Ling Yichen, a modern movie star, unexpectedly transmigrates to the ancient entertainment industry after an accident. Reborn, he is determined to rewrite his destiny.
In a theater troupe, he ...
As the premiere date drew ever closer, Ling Yichen and Jun Moran grew increasingly anxious. Although they had overcome numerous hurdles in post-production, the entertainment industry is a stage where competition is never just about the work itself; the tide of public opinion can propel a drama to its peak or plunge it into the abyss.
A week before its premiere, the production team released the first trailer as planned. The trailer, featuring a mysterious ancient world, fantastical time travel, and the actors' superb performances, instantly captivated audiences. Within just a few hours of its release, the video garnered over a million views, and the comment section was quickly flooded with enthusiastic fans and netizens.
"Wow, these special effects are amazing! It feels like a whole new world has opened up for me!"
"The male and female leads' acting looks amazing, I can't wait to see the full movie!"
However, amidst the widespread praise, some discordant voices quietly emerged. A blogger claiming to be a seasoned theater critic published a lengthy article raising numerous questions about the trailer. He argued that the blend of ancient and modern settings was too bold and might lead to a chaotic plot and a loss of dramatic logic. "This kind of incongruous innovation is merely for attracting attention; it's unlikely to achieve any real artistic breakthrough." This article sparked widespread discussion online, causing some viewers who had initially been excited about the play to begin to waver.
After reading the article, Ling Yichen and Jun Mozhan couldn't help but feel some apprehension. However, they knew that public opinion could change rapidly, and a hasty response might only provoke greater controversy. They decided to calm down, observe the direction of public opinion, and at the same time accelerate their promotional efforts, responding to the doubts with more high-quality content.
The production team began releasing behind-the-scenes footage, showcasing the hardships and efforts involved in filming, as well as the meticulous preparations made to achieve a fusion of ancient and modern elements. From the exquisite craftsmanship of set construction to the repeated refinement of special effects, from the actors' arduous rehearsals to the meticulous craftsmanship of sound effects and music, each clip demonstrated the team's sincerity to the audience. These clips generated a strong response online, with many viewers moved by the team's professionalism and leaving comments expressing their support.
"I didn't realize there was so much effort behind this drama. It was really not easy. I believe it will definitely be a masterpiece!"
"After seeing these behind-the-scenes clips, my anticipation for this drama has skyrocketed! I can't wait for the premiere!"
However, just as public opinion was beginning to improve, a sudden "internet troll" storm plunged the production team back into the eye of the storm. Numerous accounts of unknown origin posted negative comments online, accusing the production team of plagiarizing other works, pointing to similarities between the plot and special effects and other well-known films and television shows. These negative comments spread rapidly like a virus, severely impacting the show's reputation.
Upon learning of this, Ling Yichen and Jun Moran felt incredibly angry and aggrieved. They knew this was a deliberate smear campaign, but they couldn't find any concrete evidence to refute it. To clarify the facts, the production team urgently held a press conference. At the press conference, Ling Yichen solemnly declared: "Our drama is the result of countless days and nights of meticulous creation by the entire production team. Every detail embodies our hard work. The so-called plagiarism accusations are completely unfounded. We are willing to accept any form of scrutiny to prove our innocence."
Jun Mo Ran added, "From the very beginning, we have been committed to creating an innovative and unique work that blends ancient and modern elements. It is a bold exploration of theatrical art. We respect the hard work of every creator and hope that everyone can respect our efforts as well."
Despite the production team's strong response at the press conference, the online trolls' offensive continued. Some marketing accounts, seeking attention, continued to hype the issue, making the public opinion situation increasingly severe. At this critical moment, some celebrity friends who had consistently supported the production team stepped forward to speak out in support of the drama. They shared their anticipation for the series and their trust in Ling Yichen and Jun Moran on social media. Inspired by the celebrities, many fans also spontaneously joined the ranks of those supporting the production team, engaging in heated debates with the online trolls.
Amidst this media storm, Ling Yichen and Jun Moran remained unaffected by the negative emotions. They knew that their work was the best response. They decided to focus their efforts in the final days before the premiere on final optimization and polishing of the entire series, ensuring it was presented to the audience in its most perfect form.
However, just one day before the premiere, another unexpected event occurred. A cooperating television station suddenly announced a change in the show's broadcast time, postponing the prime-time premiere to late at night. This news shocked and angered the entire production team. Ling Yichen and Jun Mo Ran immediately contacted the television station to inquire about the reason. The station stated that the recent last-minute adjustments to some popular programs had led to changes in the programming schedule. But Ling Yichen and Jun Mo Ran suspected there might be other reasons behind this, perhaps related to the recent public opinion storm.
Faced with this unexpected situation, Ling Yichen and Jun Mo Ran found themselves in a dilemma. Accepting the television station's adjustment would undoubtedly have a huge impact on the show's ratings; however, refusing might create conflict with their partners and affect subsequent broadcasts. After careful consideration, Ling Yichen decided to have a final negotiation with the television station. He explained in detail the show's creative background, preparation process, and the public pressure it faced, hoping the station could understand the crew's hardships and maintain the original broadcast time.
Thanks to Ling Yichen's efforts, the television station finally agreed to reconsider the broadcast time. After tense coordination, the station ultimately decided to restore the premiere time of the drama to prime time, but at the same time required the production team to increase publicity before the broadcast to make up for the impact caused by the public opinion storm.
After a series of twists and turns, the premiere day finally arrived. Ling Yichen and Jun Mozhan stood backstage at the television station, their feelings a mixture of complex emotions and nervousness. Looking at everything meticulously prepared for the premiere on stage, they were filled with anticipation, yet also a touch of fear. They didn't know what kind of reception this work, the culmination of countless people's hard work, would receive after its broadcast. Would it win the audience's love and recognition as they hoped, or would it be drowned in the tide of public opinion? Everything was about to be revealed, and they could only await their fate with trepidation.