Entertainment: Starting from joining Kugou Video

Chapter 165 Yang Chaoyue, Queen of Jingjue

The secretary from Alibaba Literature handed over a report: "President Tang, China Literature Group just released an internal notice announcing plans to launch its own free reading app, Feidu Novels, in the future." They're starting to imitate us.

Tang Lou smiled.

"Imitation?" He shook his head. "They're always imitating, while we're always innovating."

He looked out the window and said softly, "This is just the beginning. Short dramas, AI-generated content, the entire IP industry chain—my strategy is only just beginning to take shape!"

Hangzhou, Alibaba Xixi Campus.

At 8:30 a.m., an internal email to all employees exploded like a bombshell within Alibaba's Digital Media and Entertainment Group: "After deliberation by the Group, it has been decided to appoint Comrade Tang Lou as Co-President of Alibaba Digital Media and Entertainment Group, and concurrently as:

The positions of Vice President of Alibaba Literature, President of Candy Short Drama Business Unit, President of Coolcat Video, and President of Coolview Entertainment are effective immediately.

Fifteen minutes after the email was sent, the corridor outside Tang Lou's new office was already packed with people.

"The president of four departments, overseeing literature, short dramas, long videos, and feature films all by one person?" A director at the film and television production center pushed up his glasses, his voice filled with disbelief. "That's an enormous amount of authority!"

"Is it big? Let's take a look at what Tanglou has accomplished since joining Coolcat."

"KuMiao Video now far surpasses the other major platforms in terms of both monthly active users and number of members."

"Alibaba Literature's free novels are a stroke of genius, completely subverting the current online literature industry."

"As for the newly added short drama division, it is yet another pioneering move by President Tang to lead the industry."

"A man of Tang's caliber will inevitably become the leader of our entire Alibaba Digital Media and Entertainment Group sooner or later. Giving him these powers is just a transitional measure. I believe that in a few years, Tang will be able to take over Yu Yongfu's leadership position."

Besides the praise within the company, it also caused a sensation outside.

Headlines from major financial and entertainment media outlets:

21st Century Business Herald: "One person in charge of four helms, Alibaba Digital Media & Entertainment opens the era of tenement buildings".

""

Entertainment Capital: "With over 30 employees managing billions in business, can Tanglou become Alibaba's content savior?"

Huxiu: "In-depth analysis: Why did Alibaba put a young person in charge of literature, short dramas, long videos, and feature films simultaneously?"

Professor Chen Shaofeng, Vice Dean of the Institute for Cultural Industries at Yenching University, believes that Alibaba's move is a do-or-die strategy. The traditional content production model (with literature, film, and artists operating independently) can no longer keep up with user demands. The goal of Alibaba's "Tanglou" (a large Alibaba cultural and entertainment company) is not simply to manage four departments, but to create a comprehensive content ecosystem. If successful, this will be a paradigm shift in China's cultural and entertainment industry; if it fails, Alibaba's entertainment division may face structural adjustments.

The president's office in the Tanglou building.

Shen Yan came to Tang Lou to discuss future development.

"Are you under a lot of pressure?" Shen Yan's gentle voice rang out. "I think you've already seen those reports outside."

""

"The tallest tree in the forest is bound to be felled by the wind. Now that you've reached such a high position, countless people are watching you from below."

"Most of them are malicious, waiting for you to make a mistake, waiting for you to embarrass yourself."

"From now on, every move you make at work will be scrutinized and magnified, so be prepared."

"Your task is not just to create a variety show, shoot a movie, or build a short drama app. Since you are in charge of four business units, you need to lead all of them to achieve perfect performance."

"Perfect timing! This time, with all power in your hands, you can unleash your full potential and create a brand new content ecosystem."

"Tang Lou, all your subsequent attempts will be a concrete manifestation of Alibaba Digital Media & Entertainment's strategic plan for the next ten years."

.

"Therefore, you must have succeeded before. If you fail, then our entire entertainment strategy will need to be readjusted."

"President Yu has high hopes for you. If you succeed this time, you can smoothly join the Alibaba Digital Media and Entertainment Group leadership team, and succeeding President Yu in the future will not be a dream."

In front of Tang Lou, Shen Yan felt that he was past his prime. With Tang Lou around, he no longer had the ambition and drive to become the head of Alibaba's entertainment division. All he could do now was protect and support Tang Lou.

With Tang Lou around, he only needs to play the role of an older brother.

Tang Lou was naturally very grateful for Shen Yan's trust and encouragement.

"Mr. Shen, don't worry, I will definitely do it."

In the following period, filming of "Candle in the Tomb: The Lost City" also entered a period of intense activity.

Zhongwei, Ningxia, the filming location for "Candle in the Tomb: The Lost City".

The surface temperature exceeds 50 degrees Celsius.

"Match 47, 3th time, Action!"

In the desert, the massive replica of the ancient city of Jingjue has been completed.

This was a 1:1 replica built by the production team at a cost of 4500 million yuan and over three months. It wasn't a green screen; it was made of real bricks and tiles.

The camera slowly zooms in.

Deep within the underground palace, the enormous stone coffin slowly opened.

Amidst the billowing smoke, a figure slowly sat up.

Yang Chaoyue was dressed in magnificent Western Region queen attire and wore a golden mask on her face.

The camera zooms in on her eyes, which hold the bewilderment of someone awakening from a thousand-year slumber, the imposing aura of a queen, and a hint of coldness that is not of human origin.

"Card!"

Director Wang Wei stood up from behind the monitor and clapped enthusiastically: "That was a wrap! That take was perfect!"

The audience erupted in applause.

Yang Chaoyue stood up from the stone coffin, and her assistant quickly handed her water and a fan.

She took off her mask, her face covered in sweat.

"Chaoyue, that look you gave me just now was amazing!" Pan Yueming walked over. "How did you come up with that?"

"Me," Yang Chaoyue said a little embarrassedly, "I was thinking, what would the world look like when someone wakes up after sleeping for a thousand years? It should be unfamiliar and wary, but not too fierce, because she is a queen and needs to be dignified."

This role was specifically assigned to Yang Chaoyue by Tang Lou. Although it was a role with very few scenes, the Queen of Jingjue is a very important symbol in the entire web series.

Her appearance is especially important; it must be stunning.

Yang Chaoyue was Tang Lou's chosen candidate for the Queen of Jingjue, and it has to be said that Tang Lou's arrangement this time was amazing.

Yang Chaoyue's time spent honing her skills on the stage has paid off.

That evening, the production team's official Weibo account released a 15-second behind-the-scenes video.

In the video, the scene where Yang Chaoyue awakens from the stone coffin is slowed down and accompanied by eerie background music.

Caption: "#Candle in the Tomb: The Lost City# A thousand-year dream, the Queen awakens. @Yang Chaoyue"

No one expected this behind-the-scenes footage to go viral.

Within an hour, it was forwarded over 10 times.

Within two hours, #YangChaoyueQueenofJingjue# climbed to the 7th spot on Weibo's trending topics.

Four hours later, it became the third most searched topic.

The comments section exploded: "Holy crap, is that Yang Chaoyue? Her eye acting is amazing!"

"I wasn't optimistic at first, but this clip is truly amazing!"

"The design is so beautiful! It has that mysterious yet dangerous feel!"

"I've become a fan after being a casual observer! Looking forward to the full episodes!"