Huayu: Starting from the top talent show

Chapter 521 Exceptional Business Performance (8k)

With its own top-tier popularity and traffic, coupled with the overwhelming marketing and promotion launched by the distribution team in collaboration with dozens of internationally renowned brands, and the spontaneous support of several celebrities and internet influencers, in today's world where the internet covers the entire globe, almost any news or event can be spread to every corner of the world instantly.

Films like "The Matchmaker," which were delayed for six months due to a sense of duty and shelved for a full year, have been highly anticipated by the outside world even without any prior promotion. Now, riding on this unstoppable momentum, they have become one of the most talked-about topics in the entire Asia-Pacific region.

Just like the labubu of later generations.

Even if many celebrities don't get paid to advertise for it, or even if they don't like it, they generally won't express it directly.

Whether you like it or not, this has become a dominant social trend on social media platforms and has swept across the entire population.

There's no need to attack the preferences of an entire group.

Moreover, this thing involves many interests.

Therefore, public figures should avoid acting eccentrically and offending the masses who are either swayed by trends or driven by self-interest.

Why not join in and chime in with a few words?

Anyway, there's no loss, right?

Such a massive marketing matrix and its far-reaching influence have genuinely attracted a considerable number of fans and casual viewers, prompting them to risk their lives to go out and watch movies, contributing to the recovery of the film market and becoming part of this current social trend.

Artists like Dilraba Dilmurat, Zhu Xudan, and Shen Yujie, who are temporarily taking a break in Beijing, have formed a small group.

On the 26th, we agreed to go out together to watch a movie.

I went in at 8 p.m. and came out at 10 p.m.

The three, who needed to conceal their identities, deliberately avoided crowded places and found a quiet path with less foot traffic to walk and talk.

"Shen Juan is so handsome!" Zhu Xudan exclaimed, looking like a lovesick girl.

"When has he ever stopped being handsome?" Dilraba asked with a smile.

"Although it's not a big-budget production, this film is quite enjoyable to watch, with both funny and touching moments."

"Actually, it could be made into a big production. The special effects in it, like those in the underworld, are top-notch. I guess it cost a lot of money."

"But if the costs are too high, it won't be easy to make money, right?"

"Do you think this movie won't make money?" Dilraba, for one, didn't believe that Shen Juan's fans would let their idol lose money.

Although there is such a saying circulating in the Chinese entertainment industry.
Hiring a top-tier celebrity to make a movie is a sure way to make it a flop!

The number of fans of top-tier celebrities is simply not enough to support a movie's profitability!

But this statement clearly does not apply to Shen Juan.

Because he has a huge number of fans and his popularity is absolutely explosive!
Moreover, strictly speaking, he is not a top star.

Or rather
Being a top star is just the least important one among his many identities (singer, actor, philanthropist, entrepreneur, etc.).

"I heard from a senior student that the production cost of this movie, 'The Matchmaker,' was only about 1.5 million yuan," Shen Yujie whispered, sharing the information.

"Huh? How come there's only such a small amount?"

"Perhaps Shen Juan didn't ask for a fee and just took a share of the profits."

"Do other investors allow him to do this?" Zhu Xudan wondered.

"Starlink is the main controller of this movie, and the other investors are all brought in by him to get a share of the profits. If they have any objections to him, he can just replace them with a new batch of investors, right? Anyway, there are plenty of film and television companies in China that want to get on his good side. Do you know where Shen Juan's greatest value lies for those film and television capitals right now?"

"where is it?"

"He can bring his starring works abroad, and the overseas copyright revenue is one part of it. Another part is the attention and recognition he gets from higher-ups. After all, the current global situation is quite special. Many countries like to use external conflicts to divert attention from internal conflicts. To put it bluntly, no matter how prosperous the domestic entertainment industry is, it is only for their own people to see, because it is difficult for domestic entertainment to be exported overseas. But Shen Juan can expand his influence to every corner of the world. So how important do you think Shen Juan is in their eyes? Whenever there is a big or small event, they will bring Shen Juan out for a spin and publicize what achievements he has made abroad, and the public's attention will be diverted."

Zhu Xudan nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

Actually, she didn't understand, but it sounded impressive.

Shen Juan is very capable; she has always known that.

But she didn't know exactly how powerful it was.

Because the difference between the two is simply too great.

I don't have a precise idea of ​​how awesome he is.

Just like people on earth looking up at the sun in the sky, they may never be able to witness the sun's glory up close in their entire lives.

But she was not discouraged.

Because she loves challenges!

The higher the difficulty, the greater the satisfaction upon success!

And she also really enjoys competing with Barbie!

Since joining the company in 2015, she has always been overshadowed by Dilraba. Although they have a good relationship, it is impossible to say that she has no resentment at all.

so.
She really wanted to get into Shen Juan's fishpond more and more!
Since she can't become the focus of public discussion through her work and looks, how about she gets on the trending topics by having a rumored relationship with Shen Juan?
Think about it this way
The unspeakable thought in his heart was like fueled by more firewood, and the fire of desire to possess Shen Juan was burning fiercely!
I must get to eat Shen Juan before Baba does!
I can lose at anything else!
But this time, I'm determined to win!
Shen Yujie took out her phone and started browsing Douban, wanting to see what netizens thought of the movie and the actors themselves.

[I watched the premiere yesterday and saw it again today. The concept is very novel (kudos to the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television!)! The special effects are amazing, the effect on the giant screen is incredible! I was also very satisfied with the performances of the three actors, especially Shen Juan and Tian Xiwei, who were particularly outstanding. Shen Juan's crying scenes and Tian Xiwei's lively and agile performances both moved me. Especially the last ten minutes, which were incredibly impactful, plus Shen Juan's rendition of "If I Could," brought me to tears. I cried both times I watched it!]

I think Pinky and Aru gave the best performances in the whole film! It had funny moments, it had touching moments, and overall it was very good.

I still really like Tian Xiwei; she's very talented and has broken some of my previous prejudices about her. With the support of Starlink's resources, this young actress born in 97 definitely has a bright future! As for the movie, overall, it's definitely worth recommending to friends. The concept and setting are thoughtful, the story is complete, the pacing is just right, it has both laughter and tears, and the viewing experience is very relaxing. (Those who maliciously give it one star, be careful you might be reincarnated as a cockroach in your next life!)

Pinky ran around trying to save her love rival, but in the end, she could only cry herself unconscious by the roadside. Sister Tian is so pitiful.

Am I the only one who noticed that many of the extras are contestants from Sister-in-Law 202? Putting them all together, won't they just end up fighting?

[“One second is enough,” “Some things will never change, even in ten thousand years”—the ending was so good, so good, so good! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a big-budget production in a romance film; the special effects were really well done! Sister Tian with pink hair is just too cute; I can’t resist this lively, outgoing, and energetic girl! The love story between Shen Juan and Zhou Ye was also very well written, from their initial childhood bickering to their unspoken “together” expressions, to the red thread on the scarf and their heartbreaking reunion, and finally, my favorite ending. All of this made me feel that Shen Juan’s romance film was truly enjoyable to watch! I also enjoyed the quirky and eccentric scenes. So, giving it five stars is an impulsive rating and doesn’t necessarily reflect the actual quality.]

The film received overwhelmingly positive reviews on Douban!

It's poised to be a box office smash!

All their expectations for this film were ultimately fulfilled, and in some aspects even exceeded them.

Shen Yujie was naturally very excited at this moment, and couldn't help but show a proud smile for Shen Juan.

I never imagined that the Weibo event I casually signed up for would lead to such a happy and wonderful future for me.

If I had been held back by other things, or if I hadn't participated because I felt I didn't have a chance of being selected...
So what am I doing now?

It was so great to meet my senior when I was 17!

My first meeting with him was as stunning as fireworks!
Every day after I met him and got to know him, the sky of my inner world was filled with dazzling and enchanting fireworks.

It is said that fate comes too suddenly, so much so that many people miss out on happiness before they have a chance to prepare themselves.

But I don't think so.

The senior student didn't think so either.

We all believe that if a chance encounter can be missed, then it's not a chance encounter, but rather nourishment that helps you grow and mature.

We all believe that the connection between people is not something you can avoid by staying indoors; it will always happen, sooner or later.

Because all the waters in the world will one day meet again.

Thinking of this,
Shen Yujie raised her head and gazed at the sky for a long time, as if she were looking at someone under the same sky from afar.

So, senior,
The only thing I'm looking forward to right now is...
I met you again.

I really, really, really like you for a very, very long time!

(This can be seen as Xiao Shen's stunning look in "The Long Ballad")

Meanwhile, in Seoul, South Korea, thousands of miles away from Beijing, a group of people were also discussing "The Matchmaker".

For example, Jang Won-young, Miyawaki Sakura, and Kwon Eun-bi from IZ*ONE did a joint live stream, chatting about their movie-watching experiences.

"After watching the movie, I was completely unable to shake it off! Shen Juan's performance was so moving. Whether it was his playful and carefree nature when interacting with the female lead, or the crying scene where he reunited with her after becoming the matchmaker and regained his memories of his past life, he portrayed everything perfectly! How can someone act out tenderness and regret so naturally? It felt like every look in his eyes told a story. After watching the movie, it really made me believe in destiny~"

Although Miyawaki Sakura and Shen Juan are not very close in private, she still showed the attitude of a little fangirl in front of the camera.

After all, IZ*ONE is a limited-time group that will disband and its members will go their separate ways by the middle of next year, and she will also be graduating from HKT48 soon.

Therefore, if you want your idol career to continue, you need to start looking for a new career path as soon as possible.

Starlink, with its recent strong growth momentum, deep pockets, and international connections, is undoubtedly an important option.

Although Starlink is just starting out in South Korea and is not the strongest company, it cannot compare with those established agencies in Japan, and even in China, its overall strength is still inferior to those giant film and television companies. However, overall, its development prospects are the best in East Asia, without exception!

Just like "Levitating," which never won the top spot in the original timeline but ultimately dominated the year.

While Starlink may not be a dominant leader in any country or field, once its scattered business segments are connected and backed by Shen Juan's reputation, influence, and network, Starlink instantly gains a powerful competitive advantage that cannot be ignored by anyone in the industry.

Zhang Yuanying, standing to the side, nodded in agreement. The light blush she had deliberately applied to her face made her look even more adorable.

“I feel the same way. I went to see a movie with my sister yesterday. Actually, I had already seen Shen Juanxi’s ‘Better Days’ and ‘Go Go Squid!’ last year, so I’ve always known that he’s very charming when he’s acting, and it’s a completely different charm from when he’s on stage!”

"Although this movie has a lot of comedic elements and lacks the dreamy visuals of idol dramas, there are still a few really cool scenes. My sister almost couldn't help but scream like a fangirl in the theater, hahaha. Moreover, the plot doesn't drag, and there are plenty of tear-jerking and funny moments. It's a great movie worth sharing with everyone!"

This is also an idol who is deliberately pretending to be a fangirl to curry favor.

The reasons and justifications are also quite similar.

The limited-time group will disband next year and needs to find another way out.

Although Starship had already told her in advance that they would form a brand new concept girl group with her as the absolute core in the future.

But what if?
What if the company suddenly finds a promising talent in the next two years, and then uses her popularity to promote newcomers?

There have been similar cases in the industry before.

Nothing is set in stone until things actually happen and become a done deal; everything is subject to change!

Therefore, for the sake of her future, she needs to find several backup options and not put all her eggs in one basket with Starship.

If all else fails, forcibly triggering the breach of contract clause and taking the talent to Starlink next door might also be a way out.

The only question to consider is whether Starlink will risk being boycotted by the entire idol industry by poaching talent from other sources.

After all, she knew her own value was limited, and her relationship with Shen Juan was just so-so; she couldn't possibly expect him to go to such lengths for her.

Finally, it was IZ*ONE's eldest sister, Kwon Eunbi's turn.

Her tone carried the intimacy and casualness of someone she knew well: "Yuan Ying and Sakura have already shared their thoughts on the movie, and there's been a lot of news about 'The Matchmaker,' so I think everyone should have a general understanding of the film. So, I'll talk about my opinion on Shen Juan himself."

"He is very gentle and considerate towards his friends. He will patiently share his life experiences to help his friends solve problems and get out of the shadows. I have learned a lot from him. Although he is a few years younger than me, the different environments and things we face will lead to different experiences."

"As for himself, I feel that he has a perfectionist streak to some extent. He pursues excellence and has lofty goals that are very difficult to achieve. He also cares about the feelings of fans and audiences, so he must be very happy that this movie is so popular in South Korea."

She wasn't as eager to please Shen Juan as her two teammates were, because she knew she had already gained Shen Juan's approval.

Don't say anything else.

Shen Juan had asked her about her contract more than once. It was obvious that once IZ*ONE's limited-time group expired and disbanded, they would spend money to buy her out of the contract and bring her into Starlink, making her an important artist in Starlink's South Korean branch. At that time, whether she reformed a girl group or went solo, it would be a good choice.

So at this moment, I feel quite at ease, like I'm sitting on a fishing platform.

The aura she exudes is one of nonchalance and composure, a true embodiment of the serene and unassuming nature of a person.

Meanwhile, the tens of thousands of viewers watching the live stream online in real time also sent out comments and started discussing the matter enthusiastically.

[Does Yuan Ying also like the Matchmaker God? That's wonderful!]

[I didn't expect Sakura-chan to like Shen Juan so much.]

[I watched "The Matchmaker" yesterday; the underworld setting was really interesting! It seems like our country has quite a few movies with similar settings.] [Do you think this is China copying us?]

These cultural elements have always existed in China; they simply haven't been shown in films, but that doesn't mean they don't belong to their culture.

I've suddenly realized that Chinese films seem more interesting now. I used to think their movies were boring, overly structured, and rigid.

[It must be admitted that Shen Juan's magnificent face has reached a new level; no one in the entire Asia can compare.]

[Previously, there was much debate about who could truly represent East Asian men on the world stage, and then Shen Juan appeared out of nowhere, silencing all doubts and controversies. He's probably the pinnacle of East Asian male attractiveness! Shedding his youthful naiveté and gaining maturity, under the spotlight, this face has truly entered legendary status!]

Seeing that the vast majority of fans in the live stream did not show any disgust or resistance after hearing Shen Juan's name, but instead praised Shen Juan's looks and the song "The Matchmaker," only a very small number of people risked offending the South Korean women's community by criticizing and insulting Shen Juan, or making nationalistic "wolf warrior" remarks.

Miyawaki Sakura, Jang Won-young, and Kwon Eun-bi all simultaneously revealed satisfied smiles as they realized their plan had been successfully completed.

But the thoughts hidden behind their smiles are all different.

Kwon Eun-bi was happy because she believed she had done everything she could to help Shen Juan, and she was genuinely happy that "The Matchmaker" had received so many positive reviews and that its box office was continuing to rise.

Zhang Yuanying is happy because she believes she has catered to the public's preferences, which will positively impact her popularity.

Sakura was happy because she felt she was one step closer to finding a suitable new partner, and she was secretly delighted.
Shen Juan's business is booming right now, so if I join his company, I'm sure I can benefit from his success as well.

And it seems there haven't been any negative news reports about Starlink.

Even with those shady unspoken rules and "pillow services," if the person I'm serving is him, I won't lose out at all.
No, it's not that I'm not losing out, it's that I'm making a killing, okay?!
Hahahahaha!
How can someone not only get into a good company and find a good job, but also be with a top-tier handsome scholar? Is there really such a good thing in the world?
I absolutely rave about the benefits and perks for Starlink employees!

Think about it this way
If I could really get into Starlink and entrust my idol's life to him as I wish, my future would be absolutely bright!

Sakura couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth into a smile.

The smile on his face became even brighter and more radiant.

Due to personal commitments, I could only stay in Shanghai and couldn't fly to various parts of the country for promotional events. So, my tasks after the film's release were relatively easy. Every day, I either gave media interviews, recorded promotional videos for major domestic and international TV stations, or filmed Douyin and TikTok videos with Sister Tian to attract the attention of young people.

August 27th, the third day of the movie's release.

On his way to work, Shen Juan was interrupted from surfing the internet by Yangyang Jin, who wanted to communicate and confirm something with him.

"This year's Forbes China Celebrity List is out."

"Who are second to tenth place?" Shen Juan didn't even bother to lift his head, continuing to browse and observe the infighting among overseas fans.

After BTS's new song "Dynamite" was released a few days ago, ARMYs went on a buying spree to try and emulate the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor to reach number one. However, Alovers discovered this and the two fan groups immediately started a war of words. Feeling provoked, Alovers also joined in and bought more downloads for "STAY" to stabilize the situation.

Although I didn't buy much.

After all, this song has been online for almost four months, and it's impossible for all fans to be so wealthy as to be willing to spend money to buy air.

Furthermore, after Drake questioned Shen Juan's data fabrication during the BLM movement, Billboard revised its statistical rules for Shen Juan again.

Sales figures for items purchased by overseas fans using VPNs and US IP addresses are all zeroed out and will not be included in the Billboard data.

Therefore, "STAY," which just beat Cardi B's new song to regain the top spot, is indeed in its weakest period since its release.

However, Alovers and ARMY are worlds apart in size, and the gap cannot be bridged by sneak attacks or tricks.

Moreover, as the saying goes, if you're slow at one step, you'll be slow at every step.

Shen Juan gained momentum in North America last year, becoming a representative figure of Generation Z and spreading his fame and influence globally, directly absorbing all the potential ARMYs of the future.

In addition, their similar public personas and superior external conditions and inner qualities have led some less loyal ARMYs to switch sides and join his cause. So now, just a small factor is enough to break the balance.

It's perfectly normal for ARMY to feel angry and lose his temper.

Why don't you seem excited at all?

Yangyang Jin didn't pay attention to this matter; her current focus was entirely on "The Matchmaker," which was being released simultaneously across the Asia-Pacific region.

"I've already reached number one on the world's list of celebrities, how could I not reach number one on China's list of celebrities? China is greater than the world."

"Xu Zheng, Zhou Qiuyu, Jay Chou, Zhang Yixing, Yang Mi, Zhao Liying, Wu Jiaheng, Wang Yibo, Yi Yangqianxi."

"and then?"

Shen Juan looked up at Yangyang Jin and asked with a casual smile, "You can't possibly come looking for me just because of this Forbes China Celebrity List, can you? These people might not be qualified to be my rivals."

Yangyang Jin smiled and shook her head, then changed the subject: "Why don't you guess how much 'The Matchmaker' has grossed at the box office?"

"Six hundred million?"

Shen Juan casually gave a rather conservative figure.

After all, the pre-sales had already exceeded 400 million yuan, with 250 million yuan coming from the first day. With the addition of box office revenue from casual viewers, it's reasonable for the film to have achieved 400 million yuan in box office revenue on its opening day. Although the box office revenue shrank on the second day of release, it should still be able to reach 200 million yuan thanks to the high number of screenings it received on its opening day.

Yangyang Jin didn't keep you in suspense and directly revealed the answer, while also giving a brief analysis of the overseas situation: "In China, the total box office reached 6.8 million yuan in two days. The opening day box office and word-of-mouth in Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia were also very encouraging. If things continue to develop like this, it may really become the highest-grossing film of 2020 in these countries. Of course, the premise is that the situation in these countries is not effectively controlled and that big-budget films with box office appeal in these countries dare not take the risk of being forced to release."

"What box office forecast has Miaoyan given so far?"

"35 billion, of course, this is only the Chinese market."

"How much has 'The Eight Hundred' grossed so far?"

"If it ends today, it will break one billion."

"That's 1 billion a week?" Shen Juan raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, the daily box office of 'The Eight Hundred' has dropped a lot in the past two days. We have taken away a lot of the audience that originally belonged to them."

Let me briefly mention the situation of these films that are currently battling it out at the end of the summer movie season after cinemas across the country reopened.

First up is "The Eight Hundred," which was released on the 21st. Initially, it had no rivals and raked in 730 million yuan at the box office in just four days, leaving everyone else in the dust!
Next up are three romance movies released on Qixi Festival, July 25th: "The Matchmaker" starring Shen Juan, Zhou Ye, and Tian Xiwei; "Wild Grass" starring Ma Sichun, Zhong Chuxi, and Huang Jingyu; and "Waiting for You at the End of Time" starring Li Yitong and Li Hongqi.

The rampant growth of buckwheat is a no-go.

With box office revenue of less than 30 million on its opening day, and its screenings being cut to 6% on the second day, this film can be considered a death sentence for a flop.

"Waiting for You at the End of Time" barely retains some competitiveness, but it can only pick up the scraps left over from "The Eight Hundred" and "The Matchmaker".

With a box office of 15 million yuan on its opening day, the film's screenings were cut to 1.5% on its second day, making it arguably the biggest victim of the release of "The Matchmaker".

(The original film grossed 2.8 million yuan on its opening day, with 50% of the screenings, which means it practically siphoned off all the box office revenue from couples on Qixi Festival.)
And "The Matchmaker".
It grossed 4.3 million yuan on its opening day and accounted for 40% of all screenings.

The highest-grossing film of the day.

The following day, it grossed 2.5 million yuan, accounting for 43% of all screenings.

It remains the top-grossing box office performer for the day.

Today marks its third day of release, and its screening share has reached 45%.

If it weren't for the impressive daily box office of "The Eight Hundred," "The Matchmaker" would probably have been showing in 60 or 70 theaters by now.

Of course, there's absolutely no need to rush.

Considering that the film's word-of-mouth is gradually spreading, and that overseas box office and online popularity are also continuing to grow, and that the 25th and 26th are only Tuesdays and Wednesdays (working days), it's easy to imagine that after the weekend when cinemas welcome a large number of office workers, the box office will see a huge increase.

Sister Tian is already thinking about the Weibo posts she'll make over the weekend and the fan benefits for the box office exceeding 1 billion.

The cookies I sent out last time received absolutely no negative reviews.

Because anyone who dared to give a bad review was secretly dealt with.

So what gift should we give to our fans this time?
Sigh, this is really frustrating~
"So, with overseas box office revenue added, there's still a good chance it will reach four or five billion." Shen Juan was very satisfied with the result and asked with a smile, "But is there anything else? Yangyang, you specifically asked me to talk to you this morning, you must have come to tell me more than just about the box office data of this movie that you can find online."

“I have something else to discuss with you.” Yangyang Jin nodded, then looked down and swiped on the tablet, saying, “Didn’t you say on a Japanese TV show that you’re a fan of EVA? Now the EVA production team has sent you a collaboration invitation, wanting you to write a Japanese theme song for their theatrical film.”

"Do you think we should accept the offer?" Shen Juan didn't rush to answer.

"If you ask me, of course I think I shouldn't accept it. As the world's number one, I should reduce the amount of work I do, such as theme songs and advertising songs."

Shen Juan understood Yang Yangjin's thoughts, but he also had his own considerations: "But Japanese fans have always hoped that I would have more exposure and activities in Japan. EVA still has some weight in Japan, and the fans know this better than anyone else. I accepted this invitation not for anything else, but to prove how much I care about them."

Yangyang Jin was still not optimistic about Shen Juan's choice: "But the top-tier positioning and prestige should not be lowered by this kind of cooperation."

"It's just a way to show our appreciation to our fans. Our development focus and direction won't be affected." Shen Juan said calmly, "On the contrary, I think we might be able to use this opportunity to further enhance our image of valuing Japanese fans and the Japanese market. Real actions are much more effective than releasing press releases and making empty promises."

"Moreover, what so-called top-tier singers and the so-called number one in the world should do, or what they should do to be considered classy and sophisticated, is defined by us, isn't it?" Shen Juan smiled. "We are the ones who lead the trend."

It's time to find an opportunity to get rid of "One Last Kiss".

His initial thought was that he would casually mention it on a show, and if the film company didn't ask him to write a song, he would release it himself.

If they've already asked, then accept the offer.

Then, take advantage of this opportunity to make a big splash in Japan, enhance fan engagement and loyalty, and attract more fans to join the fandom.

So naturally, they wouldn't miss this opportunity that came knocking on their door.

"Since you've put it that way, what else can I say?"

Yangyang Jin shrugged helplessly, then brought up the next important task that Shen Juan needed to personally understand and confirm.

"Another issue is the renewal of Jinro Soju's contract. You should know that gender antagonism is very serious in South Korea, and you have become the knife that Korean women wield against Korean men. Therefore, your reputation in South Korea is extremely polarized. Those who love you love you very much, and those who hate you hate you very much! So, as a national brand in South Korea, Jinro also needs to pay attention to the impact of public opinion on them when renewing the contract."

"Does that mean they don't want to renew their contracts?"

"That's not quite the case. After all, while Jinro soju is indeed a national brand with a market share of over 50% in South Korea, young women aged 18-35 are Jinro's main consumer group, accounting for over 60%. Moreover, in recent years, Jinro has been continuously reducing the alcohol content and launching zero-sugar and low-calorie versions to cater to the trend of healthy drinking. Data shows that the growth rate of low-alcohol soju in the South Korean market is considerable, with young women being the main driving force for growth."

"So of course they won't risk offending women by not renewing your contract. That would only be seen as a temporary victory for Nan Quan in South Korean society, and it would likely do more damage to their brand image and development potential than renewing your contract."

Shen Juan raised an eyebrow: "So they want to reap the benefits of the female market, but are afraid of being boycotted by the male population?"

Yangyang Jin nodded: "I have some concerns."

Shen Juan chuckled lightly, "Even if they don't renew, we have other options. They're not the only liquor company."

"So the renewal offer is still starting at 2500 million?"

"Of course, we don't need to make concessions."

In fact, compared to established national brands that have been famous for many years and have long formed a certain monopoly, emerging brands that urgently need to increase their brand awareness and enter the market as soon as possible are more willing to pay high prices or even premiums to find big-name spokespeople, so as to make up for the lack of brand awareness through the spokespeople's fame.

Just like several other soju brands in South Korea had previously extended cooperation offers to Shen Juan, only to have them rejected by him.

But this does not mean that Shen Juan absolutely must reveal his true form.

For most other celebrities, these endorsement brands are likely their sugar daddies, showering them with money and fame.

For Shen Juan, however, it was just a partnership; everyone got what they needed, so there was no need for him to deliberately try to please them.

And
If resisting and attacking Shen Juan is the first thing South Korean "wolf warriors" and Korean men must do after learning to use the internet, then...

Therefore, supporting Shen Juan is Han Nu's main theme.

Caught in the middle, Shen Juan was forced to become a tool.

But for him, it wasn't entirely a bad thing.

After all, maintaining a good public image while winning the favor of both sides of the public makes it difficult to win the favor of the core circle.

Moreover, Korean men are not his target audience.

Just like luxury goods never care about the opinions and views of ordinary people, because ordinary people simply don't have the money to buy luxury goods.

Therefore, instead of seeking neutrality by maintaining an ambiguous stance, it would be better to be forced to become a strong supporter of Han women without admitting, taking initiative, or refusing. At least in this way, he can firmly grasp the core audience who genuinely support him and speak for him.

After all, this genuine and unwavering support is far more valuable than those vague and unrealizable public favors!
In the process of development, Shen Juan needs to make choices.

And these Korean men are undoubtedly a group that can be abandoned.

(End of this chapter)