Top Chinese celebrity: Debuted from Running Man

Chapter 344 Best Male Singer of the Year (4.6k)
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"Aaaaaah—Ziqi!! Ziqi!!"

"Little Deer!! Look at me! Your sisters will always support you!!"

"GD! Ahhhhhh, GD! Oppa!!!"

The artists appeared one by one as they were introduced on the large screen, triggering a massive wave of cheers and support from their respective fan groups.

When members of the South Korean supergroup Bigbang appeared, the screams from the K-pop fans at the scene almost instantly overwhelmed all the previous artists, creating an absolute zone of sonic dominance.

Many domestic celebrities maintained polite smiles, but subtle stiffness and fleeting unease in their eyes were hard to completely hide.

Seeing those South Korean celebrities all wearing sunglasses, with their arrogant and haughty demeanor, almost looking down on people, many people felt a surge of anger.

These are all "habits that have been spoiled"!
Unfortunately, during this period, South Korean celebrities seemed to possess an inherent "high-class" aura among young audiences in China.
Their status is comparable to that of early Hong Kong and Taiwan stars; every one of them becomes a hit, and they have a fanatical fan base.

And most importantly...

While the absolute number of fans who idolize K-pop artists may not be the largest, their level of engagement and activism is undoubtedly number one.

For their idols, they can do many things that are hard for ordinary people to understand: things like "opening a box" for pregnant women are just a small matter.
Some even went so far as to abandon their studies in China and go to South Korea to study, just to get closer to their idols.

South Korean variety shows have publicly mocked some Chinese students for sleeping in class all day and focusing all their attention on idol worship.

The most extreme cases involved fans who, in an effort to improve the lives of their Korean idols who were serving in the military, used helicopters to airdrop large packages of snacks and also gave gifts to their fellow soldiers, hoping that they would "take good care" of their oppas.

This incident not only made headlines in South Korean news, but also caused a huge uproar in South Korea, infuriating countless netizens who saw their blood pressure spike and hurled insults.

These South Korean celebrities who come to China to make money are generally adept at "two faces." On one hand, they earn real money from their domestic fans, and on the other hand, after returning to South Korea, they often make inappropriate remarks or secretly slander others, making them the ultimate embodiment of "two-faced people."

Fortunately, this "golden age of making money" won't last long.

……

at the same time,

The director in front of the backstage monitoring screen was also feeling frustrated as he watched the domestic artists' popularity being completely suppressed. His fingers flew across the control panel...

Next second,
The main screen and the live broadcast signal suddenly switched off.
They gave Gu Qing, who had just sat down in the front seat, a super-clear close-up of his face that lasted for more than ten seconds without any blind spots!

In an instant, all the noise seemed to be muted.

The visual impact of that face under the lens is undeniable.

Her impeccable facial features were exquisitely crafted, as if meticulously sculpted by a master craftsman. Her fair and clean skin almost glowed softly under the lights. Her eyes were as clear as a spring in the forest, yet seemed to hold the stars within them. Just by calmly looking at the camera, she was enough to capture everyone's breath and make their souls tremble.

The visually striking and powerful beauty is truly breathtaking, akin to "the descent of the goddess of beauty."

Seeing the director's sudden close-up shot, Gu Qing was slightly taken aback, but then she realized what was happening.

His lips naturally curved upwards, forming a smile that had been practiced countless times, gentle yet captivating. He even winked naturally at the camera, then raised his hand and waved lightly.

It was as if a still, timeless, masterpiece of ancient painting had suddenly been brought to life, becoming vivid and lively.

"Aaaaaaahhhhhh—little brother!!!!!!!!!"

"Gu Qing!!! Look here! Mommy loves you!!!"

"Aaaaaaahhhhhh—I'm dead!!!"

The pent-up emotions of the female fans at the scene were instantly ignited, and the erupting screams were like a tsunami that almost lifted the roof off the entire venue.

The sound waves were so strong that some artists near the audience area felt a slight pain in their eardrums, and their faces showed a complex mix of shock and envy.

What was even more unexpected was...
Just then, Gu Qing's fan club, "Gu Family," seemed to have been prepared.

Ten core fan leaders were the first to raise meticulously crafted support signs that emitted a soft fluorescent glow.

Immediately afterwards, fans in one area, as if they were well-trained, shouted in unison their pre-arranged slogan: "May your radiant gaze and gentle breeze always accompany you!"

The sound waves were uniform and powerful.

To outsiders, the fans chanting slogans might seem a bit childish and awkward.

However, within the entertainment industry, this is precisely the most direct manifestation of an artist's fan base's cohesion, organization, and fighting spirit.

It can most naturally demonstrate to the brands and producers present what true "top-tier commercial value" is!
this moment,
Many of the artists present were genuinely amazed and envious, and some were even a little jealous.

Even the Bigbang members who were originally calm and composed in the front row, except for leader Kwon Ji-yong who maintained his composure and remained unmoved, couldn't help but turn around and look at the boiling sea behind them.

They are certainly no strangers to cheering and supporting their idols; it's the norm for music shows in South Korea.

But... there are only a few of them!

Where was the momentum before?

"Awesome! Gu Qing's fans are amazing!"

"Awesome!! I hate those Koreans with their sunglasses and pretentious attitude! When it comes to fan size and organization, you guys are nothing!"

"'Where your eyes shine, a gentle breeze accompanies you'... This slogan is something else! It praises your good looks, expresses enduring affection, and is so poetic. It must have been carefully designed; it fits Gu Qing's style perfectly."

"If I were Gu Qing, I would be incredibly moved!"

The live stream chat was instantly flooded with various expressions of emotion.

The director skillfully cut the camera to the backstage area, where fluorescent lights shone and chants filled the air, lingering for a three-second close-up to fully showcase this powerful support culture.
The camera then precisely cuts back to Gu Qing's face.

Faced with this unexpected and grand surprise carefully prepared by her fans, Gu Qing was naturally touched.

But what is rare is that
He didn't deliberately project an overly emotional image—he suddenly seemed less willing to "act" in front of his fans.

Gu Qing stood up cleanly and turned to the fan area behind her, a sincere and infectious smile blooming on her face. She waved her arms vigorously, expressing her sincerest gratitude in the most direct way.

His response made the cheers from the crowd even more enthusiastic, almost reaching the sky.

……

After that,

"Aaaaaah—Jay Chou!!!"

When Jay Chou, the king of pop, appeared as the final performer, the entire audience erupted in thunderous applause and cheers once again.

This time, almost all the artists stood up and applauded in unison, paying the highest tribute.

Even the members of Bigbang abandoned their arrogant demeanor and stood up to applaud—in the South Korean entertainment industry, Jay Chou's status is incredibly high.

This is not only because of his music, but also because of his "acting skills" and his identity as a director!

His early film "Secret," which he wrote, directed, and starred in, was a sensation in South Korea, with an influence comparable to Andy Lau's "A Moment of Romance."

The film has been hailed by South Korean media as "a must-see for every young person during graduation season," and it has consistently received high ratings on the country's largest film website, with its reputation comparable to that of "The Shawshank Redemption."

With multiple identities as a director, actor, and singer, Jay Chou is undoubtedly a "true king" at the top of the pyramid in the South Korean entertainment industry, which highly values ​​seniority and film and television achievements.

As Jay Chou walked through the artists' section, his expression remained his signature cool and aloof demeanor, but he was met with genuine applause from his colleagues.

He remained polite, nodding repeatedly to signal everyone to "sit, sit," revealing his familiar social anxiety.

As they passed Gu Qing, who was also sitting in the front row, they saw this "acquaintance" they had only recently met.
Jay Chou seemed to secretly breathe a sigh of relief, naturally stopping in his tracks. He proactively reached out and shook hands firmly with Gu Qing, even giving her a light bump with his shoulder.
He greeted everyone in this manly way, which slightly eased the awkwardness of being the center of attention, before returning to his seat.

This brief yet incredibly natural moment instantly ignited the curiosity of fans and viewers. "What's going on?! Jay Chou and Gu Qing know each other??"

"Oh my god! I'm overjoyed as a fan of both! My two idols actually appeared in the same frame and interacted!!"

"When did they first cross paths? Is there any collaboration I'm unaware of? I can't recall at all!"

"I'm so curious! Please tell me the details!"

The fans' enthusiasm for gossip was completely ignited, and the live stream chat was once again flooded with comments.

At this moment, host Xie Nan and two other partners walked onto the stage. After a brief and wonderful opening speech, they announced the official start of the grand ceremony performance.

Bigbang, as the opening act, took to the stage first to warm up the crowd, performing several hit songs and bringing the atmosphere to a climax.

After the performances, the evening's major awards were presented. The first award was the highly prestigious "Singer of the Year" award.

The award is divided into four categories: Best Male and Female Singer of the Year from Mainland China, and Best Male and Female Singer of the Year from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Huang Jiaojiao, a well-known host from Taiwan, will likely play a similar role in the future, but her career hasn't collapsed yet.
The winners from Hong Kong and Taiwan were announced first: "The winner of Best Male Singer (Hong Kong/Taiwan) of the Year is—JJ Lin Junjie!"

"Clap--"

Gu Qing clapped symbolically along with the others, but a thought flickered in her mind: "Isn't he from Po County?"

He was clearly not the only celebrity present who shared the same question.

But putting aside the issue of regional affiliation, considering the quality of his songs and market performance over the past year, JJ Lin's award is well-deserved.

His album "Dialogue with Myself" produced several hit songs, including "Keywords" and "A Song Not Written for Anyone," which were widely sung.

Among them, "The Song I Did Not Write for Anyone" is widely recognized as one of the most difficult songs to sing in his career, causing many singers who attempted it to fail on stage.

"Next up is GEM, G.E.M., who will win Best Female Singer from Hong Kong and Taiwan!"

"Clap clap-"

Seeing this "little fan" win an award, Gu Qing's applause became noticeably more enthusiastic, and her eyes showed a hint of satisfaction.

"Thank you, thank you everyone!"

When she won the award, G.E.M.'s eyes crinkled into crescent moons as she grinned, completely disregarding any semblance of decorum, which made her appear exceptionally genuine and down-to-earth.

After receiving her award and giving her acceptance speech, she walked down the stage and, as she passed the front row, made a point of coming up to Gu Qing and happily hugging him to share her joy.

"Huh? G.E.M. and Gu Qing are such good friends?"

"Wait, what kind of social butterfly is Gu Qing? I feel like he knows half of the entertainment industry!"

The casual viewers who flocked to the live stream to watch the spectacle were completely bewildered.

"JieJie has always been a fan of Gu Qing's younger brother. She posted a photo with him after the New Year's Eve gala last year!"

"Yes, yes, not long ago my sister recommended my brother's novel 'The Imperial Doctress' on her blog!"

"We're family! Hello, hello! I also love listening to G.E.M.'s songs!"

The "Gu family" members and the "fishermen" instantly interacted amicably in the live chat, starting a harmonious team-building activity.

And the following awards,
The question of who will win the "Best Mainland Male and Female Singer of the Year" is even more suspenseful and interesting.

Speaking solely of the Best Mainland Male Singer of the Year, Gu Qing and Lu Han are the most direct competitors.

This year, Lu Han released his third digital album, "Reloaded +", which includes three songs: "Seal", "Original Power", and "To Love".

The production teams behind all three songs are quite impressive, with "The Force" being a promotional song for the movie "Star Wars".
"Your Song" has the best melody.
Its reputation and popularity are barely comparable to "Medal".

Judging from the number of plays on the platform, Lu Han's fans, the "Reed Sisters," have really gone all out, practically listening until their eardrums were deaf.

They worked hard to boost the data to a level comparable to Gu Qing's many popular singles, seemingly giving them a fighting chance.

However, people are not as good as heaven.

With the popularity of the TV series "The Imperial Doctress", its theme song "Spring Snow" was released.
Thanks to Gu Qing's amazing performance on "Chinese Poetry Competition" and the huge popularity of the series itself, the number of views and word-of-mouth soared, completely breaking the balance of competition.

Today, although the "Reed Sisters" still hold a sliver of hope in their hearts, they are mostly filled with despair.

The first award presented was for Best Mainland Female Singer of the Year, which unexpectedly went to Yang Mi's best friend, Zhou Bichang.

Gu Qing's deepest impression of this singer is still her theme song from "Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf," which is a childhood memory.

However, after announcing the winner, the mischievous director immediately switched the camera to another strong contender – Zhang Liangying.

In the video, Zhang Liangying tries her best to maintain a smile, but the forced and unwilling expression in her smile almost overflows the screen.

Anyone with eyes could see that she was not convinced.

Now, the entertainment sections and marketing accounts of major media outlets are going to be very busy, destined to transform into psychologists and work overtime to write "micro-expression analysis" and "behind-the-scenes stories".

Soon, it was time to announce the Best Mainland Male Singer of the Year.

Under the watchful eyes of the entire audience, host Xie Nan glanced at the award card in his hand, then, without keeping them in suspense, looked directly at Gu Qing in the audience and smiled slightly.
Then, speaking clearly and forcefully into the microphone, he announced: "The winner of the Best Mainland Male Singer of the Year is—Gu Qing!"

"Boom—" The scene was instantly filled with screams and cheers.

Perhaps because of Zhang Liangying's experience, Lu Han was clearly prepared this time, maintaining a polite smile and clapping along with everyone else.

Behind him, the fans, the "Reed Sisters," seemed to have all their strength drained away, completely drooping down—their backs were truly unable to stand up straight.

Gu Qing chuckled softly and calmly stood up.

He walked onto the stage with confident and energetic strides, his brows radiating a confident energy.

After receiving the heavy trophy from the presenter, he adjusted the height of the microphone, glanced at the group of artists in the audience, and finally looked at the camera.

He paused slightly before saying, "I had actually prepared my acceptance speech before coming here."

"Young people should be a little wild."

A burst of 'good-natured' and understanding laughter rang out from the audience.

After the laughter subsided,
Gu Qingcai continued, "But I feel that I won't only win one award today, so... to avoid running out of things to say, I'll save that for last."

After all,

He raised the trophy high in his hand, showed it to his fans in the backstage, and then turned and left the stage without any hesitation.

The audience and artists were left speechless.

"Isn't this... a bit too arrogant?"

"Wow, is the next prize already booked?"

"But...why does he seem so matter-of-fact, even kind of cool, when he says it?"

Amidst astonishment and whispers...
Only Jay Chou couldn't help but chuckle, clapping his hands enthusiastically. "Good, good, good!" he exclaimed, sensing the presence of his kind.

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(P.S.: I'll try my best to update next month; I won't be lying around writing 4,000 words anymore!)
(End of this chapter)