Huayu: Hard fight against Zhang Weiping at the beginning

Chapter 593 Attacking Ping'an County
The promotional tour for "White House Down" only had five stops: the United States, Japan, South Korea, China, and the United Kingdom...

For the world's five major film box office markets, one or two cities will be selected from each market for a roadshow.

South Korea was the third stop on the roadshow, and Seoul was the only city. Originally, it was planned to be a day trip, but Zhang Chen had some other things to take care of there, so he stayed an extra night.

"Boss, I've arrived!"

Just as Zhong Lifang finished reporting to her boss on the phone, she saw a car stop in front of her, the door opened, and Zhang Chen appeared.

"Wait for a long time?"

"No, I just arrived too~"

"Alright, let's go up."

I've arranged to have dinner with KBS tonight.

Previously, Zhang Chen had finalized all the business deals in South Korea, including collaborations with KBS and CJ Entertainment. These projects will require someone to push forward, and Zhang Chen definitely doesn't have the time, so he plans to hand them over to Zhong Lifang.

Inside the private room, KBS's Director Song and CJ Entertainment's Jung Jang-seong had already arrived. Upon seeing the two enter, they stood up with smiles.

Hi everyone, I hope I'm not late~

"How come~"

Besides Director Song and Zheng Changsheng, there were several female celebrities in the room. Zhang Chen recognized some of them; they looked like members of a girl group.

"This is Ms. Zhong Lifang, our company's CEO..."

Zhang Chen introduced Zhong Lifang to everyone, and the group took their seats.

Yingying and Yanyan poured wine; Zhang Chen was already used to this arrangement.

Zheng Changsheng whispered a few words to the staff next to him. A moment later, the door to the private room was pushed open, and a handsome man bowed as he entered. He then consciously switched places with the young woman next to Zhong Lifang.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know Ms. Zhong would be coming as well. We haven't been very hospitable."

Jung Chang-sung smiled and apologized. It has to be said that the Koreans really did a good job in this regard.

Beside Zhong Lifang, the young man was very obedient, serving her food and pouring her drinks, providing excellent service.

"This year, our collaboration, 'Brilliant Legacy,' achieved phenomenal ratings, and everyone at KBS is incredibly impressed with Director Jang's vision..."

Director Song's Chinese is excellent, and Zheng Changsheng is also a China expert. The four of them communicated entirely in Chinese without any problems.

After Director Song finished speaking, Jung Jang-seong added from the side, "Last quarter, SBS was the ratings champion, but now it's KBS. All of this is thanks to 'Brilliant Legacy'..."

The drama "Brilliant Legacy" made KBS a fortune and also showcased Jang Jin's abilities in film and television.

It's one thing to be good at making movies, but to have such a keen eye for television dramas is truly enviable!
If it weren't for Zhang Chen's sake, Zheng Changsheng would have poached the scriptwriting team from Xingchen Entertainment.

Director Song certainly wanted to as well, but he preferred to continue working with Zhang Chen.

The dinner party tonight was also arranged to confirm this.

"Director Zhang, KBS wants to continue our collaboration with your company, for example, on 'Brilliant Legacy 2'..."

When a TV series becomes a huge hit, it's perfectly normal to make a sequel.

The practice of "wool-gathering" (taking advantage of loopholes) is the same all over the world.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Chen shook his head: "Sorry, I don't have any plans to make a sequel at the moment."

?

Director Song immediately sensed something unusual. Could it be that another television station had contacted Zhang Chen?

It's not impossible.

"Brilliant Legacy" was so popular that it became a phenomenon in South Korea, which naturally made other TV stations envious.

If you can partner with Zhang Chen, why can't we?
"Okay, we'll do whatever Director Zhang says. Any other genre of TV series is fine."

Director Song remembered the president's instructions to him and immediately revealed his trump card.

There are so many benefits to working with Zhang Chen. Not only is the quality of the drama itself high, but we can also benefit from Zhang Chen's fame.

You should know that Zhang Chen is very famous in South Korea now.

Moreover, he's a renowned director of commercial films.

A TV series project spearheaded by a renowned film director is inherently guaranteed to attract viewers.

For example, "Band of Brothers" is hailed as the most exciting World War II TV series ever made.

Since the other party was so cooperative, Zhang Chen stopped hiding his intentions: "Director Song, did you know that we recently collaborated with CJ Entertainment on a zombie movie?"

"I know, I know, it's *Train to Busan*, the first zombie movie in Korean film history!"

Director Song had heard of this extensively; Zheng Changsheng had boasted about it to him countless times.

"Would KBS be interested in producing the first zombie drama in Korean film history?"

"What does Director Zhang mean?"

Director Song stared wide-eyed, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Zhang Chen continued, "I've seen the finished product of 'Train to Busan,' and the quality is excellent. I'm not sure if it will be a huge hit worldwide, but it should be a major hit in Asia..."

So I think we can ride this wave and make a zombie TV series. When "Train to Busan" becomes a hit, this TV series will definitely get good ratings too..."

Zhang Chen's words made Director Song's eyes light up, as if Korean won were churning inside.

Is it also a modern theme?

Director Song was considering the cost. In a modern post-apocalyptic setting, a lot of special effects would be needed. Korean dramas are not like American dramas; they don't have such a high budget.

Zhang Chen dispelled his doubts: "It's not a modern setting, it's ancient. I plan to set the story in ancient times, so this time I need you to provide some screenwriters. I'll provide the story, and they'll incorporate it into your historical framework..."

This job requires a certain understanding of Korean history, which Star Entertainment cannot do.

"No problem, I'll take care of everything."

Director Song was extremely excited.

It's often said that screenwriters hold a high position in Korean dramas, but that varies from person to person.

That's certainly true for top-tier screenwriters; their status is similar to that of a producer, and they can decide the fate of actors with a single word.

But in the kind of projects they just mentioned, the screenwriter is just a tool; it's impossible for them to have a high status.

Of course, even with a lower status, she's still better than a screenwriter in China.

In China, Star Entertainment's screenwriters are in a league of their own, a status that others envy.

But apart from Star Entertainment, screenwriters remain the most important position besides producers, directors, actors, post-production staff, lighting technicians, prop masters, script supervisors, production assistants, cinematographers, voice actors, production assistants, art directors, special effects artists, stunt doubles, and sound recordists...

Does this project have a name?

"The series is tentatively titled 'The Fall of a Kingdom.' As for the details of the collaboration, you and Ms. Zhong can discuss them later; I won't be involved." "Then I hope Ms. Zhong will take good care of me in the future."

Let's all look out for each other!

Director Song nodded readily and even clinked glasses with Zhong Lifang.

"Oh, right, there's one thing I need to clarify beforehand: the online rights for 'The Fall of a Kingdom' in China must be exclusively licensed to PPTV for 10 years. Of course, we won't be involved in the casting process..."

"No problem!"

Director Song readily agreed. He knew that PPTV was Zhang Chen's business, and he dared to agree because he was certain that the station would not refuse over such a trivial matter.

That would be a losing proposition.
Seeing Zhang Chen finalize the upcoming collaboration with KBS in just a few words, Zheng Changsheng was also filled with excitement.

The film "Train to Busan," a collaboration between the two parties, will be released in August. Zhang Chen just said that he cannot guarantee it will be a huge hit worldwide, but it will definitely be a success in Asia.

This already shows that "Train to Busan" has a solid fan base, filling Jung Jang-seong with anticipation.

"By the way, how did 'Only You' do at the South Korean box office?"

"Only You" is a project by Star Entertainment, published as one book and then auctioned twice.

There is one South Korean version and one Chinese version, and both versions have been released in theaters.

The Chinese version starred Yang Xiaomi and Huang Xiaoming as the male lead, and it did very well at the box office.

The Korean version stars So Ji-sub and Han Hyo-joo.

"The results are very good, with a total of 350 million viewers."

South Korea is a bit different. They never talk about box office revenue when discussing film performance. Instead, they talk about the number of viewers, believing that this can eliminate the influence of inflation on ticket prices and make the results more objective.

Zhang Chen didn't know the exchange rate, so he simply asked the person next to him, "How much box office revenue is 350 million viewers?"

Zhong Lifang answered him again: "According to the current ticket prices in South Korea, each movie ticket costs about 5000 to 6000 won, which is equivalent to 35 to 45 yuan."

Based on this calculation, "Only You" is guaranteed to gross over 100 million yuan!

Zhang Chen nodded. This was a good result; no wonder Zheng Changsheng's face was practically beaming with joy.

……

That evening, Zhang Chen refused KBS's offer and insisted on leaving.

He has to catch a flight tomorrow, and he doesn't want to exhaust himself.

Zhong Lifang didn't leave with anyone either. It's unclear whether she disliked the atmosphere or, perhaps because it was her first business trip with Zhang Chen, she didn't want to appear too...uncomfortable.

But Zhang Chen was certain that KBS and CJ Entertainment would continue their efforts to win them over.

If you don't take anyone with you, they won't think you're a gentleman; they'll just assume you don't like this type.

Then we'll change it for you until you find one you like.

Don't ask Zhang Chen how he knew; he had experienced their meticulous after-sales service firsthand.

The next day, Zhang Chen embarked on his roadshow again, this time back in China, visiting four cities: Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.

Chung Lai-fang will stay and finalize the follow-up cooperation matters with KBS, while also letting KBS see the working style of this strong woman.

Not a single minute is wasted.

The image of a strong woman who is meticulous about time and efficiency is presented on the page.

KBS was still in a meeting to discuss the matter. Zhong Lifang only stayed for one day before flying to the United States. In addition to things in South Korea, Zhang Chen also gave her some tasks to handle.

2008年11月11日，《使命召唤5：世界大战》在北美地区发售，涵盖了 PC、PS3、Xbox 360、Wii等平台。

Some Chinese players have created an anti-Japanese war mod based on Call of Duty 5: World at War, which includes content related to the Battle of Shanghai and shows scenes such as the defense of Sihang Warehouse. Players can play as Chinese soldiers resisting the Japanese invasion and experience that tragic history.

Zhang Chen happens to be a fan of Call of Duty, having played it since the first game.

He also tried the anti-Japanese war module, which was very simple, but he felt something different from it.

Then, he had a bold idea: why not make a real "Battle of Shanghai" expansion pack?

The Battle of Shanghai was one of the largest and most brutal battles in the early stages of the War of Resistance against Japan.

Zhang Chen had wanted to make a war film for a long time, but the timing had never been right.

But games can.

Moreover, the enemy is Japan, and they haven't crossed any lines at all.

Without hesitation, Zhang Chen put Zhong Lifang in charge of the matter.

Zhong Lifang was speechless at her boss's wildly imaginative ideas. "You're a movie director, why are you suddenly getting into making games?"

However, after hearing that Zhang Chen also runs a website and a theme park, I felt relieved.

By the way, Zhang Chen's Starry Night Paradise currently has four locations open: Beijing, Hangzhou, Wuhan, and Taiyuan.
Five more are currently under construction: Guangzhou, Changsha, Shenyang, Qingdao, and Harbin.
Its popularity exceeded everyone's expectations.

The most popular attraction at Starry Night Park right now isn't "2012," nor "Pacific Rim," nor the haunted house "The Descent," or "The Shallows," but rather the most unique immersive experience in all of China—Li Yunlong's attack on Ping'an County.

In the county town, there were actors who specifically played Japanese soldiers. At the beginning, both sides shouted various phrases, such as "There's a Chinese proverb..."
Then, once the audience had gathered enough, the negotiations broke down, and they began a military attack on the county town.

The sounds of cannons and machine guns, along with various pyrotechnic effects, provided a rich emotional experience for everyone.

As soon as the bugle sounded, the grand climax arrived!
Tourists become warriors, and scenic spots become battlefields.

A group of tourists followed actors dressed as Eighth Route Army soldiers, carrying rifles and broadswords, rushing towards Ping'an County, shouting "Attack the county town, save my sister-in-law..."

You have no idea how fast the actors playing Japanese soldiers in there could run.

We have to be fast!
Some tourists really get carried away and actually do it!
Tourists rushed into the county town amidst laughter and chatter. Inside, crowds welcomed the Eighth Route Army into the town, holding signs that read: "Grilled sausage, 5 yuan each."

The program aired right at midday. After finishing the battle in Ping'an County, everyone was tired and hungry, so they bought a grilled sausage from a fellow villager to tide them over.

Well, all the tourists who have played this game say it's great; it's practically a cosplay game tailor-made for Chinese people.

This shows just how popular "Bright Sword" is.

According to data, Starry Sky Park can greatly boost the local tourism industry, which is why many local governments want to introduce it.

However, importing such products requires qualification review, which involves not only policy support but also a series of other things.
Theme parks are popular not only because their games are down-to-earth, but also because of blind boxes.

Star Entertainment has developed a randomized performance where Guan Yu, Zhu Bajie, and Bu Jingyun engage in a free-for-all...

Three completely unrelated people come together, yet they create a peculiar chemical reaction.

Sometimes it's about a great battle against Bu Jingyun, sometimes it's about Zhu Bajie and Guan Yu fighting each other, but no matter what, the one who's about to lose will always unscrupulously pull out a revolver and knock out their opponent!
The effect is amazing!
Everyone who sees this laughs!
However, this performance is random and there is no fixed location. It's like a blind box; whether you encounter one depends entirely on luck.

This has attracted many tourists who specifically seek it out.

(End of this chapter)