Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 364, Part 362: The Victory Banquet in Turmoil (Part 1)

September 15, 2001, 5:30 p.m., Hilton Hotel, Beijing.

The autumn sunset bathed the Jingxin Building and the adjacent Hilton Beijing Hotel in a warm golden glow.

A huge red banner hangs above the hotel's main entrance, proclaiming, "Warm congratulations to 'Kung Fu Soccer' for surpassing 200 million RMB at the mainland box office and 500 million RMB at the global box office!" It sways gently in the autumn breeze.

The red carpet that had already been laid out in front of the door was crowded with media reporters from all over the country.

Long lenses and short lenses were set up, and flashes began to flicker impatiently, tearing the twilight into patches of white light.

More movie fans and onlookers were kept outside the cordon by security personnel, craning their necks in anticipation, their noise rising and falling like waves.

Inside the hotel, the "Kunlun Hall" banquet hall on the second floor was already brightly lit.

This is one of the Hilton's largest and most luxurious banquet halls, capable of accommodating nearly a thousand people at the same time.

At this moment, the hall was filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and bustling noise.

The enormous crystal chandelier refracted a dazzling light, reflecting off the smooth, mirror-like marble floor and the golden wall lamps adorning the walls.

The air was filled with a complex blend of perfume, cigars, and gourmet food—an atmosphere of extravagance befitting success and power.

On the backdrop of the main stage in front of the banquet hall was the iconic poster of "Shaolin Soccer"—Stephen Chow in an exaggerated pose, leaping through the air to kick a soccer ball, with the astonishing numbers "200,000,000+" and "500,000,000+" marked in dazzling special effects font, creating a strong visual impact.

Although the tragedy that shocked the world two days ago cast a shadow over the globe, forcing the planned celebrations to be postponed and toned down, most of the people gathered in the Kunlun Hall at this moment were beaming with barely suppressed excitement and joy.

Within this specific circle, the commercial miracle created by "Shaolin Soccer" is enough to temporarily dispel the gloom of the outside world.

……

Although the formal media interviews were simplified, the red carpet entrance for important guests remained an indispensable ceremony.

When Wang Sheng, general manager of Shengying Media, appeared at the end of the red carpet, the atmosphere instantly reached its first climax.

He was alone, without any female companions, dressed in a well-tailored dark bespoke suit, with an upright posture and steady gait.

Compared to his naivety when he first started out a few years ago, he now exudes an undeniable air of authority and the composure of someone who has long held a high position.

He didn't linger on the red carpet. Facing the flashing lights and media calling his name from both sides, he simply nodded slightly and gave a perfectly timed smile before quickly walking into the hotel, surrounded by his assistant and security.

Even so, wherever he went, he still attracted the attention of the entire audience.

Everyone knows that the real protagonist of today's grand event is not the star on stage, but the young man who controls everything behind the scenes.

Following closely behind was Han Sanping, vice chairman of China Film Group.

He arrived with several colleagues from within the system, exuding a powerful aura and walking with a brisk pace.

Facing the camera, Han Sanping displayed the composure and affability characteristic of people in the political and business world, occasionally pausing to nod and greet familiar media.

His presence alongside Wang Sheng silently reveals the two core forces supporting the prosperity of "Shaolin Soccer" and even the current Chinese film market: enterprising private capital and state-owned giants who control distribution channels.

Next, the star of the night, Stephen Chow, the soul of "Shaolin Soccer," finally made his appearance.

He appeared somewhat tired, but was in high spirits, his signature smile carrying a sense of relief and satisfaction.

His appearance triggered the loudest screams and camera shutters on both sides of the red carpet.

Stephen Chow's hard work and perseverance finally garnered an unprecedentedly huge response in the mainland market.

……

What truly put the media in a film shortage was the lineup of celebrities who followed closely behind.

The first to arrive were the only three female artists signed to Shengying Media's artist management department, who were also the "Three Beauties of Shengying" who were most talked about by Wang Sheng.

Li Xiaoran wore a champagne-colored floor-length gown, looking elegant and poised.

She graduated from the Beijing Film Academy's Class of '97 a few months ago.

Wang Sheng did not. He is currently a first-year graduate student. The halo of being a student, or rather, this somewhat orthodox identity, helped him pass many checks smoothly.

Returning to Li Xiaoran, as the only female lead in "Kung Fu Soccer," she now boasts the halo of being a "200 million yuan box office heroine," and her value and status are no longer what they used to be.

She smiled and calmly faced the camera.

Gao Yuanyuan chose a refreshing lake-blue knee-length dress, with exquisite makeup and a touch of shyness and sweetness unique to artistic young girls in her eyes.

She rose to fame across Asia with "First Love" and was hailed as "the nation's first love," and tonight she remains the focus of countless cameras.

She seemed to be in a good mood, smiling sweetly at the camera.

But a careful observer might notice that her gaze often unconsciously follows Wang Sheng's direction.

Fan Xiaopang's appearance was even more impactful.

She wore a bright red dress, her makeup was radiant, and she exuded a powerful aura.

With the wildly popular "My Sassy Girl" that swept across Asia, she has become an undisputed international rising star. She makes no secret of her ambition and pride, striking various confident poses in front of the camera. In her eyes, there is both satisfaction with her success and a subtle, almost imperceptible, scrutiny of her two "sisters" beside her.

These three women, each with a distinct style yet equally dazzling, are not only the face of Shengying Media, but also the focus of continuous attention both inside and outside the industry due to their enigmatic relationship with Wang Sheng.

Every time they appear together, it sparks countless speculations.

Of course, aside from the inevitable gossip surrounding celebrities, there was absolutely no concrete evidence, which had nothing to do with the fire at several newspaper offices.

The Sheng Ying Group has many branches and vines; who knows what they might be.

……

In contrast, Enlight Media has a much larger roster of artists, almost making up half of the new generation in the Chinese entertainment industry.

As for the male stars, Huang Xiaoming, dressed in a white suit, looked sunny and handsome. With his simple and honest character in "Postmen in the Mountains" and his affectionate senior role in "A Little Thing Called First Love", he has firmly established himself as a leading man.

Deng Chao, dressed in a stylish casual suit, with a simple and honest smile, debuted with "My Sassy Girl" and immediately became a representative of the new generation of idol actors.

Wang Zhiwen's arrival sparked a murmur within the industry.

He was dressed in a dignified dark gray Zhongshan suit, exuding a reserved and understated air.

With his role as Yu Zecheng in "Lurking", he won the Feitian and Magnolia Awards for Best Actor this year. He also starred in "The Proposal", which grossed over 100 million yuan. He has successfully transformed from an "art film god" into a top actor with both critical acclaim and box office appeal.

His decision to sign with Enlight Media is widely seen as a clear signal that he is moving closer to Wang Sheng and Shengying Group.

Huang Bo, on the other hand, wore a low-key black suit, his smile revealing a shrewdness beneath his honest demeanor.

From his stunning debut in "Happy Family" to his subsequent roles in numerous films and television dramas, he has established himself as a leading male actor with unparalleled personal charm.

……

On the female side, Enlight Media also boasts a galaxy of stars.

Cecilia Cheung's appearance was quite meaningful. She wore a black lace dress, with exquisite makeup and a cool and elegant demeanor.

As the champion of the first "Super Girl" competition, she was heavily promoted by official media and received preferential treatment from Hong Kong entertainment circles, making her a top star among the new generation of female celebrities in Hong Kong.

Insiders privately referred to her as "Wang Sheng's mistress." Many Hong Kong filmmakers were able to get in touch with Wang Sheng and obtain tickets to the celebration banquet from Cai Yinong through their collaboration with her.

She walked the red carpet alone, her smile for the camera was standard, but it carried a hint of aloofness.

Li Bingbing chose a smart white pantsuit, which made her look dashing.

Her starring role in "The Proposal" made her the first Chinese actress to star in a commercial film that grossed over 100 million yuan, successfully propelling her into the ranks of top-tier actresses.

She chatted and laughed with Wang Zhiwen, Huang Bo and others beside her, clearly having fully integrated into this core circle.

In addition, Enlight Media also has Huo Siyan, who rose to prominence with her role as "Xian'er" in "Crossing the Guandong". She obediently followed behind Li Bingbing.

Besides them, there are more than a dozen second- or third-tier actresses who rose to fame thanks to the resources of Sheng Ying Group and signed with Enlight Media; and more than a dozen second- or third-tier actor who rose to fame thanks to the resources of Sheng Ying Group and signed with Enlight Media.

This massive team fully demonstrates the formidable strength of Enlight Media under Cai Yinong's leadership in the field of artist management, and also confirms the strategic success of Wang Sheng's strategy of building an entertainment empire by reverse-engineering resources through content production.

……

Another striking feature of the red carpet was the presence of filmmakers from Hong Kong Island.

Xu Ke arrived with his wife, Nansun Shi, smiling broadly at the cameras, but his eyes betrayed his disappointment at the box office failure of "The Legend of Zu" and his anticipation of meeting the new "financial backer."

The Xiang couple from China Star made a low-key appearance. Mrs. Xiang held her husband's arm, smiling warmly, and quickly entered the venue after briefly greeting the media.

Universe Entertainment boss Lin Xiaoming, director Wen Juan, Liu Weiqiang, Wang Rui, and others also made appearances, directly showcasing the trend of "Hong Kong entertainment circles moving north" to the world.

……

In addition to film and television industry partners, such as Zhao Benshan, Wang Sheng's partners from other fields also attended the event.

Pony Ma, Tencent's CEO, appeared somewhat shy in an ill-fitting suit. Accompanied by Zeng Liqing, he quickly entered the hotel, unwilling to linger in the media spotlight.

Ma Yun from Hangzhou, on the other hand, was completely different. Wearing his signature sweater and with a bright smile, he actively interacted with the media on the red carpet, even stopping to briefly answer questions about the integration of e-commerce and the cultural industry. He was just as popular as any celebrity.

Jung Tae-won, who came from South Korea, is particularly noteworthy.

He not only attended the event himself in formal attire, but also brought three currently popular actresses from South Korea: Son Ye-jin, who rose to fame with "Autumn in My Heart," is pure and sweet; Han Ga-in, who became famous for her beauty shortly after her debut, has a fresh and elegant temperament; and Kim Hee-sun, who once had a one-night stand with Wang Sheng and has firmly established herself as a top star in South Korea with dramas such as "Bubble Love," is bright and beautiful.

The arrival of these three Korean stars not only highlighted the increasingly close working relationship between Jung Tae-won and Wang Sheng, but also added an international touch to the celebration banquet.

……

Jackie Chan, who was stranded in Beijing due to the "Night at the Museum" project, made his final appearance and immediately stole all the attention.

Rush Hour 2's box office in North America was dozens of times more frenzied than Shake Soccer's box office in China, and Jackie Chan's international popularity was at its peak.

In addition, there were some "special guests" who did not make a public appearance but were already seated in the hotel's private rooms—people from the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, other factions of China Film Group, relevant departments in Beijing, and even other ministries.

(End of this chapter)