Rebirth of Chinese Entertainment, starting with the strategy of 95 flowers to counterattack

Chapter 164 The Influence of the New Variety Show and Tangren Nazha
The moment Tencent Video's official Weibo account released the guest recruitment information for "50 Kilometers of Peach Blossom Village," a turbulent undercurrent swept through the entertainment industry.

The four words "Produced by Gu Yang" are the best brand name.

This youngest director has consistently produced blockbusters, from "Go Go Squid!" to "Better Days".

Now that they've switched to variety shows, everyone knows this is an opportunity they absolutely can't miss.

As the leading one of the three major streaming media platforms in China, Tencent Video boasts S+ level variety shows with production standards and promotional resources that are considered the pinnacle of the industry.

What does an S+ variety show mean?
The initial production budget exceeded 100 million yuan, and the filming team was a top-tier group in the industry.

During broadcast, it will enjoy full-channel promotion from Tencent – ​​splash screen ads, homepage banners, and pop-up push notifications.

Not to mention the combination of "members getting early access + spin-off programs + live interactive broadcasts" that makes its competitors envious.

In an era where traffic is king, variety shows have long become the sharpest gilding knife for celebrities.

Baby rose from an obscure model to a top star thanks to the show "Keep Running".

Dilraba's popularity soared thanks to "Keep Running," and even film stars like Zhang Ziyi successfully "descended to earth" in "The Birth of an Actor."

Many actors have been filming for years, but few people recognize them.

And once she appeared on a variety show, she became an instant hit.

The commercial value of a hit variety show season may surpass that of ten TV dramas, with endorsement fees doubling, millions of new Weibo followers, and frequent appearances on trending topics – these are all tangible benefits.

Now that Gu Yang and Tencent have joined forces, "Peach Blossom Village" has become a hit even before filming.

Rumors circulating in the industry suggest that a brand has already offered an eight-figure sponsorship fee, and they are just waiting for the official announcement of the guest list.

……

Yanjing East Third Ring Road, top floor of Park Hyatt Hotel.

When Gu Yang pushed open the ebony door inlaid with gilded patterns, he was greeted by the aroma of agarwood mixed with white wine.

The clubhouse features a modern Chinese design, with three glass palace lanterns hanging from a six-meter-high dome. Light shines through layers of crystal prisms, casting shimmering ripples on the dark gray marble floor.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling window on the right, the lights of Yanjing City cascade like a galaxy.

On the left wall hangs a genuine ink painting by Wu Guanzhong, its brushstrokes free and unrestrained, like dragons and snakes swimming.

Five beautiful figures emerged from behind the screen.

"Director Gu, I've long admired your name!"

The woman walking at the front was in her early forties, wearing a Chanel tweed suit, and her pearl earrings swayed gently with her steps.

It was Cai Yinong, the head of Tangren Film and Television.

To get a sense of her appearance, you can look at how Liu Shishi looked after he gained weight in middle age.

Four leading actresses stood scattered behind her.

Chen Yao wore a cherry print dress from Miu Miu's early spring collection, her porcelain-white calves faintly visible beneath the tulle skirt.

She has a naturally baby face, and her chestnut curly hair is piled up loosely on her shoulders, making her look like a red queen who has stepped out of a fairy tale.

When Gu Yang's gaze swept over her, she subconsciously curled the ends of her hair with her fingers, which were painted with cherry-colored nail polish.

The girl who brought Yue Qiluo to life in "Wu Xin: The Monster Killer" was surprisingly nervous at this moment.

Hu Bingqing opted for a conservative CELINE suit and trousers, with white gold cufflinks gleaming coldly on her wrists. She stood upright like a ballerina, her black hair meticulously tied back, which made her lightly made-up face appear even more aloof.

Li Landi's outfit is very student-like, with light blue denim overalls and white sneakers.

The presence of Gulinazha at the very back made the air in the entire room seem to stagnate.

She wore a peacock blue velvet gown from Etro, with a V-neck design that revealed her delicate collarbone, and a thin silver chain around her waist that made her figure look stunning.

Between her slightly wavy black hair, the Bulgari Serpenti earrings resembled small snakes coiled on her earlobes, flicking their tongues as she tilted her head slightly.

What's most captivating are her eyes, which take on an unusual amber hue under the light, reminiscent of goddesses in ancient murals from the Western Regions.

"President Cai, I've heard so much about you!" Gu Yang nodded slightly and stepped forward to shake her hand.

Then his gaze passed over her and landed on the four actresses behind her.

Cai Yinong understood and first led him to the head seat: "Come, let me introduce you to our Tangren..."

"No need," Gu Yang interrupted, a smile playing on his lips. "I know these people very well."

He first turned to Chen Yao: "The second season of Wu Xin: The Monster Killer just finished airing, and the scene where Yue Qiluo eats candied hawthorns," he gestured with a candied hawthorn skewer, "I watched it several times."

Chen Yao's ears turned red instantly, and her fingers unconsciously twisted the cherry print on her skirt.

"Bingqing's 'The Legend of Dugu' is currently airing." Gu Yang nodded slightly to Hu Bingqing. "The scene where Prajna turns evil, the change in her eyes shows great skill."

"Lan Di's 'Hello, Old Times'..." Before Gu Yang could finish speaking, Li Lan Di had already stood up with the book in her arms and bowed: "Hello, Director Gu! I'm your fan!"

Everyone laughed.

Gu Yang's gaze finally settled on Gulnazar, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes: "As for this one..."

He paused deliberately for a moment, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Then Sister Zha." He emphasized the word "Sister" with a hint of teasing.

"I watched the final episode of 'Fighter of the Destiny,' and Xu Yourong's crying scene at the end..." Gu Yang narrowed his eyes slightly, and under Na Zha's slightly nervous gaze, he suddenly changed the subject, "I think she acted very well."

Naza froze on the spot, her beautiful amber eyes widening slightly. What does this guy mean?
That crying scene was ridiculed by netizens as "expressionless acting," and even her fans had to admit it was her weakness.

And now, this man, whom her ex-boyfriend called "despicable and shameless," is actually praising her in front of everyone?

That bastard used his ultimate skill right up to my face!

I'm so angry!
Naza's slender fingers unconsciously clenched the hem of her skirt, creating wrinkles in the peacock blue velvet fabric.

She secretly sized up the man in front of her, the man her ex-boyfriend hated so much.

A tall and straight figure, a well-defined profile, and those smiling eyes...

? ? ? ? ?

Where was it despicable?
He's undeniably...incredibly handsome!
"What? Senior sister doesn't believe me?" Gu Yang swirled the champagne glass in his hand, the ice cubes clinking together. "I specifically selected that scene as a teaching case."

Na Zha's red lips pursed slightly, and the earring on her earlobe swayed gently as she tilted her head: "Junior brother is so good with words..."

She suddenly picked up her glass and downed it in one gulp. "No wonder my ex-boyfriend said you're the biggest liar."

The air in the private room froze instantly.

Cai Yinong's smile froze on his face.

Can't this old lady even think before she speaks? I should never have brought her along!
Each and every one of them was a source of worry for her.

Liu Shishi, the former top female star of Tangren Media, was blind to choose an older man and left the company.

The company's current top female star is Nazha.

But this girl is even more of a worry for her.

Naza is arguably one of the most disliked female celebrities in the entertainment industry.

Since her debut, she has been plagued by various scandals and rumors of being a mistress.

In 2015, during a program with Xie Na, Xie Na asked me whether she should be called Na Na or Zha Zha.
She joked, "They call me trash! My fans all call me trash!"

This broke a man's heart, and he subsequently did something that shocked the entertainment industry.

To protect his woman, Zhang Han directly used a photo of them kissing at a train station to officially announce their relationship!
As a result, netizens offered no blessings whatsoever, and their criticism only intensified!
The main force behind this is, of course, Zheng Shuang's fans.

Zhang Han's thought process is quite peculiar. He had only broken up with Shuangzi a few months ago, and his fans were already unhappy with him.

He also made a special announcement on Zheng Shuang's sixth anniversary.

This is truly a case of going all out at point-blank range, stirring up a hornet's nest!
He wanted to protect his woman, and his protection almost caused fans to criticize him so much that he forced her to leave the entertainment industry. He even turned off comments on his Weibo account, afraid to open them.

Anyway, the two were entangled for nearly two years, but with the release of Zhang Han's "East Eight District" in the first half of the year, they were plunged into a slump and officially broke up.

Gu Yang should also have some credit for this...

Cai Yinong was about to smooth things over, but Gu Yang didn't seem to care at all.

He leaned slightly forward and whispered in Nazha's ear, in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Then what does Senior Sister think..."

His warm breath brushed against her ear. "Did I fool you?"

Nazha's face instantly turned red, and she stared blankly at Gu Yang, speechless.

Are all young boys these days so brave?
"I've long heard that Director Gu has a sharp eye," Cai Yinong said, personally pouring a glass of Burgundy white wine and handing it to him. "Seeing him today, it's clear that even our humble work is looking rather awkward."

Amid the clinking of crystal glasses, Gu Yang smiled and said, "President Cai is joking. It's just that Tangren's star power is too dazzling, and I was momentarily blinded."

The two started chatting casually, and the conversation gradually deepened from the seemingly relaxed tone.

When the waiter brought out the fifth course, lobster baked with black truffle, Cai Yinong finally got to the point: "I heard that Director Gu has absolute say in Penguin's 'Peach Blossom Village' and 'Women's Detective Club'?"

“President Cai is well-informed,” Gu Yang said, gently prying open the lobster shell with a silver fork, “but the platform ultimately takes the lion’s share…”

“Let’s not beat around the bush.” Cai Yinong suddenly pushed a tablet over, on which was a project proposal. “Tangren is going to release ‘Dream Back to Qing Dynasty’ next year, but the female lead hasn’t been decided yet.”

"I hope that Tangren can strengthen its cooperation with Xinghe!"

Cai Yinong was helpless; Tang Ren's current situation was not optimistic.

Since its listing on the National Equities Exchange and Quotations (NEEQ) in 2016, Tangren Film & Television has not completed any financing in the two years since.

It's very likely they'll be delisted this year!
Moreover, the company is facing a massive wave of contract terminations.

Liu Shishi, Lin Gengxin, Jin Chen, Jiang Jinfu...

If it weren't for Brother Hu and Nezha holding things together, the company would have almost dissolved.

Despite the company's attempts to promote emerging talents like Li Landi and Chen Yao to the forefront, the results have been dismal.

Li Landi struggled to break through with her mediocre red carpet performances and limited resources, while Chen Yao, despite being heavily promoted, failed to establish market influence.

So, she recently set her sights on Gu Yang's new variety show.

Gu Yang was also thinking to himself that cooperation was not impossible; it was just a matter of a few spots.

Moreover, Tangren focuses on producing TV dramas, which gives them more options for their actresses.

However, his idea was to send Natsu to the Women's Mystery Club.

What great publicity!
But, I wonder if Reba and Naza will actually fight?
(PS: Happy Dragon Boat Festival, guys!)
(End of this chapter)