1982 Started from Hong Kong

Chapter 449 Spring and Autumn Welcomes the New Year, Zhai Yuan Goes to South Korea
Before heading to South Korea, Zhai Yuan opened champagne halfway through the trip, calling it "Operation Harvest".

It's almost harvest season, and if you're going to a new place, you need to have something to say and learn from what you can.

Adhering to the principle that a thief should not leave empty-handed, and with the itinerary still in the planning stage, Zhai Yuan first listed several things he wanted to accomplish on this trip, with a very clear objective.

"The reformist regime had just collapsed, and in just a few years, Park Geun-hye and Jeon Chun, the two leaders, were assassinated and went into seclusion at Baekdam Temple to apologize..."

Zhai Yuan stood in front of the full-length mirror and, combining the information compiled by Secretary Li, sorted out the current situation in South Korea.

Amidst what could be described as a chaotic and turbulent situation, the country's overall condition was soaring. In terms of economy, it achieved the Miracle on the Han River, and in terms of diplomacy, it was extremely successful. The newly appointed Prince Charming used the Seoul Olympics to promote "Northern Diplomacy" to all socialist countries. Except for North Korea, all the countries actually gave him face and sent delegations to participate.

The economic diplomacy that began during the Park regime, and which has been carried out by three successive leaders, has now achieved a true normalization of relations with the North under the leadership of Prince Roh Tae-woo.

Except for North Korea.

The easing of diplomatic relations has led to greater openness in trade between the North and South. This year, South Korea's per capita GDP has surged to US$4200, which is less than half the level of Hong Kong's per capita GDP, but the country's population is nearly ten times that of Hong Kong.

Moreover, this was only the initial stage of growth, like a gold mine lying in front of them waiting to be mined. Adhering to the reform direction of mutual benefit and financial liberalization, the South Korean government was welcoming foreign investors at this time.

"Dear citizens of Gwangju, please don't forget us!"

Zhai Yuan straightened his tie in front of the full-length mirror, and suddenly, on a whim, shouted out in a loud and energetic voice.

In the mirror's reflection, Deng Leling was squatting on the ground helping him tie his shoelaces when she was startled by Zhai Yuan's shout. She looked up and rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"nerve!"

Finally, she tugged at the wrinkles in his trousers, then straightened up, took two steps back, glanced at Zhai Yuan in his suit and tie, and gently frowned while resting her chin on her hand.

"What's the big deal? Isn't that formal enough?"

"It lacks the air of a cultured person..."

Deng Leling nodded and gave a comment, then, as if remembering something, turned back into the bedroom and came out again a short while later, carrying a pair of gold-rimmed non-prescription glasses.

After placing the glasses on Zhai Yuan's nose, Sister Ling nodded in satisfaction and said, "This suits your role as principal this time."

"Damn! Everyone in Hong Kong knows I come from a public housing estate. When have I ever worn glasses and acted all refined in front of the media?"

Zhai Yuan smiled, took off his glasses, and tossed them aside: "Alright, a suit and tie are enough for today's entrance ceremony. You should change into something nice and come with me to school soon."

Deng Leling looked surprised: "Me too?"

Zhai Yuan said matter-of-factly, "Of course, we're hiring Sister Ling as a guest professor for drama classes. Even Luo Jiaying didn't get this treatment this time."

Deng Leling, unusually, fell silent as if she were stage-frightened, and said awkwardly, "I didn't even finish elementary school, how am I qualified to teach university students..."

Zhai Yuan laughed and said, "Just consider it a sinecure. Go out and tell those gossipy old women at the Golden House Club that you're a cultured person from the Spring and Autumn Academy!"

Upon hearing this, Deng Leling rolled her eyes at Zhai Yuan, then chuckled.

The incident Zhai Yuan mentioned originated from an encounter she had at the Golden House Club, where she was asked a few questions about her identity by the wealthy women, which made Deng Leling feel somewhat embarrassed at the time.

However, she didn't take it to heart afterward. She only complained about it to Zhai Yuan once, but she didn't expect him to remember it.

“Mistress, huh?” Deng Leling laughed, puffing out her chest to show off her impressive assets: “I just wasn’t prepared last time. Next time someone asks me, I’ll just say I’m a mistress, and the guy who’s keeping me is young and rich. Is that so rude?”

"Great, great!" Zhai Yuan clapped his hands with a smile and asked, "So, are you going to school or not, mistress?"

After a moment's thought, Deng Leling realized she was still somewhat concerned about her status and nodded vigorously, saying, "Go!"

…………

High School Musical has been a box office smash during the summer season, grossing 21 million yuan in just over a month as of today, September 1.

It punches "Special Police Dragon Slayer", kicks "First Blood 3", and even tramples its own "A Chinese Ghost Story" underfoot.

Because I wanted to take my child to see the movie, the release of "High School Musical" directly caused the previously rapidly growing "Rambo III" to experience a sharp drop in daily box office revenue, which then continued to decline.

The industry was in an uproar!
Category I films, appealing to audiences of all ages, made Hong Kong filmmakers realize for the first time the earning potential of the youth and children's market.

However, after careful analysis of each film, it was discovered that this type of movie is really hard to follow.

To make a gangster film, local triad bosses are readily available as material; to make a police thriller, Hollywood plots offer plenty of inspiration; and to make a smutty film is even simpler…

The only exception is Category I films, which are suitable for all ages. More than half of Hong Kong's creators admit that they don't have the ability to make such films. If you don't include profanity, violence, and sex in your movies, do you have no law?
The other half of the creators also tried to follow the trend. Most of them were young screenwriters and directors who had just entered the industry. Although they did not have the slickness and worldliness of the older generation, the I-rated film stories they wrote often veered off course into the direction of art and literature, which was far removed from the core of "High School Musical" which was full of youthful beauty. Under the example of art film directors such as Wong Kar-wai, Ann Hui, and Mabel Cheung, their stories could not even attract investors.

"Just a few theme songs from 'High School Musical' set a high bar for copying, but since we can't learn all of 'High School Musical,' we can at least learn a part of it."

Standing at the entrance of Chunqiu Performing Arts Academy, Shi Nansheng and Zhai Yuan walked side by side.

Sister Nan chuckled softly, "So most of the scripts the Film Association received this time are single-genre or campus-themed, more like 'Happy Ghost Goes on Summer Vacation' without the fantasy elements. We also received several musical scripts, but when it came to choreography and arrangement, everyone steered the conversation toward The Voice of China. They not only want the Film Association's production fees, but also want to commission songs from The Voice of China. Where is there such a cheap deal?"

“I’ve said it before: you need to have faith to make movies with this kind of patriotic theme. I believe that my Chunqiu Academy will be just like the movie.”

Zhai Yuan waved to the reporters at the school gate, then turned to Shi Nansheng and winked, saying, "High School Musical is our young people's hope and aspiration for the future. It's not surprising that it has such a response among students. Don't be fooled by the fact that there are thugs running rampant on the streets. In the end, they are just isolated cases. The silent majority still yearns to grow up like Ekin Cheng and Zhou Huimin on the road to realizing their dreams... Sister Nan, I'll teach you how to say this. Then go and deal with the reporters outside."

“Okay~” Shi Nansheng smiled helplessly, then asked, “What about the scripts that the association sent?”

Zhai Yuan shook his head and said, "There's no need to throw money into the water. If we're going to make Category I films, we don't necessarily have to follow the trend of 'High School Musical.' Let's try making an animated film."

To put it bluntly, Hong Kong's film industry lacks the fertile ground for youth campus films. With a university acceptance rate of less than 3%, filmmakers could only rely on imagination to depict dormitory life. The only films that even remotely touched upon this were comedies like *Fight Back to School*, but ultimately, they had nothing to do with school life, let alone elements of youth, passion, and romance. In contrast, Europe, America, Japan, South Korea, and later mainland China and Taiwan, all developed a market for youth campus films. Films like *You Are the Apple of My Eye* and *So Young*, much like *High School Musical* today, swept through the entire student population, enjoying unparalleled popularity.

“Animated films…” Shi Nansheng nodded thoughtfully and said, “I’ll have everyone refer to some Japanese series later. Does Mr. Zhai have any suggestions?”

Zhai Yuan laughed and said, "It's so simple. Just make an all-ages I-rated film market, make the style of 'BabyBus' a bit more adult, make talking bears and talking sheep, and think about what kind of plot you would like if you were a child. Everyone just hasn't experienced school life, but surely you didn't even have a childhood?"

"That sounds ridiculous, doesn't it?"

"Give it a try!"

How could it not be good? Do you think my "Boonie Bears" is a masterpiece?

During their conversation, the two arrived at the campus welcome area.

The Spring and Autumn Academy had already made a great splash in the early stages, so the most important welcoming activities naturally had to be even more eye-catching, with banners and slogans posted everywhere.

Today you are proud of Spring and Autumn, tomorrow Spring and Autumn will be proud of you.

Spring and Autumn welcomes you; anyone with a dream is extraordinary.

'Which school excels in cultivating artistic talents? Chunqiu Academy nurtures pillars of society.'

The welcoming party for new students was even more impressive. Members of Girls' Generation set up a long table and sat at the intersection, smiling as they filled out forms. Familiar faces from the screen, such as John Lone, Wan Ziliang, Chung Chu-hung, Andy Lau, Maggie Cheung, and Lan Juying, personally acted as guides, leading the new students and their parents on tours of the various school buildings. Downstairs in the dormitory building, Chen Shilong and Hung Hsin-pao led their class members, earnestly helping the new students carry their luggage upstairs...

The entire Hong Kong film industry received notice a week in advance that Spring and Autumn Cinema was opening today. Whoever displeases Principal Zhai will be guaranteed to be out of work for the next year.

“Master Fenjuhua’s Spring and Autumn Drama Troupe has actually been turned into a real university by Zhai Yuan. Master called me a while ago, saying that he had received photos of the school. He was incredibly envious.”

After helping the two freshmen move their luggage, Chen Shilong took a photo with them and smiled as he spoke to Hong Xinbao and the others who were coming downstairs.

"There's nothing we can do if we're just jealous; it's our fault for being so useless as apprentices!"

Hong Xinbao chuckled, looking at the layout of the four-person dormitory room. Recalling the large communal sleeping area when he was learning his craft, he clicked his tongue in admiration: "We didn't have these kinds of conditions back then!"

"Times have changed, haven't they? Hey! Do you guys still remember?"

Chen Shilong watched the new students coming and going, paused by the window, nodded to his fellow apprentices, and said, "At the age of nine, you will become an apprentice under Zhan Yuan to learn the ways of the Peking Opera. It is agreed that the apprenticeship will last for ten years, during which all earnings will belong to your master. During your apprenticeship, your master will be responsible for your food, lodging, and clothing. You are not allowed to go home without a valid reason, and you are not allowed to drop out of school midway. If you suffer from natural disasters or illness, you will be left to fate. If you run away without permission, both families will search for you. If you are unruly or disobedient, you will be beaten to death. When you reach the age of nine, you will thank your master, but only according to your conscience. Words are not enough; this is a written agreement..."

…………

The welcome party for new students at Chunqiu Performing Arts Academy has gradually come to a close, thanks to its extensive coverage on various front pages and headlines.

Classes officially began the day after September 1st.

The photo of Zhai Yuan giving a speech on stage in his capacity as principal and school board member remains on the page of the September 1st Daily and has not been removed.

The accompanying text includes Principal Zhai's speech, along with a writer praising his boss's speech excessively.

"Look! I heard a young man went to meet his future mother-in-law, and she generously handed him a check for 200,000, saying, 'Please don't contact my daughter again.' But the young man immediately countered with a check for 20 million, leaving his future mother-in-law completely bewildered. She hurriedly asked what her son-in-law's background was. The young man politely explained, 'Auntie, I graduated from the Spring and Autumn Academy for Performing Arts. This school is the only film academy in Hong Kong, gathering film resources from all over Hong Kong, with a strong faculty, and is known as the cradle of Hong Kong film talent…'"

A single joke used to liven up the atmosphere at the beginning was praised and admired from various angles by the chief writer of the September 1st Daily.

Principal Zhai's seemingly humorous story actually reveals his immense ambition and vision for the Chunqiu Performing Arts Academy. Is it arrogant? Not at all! As everyone knows, Chunqiu and Jiuyi are closely linked. According to a simple survey conducted by this newspaper on the salaries of actors at Jiuyi Entertainment, top artists such as John Lone and Wan Ziliang earn millions annually. Once the first batch of Chunqiu students graduate, Jiuyi Entertainment will naturally use its best resources to promote its own talent. How much will the increasingly prosperous film market bring them in return? Let's wait and see…

In the conference room.

After reading the report, Zhai Yuan chuckled and said to Pan Yongqiang, "I think the media should be more objective and fair."

Pan Yongqiang took the newspaper from the September 1st Daily, carefully read through it, and said seriously, "It's very objective and fair."

Shi Nansheng of 91 Entertainment: "No problem."

James Wong and Joseph Koo of The Voice of China: "It's very well written!"

Li Huizhen and Ma Rongcheng, two-dimensional salamanders: "I also think it's fine."

……

Zhai Yuan increasingly understood what it meant to be surrounded by good people after becoming famous.

"It doesn't matter, as long as everyone's happy."

Zhai Yuan shrugged helplessly and said, "I'm going to South Korea in a couple of days. I called everyone here today not only to summarize the work progress, but also because if this trip goes smoothly, the group's business will expand into South Korea. As for the film industry, Sister Nan, you know that South Korea's box office is no smaller than Taiwan's. I'll try my best to finalize this deal during this trip. I'll have Uncle Cai Lan come with me on this business trip so he can also get a feel for the film industry in Chungmuro. Girls' Generation will be representing Hong Kong at the Seoul Olympics opening ceremony. Remember to coordinate the publicity between the newspaper and The Voice companies. And then there's the anime comic business..."

Overall, since the start of classes at Chunqiu Academy, Zhai Yuan has had little to do personally in Hong Kong this year. As for 91 Entertainment's pioneering journey in South Korea, it mainly focuses on movies, records, and comics.

at the same time,

The communications experts that Tao Zongyi brought back also compiled a document of more than 150 pages during this period, focusing on the drawbacks of the Eastern Telegraph Company's monopoly on Hong Kong's communications business, as well as a proposal for new directions in the communications industry.

On September 5, Ho Chi-long visited the Governor's House and handed the proposal to David W. Smith's desk.

After reading the entire document, Wei Yixin's expression shifted between light and dark. He looked up at He Zilang and said, "I think we should have Zhai Yuan come over in person to discuss this matter."

Ho Chi-long smiled and spread his hands: "Sorry, Mr. Wai, my boss is eager to reform Hong Kong's telecommunications business. My flight this morning is probably already registered at the South Korean immigration office..."

(End of this chapter)