The opening of China Entertainment Group gave Jay Chou a head-on confrontation

Chapter 895 Why are you the only one going against the grain in the industry?

It would be hard to find a man on the Chinese internet in 2005 who could garner such high attention for a long-form music video – after all, there were very few singers willing to shoot long-form music videos these days, and even Zhou Yi himself had never done so before.

"In the Name of the Father" doesn't count; that thing is essentially a music film, just released on DVD. It's being used by Zhouyi's core die-hard fans as irrefutable evidence that their idol simply doesn't want to act, not that he's incapable of acting.

The implications of these two things are worlds apart, especially after Sun Yanzi won the Hong Kong Film Award.

Once the logic of winning is established, it means that you cannot afford to lose, even if the comparison is with Sun Yanzi.

For "Unfortunately, If Only," the number of views on the first day of the music video was clearly not the limit.

"I'm dizzy from thinking about 20 minutes. I've been trying to process this for ages and I still haven't figured it out. How come you guys think it's so fast?"

"I downloaded it from the Warner Bros. website, and the download speed was so slow. Why did you guys finish watching it already?"

"The whole family of mobile operators gives birth without an anus!"

"QQ Music has also officially ended its internal testing and officially opened a special MV section. The first MV uploaded is Zhou Yi's 'Unfortunately, If'. The buffering speed seems okay."

"You're trying to trick me into downloading QQ Music again..."

Due to differences in broadband speed, region, and individual free time, the music video for "Unfortunately, If Only" is expected to see another surge in popularity in the coming week—after all, these days, over 5000 million netizens don't really have many choices when it comes to online video entertainment.

QQ Music has once again differentiated itself by leveraging its renowned "I Ching" brand. Its exclusive, exclusively-run, legally licensed music video section is unparalleled online, and user acquisition has surged rapidly from the very first day a music video is released.

While Tencent and Warner Music were celebrating, the other traditional record labels were left speechless. The fact that 430 million views were achieved on the first day left them somewhat breathless.

From a promotional standpoint, this effect has undoubtedly exceeded expectations.

Even if 430—no, 30—of the 10 million views on the first day are influenced to buy the Zhouyi album, people who have never bought it before will be influenced to do so...

Don't dare to think. Don't dare to think.

The more the executives at these companies thought about it, the more frightened they became, and the more they warned themselves not to pay attention. A sour feeling kept welling up inside them. Some of the more unscrupulous ones just hoped for a huge sales surge so they could blend in with the crowd.

At least this way they can have some comfort in their hearts.

"Have the analysis results come out yet? How is Zhou Yi's pre-release single?" As the Sony executive who knows Zhou Yi best, Chen Zeshan was immediately called to a meeting.

"With his current popularity, even if he were to release another song called 'Ghost' as the lead single, all the data would explode. Analyzing that is meaningless. What is worth paying attention to is his reputation in the mass market."

As a money-oriented believer who sees everything in terms of money, Chen Zeshan shook his head at the meeting and gave his answer: "Judging from the feedback on the first day, the song 'Unfortunately, If' is undoubtedly a success."

"Clearly, after his previous album 'Hush,' which went too far in terms of pop appeal, Zhou Yi has figured out the pop code of the Chinese music market..."

Although Zhou Yi's fifth Chinese album, "Hush," was criticized at the time for being too pop-oriented, Chen Zeshan believed that the album actually showed that Zhou Yi didn't understand the boundaries of pop music that the Chinese music market could currently accept.

So he wrote down all the song types he could think of that might be popular and drive market performance at once, which made him seem a bit overzealous.

Now, the release of the lead single "Unfortunately, If Only" has undoubtedly confirmed his thoughts.

Whether it's the theme, melody, arrangement, or lyrics, everything is geared towards creating a hit. In his view, the 20-minute long story music video is an enhanced version of "Fairy Tale," using tragedy and regret to make the lyrics of this song more touching.

Even the way the male and female leads in the music video are portrayed—they have mouths but don't speak, they suffer without doing anything, and in the end they miss each other—is similar to the story in "Fairy Tale."

In his view, this music video is a finished product that Zhou Yi is intentionally trying to replicate in his past hits.

"What do you mean by being as impressive as the music video for 'Fairy Tale'? Really? Don't lie to me."

"Really, why would I lie to you? Just go watch it yourself. Anyway, the music video is free. My girlfriend even cried while watching it."

At Xi'an Jiaotong University, Gao Hongzhong, strolling through the campus, was quite surprised to hear his friend's teasing: "What do you mean? Sun Yanzi is dead again?"

friend:"……"

What words!

What a word!

What makes you think I'm saying my idol is dead?!
If it weren't for our brotherhood, I would have punched you.

"Didn't the news report it all over the place? You forgot? It was a girl named Wang Likun. I must say, she acted really well. She actually managed to bring Zhou Yi to life."

Gao Hongzhong slapped his forehead: "Oh, I forgot about her."

This can't be blamed on him. The main reason is that Wang Likun had already gained a lot of exposure because of that one sentence from the I Ching—but she hasn't been able to produce any works to deepen the impression since then. Based solely on the photos exposed by the media, it's really not enough for him to remember her. At most, he'll know that there is such a person.

He is also very busy with his studies.

"Alright, I'm going to class now. I'll talk to you again after dinner tonight."

"Okay, I'm going out to use the internet."

Watching his good friend leave, Gao Hongzhong decisively ran out to find an internet cafe and opened a computer. There were obviously many students who did the same thing. Once they sat down, they were all basically watching the music video of Zhou Yi's new song, only the progress bars were different.

No matter how much criticism it receives or how many people dislike it, it's undeniable that the I Ching has become a fashionable item among contemporary college students.

"Isn't the background this time Peking University...?"

Instead of listening to the song first, Gao Hongzhong put on his headphones and went straight to the QQ Music platform. He found the eye-catching MV section, but there were very few songs in the library. The most eye-catching one was "Unfortunately, If Only" - when he clicked on it, the Beijing Dance Academy screen that appeared in front of him surprised him.

This year's video isn't a promotional video from Peking University's admissions office?
It’s rare.

On a dark and windy night, Zhou Yi, arm in arm with a man he didn't recognize but whose name was described as yellow-brown in the subtitles, raised his glass in a hearty drink—yes, outside the Beijing Dance Academy. The subtitles also indicated that the man was registered online under his real name and hadn't changed his name at all.

The two, clearly somewhat intoxicated, used Huang Zongze's former identity as a student of the Beijing Dance Academy to enter the campus and walk into the empty auditorium. It was after this scene that the piano melody of "Unfortunately, If Only" began to play for the first time.

Zhou Yi, whose shoes had been kicked off at some point, did not forget how to play the piano. With his eyes hazy with drunkenness, he played the intro to the song until the camera focused on Wang Likun, who had been drawn to the piano music and stayed on as a counselor after graduating from the Beijing Dance Academy.

Although he had already graduated, and even if he wasn't a student at the Beijing Dance Academy anymore, the good student played by Zhou Yi was clearly terrified of the teacher's role. Upon being discovered, he immediately stopped playing and hid.

Huang Zongze thus revealed his roguish yet handsome side.

"Damn! Zhou Yi's acting skills have really improved after acting in so many music videos. He can actually play an innocent young man without looking out of place?"

"The second male lead next to him is also good-looking, and he perfectly embodies the scumbag who cheats on his wife. Compared to him, I always feel that Zhou Yi's innocent character is just an act..."

"Upstairs, look at the reports from Hong Kong. This Huang Zongze is a super scumbag in real life. He was exposed by two ex-girlfriends last year."

"...Damn! You're just playing yourself, aren't you!"

"Those who say it's innocent, Zhou Yi's acting skills are not bad at all. Back in the day, didn't he make a cameo appearance as Li Bai in 'Pink Lady' and receive rave reviews? He just didn't want to act, it's not like he's bad at it."

"It's okay to fool others, but don't fool yourself too."

"Zhou Yiren is quite good; he's willing to give newcomers a spotlight in his long-form music videos."

"Wang Likun looks so good even without makeup, no wonder Zhou Yi said those things about her before..." If Zhou Yi's innocent male lead is too contrasting for the general public, making it difficult to connect with, then the appearances of the second male lead Huang Zongze and the female lead Wang Likun, along with their outstanding performances in the storyline, have made them rising stars brought about by this MV—

However, as the plot progressed, after Huang Zongze, that scumbag, cheated on his girlfriend and ended up in trouble, the heartbreaking love story between Zhou Yi, the pure-hearted male lead, and Wang Likun, who just couldn't talk properly, truly brought tears to the eyes of many female fans.

Zhou Yi knew he liked Wang Likun, and Wang Likun knew Zhou Yi liked her, but they just couldn't be together—step by step they tested each other, step by step they missed each other, and finally it all came together to a regretful ending.

"If we make the mistakes we can afford to make, and avoid making the mistakes we can afford to make, then it should still be time to repent."
"If everything hadn't been laid bare, that little commotion would have been laughed off."

"When it comes to emotions, what's the point of talking about self?"

"It's better to just get by than to live in the mundane."

Gao Hongzhong, who initially went there just to watch the spectacle, became increasingly silent as the show progressed, even forgetting to take another puff of his cigarette which was already lit up at his lips...

While others are watching a music video, he's looking in a mirror.

The reason the male and female protagonists in the MV missed each other was because they couldn't communicate properly—and the reason he broke up with his girlfriend of three years was also for the same reason.

"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have remained silent when I should have, and I should have been brave when I was weak."

"If it weren't for me, the misunderstanding that I was carefree would have made us sad."
"But what if we could start over, with you back then and me now...?"

In the music video, Zhou Yi plays the piano while uncontrollably weeping as he sings his heart-wrenching song in the center of the auditorium, each line piercing the heart of the viewer like a knife.

If time could be turned back, would he still choose to lie to his girlfriend when she questioned him?

If time could be reversed, would he still be swayed by emotions and get angry at his girlfriend who wanted a definite answer?

If everything could go back to the past...

"If only I had said what needed to be said properly that day, and had not been so insistent on what I should have understood."
"If I hadn't been swayed by my emotions that day, what would you have done?"
So many "what ifs"! Maybe if I could... but unfortunately, there are no "what ifs"!

"Only the result remains."

The clatter of keyboards and mice in internet cafes is always loud, but Gao Hongzhong felt utterly lonely as he took off his headphones. The memory of smoking, which he'd only picked up after his breakup, was rekindled by this song. He remained silent for a good three to five minutes before finally snapping out of his reverie and flicking away his cigarette ash…

Just like the song says: So many "what ifs", but unfortunately there are no "what ifs".

Because now all that's left is the fait accompli.

He had never bought Zhou Yi's albums before, he only listened to them online—because he felt that Zhou Yi was already so popular, he didn't need another one.

But now, because of this song, he has an urge to buy the album.

The soothing piano music struck his heart, making his lips, which were biting a cigarette holder, tremble.

"Boss, I'd like to order a CD of the I Ching."

"58 yuan each, or 108 yuan each, which do you want?"

"So expensive?"

Gao Hongzhong, who was buying an authentic Zhouyi album for the first time, was taken aback: "No cheaper ones?"

"The boxed cassette tape is 38 yuan, that's the cheapest price, do you want it?"

"...Okay, one box it is."

"Please register, and I'll let you know when the pre-sale starts."

"……okay."

Gao Hongzhong nodded; he understood the concept of pre-sales.

After completing the formalities, Gao Hongzhong, having paid the price for his impulsive actions, returned to his seat in the internet cafe. Intending to open a game, he clicked the icon several times but didn't click it. Instead, almost inexplicably, he opened various online forums to see how Zhou Yi's new song was being received.

"I've pre-ordered five CDs, and I'll give one to each of my roommates."

"Listening to this song is a bit too much, it reminded me of the past. Let's do a giveaway, the winners will be the ten people who reply with the most recent comment, and I'll give away a deluxe edition of the I Ching CD..."

"Send seven tickets..."

"deliver……"

Gao Hongzhong was dumbfounded.

The latest posts from several bloggers he frequently follows are all about their thoughts and feelings about the new song "The Book of Changes," followed by a giveaway of albums.

No, are all of you this rich?
Deluxe CDs are given away for free?
Am I the only poor guy who can afford to buy cassette tapes?

After casually participating in a round of giveaways on his blog, Gao Hongzhong, while browsing Tianya Tieba, finally found the kind of public opinion he was looking for—

"Just based on the quality of this title track, I'm buying it!!!"

"Buying Zhou Yi's album is the only thing you won't regret!!!"

"I originally thought he would produce a shoddy work with such a short time, but it turns out that he wouldn't write an album at all unless I pushed him a bit!"

"It sounds nice, but I don't see how it has to do with the album title 'Appreciation for All,' so I'm a little disappointed."

"The melody and lyrics get a bit tiresome after a while, but the music video is a big plus."

"It's exactly the same as the hit song style of last year's 'Hush,' it's a bit like formulaic songwriting, I don't know if it's because of the tight schedule."

"As long as it sounds good, that's all that matters. Besides, it's just one song, what's the rush?"

Zhou Yi's fan base is substantial, and while there are many positive reviews, there are also dissatisfactions, with some believing that Zhou Yi has not made any breakthroughs but has instead remained complacent and stuck in his comfort zone.

But none of this stopped the wave of songs sparked by "Unfortunately, If Only".

The album was officially released on December 31.

Driven by this immense popularity, "Appreciating Both the Refined and the Popular" directly broke four previous Chinese-language records previously held by the I Ching itself—

The music video garnered 430 million views on its first day, 1540 million views in its first week, 63 pre-orders for the album, and 128 million albums sold on its first day (including pre-orders).

On New Year's Day, January 1, 2006, "Appreciation for All" showed a clear upward trend, once again breaking the record for the highest single-day sales of a Chinese music album—710,000 copies (excluding pre-sales)!
This will shake the entire industry!
Record companies, led by the three giants Sony, Universal, and EMI, all raised a question mark: "?"

Not a buddy? !
Are you playing games?
Didn't your album career only sell two or three million copies before?

How come this year's sales volume in just two days is close to the volume of a previous career cycle?

Isn't the overall industry environment in a state of widespread decline?
Why does it feel like your record industry is on the rise?

Are we not on the same timeline?
(End of this chapter)