Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 629 Your First Love is Gone

Some movies require a long shooting period, while others only need a month to shoot.

When Xu Ke came, he was invited to participate in the Tokyo International Film Festival and was paid five million yen—actually eight million yen—to make a short film.

When I returned, I found that a romance movie had already been completed.

"Alright, let's hurry up and go. I won't say anything more. If we're too slow, I'm afraid Kadokawa Haruki will hire Vietnamese assassins to kill you on the way."

Gu Ming urged Xu Ke to board the ship: "We agreed on 80 million yen, but you spent 120 million yen to finish the film. If you don't make money, Kadokawa Haruki will be at your doorstep tomorrow."

Xu Ke seemed to turn around instantly, almost nervously, and looked around. Fortunately, there were no Vietnamese assassins.

If there were Vietnamese assassins, he would be so scared that he would flee by boat overnight.

"Actually, I think the final cut is fine. That girl is quite attractive, she has that kind of ethereal quality." Xu Ke described it from afar: "You know, that subtle, first-love feeling, it's practically made for my movie. It's such a shame you didn't visit the set!"

Gu Ming responded.

It's not that I didn't go, it's that I deliberately didn't want to go.

Gu Ming wondered if, when Xu Ke was filming A Chinese Ghost Story a few years later and was doing Joey Wong's makeup, he would remember that he had also filmed Akina Nakamori.

Gu Ming raised his hand to look at his watch, feigning nervousness, and then suddenly looked up.

"Vietnamese assassins have arrived."

Xu Ke swiftly boarded the boat, displaying remarkable agility.

When Kadokawa Haruki agreed to buy his short film, the condition was that he would have all the development rights, and the investment was 80 million yen.

Xu Ke gritted his teeth and stomped his foot, bidding 120 million.

If we don't run now, we might really be dragged to Tokyo Bay by Haruki Kadokawa!
"Go ahead and film it. You'll behave yourself after you finish filming The Legend of Shushan Swordsmen."

Gu Ming watched Xu Ke board the ship and leave before turning around.

With nowhere to go outside the dock, Gu Ming somehow ended up going into a nearby Kadokawa bookstore.

It was afternoon, and there weren't many people in the shop. Even the young female shop assistant behind the counter was drowsy. Gu Ming tapped the table lightly, and she gradually woke up, looking at Gu Ming with obvious confusion in her eyes.

It looked somewhat familiar, but I was still half asleep and couldn't quite place it.

Gu Ming said succinctly: "Hello, do you have that newly released romance novel, 'Falling in Love with Mount Fuji'? Please give me a copy."

"I'm so sorry," the clerk said, bowing immediately. "They sold out so well!"

Gu Ming was slightly surprised: "The publicity is so good? No, I mean, so many people like this book?"

"Of course." The shop assistant, who was clearly a part-time student, wore a very satisfied expression, as if the question was directed at him.

"After all, everyone has already heard that this novel is based on a true story, about a girl who is almost amnesiac and a boy who is desperately searching for her, and finally recalling everything at the foot of Mount Fuji... How beautiful. Now the novel has been adapted into a movie, and I heard that it is Akina-chan's first time acting in a movie. You know, right? That Akina-chan."

Gu Ming nodded.

He knew it all too well. It was that chubby girl. Before she lost weight, she sat there looking like a little piglet. Anyone who liked her was blind.

Gu Ming's sourness almost reached the other side of the screen.

"I'm glad you like it." Gu Ming waved his hand and turned to leave. Just then, the shop assistant's sleepy brain finally started to connect to the power.

"Wait a minute, are you... Mr. Akira Furuya?"

"If there is no one with the same name and similar appearance, then I must be it."

Seeing Gu Ming's helpless expression as he spread his hands, the shop assistant felt a little embarrassed.

"I never expected to see you here! I really liked that show, 'Why Hell Is So Cruel,' especially the character Muto, who was so capable yet doted on his daughter... Ah~ I wish I had a lover like that."

Gu Ming instantly raised his hand, interrupting the female shop assistant who was still infatuated with him.

"Wait a minute, that's just a movie. There's no such team leader in real life." Speaking of Yakuza, Haruki Kadokawa himself is already very much like Yakuza.

He has many bad rumors, such as using violence and special goods to control his artists, which is very effective, and he once had an experience of speeding through the streets of Tokyo and crashing into a telephone pole.

Gu Ming pondered that if this female shop assistant really wanted a team leader, she should just go to Kadokawa Haruki, who would be a ready-made team leader.

The domineering CEO falls in love with her!

The shop assistant was momentarily distracted, but finally snapped out of it.

"Oh, sorry... I meant to say that although that book is sold out, if you don't mind, I can give you this copy from my own collection!"

Gu Ming nodded: "Thank you so much."

He took the hardcover book and could tell that it was printed on very good paper, and the cover was also bound with cardboard. This kind of hardcover book looked very expensive.

The content isn't long, probably only a few thousand words.

The story is somewhat similar to the style of "99 First Dates," telling the story of a girl with amnesia and her lover, and how she eventually remembers her lover.

After watching the film, Gu Ming had a general idea of ​​what it was about. He also thought about several recent Japanese films, many of which contained elements of romance.

"In Japan, where the theme of mono no aware (the pathos of things) is prevalent, this film should still be acceptable; at least it should be able to recoup its investment of 120 million yen."

Although Gu Ming was more interested in knowing how Xu Ke managed to raise 120 million yen for the film.

When Gu Ming talks about love stories, he thinks of "Love Letter," and when he talks about "Love Letter," he thinks of the Nakayama sisters, Miho and Shinobu.

Thinking of this made Gu Ming even more melancholy.

"Next time," Gu Ming could only console himself. "Next time, what else can I do?"

……

……

The movie of the same name, "Falling in Love with Mount Fuji," has been released.

On the day of the premiere, Gu Ming went to the theater for a stroll, but did not watch the movie.

There weren't many people in the theater, and this kind of romance film is inherently difficult to become a big hit, but no matter what, it still has a fixed audience.

After taking a walk around and roughly confirming the number of viewers, Gu Ming felt relieved.

It seems that Xu Ke doesn't need to worry about being hunted down by Vietnamese assassins.

"In Japan, it should generate a distribution income of five or six hundred million yen. At least it's a profit, since it's fully distributed by the Kadokawa Group, and there are also accompanying books."

As a romance film, it's a sure win.

If we wait until future generations when online platforms exist, this kind of movie will have a rating of at least 8 points, making it a solidly high-quality film.

As for Gu Ming's other works, "Why Is Hell So Terrible?" should be ranked highly, while most of his other films would be around five or six points.

After looking around, Gu Ming lost interest and didn't bother to watch the movie. He simply turned and left.

When Gu Ming walked out of the movie theater with his hands in his pockets, it was drizzling outside.

"This rain is awful; it's seeping into my heart."

Gu Ming shook his head secretly.

The car parked outside the cinema flashed its headlights twice, and Koizumi opened the car door, opened her umbrella, and rushed over.

"Let's go," Gu Ming waved his hand. "Let's go home!"

Otherwise, where else could he go?

(End of this chapter)