyrics are absolutely fantastic! Shen Juan's interpretation is also perfect; his creative ability is truly terrifying!

The lyrics are truly excellent. There are no fancy embellishments or flowery phrases; they're just words that resonate with everyday life. Combined with the techniques used, if you truly understand them, you can really connect with the song. Releasing this song during a special time can indeed bring a lot of strength!

Although Shen Juan has sung fewer Chinese songs in the past two years.

But how moving are his Chinese songs?
My dad never watches the Spring Festival Gala. On New Year's Eve, he was playing chess when he suddenly looked up and asked me, "Who sang this song?"
"Shen Juan".

That night he asked only one person.

This song is about ordinary people like us, so many people can relate to it and be moved by it.

[When the host called out Alex Shen's name, my whole family screamed in the living room. Then, when he started speaking Chinese, even my dad was shocked, haha! A North American Chinese family was collectively moved to tears! The world's most popular man, who became famous worldwide for his English songs, actually sang a Chinese song at a global charity concert—his character is amazing! He truly cares about medical staff! He truly strives to bring Chinese music and the Chinese language to the world! He truly makes all Chinese speakers around the world proud!]

Always believe in Shen Juan. His era will always be his, so there's no need to worry or fret for him. All we can do is support all his decisions and love him forever.

The discussion gradually expanded from the song itself to the participants' personal reflections on life, as well as to the exploration and praise of the singer, Shen Juan.

The discussion among viewers and netizens is becoming increasingly heated.

But the charity performances are still ongoing.

Shen Juan cleared his throat and then smoothly transitioned into the talking segment that connected to the song performance.

That's right. As the original initiator, he is the only performer qualified to sing two songs at tonight's charity performance.

“I think that in these difficult times, many people need to draw strength from somewhere, because many situations in life, including loyalty and other aspects, make life difficult for everyone. I think it would be a great thing to bring strength to people through music.”

"So the second song tonight is an English song. I hope this song can heal everyone, and I also hope that the illness will pass soon so that everyone can usher in a happy and wonderful time."

"Good Days".

(Original singer: SZA)

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(End of this chapter)