Huayu: Starting with Rejecting 00s Actresses on a Dating Show

The next day, at six o'clock in the morning.

Tan Wen dragged a sleepy-eyed Zhou Ye to the recording studio.

Wang Churan had already arrived. Tan Wen handed Zhou Ye over to Chen Yao, and then went with Wang Churan to the observation room to wait.

Wang Churan leaned against the wall, swinging her legs and humming a little tune.

Tan Wen asked with some surprise, "How come you're completely different from yesterday? You're not nervous at all."

Wang Churan raised her chin at Tan Wen: "It's all because of you. You've raised the actors' mental threshold so high. It would be unreasonable for me to be nervous."

"What the heck?"

"You even dare to criticize the director, how can I possibly be nervous?"

"Well, it seems my criticism of Guo Jinming yesterday did have some merit."

Wang Churan snorted: "Did you know? Starting with the recording of the next episode, the actors will be performing live on stage after rehearsals."

There are no retakes. Even if you slip up or make a mistake, it will still be broadcast. It takes real skill to stay calm under pressure.

Tan Wen: "That's just how stage actors are, what's there to be nervous about?"

Wang Churan: "Hey, I haven't found anything that could make you nervous yet. I'm wondering if you're not nervous because you don't care."

"Or maybe I'm just very confident!"

······

Around 6:30, all the actors gathered together.

A somewhat well-off man walked into the observation room.

"Good morning, everyone. I'm your host, Sha Yi."

Everyone stood up and applauded in welcome.

"My Own Swordsman" became a hit across the country, and his portrayal of Bai Zhantang also gained considerable popularity.

Later, he participated in a variety show, and the hashtag #HeartacheForShaYi# trended on social media for several days.

He experienced a career resurgence, and since then, he has been inundated with film offers.

He greeted the actors warmly, whether they were famous or unknown, showing them the same enthusiasm without showing favoritism.

Tan Wen also shook hands with him.

"Alright, everyone, please sit down. Then, Duan Bowen and Ren Rongxuan, please step forward."

A boy who wasn't particularly good-looking and a girl who wasn't particularly good-looking got up and walked out.

"Have you memorized your lines?" Sha Yi asked.

The two nodded.

"Okay, let's start with Duan Bowen." Sha Yi handed him the microphone, and the camera was shoved right in his face.

Duan Bowen took the microphone, took a deep breath, and said, "I am actor Duan Bowen. I have never studied acting, but I am here to win the championship."

The crowd looked at each other in surprise, unsure whether to applaud or not.

Sha Yi calmly handed the microphone to Ren Rongxuan.

Ren Rongxuan also took a breath: "Hello everyone, I am Ren Rongxuan. Some of you know me, and some of you don't."

People probably know me because of my famous older sister. I'm here to shed that label.

"Alright, thank you both for your hard work." Sha Yi gestured for the two to sit back down.

The camera then shifts to the two actors sitting together.

One of the actors looked puzzled: "Who is Ren Rongxuan's sister?"

Another actress: "Sister of S.H.E. Ren Jiaxuan".

"Oh~"

"Okay, thank you both for your hard work." Sha Yi smiled at the two of them.

Tan Wen probably understood; it was somewhat similar to a "threat-making" segment, and it turned out that this segment was also part of the show's planning.

Wang Churan looked speechless. "That's kind of awkward."

"Be careful what you say, or the production team might edit your words into a comment about another actor."

Wang Churan covered her mouth in fright and glanced around nervously.

Sha Yi waved to everyone, indicating that the show was about to start and he was going to host it.

Shortly after, the large screen in the observation room lit up, and the entire recording site appeared on the screen.

The three mentors, Chen Kaige, Ning Hao, and Guo Jinming, have already taken their seats. In addition, there are two special guests, Li Chengru and Wang Xun.

There were also several hundred audience members present, who served as the atmosphere-maker.

At 7:00 AM sharp, the recording of the program officially began.

Sha Yi started hosting, and to be honest, he did a pretty good job, probably because he has a host wife.

First up was Chen Kaige's group: Mingdao and Chen Nuoxuan.

The big screen began playing clips of their performance from the TV series "The Thunder".

During the screening of clips from "The Thunder," the camera would occasionally cut to the faces of the directors and special guests.

Their expressions weren't particularly good, indicating they weren't very satisfied with the performance.

Mingdao seemed quite relaxed, occasionally patting Chen Nuoxuan on the shoulder to offer encouragement.

After the video recording finished playing, it was time for the comments section.

Guo Jinming said very seriously:

"Your performance is theatrical and doesn't fit the film and television scene. I think the two actors first need to overcome one thing: the vanity of acting."

Mingdao and Chen Nuoxuan looked puzzled, wondering what he was trying to say. Wang Churan and Yu Xiaotong both looked at Tan Wen, because Guo Jinming had said the same thing to him yesterday.

He seemed quite satisfied with that line, Tan Wen thought to himself with a sneer.

In the end, Chen Nuoxuan got Chen Kaige's A card and officially entered Chen Kaige's group, while Mingdao didn't even get a B card and entered the waiting area.

Mingdao gave Chen Nuoxuan a generous hug, and as he left, everyone stood up and applauded, a scene that was quite poignant.

The director smiled slightly, thinking that the topic would naturally arise after the show aired.

The next group to appear is Tan Wen and his group.

The lights were a little too bright, so Tan Wen squinted.

He could clearly hear the gasps of surprise from the audience below the stage.

"Who is this guy? He's so tall and handsome."

"Wow, his skin is as white as the girl next to him, it's practically reflecting light."

"Quickly search for this guy and see what works he has done before."

The mentors could naturally hear the comments from the audience. Chen Kai smiled and looked at Ning Hao, saying, "I'm really looking forward to his performance."

Ning Hao: "I believe he won't let you down, Director Guo, right?"

Guo Jinming forced a smile but did not respond.

After Sha Yi said some perfunctory words, the clips recorded by Tan Wen and the other two began to play.

Wang Churan became nervous again, while Yu Xiaotong confidently held her head high.

As the music started playing, Tan Wen glanced at the expressions of the mentors out of the corner of his eye, and then he noticed that Chen Kaige's brows were furrowing deeper and deeper.

Ning Hao occasionally closed his eyes and shook his head, while Guo Jinming was completely focused, carefully watching the short film.

Tan Wen sneered inwardly; everything was just as he had predicted.

The playback ended, and the room was very quiet.

"Ahem." Sha Yi stepped forward. "Director Kai, please give your feedback on this performance."

Chen Kaige was considering how to phrase it more politely.

Guo Jinming broke with the rule that directors shouldn't be the first to evaluate their own work, raising his hand and asking, "May I say a few words first?"

Seeing that the other judges shrugged, Sha Yi gestured to Guo Jinming to invite him to join them.

Guo Jinming immediately said, "Wang Churan, you are actually very beautiful, especially in this short film. I really like your performance."

Wang Churan was stunned. Guo Jinming had berated her yesterday, calling her nothing. Was this a case of split personality?

Guo Jinming continued, "Yu Xiaotong's performance was excellent in its details, and she portrayed the character's personality very well. I am very satisfied with it."

Yu Xiaotong excitedly stood on tiptoe.

"As for Tan Wen, his performance was so-so, but he was a drag on the whole production."

My suggestion is that you need to find a way yourself. You should look for a continuing education course or a good teacher, the kind who dares to tell you you have no talent for acting.

Wang Churan glanced at Tan Wen with some concern. She knew Tan Wen was being targeted. Yu Xiaotong chuckled inwardly, thinking, "Serves you right for showing off."

Tan Wen listened calmly, wanting to hear what interesting things Guo Jinming would say.

"Excuse me, I'll interrupt for a moment," Ning Hao said, stopping Guo Jinming's long-winded speech. "Let me say a few words."

"Please go ahead," Sha Yi gestured for them to proceed.

Guo Jinming pursed his lips and sat back down.

Ning Hao said directly, "Sigh, it's hard for me to comment. The actors were struggling to perform, and it was very difficult for me to watch. It's like I didn't watch anything at all."

This isn't just a matter of acting skills; the scene and the script are also problematic. Furthermore, Tan Wen, I had high expectations for you, but you haven't expressed anything in this work.

Guo Jinming's face was ashen. The reason he spoke first was that he hoped everyone would be more considerate when commenting and give him some face.

Chen Kaige also spoke up: "To be honest, your performance was a failure, especially Yu Xiaotong. You have many weaknesses."

You can't even control your facial expressions properly; your acting skills have deteriorated considerably.

Yu Xiaotong swayed, and tears streamed down her face.

Wang Churan was a little annoyed. Shouldn't this be my role?

Sha Yi asked Li Chengru, "Professor Chengru, what are your thoughts?"

Li Chengru rolled his eyes, his expression one of extreme pain:

"I feel like I'm sitting on pins and needles, like I have a fishbone stuck in my throat. Is this what young people today are watching? High school students dating?"

Then I have to ask, if things continue like this, what kind of education are this generation of young people receiving?

After hearing this, Yu Xiaotong sniffled and cried even harder, much to Tan Wen's annoyance.

Guo Jinming immediately retorted: "I think that before expressing an opinion on anything, one should at least understand what it is."

You said our play is just about love and romance, but that's not true. It's the first novel in China to seriously discuss school bullying.

You may dislike things you don't like, but please allow them to exist.

After Guo Jinming finished speaking, the loudest applause since the start of the recording erupted from the audience, and Guo Jinming looked smug.

Li Chengru frowned, wanting to refute, but he found that Guo Jinming's words made sense and he couldn't refute them. He remained silent, feeling somewhat frustrated.

Tan Wen knew that Guo Jinming was once again using grand principles that no one could refute to cover up the most fundamental problem.

At this moment, Yu Xiaotong suddenly spoke up: "I'm sorry, mentors, I ruined this work. But please rest assured, I came here to challenge myself, and I will..."

"No..." Tan Wen finally couldn't hold back and interrupted him: "You came here to challenge others. If you want to challenge yourself, go home and challenge yourself in front of the mirror."

After speaking, to everyone's surprise, he looked at Guo Jinming and said, "Director Guo, I don't quite agree with your rebuttal of Professor Cheng Ru's point of view..."