Huayu: Starting from the top talent show

Chapter 537: A Return to the Leviathan Era (8k)

The concert film began with the countdown chants of 70,000 spectators at the Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles under the night sky. After the lights went out, the big screen first played a segment of Chinese and English voices mixed with controversy and praise. Accompanied by the repeated recitation of "Leviathan", Victoria's Secret supermodels with wings on their backs walked onto the stage and piled up to form the background.

The opening sequence, hailed by many fans as an epic intro, was recreated in the cinema, bringing countless surprises and emotions to the audience.

Then the melody of "Angel Pt.1" began, and Shen Juan suddenly unveiled the wings covering him, appearing in the center of the stage.

He then began performing "Cruel Summer," the opening song chosen by fans, and engaged the audience through interactive activities. He continued the excitement with hit singles such as "Celestial," the Pokémon Day theme song, "Sunflower," his first Billboard number one single, and "Levitating," completing the crucial opening chapter.

At this point, although only one-tenth of the movie had been filmed, many viewers in the theater were already moved to tears.

Zhou didn't know why, but she just felt like crying! It was supposed to be a happy moment for him, but she couldn't help but want to shed tears.

Let's see how the surrounding audience reacts.
Naza looked like she was infatuated, and so did Meng Jie.

The unfamiliar audience members behind them were all so excited that their faces turned red, or they were secretly wiping away tears with tissues.

It seems that everyone is attracted by Shen Juan's dazzling brilliance and talks about his amazing achievements, but few people think about how much untold hardship is hidden behind that brilliance, and few people pay attention to how many unspeakable low points Shen Juan has gone through to get to where he is today.

They don't care, but I do.

I do not ask you to be the light in everyone's heart.

That's too difficult, it must be very tiring.

I just want you to do what you like.

I just want you to be happy.

Then the talking session began.

Shen Juan shared his original intention for the tour.

He then sang a series of slow songs from his early career, such as "If I Can't Have You" and "In My Blood," to calm the audience's emotions and atmosphere. He then transitioned to the wedding anthem "10000 Hours," followed by "Ghost," which proclaimed "the beginning of our era." The song transitioned to an ocean-themed section with a stage diving effect, featuring songs such as "Adore You" and "Everything I Need."

Interspersed throughout were special effects such as AR monster fish, showcasing the concert stage design that requires substantial financial support to produce.

Another murmur of surprise rippled through the crowd, and even Princess Na Ying began discussing Shen Juan's stage design.

Then a conclusion was quickly reached.
Still rich!

They're still willing to spend money!

Ordinary singers wouldn't spend that much money on stage design, and even big-name singers will try their best to control costs in order to make a profit.

Only Shen Juan, who cares more about long-term development and long-term interests, would increase costs to build a good reputation for himself.

And he certainly did achieve that.

With the combined support of top-notch equipment, a top-notch production team, and top-notch live performance capabilities, the Leviathan Era Tour not only achieved phenomenal commercial success and influence, but also provided audiences with a phenomenal experience!

This made him a benchmark in the industry.

From the music itself to the global tour, it sets a benchmark!
He then began his Mandarin-focused concert, performing tracks from his "Vishay" Chinese album, including "A Journey Through the Mountains" and "Extraterrestrial Objects." After a short break and costume change, he returned to the stage and delivered the undisputed streaming hit "Blinding Lights" with a giant dragon AR effect, bringing the concert to a new climax.

Deng Chaolu, Han Huang, and Zitao are having a blast!

At the scene, all I felt was excitement and awe, since the giant dragon could only be seen on the big screen and not with the naked eye.

but now?
Under the perfect audio-visual presentation on the IMAX screen, the giant dragon that suddenly flew out from the stage screen and circled the venue halfway through the performance of "Blinding Lights," causing the audience to scream in excitement, and Shen Juan on the stage achieved a true unity of man and dragon!

The sheer impact it has on people is self-evident!

Especially our Tao Tao
If he were at home instead of in a movie theater, he would probably be so excited that he would jump up and do somersaults!
There's no way around it, Master Juan is just too handsome!

This is totally me!
She went on to perform hit singles such as "Intentions" and "All Night", and also performed "Seven" in the form of a stage play.

At the end of the concert, Shen Juan first sang songs he hadn't performed before, such as "Pray For Me" and "Circles". Then, he evoked memories for longtime fans with "The Horizon of Events", which fans hailed as a historic moment in talent shows. Finally, he concluded with a piano performance of "Lucky Me", while classic moments from his career were played on stage.

As colorful ribbons rained down and dazzling fireworks lit up the Los Angeles night sky, Shen Juan and all the dancers came to the front of the stage and bowed to the 70,000 audience members to express their gratitude, bringing the three-hour-plus tour (the film's runtime has been shortened to 169 minutes) to a perfect close.

After the concert film, which was captivating from start to finish, came to an end, the much-anticipated post-screening Q&A session began.

Since the main creative team was mostly in North America, Shen Juan walked onto the stage alone and waved enthusiastically to the audience.

The fans' deafening screams lasted for a full half minute until Shen Juan raised his hands and gently pressed them down, signaling everyone to be quiet. Only then did the obedient fans gradually lower their voices.

Immediately afterwards, Dasha Taran, who was hosting the premiere, walked over to Shen Juan with a microphone, exchanged a glance with her boss, and then announced with a smile that the interactive session was officially starting: "Now we will randomly select a few friends from the audience to share their thoughts on the movie with everyone!"

When Xue Zhiqian stood up, he smiled and waved to the audience around him. When he spoke, he still had that familiar tone and humorous manner.

"The atmosphere at this concert is so good, it's insane! When the Blind Light Dragon appeared, my friend next to me almost broke my arm! But seriously, even though I've been to concerts as a guest performer before, seeing it in a movie theater makes me realize that Shen Juan has really gone mad!"

"When I said on stage that his stage was expensive, it was no exaggeration. Most singers control costs to make money, but he just throws all the money he makes back into the stage. And when I heard 'Horizon of Events' just now, I was reminded of the confusion I felt when I first debuted. So I can tell you with certainty that he has come this far and can still put his original intentions into every song. He has really put in unimaginable effort!"

"To be honest, Shen Juan, do you need any guest performers for your next tour? I don't want an appearance fee, just meals are fine!"

"What if they don't even provide meals?" Shen Juan asked with a smile.

"Are you crazy! Not even providing meals is going too far! How can you exploit your peers like this?" Xue Zhiqian had just finished complaining with an annoyed expression when he changed his tone and revealed his familiar, smug smile: "But I'll still come! Shen Juan, as your fellow townsman, I've already stuck to you! I have to ride your coattails!"

Then, G.E.M. stood up happily, her tone slightly excited: "The experience was amazing! I sang along for almost the entire three hours! Especially today, when I saw him playing the piano and singing 'Lucky Me' in the movie, I suddenly understood that the emotional bond between him and his fans is never just superficial politeness."

"He transformed his love for his fans into details on stage that they could see, from the online poll for the opening song to the expensive stage effects. Every single detail was a message to his fans: 'I see you.' As a singer and an artist, he is a role model that many of us need to learn from."

Shen Juan humbly thanked him.

But is this considered flattery?
After all, strictly speaking, he is G.E.M.'s boss, so GEM's praise of him can be considered flattery.

Li Ronghao slowly got up with his eyes closed.

He didn't say much, but every word he spoke was true.

"I have many feelings after watching the movie, but to avoid wasting too much time, I will only say three points. First, the singer's live performance was almost too stable. I am not flattering him at all, because I have been to his live performances, and more than once. Second, the dragon special effects not only amazed us viewers, but to some extent, I think it was also a very successful cultural export, allowing many foreigners to see the mythical products of our Chinese history and culture."

"Third, his stamina is amazing! Each game lasts more than three hours, and he's done more than 80 games in half a year! The physique of young people is truly enviable~ Okay, enough praising, those who know, know. If the person on stage is enjoying the praise, remember to come fishing with me sometime."

"Aren't we going to the suburbs to see the scenery?" Shen Juan teased.

"What do you mean?" Li Ronghao asked, puzzled.

"You can't catch any fish."

"The last time the Air Force was involved was just an accident."

As soon as he finished speaking, the screening room erupted in laughter. Someone even deliberately shouted, "Teacher Rong Hao, bring a fishing net next time!" Even Shen Juan himself couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Then, Na Ying, who had just had dinner with Shen Juan a few days ago, stood up decisively and said in a straightforward tone: "I was just chatting with Lao Wang! Are young people these days so ruthless when it comes to stage production? When I was there, I only thought the special effects were great, but seeing the details on the big screen today, I realized how worthwhile the money was!"

"Ordinary singers worry about not selling tickets, losing money, or not earning enough when they hold concerts. But he is single-mindedly focused on giving his fans and audiences the best performance. This willingness to spend money and his dedication is something that every young person in every industry should learn from!"

"Also, before he sang 'Ghost,' he said, 'We want to start an era that belongs to us together with all the Alovers.' I don't know what others think, but I don't think he's arrogant. On the contrary, I think that's how it should be said! People who are truly capable and confident should be this assertive!"

"In short, I fucking love this movie! I fucking love him! Shen Juan is such a lovable kid! I genuinely think he deserves all the love you little girls have for him!"

(Na Ying: Damn it, I hate pretentious people the most! Except for Shen Juan)
After saying that, he handed the microphone to the princess beside him.

As soon as the pop diva stood up, her tone was calm yet weighty, and her voice, though not loud, kept the entire audience quiet.

"The stage was novel and grand enough, and the performance was of a high standard and full of energy, creating a wonderful atmosphere!"

"Especially during the chorus of 'Golden Hour,' the lighting changes perfectly matched his voice!"

"We always say that progress in this era ultimately depends on young people to drive it, and Shen Juan has undoubtedly shown us what young people of this era should be like. He is truly remarkable!"

After speaking, he nodded slightly and sat down.

There were no unnecessary words spoken throughout, but his approval was evident in every detail.

In fact, the princess's attitude basically reflects the attitude and perception of the Chinese music scene, especially mainland singers, towards Shen Juan.

After all, in their view, the methods used to cultivate artists and singers in the era of internet traffic are very crude and dark.

This means that the era of strength being king is long gone.

The prevailing rule in the Chinese entertainment industry now is to prioritize traffic.

Shen Juan, who has always adhered to the principle of "the work is king", is like a pure lotus that rises from the mud unsullied. He has not been swept away by the impetuousness of the traffic era. Instead, he has cleverly integrated the gameplay and rules of traffic into his development path, and has eventually become an industry leader with both strength and influence in this era.

Of course, some seniors were envious and jealous, and often made comments that attacked Shen Juan, profiting from negative online traffic.

But Shen Juan didn't care.

Because those "old folks" who are pessimistic about him have completely become remnants of the old era, and the new era has no ship to carry them.

Following closely behind was Lu Han. This guy was so excited that he gave a thumbs up.

While he doesn't fantasize about being Shen Juan like Huang Zitao does, Shen Juan's achievements still excite him.

"That's amazing! Absolutely incredible! After watching the entire movie for three hours, I suddenly remembered how I felt when I held my own concerts. That struggle of not wanting my fans to get tired but also wanting them to have a great time is something only someone who has held a concert can understand!"

"I think idols and fans have always complemented each other. So Shen Juan's greatest strength is not how amazing his stage performance is, but that he can make the support and love of so many fans all over the world resonate in the same way. This kind of tacit understanding between hearts is more precious than any stage design!"

Deng Chao, standing next to Lu Han, was equally excited: "I was swaying my head to the music the whole time, and He patted me on the shoulder and told me to watch my image or I'd get photographed and trend on social media, but who could resist! The atmosphere at the movie was amazing! It's not quite the same as a real concert, but it was still fantastic!"

When it was Huang Zitao's turn to stand up, he was so excited he was almost showing signs of hyperthyroidism. "I have to say, when that giant dragon circled the stage, I almost shouted it out in the movie theater! Master Juan is amazing! He combined our Chinese dragon with Western pop music and it was so explosive! This isn't just showing off skills, it's a true understanding of how to integrate cultures! Master Juan, I'm impressed by your stage! Next time I hold a concert, I must learn from you!"

Finally, it was Ju Jingyi's turn, who had just joined Starlink a few days ago.

She first gently straightened her skirt before standing up, still clutching the tissue she had used to wipe her tears. Her voice, still choked with sobs, was exceptionally soft and clear: "They say that good music and good performances have the magic to change people's moods and states of mind. Today I have felt the weight of that statement."

"Especially when we sang 'Lucky Me' at the end, seeing the footage of Teacher Shen Juan from participating in the talent show to starting his world tour on the big screen on the stage, I suddenly felt that all the brilliance did not come out of thin air. Thank you for bringing us such a great movie, and thank you for showing us how cool it is to stick to being yourself!"

After she finished speaking, she bowed deeply to Shen Juan on the stage.

It's for the sake of this movie, and also for the matter of terminating the contract.

She still remembered that brief conversation on the swing in the Mushroom House. She had to admit that she was incredibly confused about the future at that time. "If one day, I mean if one day, I really leave Siba and join Starlink, how would you plan my future? What kind of things would you arrange for me to do?"

But to her surprise, Shen Juan gave her a reassuring reply: "It's simple, just do what you like."

"Just because you like something doesn't mean it's right."

"It's okay, I'll get them right."

Okay, she has to admit it.
She was stunned, her brain briefly shut down, she lost the ability to think, and her mind went blank.

She never imagined that she could be so captivated by a single sentence; she never imagined that words could possess such power.

Even though his smile was so relaxed, his tone so casual, and even had a touch of nonchalant charm, it was impossible not to want to believe him or even genuinely follow him.

That's really strange.
After handing the microphone back to the staff, Ju Jingyi quietly sat down, hiding in the noisy crowd in the audience. Around her were cheers and screams from fans, but she quietly watched the dazzling figure on the stage, and the corners of her mouth, which were covered by a mask, unconsciously turned up.

But this feeling isn't bad at all!
Anyway, she had never experienced a similar feeling before.

Therefore, she is not opposed to entrusting the rest of her idol career to someone she has only met a few times in person.

After all, people live in this world
Isn't the most important thing to try and experience?

After all the members present from "Sister-in-Law 101" and "Sister-in-Law 202" had given their heartfelt reviews, the next segment was for ordinary fans and audience members to speak.

The first lucky audience member chosen was a girl with a high ponytail. Her hand holding the microphone was trembling, and her voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement:
"Juanju! I just burst into tears watching the part of 'Event Horizon'. I've been a fan of yours since PD202. Seeing you shine even brighter in the movie than before made me both happy and heartbroken. So I wanted to ask you, what's the biggest difference between how you feel now when you sing this song and how you felt when you sang it on the show back then?"

Shen Juan thought for a moment, then replied gently, "The biggest difference is probably the confidence. When I first sang this song, although I knew I would never regret my choice in the future, I was indeed a little confused because I didn't know if you would still be with me."

"But later, when I stood on the concert stage and sang this song, seeing that you were still there, seeing the starlight shining for me from all directions, I felt, oh, I really did make it through."

"So now I feel more gratitude, gratitude to myself for not giving up back then, and even more gratitude to all of you who didn't give up on me."

“You all say I changed your lives.”

"But you are the same to me."

"You will always be my number one priority."

As soon as he finished speaking, a scream erupted from the audience.

Many fans waved their light sticks vigorously, repeatedly shouting "We've always been here" and "We don't regret liking you."

Undoubtedly, compared to "The Matchmaker" which was released last month, the audience for "Leviathan Era Tour" has a much higher concentration of fans familiar with Shen Juan's past. A single sentence can easily touch their tear ducts, making many people instantly recall the difficult times they relied on Shen Juan to get through and thus burst into tears.

The second person to be selected was a boy wearing glasses, who looked somewhat nervous and reserved.

"Professor Shen Juan, I've always admired your outgoing, cheerful, confident, and generous personality. We all know that due to cultural differences between China and other countries, many Chinese students studying abroad aren't very popular. But you're different. So I wanted to ask you how you made your personality so likable? Is it innate or something you developed?"

Shen Juan raised an eyebrow, immediately becoming interested: "I thought you were going to ask me about the concert and the movie, but it doesn't matter, this question is also very interesting. First of all, I don't think my personality is very likable. Many people think I'm too pretentious and arrogant, not humble and low-key enough, and don't show enough respect to my seniors and colleagues. But actually, I think there is no perfect personality that everyone loves in this world."

“I remember when I first went to the United States to develop my career, someone mentioned to me in private that I was unchinese, and that I was different from the Chinese people they had the impression of as taciturn, introverted, shy, and unsociable. Undoubtedly, this is a stereotype of our entire group.”

"To be honest, when I was a trainee, I was confused and irritable for a while because I cared too much about what others thought. It wasn't until my parents called me and said, 'If you really can't keep going, you can do other jobs or go home and live off your parents,' and when I was at my lowest point and couldn't debut, my fans still encouraged me on Weibo. That's when I suddenly realized that with these people around, I don't need to deliberately become anything."

"So it's not that my personality is particularly likable, it's that I'm lucky enough to have the confidence to be myself. It's my success that has given my personality extra value." Shen Juan looked at the boy with glasses and said seriously, "So you don't need to envy other people's personalities at all, nor do you need to force yourself to change in order to be popular. Cultural differences between China and other countries do exist objectively, but instead of pretending to be what others like, it's better to show your strengths. For example, the seriousness and sincerity you showed when you asked the question just now are more touching to some people than so-called extroversion and cheerfulness."

“Everyone has their own pillars in life. Take me for example, my family and my fans give me a sense of security and a feeling of being grounded. I don’t know where I’m going in the future, and I don’t know where my future lies, but I know one thing: it’s never too late to restart your life, that’s for sure! And as long as you don’t lose yourself, people will naturally be attracted to you as you are.”

The third person drawn was a girl holding a support banner. She excitedly shouted, "Juanjuan! Every concert lasts for more than three hours, with singing, dancing and interaction. And with the world tour going on so frequently, won't your body be able to handle it? We feel tired just watching you. You must get some rest!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a chorus of agreement immediately rose from the audience.

"Yes! Don't overwork yourself!"

"Take good care of yourself!"

"Don't be in such a hurry!"

Shen Juan's smile softened considerably. He nodded gently in the direction of the girl, his tone reassuring: "First of all, I must thank you for your concern, and also thank everyone here and everyone who cares about me, whether they are here or not. I am definitely tired, but it was all my own choice, and it was worth it. So at least in this kind of thing, there is no need to feel sorry for me. I think it would be better to feel sorry for yourselves or for the people who love you."

The last person selected to stand up and ask a question was Zhang Run, a young idol from GNZ48, a sister group of SNH48.

She gripped the microphone nervously, her voice trembling slightly: "If you could, which period of the past would you most like to return to?"

Shen Juan smiled easily at her, trying to put her at ease, and then picked up the microphone without hesitation to reply:

“I don’t actually want to go back to the past, because if I had to go through some of those painful things again, I probably wouldn’t have been able to persevere. At least so far, everything I’ve experienced has been key to allowing me to relax and enjoy the present moment, so I’m very satisfied with everything I have now.”

"Although there are some regrets or areas where things could have been done better in the past, I don't want to go back to the past or change it, because that time was really hard to get through. That's my answer to this question."

The premiere started at 7:30 p.m., but due to the long post-screening Q&A session, it didn't end until midnight.

The fans and audience members who were fortunate enough to be there were also reluctant to leave, and they took out their phones to share their most genuine emotions and joy with the public on social media platforms.

[He's so handsome I could die, I almost cried! Alex Shen is truly amazing! He's dedicated to becoming the most prolific and consistently high-quality artist in the music industry to date. Being his fan is such a blessing—there will always be great songs to listen to and handsome faces to admire! This era cannot be without Alex Shen!]

[The price of a movie ticket for three hours of karaoke? Where can you find such a cheap karaoke place? And the number of celebrities at the premiere was insane! Xue Zhiqian, Huang Zitao, Deng Chao, Peng Yuchang, and others were practically dancing and singing along the whole time, hahaha! I don't think I'll ever see so many celebrities again in my life! The atmosphere was absolutely insane! My withdrawal symptoms were too severe!]

[Although I was so happy and had so much fun, and my voice is hoarse from singing, does the release of this movie mean that the Leviathan era tour is finally over? I'm going to cry my eyes out. But the grand farewell movie that Juanjuan gave us is enough. I think I'll never forget the Leviathan tour for the rest of my life!]

[Each era is defined by its own expertise, so will there still be a Sisyphus era in the future? Could it have been stillborn due to a lack of loyalty and righteousness?]

[Successfully got a photo with Sister Tian! Sister Tian has a really nice personality. A whole group of us asked her for photos, and she didn't refuse any of them; in fact, she took turns with each of us. It's not as exaggerated as some people say online! And the other ladies, including Zhou Ye, Cheng Xiao, Yan Hua, and Hu Lianxin, were all very friendly too! They all seem like cute and sweet girls~]

Online, everyone calls her Sister Tian; I can't even imagine what they'll call her offline.

[Actually, I really admire his and his team's confidence and determination! The world's top-notch equipment and stage design show that they were confident this tour would be a huge success before even starting it, which is why they dared to invest so much beforehand. And indeed, it was an unprecedentedly successful hit!]

Ever since I heard about the concert film at the end of last year, I've been eagerly anticipating it. Today, September 30th, I finally saw this magnificent tour film, enjoying a carefree and joyful time with friends in the cinema—a memory I can only cherish now. Beyond the shared musical experience and the ultimate audiovisual spectacle, what truly captivated me about Shen Juan was that he almost became a projection of my own self-awareness. His talent, will, ambition, achievements, and experiences—almost every aspect of him fulfilled my expectations for personal growth. In any case, as I slowly approached him and gradually came to know him, he also gradually changed me, helping me to better understand myself. Wherever I go in the future, I will always feel comforted and moved by this memory, and I will be moved to tears by his music and my story.

[Aside from his extraordinary creative talent, Shen Juan's most unique quality compared to other renowned pop stars is his remarkably stable inner strength. He respects and enjoys capturing fragments of his own emotions from different periods. Because he has chosen to reconcile with himself, accepting his own pursuit of fame and fortune and his obsession with pain (as he mentioned in the documentary), he habitually lowers the barrier to understanding for his audience, thus gaining wider support. The result is that both fans and casual listeners can immediately grasp what he wants to express. Therefore, anyone who listens to his songs can find something they want, or simply enjoy the emotional experience. Perhaps some see him as constantly searching for or reconstructing his artistic personality, but I believe his musical career is precisely a highly characteristic reference point in this ever-changing era. His music, like himself, keenly observes the micro-shaping of an individual by social culture; in other words, he precisely represents this era.]

Will you cherish every moment of the Leviathan Era tour? My answer is: always will, forever.

There are countless short reviews.

Long reviews are emerging one after another.

It goes without saying that it's almost.

At a glance, you can't see a single negative review.

The hundreds of fans who came to the premiere expressed their excitement on platforms such as Weibo, Douban, WeChat Moments, Douyin, and Kuaishou.

These heartfelt and passionate words spread rapidly across the internet at midnight.

The trending topics on Weibo were dominated by related terms.

The Douban group is full of photos from the premiere, fan-taken videos of the tour, and quotes from Shen Juan's fans.

The Leviathan Era tour has once again dominated Douyin and Kuaishou, but this time it's in the form of a movie rather than a concert.

The emotions of hundreds of people at the scene quickly transformed into online resonance among millions of night owl netizens. Some were moved to tears by the tour that was about to end, some were shocked by the stage in the movie, some regained their courage because of Shen Juan's words, and some saw their own progress and growth reflected in Shen Juan's music career.

These short and long reviews are no longer just simple reflections; they are more like a collective remembrance that transcends time and space.

I miss that beautiful night filled with songs, I miss the Leviathan era that moved, touched, and ignited our passion, I miss the heartless 2019, and I miss the version of myself that became braver in the dim light.

(End of this chapter)