Huayu: Traffic is king

Chapter 114 Official Media Endorsement, Top-Tier Person!
After the rehearsal, Gu Jingyi indeed discovered many small problems.

His newly arranged version of "The Sea of ​​Stars: A Century of Journey" was initially not intended to have an orchestral accompaniment.

After Huace gave the lyrics that Gu Jingyi had rewritten to the higher-ups, Zou Wei was so satisfied that he even had the idea of ​​making some changes to the arrangement.

As a layman, Zou Wei didn't know how to adapt the music. The result of an outsider guiding an expert was that Zou Wei personally selected an orchestra to accompany Gu Jingyi's "The Sea of ​​Stars".

He thought that by piling on the high-end configuration, the final overall effect would be good.

Although the idea did make some sense, Gu Jingyi still found many flaws after rehearsing.

Fortunately, there was still one day before the May Fourth Gala, so there was still time to make some last-minute changes to the details.

After leaving the stage, Gu Jingyi didn't rush back to the waiting room. Instead, he went straight off the stage and greeted the band members.

The studio for the "May Fourth Gala" can accommodate more than a thousand audience members, and CCTV, as the main stage for the patriotic theme, was willing to spend money. Stage equipment such as cold fireworks, screen flashlights, and digital dimmer pack mobile light stands were set up around the stage, while Gu Jingyi also saw mainstream audio equipment such as equalizers, effects processors, crossovers, and compressors.

It is evident that CCTV attaches great importance to the annual May Fourth Gala, and the stage effects have also been noticeably improved.

Gu Jingyi met with the band members and also greeted Chen Nian, the music director of the May Fourth Gala. After exchanging some icebreakers and breaking the ice,

Gu Jingyi then revealed his true intentions and began to explain his ideas for arranging the music.

Many people often confuse arrangement with composition, using the two interchangeably. In reality, arrangement and composition are two completely different things. Composition refers to the melody used for singing, essentially forming the framework. Even for someone unfamiliar with music theory, a tune hummed in a pleasant mood can be considered a rudimentary composition. If you then add a vocal track based on this, you've completed the composition.

Arranging music is much more difficult than composing, as it requires adding accompaniment to the melody. This is a highly specialized field, and outsiders who have never been involved in the music industry find it difficult to get involved in arranging.

It requires practice from scratch and communication with the original composer. Without altering the original intent, adding multiple instruments enhances the composition's effect. This amplifies the composer's strengths and allows the audience to better experience the song's meaning.

Generally, if the composer and arranger are not the same person, the work will have flaws if there is no communication between them.

This is why Gu Jingyi rushed off the stage after rehearsal to talk with the orchestra teachers.

A dozen minutes later, Gu Jingyi gave a full account of his state of mind and compositional ideas when he wrote "The Sea of ​​Stars". The room was somewhat quiet, and the orchestra's teachers looked conflicted.

After all, the original version of "Starry Sea" was just a pop song. Although Western elements such as orchestral music were added, it didn't change the fact that it was still pop music, and the orchestral accompaniment for the song was almost always traditional Chinese music.

The orchestra members had never accompanied pop music before, and the "Centennial Journey" version of "Starry Sea" was written in the same style as before. They didn't even have time to consider whether it was really suitable; for the audience, there was only the difference between "sounds good" and "doesn't sound good".

As for the fans, they only focused on whether Gu Jingyi looked handsome that day, his facial expressions while singing, and his boasting.

So when Gu Jingyi stepped off the stage and shared his creative journey for a better stage effect, the orchestra's teachers were a bit annoyed. Noticing the stalemate on Gu Jingyi's side, Liao Yu, the music director in charge of the May Fourth Gala, also came over to see what was wrong.

After understanding the whole story, Liao Yu also had a headache.

He knew, of course, that Gu Jingyi's purpose in bringing these things up was to remove the flaws and present a better performance on stage.

However, the quality of "Starry Sea: A Century of Journey Edition" is already mediocre. Wouldn't it take too much time and effort to make too many changes to the arrangement?
From the perspective of music director, Liao Yu naturally hopes that Gu Jingyi's work will present a high-quality stage performance.

As we all know, these patriotic galas are not only watched by the general public, but also by several high-ranking officials who care about young people.

If Gu Jingyi's final performance is particularly good, and he receives praise from those individuals, he will come into their view.

Not to mention Gu Jingyi's direct ascension, even Liao Yu received a "political achievement bonus".

Should we really give Gu Jingyi a hard time?

Liao Yu was in a dilemma; he was conflicted.

After noticing Liao Yu's troubled expression, the band teacher began to smooth things over.

"Teacher Gu, you just shared so many creative ideas. If I asked you to rearrange the music now, could you come up with a solution right now? We're going on stage tomorrow, and we don't have that much time. Actually, the difference between 80 and 85 points isn't that big anymore, since it's not a competitive program."

Gu Jingyi's interest was piqued even more upon hearing this. He turned to look at the other person, his eyes burning with desire, and said, "I actually have some ideas for the arrangement. It doesn't really need many changes. Want to give it a try?"

"Xiao Gu, we understand how much you value the stage. Since you insist on it, why not share your suggestions for it?"

This time, music director Liao Yu was genuinely interested, as Gu Jingyi had an excellent reputation in the industry. Directors and crew members who had worked with him, from top to bottom, all spoke highly of Gu Jingyi.

He is described as not only humble and gentle, but also extremely capable in his work, with his own ideas. He is a genius, one in a decade, and possesses exceptional talent.

"I can't really offer any advice, as mainstream stage performances generally don't have high public recognition. But I think my revised version of 'A Century of Journey' is a really good work, and I want to sing it to a wider audience on stage. I want them to have a deeper understanding of our country's strength and the hardships we've overcome along the way."

Gu Jingyi looked into his eyes and said with great determination.

In fact, he knew better than anyone the quality of "A Century of Journey" after rewriting the lyrics. If it were really of poor quality, how could it have appeared on a more formal and authoritative stage like the "Centennial Archives" of later generations?
This marks his first appearance in the official spotlight since his debut, and will be a significant development in the film industry for the next few years. Besides established IPs like "Wolf Warrior" and "Detective Chinatown," patriotic films are also a tempting prospect.

"Operation Red Sea", "The Battle at Lake Changjin", and "Forever Young" are all patriotic films that have achieved considerable box office success and popularity.

Gu Jingyi doesn't want to be a "top star" for life, nor does he want to only be able to take on youth campus movies whenever movies are mentioned.

Transformation? It's only a matter of time!

Once the stage performance of "A Century of Journey" gains wider recognition, these behind-the-scenes stories will become tales of Gu Jingyi's dedication. Gu Jingyi's public image will soar once again, making him a representative of righteous yet unconventional youth.

If the higher-ups are truly satisfied with Gu Jingyi's performance, the production team will truthfully inform them of all the efforts made today.

It would not only give him a breakout stage, but also significantly boost his public image and popularity. No matter how difficult it was, Gu Jingyi was determined to give it a try.

"Since you insist, then let's proceed according to your understanding."

Liao Yu initially opposed the project out of a desire for stability and to avoid any mishaps, but Gu Jingyi took the blame. Since the contestant insisted, as the music director, he couldn't say anything more.

After the atmosphere became much more lively, Gu Jingyi also talked to them about the minor adjustments.

“I think an Irish harp would be more harmonious with it. Thank you all for your help,” Gu Jingyi said with a smile.

Unlike the common harp, the Irish harp is smaller, has a lighter tone, and is less prone to weaknesses.

Gu Jingyi changed the intro to an Irish harp, making the emotional progression from soft to strong in the song more distinct.

The chorus, "A century-long journey, not a smooth road, traversing seas of people, never carrying anything," transitions to the zhongruan and timpani. The zhongruan's tuning is DAda, a traditional Nanyin mode. This creates a perfect synergy with the timpani that follows. When the French horn joins in, the momentum becomes even more powerful.

"At the end of the song, after the timpani and snare drum intensify the rhythm, the violin and harp are replaced with a harp and flute as starlight embellishments. This makes the whole song transition more naturally from loud to soft and more harmonious."

"Thank you, teachers, let's practice one more time."

As a student of the Central Conservatory of Music, Gu Jingyi not only possesses exceptional talent in pop music, but he also had extensive experience with orchestras during his time at the school, naturally developing considerable skill and understanding.

Although the orchestra teacher didn't quite understand, out of respect for Gu Jingyi's status, he tried playing the piece again after receiving his kind words.

The re-presented version is even better than the previous one, and you can immediately feel the difference when Gu Jingyi comes back on stage for a live performance.

The difference between 85 points and 80 points may not be immediately apparent to the naked eye, but upon closer inspection, the subtle difference in results can be felt.

This was also Gu Jingyi's first time singing on a formal occasion since his rebirth. During rehearsals, the executive director Zou Wei, along with several pot-bellied middle-aged men, appeared on the side of the stage at some point.

Standing on the stage, Gu Jingyi could easily spot him; although he was slightly nervous, his excellent stage presence was a major asset, given his experience with a top-tier South Korean boy band in his previous life. He held dozens of concerts a year.

After Gu Jingyi was reborn, he appeared to be just a young artist who had just debuted from a limited-time boy band. In reality, the experiences and knowledge he gained in his previous life had greatly benefited him in the present.

Facing the empty audience seats under the main stage, and Zou Wei, who was pointing at Gu Jingyi with several people on the side of the stage with an approving look, and the staff who had appeared under the stage at some unknown time, taking advantage of this rare opportunity to "chase their idol for free."

Gu Jingyi's anxiety gradually dissipated, and he felt completely at ease on stage.

"You are a star in my heart, guiding me to keep moving forward."

As soon as Gu Jingyi spoke, Liao Yu's eyes lit up immediately, even though he was wearing a listening headset.

It's definitely different now; the prelude with the Irish harp is more melodious and lively. The orchestra teacher used harmonic fingering to simulate twinkling stars, and Gu Jingyi's precise transition from the very first line immediately drew everyone into the song's atmosphere.

Once you reach 80 points or higher, every point you improve represents a significant leap forward.

After Gu Jingyi finished singing, Liao Yu was grinning from ear to ear.

"Jingyi, you did a great job. This stage is the best of the gala this year, and it's sure to become a huge hit."

Gu Jingyi bumped into Zhang Yixing on his way back to the waiting room after finishing rehearsal.

"PD is good"

Despite the large number of people in the corridor, Gu Jingyi still addressed Zhang Yixing by that specific name, just as before.

He wasn't giving Zhang Yixing any face, but rather giving face to the "public opinion".

This top star is so steady, no wonder he's a soldier under the tutelage of Im Yoona!

"Ah, it's already on TV. Jingyi, you're too kind. Just call me Brother Yixing."

As Zhang Yixing said this, his smile grew wider and wider.

After bumping into Zhang Yixing, the two took a photo together and posted it on Weibo.

[@Gu Jingyi: Backstage rehearsal, look who I bumped into?]
Zhang Yixing commented directly on Weibo, "So cool, no wonder he's Emperor Jing."

This Weibo post quickly became a trending topic, attracting a flood of enthusiastic fans.

Given Gu Jingyi's current popularity, he's definitely a "trending topic magnet".

After Kun Ge was exposed for using chicken essence in his fried noodles, even though he hasn't released any new works for several years, his fan base has remained at a normal level for top-tier celebrities, only dropping from T0 to the level of ordinary top-tier celebrities.

Although Gu Jingyi only has the recently started drama "Ashes of Love" waiting to be broadcast, his previous works "A Love So Beautiful" and album "Like the Wind" are solid achievements.

In fact, top singers who don't act can earn just as much as actors in a year. Look at "Mars Boy." He holds countless concerts throughout the year and makes a fortune.

They're only popular within a specific circle, and their fan base is limited. Unlike actors who have good recognition across all age groups and are well-liked by the general public.

Zhang Yixing's acting career has only seen one notable success with "Er Yuehong".

Let's talk about music. Gu Jingyi's "Like the Wind" has sales that far surpass Zhang Yixing's.

Zhang Yixing also climbed up, not returning to her own waiting room but going to Gu Jingyi's side.

"Jingyi, your new album is great. Now you can hear your songs everywhere you go."

Zhang Yixing looked at Gu Jingyi with a smile, her expression somewhat solicitous.

Sure enough, his next sentence revealed his true purpose.

"I'm having a concert soon, I wonder if you'd be interested in being a guest performer?"

Gu Jingyi shook his head. "It should be difficult. My schedule is full for the second half of this year. I have to work on two film sets back and forth, and I also have to go to Nai Pao Sen's concert. Going to Southeast Asia for a guest appearance would be too tiring."

"Wait, when did I say Southeast Asia?"

Zhang Yixing was somewhat speechless. He looked at Gu Jingyi and said with a hint of sarcasm, "You haven't been reading the recent news at all. During the time of 'Lotus,' I did more shows in Southeast Asia. Although I still have a solo tour planned for this year, it overlaps with EXO's album recording. This time, I'll have more shows in South Korea."

Gu Jingyi was speechless with frustration. Of course, it was because you were trying to cover up your poor attendance in Southeast Asia with a black cloth. Then you had your team photoshop images to boast about the packed houses at every show. But "Chaoyang District Bot" has exposed your shameful act.

Dude, I was just calling you "PD" out of politeness, not because I actually respect you as a "PD." I'm not stupid; I'm afraid that the moment I join your Southeast Asia event as a guest, you'll use the "Gu Jingyi's first event in Southeast Asia" excuse to fleece me...

"Jingyi, do you want to go? Just one match, I can offer 200 million."

Seeing that Gu Jingyi wasn't interested, Zhang Yixing started to escalate the situation.

EXO's new album "Love Shot" is coming back soon, and Zhang Yixing has his own little scheme. He plans to have a few of the most popular members perform at one show, and then bring Gu Jingyi along for another. The skyrocketing ticket prices alone would recoup all the fees he'd paid out.

"Okay, then we'll have to discuss the specific time with my agent."

Gu Jingyi became much more forthcoming when South Korea was mentioned.

Dior's first flagship store in South Korea is scheduled to open in 2019, and the promotional trip for "Ashes of Love" there is expected to be at the end of this year.

Gu Jingyi can wait, but can the older Baby Yoona, who is 8 years older than him, wait?

Can Kim Jisoo, who just made a comeback with "Du Du Du" and became a top fourth-generation girl group member, wait?
After Gu Jingyi was terminated by YG Entertainment, she unilaterally announced her breakup with Kim Jisoo and blocked all contact methods.

It was really naive of him, but he was only 18 at the time. Given his youthful impetuosity, it's understandable!

In 2017, "BlackPink" was already a top-tier girl group. What could Gu Jingyi, an "older trainee" with an uncertain future, possibly offer to Kim Jisoo?
The best answer is to cut your losses decisively when necessary.

However, this girl seems to be a bit love-struck; Jennie called and berated Gu Jingyi, calling him immature and a jerk for only caring about his own feelings and not considering Jisoo's.

At that moment, Gu Jingyi could faintly hear Kim Jisoo sobbing on the other end of the phone.

2018 was a really good year; at that time, Yoona and Jisoo still had illusions about him.

Kim Ji-won, meanwhile, entered a period of reflection after finishing filming "Fight for My Way." She didn't take on any other projects, giving Gu Jingyi plenty of opportunities to seduce her.

"Excellent! You're truly a lad from Xingcheng. Straightforward!"

Zhang Yixing hooked her arm around Gu Jingyi's neck, looking very happy.

Gu Jingyi is quite popular in South Korea right now.

His regret in "Produce 202" has become a source of deep regret for many K-pop fans.

Just like Chun Yuan, when he made a comeback with "A Love So Beautiful" and "Idol Producer," Gu Jingyi, who has excellent public image in South Korea, also saw his paid fan club reach 15 registered members.

This is a paid registration only for core fans, costing 5 Korean won per year, which is approximately 300 RMB. It includes a booklet and postcards.

Gu Jingyi's popularity is already comparable to that of South Korea's top male solo artists.

It's no wonder that Zhang Yixing invited Gu Jingyi to participate; the gimmick of "mentors and students performing on the same stage" alone is enough to pique the interest of some nostalgic "factory girls" in buying tickets.

Meanwhile, the South Korean fans of "Xia Yuhe" have been eagerly anticipating Gu Jingyi's activities there.

"No need to get so excited, Brother Yexing."

Gu Jingyi smiled on the surface, but inwardly he was rolling his eyes.

He and his sister lived with their maternal grandmother in Guangdong Province when they were young, and did not return to Changsha until they were in the fifth or sixth grade.

When I first arrived, I made a fool of myself because my Changsha dialect wasn't standard. My classmates secretly called me a "country bumpkin."

He's not a native of Changsha, so how did he get involved with Zhang Yixing?

Zhang Yixing doesn't need to thank him; he should thank his senior colleague from the same company, Lin Yoona.

It's just that Yoona was too charming, and Gu Jingyi was too busy returning to China in this life to push her away.

He has a dream: to have his long-lost "Yun Jessica" sing a song for him.

Time flies, and May 4th arrived quickly.

After rehearsing during the day, Gu Jingyi arrived at the waiting room at 19 p.m. to wait for the interview.

The host, Li Sisi, came to the waiting room to interview Gu Jingyi, asking mostly mild questions. Gu Jingyi handled them very well and completed the interview with ease.

With more than half an hour to go before the show started, Gu Jingyi lay in the waiting room playing on his phone for a while. Then, a staff member knocked on the door and told Gu Jingyi that the opening show was about to begin.

Gu Jingyi nodded and went backstage to wait.

The first program of the May Fourth Gala is "Glory to the Chinese Communist Youth League," and all young performers are required to participate.

After the performance, Gu Jingyi returned to the waiting room to wait for his turn on stage.

His appearance order was the fifth program, right after Zhang Yixing and Yang Yang, and before Wang Junkai.

This isn't to say that Gu Jingyi was overshadowed by Wang Junkai, are you kidding me? How can the first post-95s actor in the Chinese entertainment industry with two blue-blooded (high-end) luxury brands be considered less valuable than Wang Junkai, who only has a red-blooded (low-end) regional brand ambassadorship?
Unlike a red carpet, the order of appearance at a gala is determined by prime-time viewership ratings. The more popular the artist, the more likely they are to appear near those ratings.

20点开始的《五四晚会》预计收视率高峰在21:15-21:25，而顾璟奕第五个的出场顺序也正好就是这个时间点。

Gu Jingyi yawned as he sat in the waiting room watching the broadcast on the screen.

It was indeed a bit boring; he got sleepy after watching for only a short while.

He wasn't the only one who felt this way; Tian Xiwei felt the same way.

The May Fourth Gala was broadcast live, not pre-recorded.

While Gu Jingyi was waiting to go on stage, many viewers sitting in front of their televisions were also waiting for the show to go live.

After listening to Chris's performance, Tian Xiwei frowned.

Away from that bizarre electronic music, Chris's pronunciation is unclear and his breath control is weak. Not only does his music not get listened to by fans, but his singing skills are also poor.

I really don't understand how he ended up here.

Having a good company is really great...

Fortunately, the organizers took this into consideration and specially arranged for Gu Jingyi to come on stage after Chris's electronic music to "cleanse the ears" for the audience.

On stage, Gu Jingyi went up to sing a song.

The song "A Century of Journey" had been practiced enough with the band members that it had almost become muscle memory. Gu Jingyi gently began to sing after the Irish harp started playing.

"You are a star in my heart, guiding me to keep moving forward."

His voice was incredibly gentle, instantly transporting listeners to that special era. It brought to mind those years of struggle, reminding them that a century-long journey was not accomplished overnight.

Amidst the gunfire, one after another, our predecessors stepped forward.

One of the highest goals of a song is to make the listener enjoy it, and "A Century of Journey" conveyed this perfectly, immersing the audience in its beauty.

"It's My Dream, It's Magic, dreams bloom in the sky. A century-long journey has not been smooth sailing, traversing mountains and seas, never slacking off."

The song quickly moves into the verse, with piano arpeggios, cello bass supporting the melody, and the appearance of timpani making the rhythm go from soft to loud.

When Gu Jingyi sang "dreams bloom in the sky," her pitch suddenly rose. Without warning, an A4 high note rose from the ground.

When the journey reached its climax, marked by "a century-long trek, not a smooth one," the addition of the double yellow pipes added a touch of arduous and tortuous sorrow.

The projector behind me was also playing videos of Sun Yat-sen, who established the new government, as well as the figures of many predecessors who stepped forward during the War of Resistance against Japan.

The scene then shifts to the founding of the People's Republic of China, where one great leader after another embarks on a new struggle for the prosperity and strength of the nation.

"Always keep hope in your heart. All the hardships and setbacks will eventually be blown into the dust by the wind and never come back."

The projector was still showing footage of the Soviet Union withdrawing its experts and the United States imposing various sanctions on the new China.

A group of rabbits are studying mushrooms in the Gobi Desert.

As the first mushroom cloud rose into the sky, countless rabbits smiled with satisfaction.

This was also a major turning point, marking the beginning of the path to self-reliance.

As the song approaches the chorus, the French horn in F major sounds.

"I walk towards you with youth in my heart, crossing the stars and the sea."

"Under the starlight, we strive with all our might, our ambitions undeterred by mountains. A century of pride, we look upon the world with level eyes, traversing mountains and seas, continuing our passion, stirring the flames of youth."

In a temporal and spatial dislocation, one young person after another is studying tirelessly in the library.

Countless athletes broke records on the field, shattering the stereotype of "sick man of East Asia".

Gu Jingyi's singing was a treat for everyone; his voice was exquisitely detailed and adept at transitions. It felt like the audience had been given a ginseng fruit, as he fully and powerfully conveyed the song's theme.

That period of time will remind every viewer of the hardships they have overcome.

Remembering history and forging ahead is not just empty talk.

"With a pure heart and surging blood, I write a brilliant chapter with my youth. Without hesitation, I rush towards you, crossing the stars and the sea."

The revised lyrics mean the chorus isn't as catchy or addictive as the original.

However, Gu Jingyi's outstanding singing skills and emotional delivery did not affect the audience's experience of singing this song in the slightest.

After the four-minute song ended, the entire audience fell silent. There was no applause; the music still lingered in their ears.

It felt like my soul had received a spa treatment; suddenly I realized that the peace and stability we enjoy today are not easy to come by.

The tranquility of life is itself a form of happiness.

The host, Li Sisi, broke the silence by speaking again.

"Thank you to the band members for their cooperation, and thank you to Gu Jingyi for the touching moment we experienced."

When Li Sisi broke the silence, thunderous applause erupted from the audience.

People often become so engrossed in great music that it's hard for them to come out of it quickly.

"Professor Gu Jingyi, could you answer a question? I believe many viewers were also eager to know the answer."

The elegantly dressed host, Li Sisi, looked at Gu Jingyi with a smile.

"sure"

Although he didn't understand why such a sudden situation had occurred, Gu Jingyi could tell from the appreciation in her eyes that it wasn't a bad thing.

"Actually, this song is the result of Jingyi's pursuit of perfection after discovering some flaws during rehearsals. In order to present a better performance, he was the last to leave the stage last night."

As soon as Li Sisi said that, the audience applauded again.

"May I ask Jingyi, what makes you value this so much?"

Off-screen, Tian Xiwei clutched her chest, feeling a pang of worry for Gu Jingyi.

The handsome young man in the Zhongshan suit looked at the camera and said without hesitation, "Because when I was adapting this song, I was reminded of those years of hard work and struggle."

"During my middle school years, the school organized a trip to Longhua Cemetery to commemorate the martyrs. I remember in 1927, an idealistic young man bravely sacrificed his life for his dream, leaving behind the vow on the execution ground: 'Revolutionaries are upright and fearless in the face of death; we will die standing, never kneeling!'"

"I want to use this song to let more young people like me who grew up in peaceful times understand that history. There is no such thing as a peaceful life; it's just that a hundred years ago, someone was there to encourage us to move forward."

(End of this chapter)