Chapter 294 aired (6,000 words update)
Liu Zhiyin was drenched in sweat from practicing her dance.
During the break, she wiped her sweat with a towel and went to drink water.
The assistant said, "Lu Yanhe is trending on social media again."
Liu Zhiyin was somewhat surprised and asked, "What's the reason this time?"
"It's an interview he did during filming of 'The Days of Youth'," his assistant said. "This is the fourth time he's been trending on social media this week."
Liu Zhiyin nodded, "He's been talking a lot lately."
The assistant said with a smile, "Sister Zhiyin, how about we create some topics to discuss as well?"
Liu Zhiyin looked at herself in the mirror.
After so many years of training, she has a graceful and sexy figure with a shapely body, which is often praised by fans.
Rather than manipulating topics, Yoo Ji-eum is actually more familiar with this way of working hard to prepare a stage and shine on it.
However, the domestic entertainment industry does indeed attach great importance to topics and the "popularity" of artists in the online environment.
Liu Zhiyin has felt this strongly during her year back in Korea. Compared to the idol artist industry model she was familiar with overseas, there are no well-established and complementary job opportunities in China.
Her agency is even helping her choose scripts, wanting to send her to film crews to act.
Liu Zhiyin doesn't dislike acting, but she's unfamiliar with the format. Because she lacks a regular stage and plans to release an album, it seems like every job she does is just draining her existing popularity. There's hardly any work to boost her career. While her fame is indeed growing, she hasn't attracted many genuine fans.
Many partners who have worked with Liu Zhiyin share a common opinion about her: they feel that her style doesn't fit the Chinese entertainment industry; she's too honest and takes things too seriously.
This is also because Yoo Ji-eun rarely appears on reality TV shows; she usually appears on games or interviews.
She doesn't quite know how to create "effects" on a "reality show," and her personality isn't really suited to producing "effects."
The assistant said, "Lu Yanhe is so popular now, why don't you, Zhiyin, try to get to know him better on the show?"
In the first episode, Yoo Ji-eun didn't have a particularly outstanding performance, though it was much better than in other shows. She's usually perceived as overly ambitious, too driven, and exhausting on other programs, but in "Young Days," where most of the other participants were characterized as "lazy and unwilling to work," this trait actually became her defining characteristic.
Liu Zhiyin shook her head and said, "I don't want to create buzz for others, and those buzzes he generated weren't created through hype."
The assistant shook his head, "These days, there's no such thing as a topic that can go viral without hype; there's always marketing behind it."
Liu Zhiyin knew that what she said might be true, but deliberately marketing certain topics and finding materials that everyone is interested in to market are two different things.
-
"Sister Zhiyin is so thin now."
During the second recording of the show, Xiao Yun hugged her arm, looking envious and jealous, saying, "Sigh, I've gained several pounds."
“I see that Sister Zhiyin often posts photos of herself in the rehearsal room, practicing dance every day,” Lu Yanhe said. “Why don’t you move around more too?”
Xiao Yun: "How dare you say that to me? You haven't exercised since you finished filming 'Phoenix Terrace'."
Lu Yanhe: "I don't like to eat as much as you do."
Xiao Yun: "...Ah!"
She screamed angrily.
The others burst into laughter.
Liu Zhiyin laughed heartily, patted Xiao Yun, and said, "Dancing is a lot of fun, you should really try it."
“If I could dance with these limbs, I wouldn’t be an actress,” Xiao Yun said earnestly. “When I was little, my mom sent me to learn dance. A week later, the teacher told my mom that people should choose a path that suits them and not waste time on a path that doesn’t suit them.”
She had a look of utter despair on her face.
Everyone burst into laughter again.
Liu Zhiyin suddenly thought of something and looked at Lu Yanhe and the others, "You guys must be pretty good dancers, right? I saw in a report that you used to be in a group."
Lu Yanhe pointed at Yan Liang and said, "He dances the best, he really dances well. As for the dance leader, I'm just an average student who tries hard to keep up and not hold anyone back. Li Zhibai is the worst. Of course, he dances better than me, but he's just lazy and unwilling to practice."
Liu Zhiyin nodded.
"Are you guys going to record another program later, a program specifically for idol stage performances?" Lu Yanhe asked.
Liu Zhiyin: "Yes, I know that Li Zhibai and Yan Liang will also be going, right?"
"Yes," Yan Liang nodded, "the stage is being prepared."
Li Zhibai suddenly remembered something, "Then we can collaborate on a stage performance."
Lu Yanhe said disdainfully, "Forget about it. Knowing you as I do, you can't keep up with Sister Zhiyin's training intensity at all. Yan Liang is alright."
Li Zhibai said arrogantly, "My stage presence is top-notch."
Liu Zhiyin said with a smile, "We can discuss it later."
Song Linxin looked at Lu Yanhe and asked, "You didn't participate?"
Lu Yanhe shook his head and said, "I have a lot of classes this semester, plus I have to prepare for the filming of 'Friends,' so I don't have any plans to record this show for the time being. But I should be able to perform on one or two stages. The production team contacted me. Since it's a show that's planned to run all year, there's no rush to finish recording it in one or two months. If I have time later and prepare a good stage, I will still go. After all, I also debuted as an idol artist. Although my skills aren't that great, I still have a heart that wants to create a good stage."
He asked Qin Zhibai and Song Linxin, "Have you received invitations to the show?"
"I've received the offer, but I'm still hesitating," Song Linxin said. "I can only sing, I can't dance. My manager and I are worried that a stage where I can only sing won't be very advantageous in that program, since it's a competition."
Qin Zhibai nodded in agreement with Song Linxin's words.
This is indeed a concern for many artists.
If it's not a traditional idol artist's performance stage, other forms of works can easily be overshadowed by a stage with an explosive atmosphere.
If they rank low, it gives the public the impression that they are really not as good as others.
"The main reason is that there has never been a program in China where established idol artists compete on the same stage, and we don't know what this program will be like," Yan Liang said.
“There was never anything like this before,” Li Zhibai said. “Usually, it was just a proper stage performance at a gala.”
Liu Zhiyin said, "Now I do get invited to perform at some music festivals."
“Music festivals used to mainly feature niche and avant-garde music, but now they’re becoming more and more diverse,” Peng Zhixing said. “I used to go to all sorts of music festivals, a lot of them.”
Qin Zhibai: "I've been to music festivals before, and the atmosphere there is great."
Song Linxin nodded and said, "The atmosphere at the music festival is really great. I can always sing to my heart's content at the music festival."
“When performing on a stage at a gala or something, the music isn’t the key element,” Peng Zhixing said. “The atmosphere at a music festival is all about the music, and the audience there is basically there for the music. That feeling is definitely different.”
Lu Yanhe turned to Li Zhibai and Yan Liang and whispered, "Have you two been to a music festival?"
Both of them shook their heads.
None of the three of them are known for their singing skills. On the contrary, after Lu Yanhe's "Remembering" became a minor hit, he received many invitations to music festivals. Perhaps they felt that the song was more in line with the tone of music festivals, being youthful and campus-like. However, at that time, Lu Yanhe was preparing for the college entrance examination and turned them all down.
Later, probably because Lu Yanhe's acting skills became more widely known, he didn't receive many singing offers except for some gala events.
Even the director of "Little Song Gathering" never contacted him again.
Liu Zhiyin said, "I'm not too brave to perform at music festivals like this."
"Why?" Everyone looked at her in confusion.
Liu Zhiyin said, "Because I was in a girl group before, we all performed together on stage, and I basically didn't have any solo songs. Also, after I returned to Korea, the copyright issues weren't handled very well, so I couldn't sing many songs. Therefore, my current performances are basically just covers of other singers' songs. Music festivals are more about originality, and I always feel that it's strange to always sing other people's songs at music festivals."
As Lu Yanhe listened to Liu Zhiyin recite this song, he inexplicably sensed a hint of inferiority and heartache in her words.
He is usually such a hardworking and ambitious person.
Xiao Yun asked in confusion, "Didn't your company buy songs and release singles for you?"
“I’m also collecting songs, but since I’ve only been back for a short time, if I really want to put together a good album, it will take at least a year or two to come out. I have to work hard so that people won’t forget me.” Liu Zhiyin sighed as she spoke. “Actually, recording the show with you guys is the most relaxing time for me. It seems that only when I’m recording the show with you guys are there fewer people criticizing me.”
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.
That's a bit hard to respond to for some reason.
Lu Yanhe immediately added, "Because this is the first program you recorded after returning to China, the audience doesn't know you yet. As they get to know you better, they'll realize you're a very good person, and there won't be so many misunderstandings about you."
Song Linxin laughed and said, "Sister Zhiyin, how about I write a song for you?"
"Huh?" Liu Zhiyin was taken aback, then looked at Song Linxin with some surprise. "Really?"
Song Linxin nodded.
Everyone knows that Song Linxin can write songs.
However, Song Linxin usually sings the songs she writes herself and has never written songs for others.
Upon hearing Song Linxin's words, Lu Yanhe suddenly remembered that he had promised to write a song for Li Zhibai and Yan Liang each.
They're both going to record "Idol Era" soon, so giving them this opportunity would be a good chance for them to perform a new song on the show.
-
Yuming experienced an autumnal change almost overnight.
Lu Yanhe sneezed before he even realized what was happening when he woke up.
It was a very loud sound.
Mao Jiayang came back from his morning run, and his breath was all white vapor.
Lu Yanhe wrapped himself in the blanket, sat on the bed, still sleepy, and asked, "Is it cold today?"
Mao Jiayang nodded and said, "The temperature has dropped; it's only about ten degrees now."
Lu Yanhe: "No wonder I feel cold."
Mao Jiayang asked, "Do you have classes in the morning?"
“I have classes.” Lu Yanhe said with a pained expression. “I really regret choosing so many elective courses at eight o’clock in the morning.”
Mao Jiayang laughed.
What time did you go to sleep last night?
"Twelve o'clock." Lu Yanhe yawned as he spoke. "So much homework."
Mao Jiayang: "Just hang in there a little longer and winter break will be here."
"Two more months, right?" Lu Yanhe yawned again, this time he was really awake.
It's only November now.
Winter break will start in early January.
Mao Jiayang: "The courses will gradually come to an end in December."
“That’s true,” Lu Yanhe said. “However, I also need to start filming ‘Friends’ in December, so there’s still a lot to do.”
Mao Jiayang: "I see that the cast for 'Friends' hasn't been finalized yet? I saw a media report yesterday saying that you guys are casting."
"We are still casting actors," Lu Yanhe said. "Because it's a sitcom, rather than looking for actors with exceptional acting skills, we prefer to find actors whose personalities are similar to the characters, which will make filming much smoother."
Mao Jiayang didn't know anything about acting, so he nodded when he heard Lu Yanhe say that.
Lu Yanhe got out of bed and asked, "Why are you up so early today too?"
Mao Jiayang said, "Because I had to accompany Xiaoxiao to film something."
What are you filming?
"She's making a documentary about a breakfast shop; it's an assignment for her photography class."
"Journalism students need to learn photography?"
"Hmm," Mao Jiayang said, "It's still a required course, and we also have to learn editing."
Lu Yanhe changed his clothes, picked up his schoolbag, and went to the cafeteria.
There weren't many people on campus, making it seem like many hadn't gotten up yet, but once you entered the cafeteria, it was bustling with activity, unlike a chilly morning.
Lu Yanhe bought a bowl of beef noodles and was looking for a place to eat when Wang Xiao suddenly waved at him from the crowd, "Yanhe!"
He gestured to the other side of him that there was an empty seat.
Lu Yanhe smiled and walked away.
"It's been a while since I've seen you," Wang Xiao said.
Lu Yanhe said, "I'm either teaching, recording shows, or doing other work. I've been very busy lately."
"I was wondering why. I used to see you at school all the time, but I haven't seen you for the past two weeks. I thought you were too embarrassed to go out because of the voices online."
"It's not that serious, how could it be?" Lu Yanhe smiled. "Besides, it's actually not that bad. When I go online now, I see that most people still support me."
Wang Xiao hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
"What's wrong?"
"Everyone supports you, but they're still not optimistic about the success of 'Friends.'" Wang Xiao hesitated for a moment, then asked, "What are your thoughts on taking on a show that's only broadcast exclusively on one TV station?"
Lu Yanhe: "There are many reasons. Taking all aspects into account, we are willing to give it a try. If the broadcast results are not good, then so be it."
Wang Xiao said, "Aren't you afraid of failure at all? If the ratings are bad, your reputation will be ruined too."
“How could I not be afraid?” Lu Yanhe said. “But I think it’s okay even if we fail. They want to use this kind of broadcast format. I think it’s nothing for a sitcom that is broadcast weekly. If it’s not broadcast weekly, not only eight episodes, or not a sitcom, I might mind a little and might not film it.”
Wang Xiao was somewhat surprised and asked, "Is there any difference between them?"
“Because the connections between each episode of a sitcom aren’t particularly strong. It’s not like the kind where one episode leaves you with a mystery and the next episode solves it. It’s more like a few fixed people performing different short skits. Once a skit is over, that’s it,” Lu Yanhe said. “If the first episode airs and everyone thinks it’s good and gets that impression, then the following week, if they’re free, they can sit in front of the TV and watch the second episode. It’s not long, just twenty minutes. I think the format of Friends is well-suited for exclusive broadcast on television.”
"Wouldn't that be more suitable for broadcasting on video platforms?" Wang Xiao asked.
"Maybe, but according to the algorithms of video platforms, it might not really become a hit," Lu Yanhe said. "First of all, if it's broadcast on both TV and online, most people who are interested in the show will choose to watch it on video websites. And the absolute number of viewers interested in sitcoms is not as large as that of other genres. I don't know if you watch shows or how much you watch, but in the current environment, one is that sitcoms haven't had a hit in a long time, and no platform will be optimistic about them and give them good promotional resources. The other is that shows with more episodes have an advantage on video websites because they can retain users and increase viewing time. We only have eight episodes, and it's broadcast weekly, and it's only twenty minutes long. The already small number of viewers means we are at a disadvantage in terms of the number of users, viewing time, and new memberships that video platforms can contribute. So, it's better to have it broadcast exclusively on TV. Maybe that can turn things around."
After hearing Lu Yanhe's explanation, Wang Xiao had a look of sudden realization. "So that's how it is."
Seeing Wang Xiao's look of sudden realization, Lu Yanhe quickly said, "This is just my own judgment, it may not be correct. Don't think it's really like that. I don't know if it's right or wrong. Maybe when this drama airs, it will prove that I was wrong and that it's not like that at all."
Wang Xiao: "It sounds reasonable to me. Whether it's right or wrong, as long as you didn't make the decision casually, it's fine. I thought you were being fooled."
Lu Yanhe was both amused and exasperated, and asked, "Is this really that absurd? You think I've been fooled?"
Wang Xiao: "You can't blame me for this. Almost no one understands this approach."
Lu Yanhe: "That's because people don't know that this drama was designed from the beginning to try this approach, so the production cost was kept very low. Given the average ratings of Beijing TV, and the fact that it will definitely be sold to video websites after it finishes airing, it's basically impossible to lose money."
Wang Xiao nodded.
Wang Xiao suddenly laughed and asked, "How about you bring the cast and crew of 'Friends' to our Youth Association's forum for a sharing and exchange activity before the show airs?"
"Huh?" Lu Yanhe was taken aback.
Wang Xiao said, "At least it can be used for some publicity."
"Forget it, they're all college students, they don't even have TVs, they're not our target group," Lu Yanhe said.
Wang Xiao: "Who do you think you are? You're all college students who are about to go home for winter break. Every family has a TV."
He added, "Also, didn't you see all these TVs in the cafeteria?"
Wang Xiao looked up and gestured to the televisions hanging on the walls and pillars in the cafeteria.
This is usually where they broadcast the news.
Wang Xiao said, "I'll help you get things sorted out at several school cafeterias. You can bring them to the Youth Association for exchange activities. I'll make sure your show, 'Friends,' airs on every public TV in the school during its broadcast time."
Lu Yanhe looked at Wang Xiao in surprise, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.
Finally, he smiled sincerely and said, "Senior, after knowing you for so long, I finally truly understand how lucky I am to have met you."
-
Phoenix Terrace arrived just as promised at this time.
The release date was set a week before the broadcast.
Subsequently, Lu Yanhe received a notification from the production team to cooperate with their promotional activities. He attended the press conference in Yuming and also connected online with the main actors to share some interesting stories from the filming period and promote the drama.
Phoenix TV is top-tier.
This kind of show may lack staying power, or it may receive great reviews, but it will definitely not flop—this is the biggest difference between a TV series and a movie.
Basically, for dramas with high viewership, the only possibilities are good reviews or bad performance; there's no such thing as good broadcast numbers or bad performance. They're generally all pretty good.
Especially for those shows with terrible reviews, you'll find that their viewership numbers are completely inversely proportional to their reputation.
The more fiercely they criticize, the better the broadcast goes.
At first, Lu Yanhe thought it was just that capitalists were rich and buying data at a high rate, but later he slowly realized that it was not such a simple matter.
Lu Yanhe played a supporting role in "Phoenix Terrace".
Because Lu Yanhe's status has risen soared in the past six months. Although he was originally cast as a supporting actor in "Phoenix Terrace", the production team gave him the status of a special guest lead actor when the show was officially broadcast.
Lu Yanhe thought it was Chen Ziyan who made the request on his behalf, but Chen Ziyan said that she had not bothered the production team about this matter.
Chen Ziyan is an agent who sees further than Lu Yanhe; she wouldn't get bogged down in such trivial matters as Chen Lingling's drama.
Then Lu Yanhe realized that this was Huang Cheng returning the favor, expressing gratitude for Lu Yanhe's previous silence during the Lang Xia and Chen Wenwen incident.
Because "Phoenix Terrace" was broadcast on Beijing TV, Lu Yanhe also went with the crew to a popular program on Beijing TV to promote the show.
Lang Xia did not appear.
It is said that the production team deliberately removed him from the publicity team, not wanting his personal affairs to affect the public opinion of the show.
The first episode of "Phoenix Terrace" achieved a respectable 0.645% rating on Beijing TV—the drama that followed it only managed a 0.424% rating for its finale.
That's why every platform is vying for these S+ level dramas.
The viewership data for "Phoenix TV" on video websites is even better.
Within an hour of its release, it garnered over five million views, making it a potential hit.
Starting tomorrow, I will move my daily update time to 8:00 AM. This way, I will have more time to write until I reach the point I want before updating.
Everyone, please check back every morning at 8 AM. There won't be one tomorrow morning at 8 AM; it will start the day after tomorrow. It will be updated now, tomorrow morning at 8 AM.
(End of this chapter)
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