I became famous in the entertainment industry by burning incense

Chapter 576 A Decision Concerning the Trainee's Future

the next day.

Jinli received a message from the group of trainee captains; the two had added each other on WeChat the night before.

The team leader said that after careful voting, they decided that if they could change their agent without any loss, they would prefer one who could better understand them.

Jinli replied simply and decisively with an "OK".

She said everything that needed to be said yesterday, and she wasn't surprised that the captain decided to change managers.

After all, judging from their expressions during yesterday's practice, they were very dissatisfied with this manager.

This dissatisfaction isn't about the agent's character; the real problem is the inability to communicate.

If communication fails, it can lead to many misunderstandings.

Under the belittling influence of their managers, the trainees began to doubt whether they would ever have a chance to succeed.

Jinli called Fangjie and told her about the conversation last night, and made a request to change their agent.

Sui Lingfang immediately said, "This is just a small matter. I can make a call and get it changed."

Their manager was indeed hired by the company this year, but he has an impressive academic background. He is a master's student who studied popular music abroad, which is why the president thought of entrusting the trainees to him in the hope that he could achieve some success.

If I had known that this manager was using a suppressive approach to trainees, I would have objected to the CEO. Newcomers should be encouraged more; exposing them to the harsh realities of the entertainment industry too early will quickly wear them down and destroy their spirit.

In the entertainment industry, it's unrealistic to become an overnight sensation.

Countless celebrities, internet celebrities, and organizations flock to it every day, but only a few can become overnight sensations and be known throughout the entire internet.
Most celebrities gain fame through years of hard work and dedication, proving themselves with one work after another.

Therefore, you definitely have to persevere in the entertainment industry; you can't succeed without it.

There's a right way to persevere. If you start telling newcomers in the entertainment industry that "you have no hope," "you have no chance," and "you can't compete with others at all," how are they supposed to succeed?
They were allowed to quit their jobs in less than a year.

Since the job prospects in this industry are so poor, it's better to switch careers as soon as possible.

Chenxi Entertainment sets high breach of contract penalties for every trainee who signs with the company, but the company never intended to make money through these penalties.

They're not like those unscrupulous companies in the industry; they should at least give trainees some hope and opportunities.

Jinli hummed in agreement and said, "I think these trainees have a very good attitude."

Faced with malicious editing in variety shows, being eliminated at lightning speed in the first performance, and being deliberately tricked by the production team into singing live with full vocals... any other newcomer would probably have collapsed long ago, and this isn't an isolated incident.

Two years ago, a talent show was very popular. It was a variety show that focused on girl groups.

To create buzz, the production team specially invited the already debuted group, "Sunshine," to participate in the variety show.

This sunny group was formed rather frivolously at the time. It was formed by three middle school students who publicly bought songs online and then self-funded the release of promotional songs across the entire internet. They debuted in a very haphazard way.

There are countless idol groups in China, but this sunny group has been remembered by netizens.

That's because all three members of the group are ordinary people, not pretty, and rely on makeup to achieve an average appearance; one of them is even a little chubby.

They were criticized and trended on social media because they were ugly.

But the three girls didn't care at all, focusing on being sunny, positive, and confident.

After experiencing contract disputes with the company, the three terminated their contracts with the original company and signed with a new company to continue being a girl group.

Surprisingly, some netizens actually developed genuine feelings while arguing.

Some netizens urge them to rehearse more every day, saying that ability is the most important thing, and as long as they have ability, they will not lack opportunities on stage in the future.

They were also told to continue their studies and ideally get a university degree.

The team member, nicknamed "Little Fatty," wanted to lose weight, but netizens advised her not to. They said her confident smile was the most attractive thing, and being chubby had its own beauty. Moreover, having a chubby member added to the team's uniqueness.

Finally, the group received an invitation to a talent show, and netizens were happy for them.

The company is in a terrible state, and they have very few resources. Talent shows offer exposure, and participating in them generates buzz.

Regardless of what the Sunshine Duo thinks, at least netizens all have very optimistic expectations.

But the result?

The variety show specifically selected the "Sunshine Group" to be used as a sacrifice.

Like the trainees from Chenxi Entertainment, the Sunshine Group's carefully prepared debut stage was rejected by the program team, and they were forced to switch to a song that they only had one day, no, a few hours, to rehearse.

As a result, the Sunshine Duo was once again criticized by the entire internet after the show aired.

"To participate without the ability is shameful!"

"Can't you even pay a little attention? People with absolutely no dance background dance better than you!"

"All I see in you is perfunctory attitude. If you don't value it, why participate at all?"

The show gained popularity, but only the three girls from the Sunshine Group were sacrificed.

In the end, only one of the three members was kept, and that member became the team leader.

The team leader was probably very angry at the time, and in a fit of rage, he didn't even participate in the first performance stage and withdrew from the competition.

Then another wave of criticism erupted across the internet.

"You were given a chance but didn't take it, no wonder you flopped!"

"You're still too young. If you debut, how much popularity can you bring? The other two members will have to rely on you!"

"It's better to retreat without a fight and withdraw from the competition, so as to avoid being accused of favoritism!"

Much later, other people saw the voices of their fans, saying that it wasn't that they didn't value the stage, but that the show's producers were deliberately messing with their mentality.

It wasn't that he wanted to withdraw from the competition, but the team leader felt that this was an unfair competition from the very beginning, and that staying with the production team would only result in the show maliciously editing the footage.

Due to the contract they signed, the Sunshine Duo cannot make any statements in public, allowing netizens to hurl insults at them without ever defending themselves.

But fans didn't have this concern, and it took them many years to reveal the truth to the audience.

Jinli didn't comment on whether the Sunshine Group's actions were right or wrong, or whether they had the ability, but at least the trainees from Chenxi Entertainment handled this situation well.

The stupidest thing to do is to have a conflict or protest with the production team.

Those scenes of anger would be deliberately inserted by the production team into other members, giving the outside world the feeling that "the trainees were having conflicts with each other".

The production team wants sensational moments. If they can't find any sensational moments in you, they'll turn their attention to other trainees.

In talent shows like this, being eliminated peacefully without any scandals is considered a great success.

Jinli listened to Sui Lingfang's arrangements for the master's degree agent without offering any opinions. Sister Fang had experience in handling these matters; she just needed someone to listen to her.

After Fangjie finished speaking, she asked about investing in variety shows. Sui Lingfang paused, then said hesitantly, "You really want to invest in a farming variety show, and you even want the company's trainees to participate?"

Jinli nodded: "I feel that they have a good mentality and are able to be strong in the face of adversity. If we could make a documentary-style variety show, people would probably watch it."

Some people can find joy in poverty and decorate their lives like flowers; this is a skill in itself.

Moreover, many people yearn for rural life, especially migrant workers in the city.

The more unattainable something is, the more one desires to see it.

Moreover, the process of building something from scratch can inspire a great sense of accomplishment, and viewers can participate in the construction while watching.

Sui Lingfang said, "There's a company meeting this afternoon. I'll mention it to the president during the meeting and explain that you also think highly of this project. If the president doesn't agree—"

She remained silent for a long time, then took a deep breath and said firmly, "Then we'll do it ourselves!"

The company doesn't prohibit employees from investing. We're all in the entertainment industry; investing in variety shows is perfectly normal.

Jinli's eyes darted around, and she said with great interest, "Sister Fang, you trust me that much and want to do this with me? What if I fail?"

Sui Lingfang said with a smile, "It's only an investment of a few hundred thousand. I can come up with the money. If we lose it, I'll arrange a few more gigs for you privately, and you'll make it back quickly."

Jinli laughed heartily: "Alright, alright, I won't let you suffer any losses."

After hanging up the phone, Jinli glanced at the calendar and realized that there were only two days left until the college entrance examination results were released.

Even now, she doesn't feel nervous.

She has tried her best.

She thought for a moment, then opened the Knowledge Universe app and started a live reading session.
-
In the afternoon, in the conference room of Chenxi Entertainment.

Before Sui Lingfang could even bring up Jinli's idea, the president brought up the variety show "Shining Glory" first.

The president said, "Lin Yaofu's team called me this morning specifically to ask our trainees to participate in the revival competition. They also said that our trainees have good stage presence and are very likely to be revived."

There's also news about a revival round, where players can easily build popularity through rounds of competition and potentially make it to the finals. What are your thoughts on this?

"A revival match?" The agents from Morning Light Entertainment were all surprised.

Sui Lingfang was initially surprised, then thought of the text message she received last night that she thought was a joke. Jinli had said that she hadn't received a reply yet and that they might contact each other again later.

Jinli was right; they did make contact, but they went directly to the boss.

Soon, some agents raised questions.

Half of the people are not optimistic about this variety show, while the other half think it's worth a try.

The president couldn't help but look at Sui Lingfang and Zou Da.

One of them is a seasoned agent who helped Jinli regain her popularity, and the other is a veteran media professional who is well-informed about the latest industry trends. He trusts their judgment more.

After thinking for a while, Zou Da said, "My thoughts are the same as other agents. This variety show started the revival competition too early, which is not a good sign."

This proves that the team lacks confidence in the ratings for the next few episodes and may experience viewership dropouts, so they released the explosive moments early to start the elimination rounds.

“But,” he changed the subject, “this is Lin Yaofu, the top producer of variety talent shows in China. With her around, this show should be able to be revived. She can always find a solution.”

"So, President, you should make the decision yourself," Zou Da said.

After going around in circles, I still gave a generic answer.

The president remained outwardly calm, but inwardly rolled his eyes at Zou Da.

He looked at Sui Lingfang.

In the crucial moment, it was this old man who kept things in check.

Sui Lingfang thought about it and decided not to reveal Jinli's thoughts in front of everyone, so as not to influence everyone's judgment or make people feel that Jinli was too dominant, which would not be good for the artist's reputation.

So she said, "President, I have other news on my end. I'd like to talk to you privately."

The other agents looked over curiously, wondering what kind of exclusive inside information required such secrecy.

Zou Da also looked over, his eyes filled with doubt. He hadn't heard a word about the program "Shining Glory."

Soon, everyone in the conference room left, leaving only Sui Lingfang and the president.

Sui Lingfang then revealed the idea that Jinli had proposed last night: "Jinli said that after these trainees were eliminated, they had a good attitude and did not dwell on their failure. She felt that they could participate in some tough farming-related programs and build up a rural area from scratch."

"A farming-themed variety show?" the CEO asked in surprise. "Making variety shows costs a lot of money."

Sui Lingfang quickly replied, "Yes, I also said it would cost money."

Jinli said that the trainees were paid by the company, and the appearance fee was very low. The rent for a remote place in the countryside was not much. All the expenses could probably be arranged for three or four hundred thousand yuan.

She cherishes these younger generations and feels that they have too few opportunities for exposure, and that relying solely on talent shows is too much of a gamble.

Moreover, it's common knowledge within the industry that "Shining Glory" was an investment by Tianding Entertainment specifically to promote June Xia.

The CEO pondered in silence, his fingers lightly tapping the table.

Sui Lingfang released another message.

"Jinli means that if the company doesn't invest in this variety show, she wants to invest in it and reach a cooperation agreement with the company regarding trainees."

Upon hearing this, the president was somewhat tempted.

This is a risk transfer; if the variety show becomes popular, the trainees will also become popular, and Chenxi Entertainment will only benefit.

However, if the variety show doesn't become popular, the company won't suffer any losses; it's essentially just giving the trainees some screen time.

Sui Lingfang understood the president's thoughts and shared her own.

"President, my suggestion is to invest with Jinli. We've invested with Jinli before in the film and television industry and have never lost money. Jinli has a very discerning eye."

She said cryptically, "Moreover, Jinli wants to invest in this variety show. If people in the industry knew this, others would probably rush to throw money at it, not for anything else, but just for Jinli."

"This..." The president hesitated again.

Sui Lingfang said everything she should say, and even things she shouldn't have said; now it's up to the president to decide.

Fortunately, the CEO wasn't stupid.

The investment for a farming-themed variety show is only three to four hundred thousand yuan. It's not that the company can't afford it, not to mention that the company is not wholly owned, but only partially invested, and can also cooperate with Jinli.

The president immediately said, "The company is co-investing with Jinli in a farming-themed variety show to give these trainees exposure. We won't participate in 'Shining Glory'; let them have fun on their own."

The exposure from the talent show is good, but it depends on how the editing is done.

Nothing compares to a variety show that you invest in yourself; the exposure is absolutely massive!
We spent the whole day sightseeing with my parents today. Did you travel during the holidays?