Huayu: A master director who debuted as a singer

Chapter 99 The Slow-Temperature Hong Kong Media

After signing that record-breaking contract that shook the entire Chinese music scene, PolyGram—or rather, Universal Music, which was about to be officially listed—showed extremely thoughtful hospitality.

Zheng Donghan personally instructed that Zheng Hui's accommodation in Hong Kong be arranged at the famous Peninsula Hotel.

This top-tier luxury hotel, located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, is known as the "Far East's Noble Lady".

From the floor-to-ceiling windows of the executive suite, the dazzling night view of Victoria Harbour unfolds before your eyes, with the Star Ferry leaving long trails on the shimmering water. Standing here, it feels as if you can stand on top of the entire Pearl of the Orient.

According to Zheng Hui's original plan, he intended to spend a few days in seclusion in this quiet and luxurious environment to think about what album to make next.

I stayed until April 10th, then went directly back to Macau to register for the Joint Entrance Examination for Overseas Chinese Students from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese, and then went back to Hong Kong to record songs. Now that I've signed with Universal Music, of course I'll choose a recording studio in Hong Kong, where the equipment is more advanced and better.

With two albums, I've established myself and no longer have to worry about musicians finding fault with me.

As for that Golden Melody Award, he didn't care at all. The press conference on May 1st was the main event; winning the award was just a stepping stone to build momentum for the press conference.

However, plans can never keep up with changes.

On the morning of April 5th, Zheng Hui was sitting at his desk in his suite, pondering the theme of his third album.

His phone vibrated, breaking his train of thought.

Zheng Hui frowned slightly, picked up his phone, and saw Zheng Donghan's name flashing on the screen.

"Good morning, Mr. Zheng." Zheng Hui pressed the answer button.

"Hui-zai, did I disturb you?" Zheng Donghan's voice sounded somewhat hurried on the other end of the phone.

"No, I was just aimlessly searching for a topic. What's wrong? Is there any detail about the contract that needs to be finalized?" Zheng Hui asked, puzzled.

"It's not a contract issue. The contract has already been sent to the legal department for the final process, so there won't be any problems at this time."

"It's your personal matter. The company's PR department has been getting a lot of calls these past few days, especially this morning."

Almost every well-known newspaper and weekly magazine in Hong Kong, and even the news departments of several television stations, are sending out interview requests, specifically asking to interview you by name.

Zheng Hui was stunned.

"Interviewing me? Because the new contract was leaked?" His first reaction was that the confidentiality of the 50 million signing bonus had not been done well. If that news was indeed leaked, it would be normal for it to cause a media frenzy.

"If it's a contract issue, that would be fine. We have a complete publicity schedule for that, and it won't be released before May 1st."

Zheng Donghan sighed: "It's not a contract, it's because the news that you applied to the Beijing Film Academy has reached Hong Kong."

"Beijing Film Academy?" Zheng Hui was even more puzzled. "What's so big about this?"

He never intended to hide this matter, but he also never thought it would elicit such a reaction from the Hong Kong media.

This story begins about two weeks ago.

In late February and early March, Zheng Hui personally went to Beijing to participate in the entrance exams for the Beijing Film Academy. He ranked first in the written exam, and his interviews impressed Xie Xiaojing from the Directing Department and Director Qian from the Literature Department.

On the day the art exam results were released, his name was prominently displayed at the top of the honor roll, which immediately caught the attention of several mainland reporters who were waiting at the scene.

After all, the name Zheng Hui is too popular right now. Although there are many people with the same name, the reporters, out of professional sensitivity, still went to the Beijing Film Academy's admissions office to sound them out.

The Beijing Film Academy had no intention of hiding anything; they were eager for the whole world to know that this rising star was someone they had their eye on.

He openly and frankly admitted that this was not only Zheng Hui, who sang "Floating Life," but also the patriotic singer from Macau who sang "Me and My Motherland" on the Spring Festival Gala stage.

The news caused quite a stir in the mainland entertainment industry. A top-tier singer whose cassette tapes sell millions of copies suddenly decided to apply to a film academy's literature department—that was quite a leap.

At the time, many mainland reporters surrounded Zheng Hui. Zheng Hui didn't want to waste time on this matter, so he had his agent, Li Zongming, give a unified and brief response to two mainstream media outlets.

The explanation was prepared in advance: during the process of preparing the album and shooting the music video, I became interested in the camera and the visuals.

Later, after reading film books written by senior figures at the Beijing Film Academy such as Zheng Dongtian and Xie Fei, I felt that my own knowledge was insufficient. This gave me the idea to study film literature and directing at the Beijing Film Academy, as a way of giving the public an explanation.

Mainland media were very satisfied with this answer, and coupled with Zheng Hui's extremely high national popularity accumulated from the Spring Festival Gala, the reports were mostly positive, praising him for being studious, humble, and ambitious.

The hype lasted for a few days, then gradually subsided.

Who would have thought that more than half a month had passed before this wind slowly blew across the Lo Wu border and reached Hong Kong?

Zheng Hui explained the time difference to Zheng Donghan, his tone full of confusion: "Mr. Zheng, this is old news from last month in mainland China. Why are the Hong Kong media only realizing it now?"

Cheng Tung-han explained over the phone, "Hui-zai, you still don't quite understand the current media landscape in Hong Kong."

"The Hong Kong media these days are so arrogant. They don't pay much attention to entertainment news in mainland China unless there's some earth-shattering case or a major scandal involving a Hong Kong superstar."

In their eyes, Hong Kong is the entertainment center of Asia, while the mainland is still a cultural desert.

Zheng Donghan patiently explained the barriers involved: "Your news was initially only published in mainland newspapers."

Hong Kong gossip magazines are always focused on popular celebrities' love lives and which actresses wealthy men are keeping as mistresses. They don't have time to read mainland newspapers.

Until yesterday, when a pro-mainland Hong Kong newspaper reprinted an interview with you in its supplement, along with a photo of your name on the Beijing Film Academy's honor roll, these paparazzi finally woke up to reality!

"Think about it, what is your net worth in Hong Kong now? With 'Floating Life' selling over a million copies and five Golden Melody Award nominations, you are already a true A-list celebrity."

"Such a cash cow, suddenly it's revealed that they're going to study in mainland China, and even applying to a film academy—how could these reporters not go crazy?"

After listening, Zheng Hui suddenly understood. Information dissemination channels were indeed limited in 1999. Internet portals were just starting out, and there was a time lag and information barrier between the two places for entertainment information.

"So what does the company plan to do?" Zheng Hui asked. Now that things have happened, they have to face it.

"There's no way to avoid it; paparazzi have probably already infiltrated the Peninsula Hotel lobby."

Zheng Donghan pondered for a moment: "My suggestion is that it's better to guide than to block; there's no need to act like a thief."

Since they want to ask, let them ask openly. The company will arrange a formal media conference for you at the Peninsula Hotel. You can then make your point clearly, and that will be the end of it.

"Okay, I'll follow your instructions." Zheng Hui replied without hesitation.

"Okay, then don't go anywhere today, just stay at the hotel. I'll arrange for the public relations department to set up the venue and screen the media."

Oh, and I'll also gather some of the tricky questions these reporters might ask, so you can have a general idea and be prepared.

"Thank you for your help, Mr. Zheng."

At 2 p.m., Zheng Donghan, accompanied by the director of PolyGram's public relations department, personally arrived at Zheng Hui's suite.

"Come on, Hui-zai, sit down and let's talk." Zheng Donghan sat down on the sofa without asking.

Zheng Donghan took out a stack of printed documents from his briefcase and placed them on the coffee table.

"These are the media inquiries that the public relations department just compiled. I've reviewed them carefully, and overall, the Hong Kong public is generally supportive of your studies."

Zheng Donghan looked at Zheng Hui with admiration in his eyes: "Hong Kong people are actually very realistic, but they also have some deep-rooted traditional ideas."

In their view, the entertainment industry is a corrupting influence, where many young singers rush out to make money before even finishing their studies. You, on the other hand, are already making a fortune, yet you're willing to settle down and go to university – that's the pursuit of knowledge.

Citizens generally have a favorable impression of young people who are willing to read. This helps enhance your sophisticated and positive social image.

Zheng Hui nodded; that was indeed true. In any era, a high level of education is always an excellent stepping stone in the entertainment industry.

"However, those reporters who stir up trouble even when there's no wind will never just ask you such a boring question as why you should study. They will dig deeper and steer the conversation in a different direction."

"What are they planning to ask?" Zheng Hui picked up the stack of documents.

"For example, regarding motivation, they will definitely ask, 'You are a singer who has already achieved great success in the Hong Kong and Taiwan markets. Why did you suddenly go to study in Beijing? Is it to use this as a springboard to completely open up the mainland entertainment market?'"

Some might even ask, "Isn't this a pledge of allegiance to the mainland authorities?"

When Zheng Donghan mentioned the words "pledge of allegiance," his tone became more forceful.

In 1999, less than two years after Hong Kong's return to China, Macau was about to return to China as well. The mentality in both places was extremely delicate, and any move related to moving north was easily labeled by the media as political or partisan.

"Or, regarding your choice of major, reporters might ask, why did you choose to apply to the Literature Department of Beijing Film Academy?"

If you want to study literature, don't the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, or even universities in Taiwan have better Chinese departments?

If you want to get into the film industry, although Hong Kong's film industry is declining, it is still the best in Asia. Why not learn from those big directors on set in Hong Kong instead of going to Beijing to study film theory?

Zheng Hui frowned slightly as he looked at the dense annotations on the document. These reporters were indeed sharp and ruthless. Every question was fraught with danger; a careless answer could offend some people.

To say it's for the market would seem mercenary; to say it's not for the market would seem hypocritical. To say Hong Kong universities are bad would stir up local sentiment; to say the Beijing Film Academy is good would be labeled as bootlicking.

"Mr. Zheng, do you have any suggestions?" Zheng Hui put down the documents and humbly asked for advice. Everyone has their own expertise, and when it comes to dealing with the Hong Kong media, Zheng Donghan is a master.

"Regarding the question of motivation, just use the same line you used in mainland China. Say you're interested in the camera, that you were inspired by books written by professors at the Beijing Film Academy. Don't mention anything about the market; reduce everything to a pure pursuit of art."

Zheng Donghan calmly analyzed: "As for why he didn't go to a university in Hong Kong or learn from a Hong Kong director..."

You could say that theory and practice need to be combined. You prefer the strong academic atmosphere of the Beijing Film Academy.

Hong Kong cinema is a highly commercialized, fast-paced industry. If you want to build a solid theoretical foundation in academia first, it doesn't hurt the pride of Hong Kong filmmakers; on the contrary, it shows your diligence.

"A perfect answer." Zheng Hui gave a thumbs up: "We'll do it your way."

"Then it's settled. Tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM, in the multi-functional conference hall on the third floor of the hotel. I've already had the public relations department send out invitations. Tomorrow's event will be quite grand, so you should get some rest tonight."

Zheng Donghan stood up and comforted him, "Don't be nervous. You're going to study, not to kill. Just answer honestly. The company is backing you up."

The next morning, at 9:45.

The Peninsula Hotel's third-floor multi-functional conference hall was already bustling with activity, and Universal Music's public relations team was strictly checking press credentials at the entrance.

Ming Pao, Oriental Daily News, Sing Tao Daily, TVB, ATV—almost all of Hong Kong's mainstream media were present, and even reporters from several Taiwanese media outlets stationed in Hong Kong could be seen.

At 10:00 AM sharp, the side door of the conference hall was opened.

Surrounded by Zheng Donghan and several security personnel, Zheng Hui walked onto the stage.

As soon as he appeared, the sound of camera shutters clicking incessantly from the audience was like a torrential downpour.

"Good morning, friends from the media. Thank you all for taking the time to attend Mr. Zheng Hui's media briefing."

The public relations director of Universal Music Hong Kong acted as the moderator: "We have limited time today, so please raise your hands to ask questions and don't crowd."

As soon as he finished speaking, dozens of arms shot up from below the stage, like a forest.

The public relations director selected a senior reporter from Ming Pao.

"Hello Zheng Hui, I'm a reporter from Ming Pao. Is it true that you've applied to the Beijing Film Academy? Your music career is currently booming, why did you suddenly make this decision?"

This question is a fairly friendly way to start a conversation.

Zheng Hui replied, "The news is true. I have passed the professional exams at the Beijing Film Academy and will next take the joint entrance exams for general education subjects. As for why, it's actually the same as what I said in an interview in mainland China before."

"In the process of producing the album and shooting the music video, I discovered that telling a story with the camera and telling a story with the melody are two completely different but equally fascinating experiences."

I don't want to just be someone standing in front of the camera being filmed; I want to master the language behind the lens. I've read the works of Zheng Dongtian and Xie Fei, and I long to go to that place that gathers China's best filmmakers to systematically study the art of film.

Immediately afterwards, a TVB reporter stood up: "Mr. Cheng, since you want to study film, why not study it in Hong Kong?"

Hong Kong's film industry is very mature. You could sing while learning from experienced directors on set. Wouldn't that be more efficient?

Zheng Hui smiled slightly; this was a question he had rehearsed with Zheng Donghan yesterday.

"The industrial efficiency of Hong Kong films is truly admirable, which is why Hong Kong films have become so popular throughout Asia."

But precisely because the pace is so fast, everyone is rushing to meet box office and release dates, and few people have the time to calmly explore the literary and theoretical foundations of the film itself.

He looked at the reporter and said sincerely, "I feel like I'm a blank sheet of paper. It's good to learn from others on set, but I'd rather first lay a solid foundation at the academy, stroke by stroke."

The Literature Department at Beijing Film Academy gave me the time and space to reflect and mature. Sharpening my axe before chopping wood is essential; only with a solid foundation can I avoid holding my seniors back if I have the opportunity to participate in Hong Kong film production in the future.

This was an exceptionally well-chosen answer. It praised the efficiency of Hong Kong films, highlighted the author's academic pursuits, and subtly expressed respect for Hong Kong's predecessors, leaving the Hong Kong media with absolutely no room for criticism.