I'm not mentally ill, I'm a master of a thousand faces!

Chapter 115, The Upcoming Release of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils

[Sending off character: Cao Zhengchun]

[Reward: Feminine Charm +10 (Can be turned on or off)]

[A sense of authority in a superior position +10]

Success and failure are fleeting; looking back, it was all for a full meal to repay the emperor's favor.

At this time, Li Yun also received his salary for playing Cao Zhengchun, a total of 20,000 yuan, which was the price after deducting taxes.

This amount of money doesn't really sound like a lot, does it?

But the price of a house in Beijing's Second Ring Road is just over 5,000 yuan.

So, all things considered, the pay seems pretty good.

It's at least better than the 10,000 or so a month in my previous life, which probably wouldn't be enough to buy a toilet in Beijing in my entire life.

Li Yun felt satisfied with the paycheck; at least it satisfied some of his tangible desires.

"By then, we'll have saved enough for a down payment on a house in Beijing, and we won't be rootless anymore."

At this moment, Li Yun rested his chin on his hand and smiled.

I'm still about 70,000 yuan short of the down payment.

It's very close!

at this time.

Before boarding the train back to Beijing, Li Yun took one last look at the city.

"Goodbye, Eunuch Cao."

The sun shines brightly, and the traffic flows endlessly.

You left.

I also need to move forward.

"By the way, why have you started liking steamed buns?"

"No, haven't I always liked eating steamed buns?"

"Really? I don't remember."

After returning to the capital, Li Yun and Jiang Chenggang had a welcome meal to wash away their dust.

Originally, Li Yun was going to eat dumplings, but he insisted on ordering a bowl of steamed buns made with old dough.

"Strange, I suddenly crave steamed buns." Although Jiang Chenggang was a little puzzled, he didn't dwell on it too much. After all, it's not unusual for people's tastes to change.

"Your 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' is about to be released."

At this moment, Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils has entered the publicity and distribution stage, and there is some pre-release promotion on major TV stations.

In particular, the pilot episode on CCTV has already been released, featuring the domineering Qiao Feng, the handsome Duan Yu, and the honest and simple monk Xu Zhu.

When they appeared in the pilot episode, their popularity was indeed quite high.

After all, it's a Jin Yong adaptation, which gives it a significant advantage over original scripts due to its popularity.

"This guy with the big beard really knows how to spend money. I watched the trailer and I was like, tsk tsk tsk."

"They are indeed willing to spend money, but they are reluctant to spend it on our actors," Li Yun joked. This big-bearded man is absolutely generous when it comes to filming locations. Saying that the scene is better than Hollywood would be an exaggeration, but it is definitely unique in China.

With the backing of CCTV, a major financial backer, they can be that arrogant.

"However, there are still some other voices in the media. Our newspapers and media outlets have suddenly started giving high-intensity coverage to TVB's nostalgia segment on Jin Yong's novels." Jiang Chenggang joked, "Maybe in the end, whether the 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' version by Big Beard is better or TVB's version is better will become a hot topic of discussion among these media outlets."

In this era, microblogs had not yet been invented, many portal websites were still in their infancy, and many discussions were actually between print media, such as newspaper publications.

However, these discussions in print media can still offer a glimpse into the bigger picture, since these media professionals are also viewers and can express their own opinions as such.

Li Yun had also seen the attitude of these media professionals.

Most people believe that TVB's version of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils is much more classic than the version starring Cheung Tai-Hui.

People's impression of Qiao Feng is probably that of a burly man from Northwest China who always carried a stereo system with him.

When Qiao Feng came out carrying the speaker, the unparalleled sense of security he felt was unmatched.

It's a sense of security that only Qiao Feng can provide.

The character's portrayal has been fixed.

Many have already concluded that TVB's adaptations of Jin Yong's novels are generally better than the current ones. However, there are also many supporters of Zhang Dahuzi's version of Jin Yong's novels, arguing that CCTV's financial power is undeniable. With such financial backing, it's hard to imagine the results being anything but good.

The media also highlighted the action scenes.

As one of the souls of martial arts dramas, the importance of action scenes is beyond doubt.

in this regard.

No one would question TVB's standards when it comes to action scenes; TVB's level is absolutely top-notch.

It was a film that couldn't afford outdoor shooting, but all the actors' stunts were top-notch.

One has the money to film on location, but the action scenes might not be as strong as those of TVB.

Which is good and which is bad, which is superior and which is inferior?

We'll have to wait until it airs to find out, but there's no denying that many people are paying attention to this TV series.

This work has absolute IP dominance in the martial arts genre.

The biggest advantage of big IP works is their wide popularity, but if they are poorly made, they can easily backfire.

Jiang Chenggang had also thoroughly analyzed this point with Li Yun.

Compared to their predecessors, if they are inferior, they easily become a laughing stock. Among them, Qiao Feng and Hu Jun probably faced the greatest pressure.

Li Yun also felt the same way, and still does now.

Even for Li Yun himself, when he thinks of Qiao Feng, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the man carrying a speaker; it has become an image ingrained in his mind.

"Southern Murong, Northern Qiao Feng, this wave of popularity is bound to be high. And your predecessor was Zhang Guoqiang."

Zhang Guoqiang's portrayal of Murong Fu in the 97 version is also a classic, even too classic.

After that, none of the roles or acting opportunities that Teacher Zhang took on were memorable—it's as if he only played one role in his entire acting career.

That one role is enough for an actor to benefit from for a lifetime.

Eat for a lifetime

The same applies to Kumārajīva.

TVB has created many classic characters. Although many people feel great pressure because of the excellence of the previous works, there are also many people who feel that being able to play this role is a victory. They don't have the ambition to surpass their predecessors.

This includes Jiang Chenggang.

If Li Yun can play Murong Fu, and if filming can be completed smoothly and the movie can be performed successfully, his status will be elevated. This is already a success, already a victory.

win!

As for surpassing the roles of their predecessors, aside from someone like Hu Jun who is already a high-profile figure and has great ambitions.

The others seem to be the same.

I don't have that kind of ambition.

That's the idea.

"Actually, I personally think that maybe we can even do better than our predecessors," Li Yun said, stroking his chin.

"It's good that you have this ambition."

At this moment, Jiang Chenggang smiled and said...

Of course, Jiang Chenggang was not questioning Li Yun's abilities.

The senior was simply too powerful; his image was so deeply ingrained that when Jiang Chenggang thought of Murong Fu, the image that actually came to mind was that of Teacher Zhang Guoqiang, just as when he thought of Qiao Feng, he thought of the man carrying the stereo.

Just like what those media outlets said.

Once a classic character has been created by a predecessor, and this character is etched in everyone's mind, it seems difficult for other characters to intrude.

Li Yun pondered for a moment.

I feel a little nostalgic for that Northern Murong.

The news of the broadcast of "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" is indeed rampant, and its popularity is gradually accumulating.

It has excellent predecessors.

There are also excellent original works.

The level of interest is unlikely to be low. Most of the media discussion, especially in newspapers, will likely focus on comparisons with its excellent predecessors.

Some people even think

"They're actually saying we're riding on the coattails of the TVB version? Are you kidding me? While we respect the achievements of the TVB version, we don't need to try and piggyback on its popularity," Zhou Liang of [Sea and Sky] angrily rebuked in the QQ group, clearly very angry.

Yes, the production team of "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" created a group chat, and Li Yun is in it.

Li Yun clicked his tongue in amazement. At this point in time, the QQ group feature hadn't been fully launched yet, but the premium members were already able to experience it ahead of time.

At this point, the idea that penguins could become stronger simply by spending money was already in its nascent form.

"What's wrong with riding the wave? Anyway, I think ours is no worse than the TVB version. Ratings are the most important thing, right? (laughs)" Yu Jian from [Blue Dream] also commented in the QQ group.

"I'm under a lot of pressure. I don't want to become the laughing stock of the audience." Hu Jun said that he was under a lot of pressure.

Looking at Hu Jun's QQ nickname, Li Yun was slightly impressed. He probably couldn't even type those words in pinyin. He never expected that Hu Jun had this embarrassing past.

The discussion in the group was very lively.

There are also quite a few divers.

For example, Li Yun.

For example, Liu Qianqian.

Wow! I just realized that Wang Yuyan in the 97 version was played by Li Ruotong!

Li Ruotong, the previous generation's "Fairy Sister," was the pinnacle of the Hong Kong-style fairy-like characters, and is also one of the characters in this "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" that many people have concluded is absolutely unable to surpass the previous work.

Wang Yuyan, the Little Dragon Girl, is an image that cannot be surpassed.

This time, the actress playing the role is none other than the relatively unknown "Liu Qianqian," who had only made a brief appearance in "The Story of a Noble Family" before.

Media outlets have described Liu Qianqian's Wang Yuyan and Li Yun's Murong Fu as "brothers in misfortune" in the new "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils".

Each of them features a classic character that is almost impossible to surpass in its predecessor.

It is completely incomparable.

but

Liu Qianqian is quite laid-back about this. After all, she has only been in the industry for a short time. Even if she can't beat Li Ruotong's fairy-like beauty, she is not discouraged. Her biggest advantage is her youth, and she still has plenty of opportunities.

Whether it surpasses or remains the same.

He has a very stable mindset.

At this moment, Liu Qianqian thought for a moment and sent a vibration to Li Yun.

"Brother Li, Brother Li, what are you doing~~~~~"

The last time we chatted was around the New Year.

Li Yun, whose profile picture has been grayed out for a long time, is now highlighted online.

Liu Qianqian also knew that Li Yun had been filming recently and hadn't been online on QQ.

"Getting ready to make steamed buns."

"Our 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils' is about to be released. I'm a little nervous."

"I'm not nervous."

"Why?! I'm so nervous!"

"Because I know my character is fine, I'm sure it will surpass the previous characters and win over the audience."

"whee."

Facing the confident Li Yun, Liu Qianqian thought for a moment and then spoke.

"I think so too!"

(End of this chapter)