Top Chinese celebrity: Debuted from Running Man

Chapter 360 A Bad Movie Produces a Hit Song, the National Director's Heart Flutters (6.3k)
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"I can't stand it anymore! This Taotie design is so ugly! It lacks the majesty of an ancient ferocious beast; it looks more like a bunch of malnourished, mutated pangolins..."

A young moviegoer wearing black-rimmed glasses couldn't help but mutter a complaint under his breath, his voice standing out clearly in the relatively quiet theater.

"It's not just the Taotie that's ugly; the costumes and props are a disaster! Red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple—a jumble of colors, like a spilled palette, piled up haphazardly."

It completely fails to showcase the majesty of Chinese armor and the profound beauty of Hanfu culture, a complete waste of such a good subject matter and investment.

The audience members nearby were even more heartbroken, clearly disappointed by the film's claim of "Chinese style".

With Gu Qing's ancient-style songs and her gorgeous costumes at red carpet events over the past two years, the Chinese style trend has become popular ahead of time.

More and more young people are beginning to focus on and appreciate culture with traditional elements.

"The most outrageous thing is the plot! Why does the responsibility of saving the world fall on a foreign mercenary?"

Are all our heroes and warriors in the Nameless Order of China just for show? This old-fashioned 'white man savior' script is really disgusting now."

A male audience member in the back row, whose voice was slightly rough, also joined in the hushed protests.

"What's wrong with Zhang Yimou this time? Does he think he's built up such a good reputation over the years with films like 'Coming Home' and 'Under the Hawthorn Tree' that he's going to squander it?"

Some even pointed the finger at the director.

As the film progressed, even in the quiet theater where silence was required, it was difficult to suppress the occasional grumbles and whispered complaints from the audience.

An atmosphere of disappointment and confusion permeated the air.

At this moment, Zhang Guoshi, sitting in a specially reserved seat in the back row of the theater, showed no obvious emotional fluctuation on his face, neither angry nor embarrassed, like a calm machine.

He simply watched the screen and the audience's reaction to his work in silence. He seemed to have anticipated all of this.

In fact, when the film was halfway through shooting, his keen intuition as a renowned director was already giving him a frantic warning—this film was probably doomed.

The narrative structure, character development, and awkward juxtaposition of Chinese and Western elements all exude an irreparable sense of awkwardness.

But the die is cast; the contract is signed, huge sums of money have been invested, and the faces and interests of all the bigwigs involved are at stake.
He had already been placed in this position, and could only grit his teeth and mobilize all the technical skills he had learned in his life to "polish" this inherently flawed work as much as possible.

At least make it look like a complete, technically competent big-budget commercial film.

Gradually, small groups of audience members, unable to bear it any longer, began to leave early.

A rough estimate suggests that about one-fifth of the audience left. Of those who remained, their states of mind were quite varied:
Some people were engrossed in scrolling through their phones, the light from the screen illuminating their expressionless faces;

Some young couples even snuggled together and whispered to each other under the dim lights of the theater, as if the movie had become background noise;
One guy, perhaps too tired or because the movie was so soothing, was already snoring softly and rhythmically with his head tilted back.

It truly depicts the myriad aspects of life, but lacks the immersion and appreciation that a film should have.

Having witnessed all of this, Jing Tian, ​​sitting among the main creative team, felt her heart sink, her face ashen, and she felt utterly hopeless.

The enormous investment, the long hours of hard work during filming, and the high expectations all seem so pale and laughable in the face of the audience's most genuine reactions.

As the end credits finally rolled, most moviegoers breathed a sigh of relief and got up to leave the place that had been "torturing" them for an hour and a half.

Meanwhile, Jing Tian and the other main cast members had no choice but to brace themselves and prepare to get up and give the audience who might stay a "surprise appearance".

However, at this moment——

"clank--!"

A few sharp notes from the guzheng, like the clash of swords and the sound of ancient clashing, suddenly broke the slightly noisy atmosphere in the theater!

Then,

A metallic, husky, and powerful male voice rang out, accompanied by deep, resonant drumbeats, reciting Wang Changling's poem "Leaving the Frontier" in an almost chanting style:

"The moon shines on the Qin Dynasty's pass, the Han Dynasty's frontier is shrouded in mist! Ten thousand miles of march, yet no one returns! If only the Flying General of Longcheng were here, the barbarian horses would never dare cross the Yin Mountains!"

The sound was like a thunderclap from a clear sky, instantly startling all the audience members who were packing up their things and preparing to leave!
"Holy crap! This is the ending theme? That voice... is Second Brother?!"

"It's not just Second Brother! Look at the subtitles! Lyrics and music by Gu Qing!!"

"Wow! They fed me the whole defense session, and then at the end of the show, they slipped me a piece of dark chocolate?! And it was handmade premium quality!"

The audience members who had just lifted their buttocks fell back into their seats. Many who had already walked into the aisle stopped and turned back to look at the big screen in surprise.

Especially the young couple directly in front of Jing Tian; the girl was particularly excited, her face instantly turning bright red, and she frantically pulled out her phone to start recording the ending theme song.

She couldn't help but excitedly tell her boyfriend, "Honey! Did you know? Second Brother and Gu Qing have a connection!"

They had interacted and even took a group photo when they first celebrated New Year's Eve on the Moon Platform!

I never expected we'd collaborate this time, and I even wrote a song for this movie! The production team kept it so secret!

If we say,
The first two lines of the poem sung by the second brother captivated everyone's ears with their explosive roar and rock-and-roll style.

Then the female voice that followed instantly gave all the movie fans goosebumps and made their hair stand on end!

"[Smoke signals fly for miles around the chaotic burial grounds, and lonely souls wander unattended in this turbulent world!]"

The silent heavens, their ink cold, their pen like a knife! History will pay with blood…

When Tan Weiwei's voice, soaring high, bold and unrestrained, yet imbued with the raw charm of Qinqiang opera, first appeared...

Especially that furious cry of "Pen~ Knife!" that seemed to tear through the sky, carrying the fierce momentum of a thousand troops charging forward.
The chilling battlefield atmosphere, with its swirling yellow sand and the clanging of swords, instantly resonated in the minds of all the listeners through the sound!
"Holy crap! This song! This song is so damn awesome!!!"

"Whose voice is that?! It's incredible! It's amazing!!"

"Tan Weiwei! She's the super vocalist on 'I Am a Singer' recently. She's amazing at singing folk songs and traditional operas!"

This sudden auditory storm completely stunned the audience, sweeping away their previous dejection and disappointment.

"[Let's talk about love and hate! No time for sloppy talk! The war drums are beating! With trust! I'll make a vow and endure it!]"

"This fate! It's like a bridge! Banners fluttering! If you want to leave! Then draw your sword immediately! And wipe the slate clean!"

The male and female voices began to rise alternately, with angry tones overlapping one after another, accumulating astonishing tension.

The song's arrangement is truly the finishing touch:

The prelude is a desolate guzheng and a deep, resonant drumbeat.

The pre-chorus section features a sudden increase in the tempo of the war drums, incorporating modern electronic sound effects and rock guitar, wildly stimulating the listener's adrenaline.

"Awesome! But... something's missing, it feels like something's still missing..."

"Strange, it feels like I've reached the peak but not quite, it's suffocating..."

Many listeners were completely overwhelmed by this intense emotion, their faces flushed red, and their bodies involuntarily leaning forward, as if desperately seeking a final outlet.

at last,

After accumulating enough power, the song culminates in a powerful and explosive chorus:
"[Discuss love and hate! Don't be careless! The mortal world burns and burns! With life and death! Prove without shame who is important!"]
This fate! Like a bridge! Banners fluttering! If you want to leave! Then draw your sword immediately! Love is wiped clean!!!

The voices of the second brother and Weiwei blended perfectly, their roaring and tearing Qinqiang singing style was like countless sharp blades clashing and colliding, producing a heart-shaking roar!
Despite the cold winter, the film warmed the spines and made the blood boil in every audience member, completely dispelling all the chill and disappointment they had felt from the movie!

"Awesome!!!"

"Awesome! So awesome! This song made my head spin!"

This is a divine song! It's absolutely worthy of being called the song of the year!

"I felt like I was getting ripped off with this ticket, but after hearing this song, I feel like it was totally worth it!"

As soon as the first chorus ends, the second chorus, even more explosive and emotionally charged, follows immediately.

Tan Weiwei's voice is like the strongest and most mellow liquor in winter, making people feel hot all over, sweating profusely, and wanting to slap the table in amazement!

This is completely different from the gentle and tender love songs sung by traditional men and women.

Instead, it perfectly blends the grandeur and boldness of frontier poetry, the raw and rugged power of Qinqiang opera, with modern rock and electronic music.
It creates an unprecedented, highly impactful and infectious form of music!
"【Let's travel the world! We lay down our armor! Let's dream of the Great Wall...】"

Before you know it,
The song ended slowly with Tan Weiwei's long, free-spirited, and slightly wistful rendition, but the lingering charm remained in the theater for a long time.

"it is good!!"

"It's so good! I want to listen to it again! It's so enjoyable!"

The applause and cheers that followed were far more enthusiastic, sincere, and prolonged than those at the end of the film.

At this moment, the long-waiting host finally seized the opportunity and strode into the theater through the main entrance, a professional smile plastered on his face:

"Dear movie fans, please be patient! Please turn around and look, our surprise for tonight is right here!"
Let's give a warm round of applause to the main creative team of "The Great Wall"!

However, a funny yet awkward scene unfolded.

The audience, who were still immersed in the shock and heated discussion brought by the end credits song,
Turning around and seeing the main creative team led by Jing Tian, ​​the excitement and admiration on her face instantly froze.
Instead, a subtle expression emerged, a mixture of surprise, embarrassment, and even a hint of "Why is it you guys?"

Especially the young couple directly in front of Jing Tian, ​​their facial expressions were absolutely priceless.

From ecstasy to astonishment, and then to wishing they could disappear into the ground, the two instinctively lowered their heads, hunched their necks, and tried to sneak away while there were many people around.

The atmosphere in the entire theater instantly plummeted from its previous fiery intensity to freezing point.

Aside from the media reporters who received travel expenses and still applauded professionally, which other viewer didn't criticize the movie in their hearts or on their lips?

There was none of the expected cheers and screams from the fans; all that remained was an almost suffocating awkwardness in the air.

The actors in "The Great Wall" could only force smiles and try their best to maintain their composure.

Under the host's extremely exaggerated control and guidance, a random lucky draw was barely conducted, giving away a few autographed posters and merchandise, before quickly moving on to the interview segment.

Some reporters who received bribes should, in principle, have pointed out the film's highlights and offered a few token compliments to make it easier to write press releases later.

After watching "The Great Wall," they racked their brains but couldn't think of anything to praise.

Praise the outfit/styling?

Those armors with extremely high color saturation and haphazard design are simply not worth praising.

Praise the special effects? The Taotie's attack scene looks grand but lacks detail and a sense of oppression. The overall quality is even inferior to "Monster Hunt" from a few years ago.

Praising the actor's acting skills?

The male lead, Matt, is a flat and pale character, and he's also a foreigner.

The female lead, Jing Tian… her existence or non-existence seems to have no decisive impact on the main plot.

Fortunately, the final, earth-shattering end credits song provided all the media with an excellent way out and a starting point for their reports.

"Director Zhang, I'd like to ask how the production team came up with the idea of ​​inviting Gu Qing to compose and produce the theme song for the film?"

One reporter asked the first question, which focused entirely on the song.

"This song has a very unique style, full of power and Chinese charm, which fits perfectly with the movie's... uh... grand setting. It's one of the most powerful songs I've heard so far this year!"

Another reporter added that the conversation was cleverly steered back to the song itself.

“Gu…Gu Qing…this…”

When asked this question, Zhang Guoshi was taken aback. He had been busy with the post-production of the film itself and was not very clear about the specific production and negotiation process of the theme song. He was speechless for a moment.

"I invited Gu Qing to create this piece."

Da Tiantian picked up the conversation, her depressed mood somewhat comforted by the recognition this song had received.

This at least proves that her decision to strongly advocate for inviting Gu Qing was very insightful and correct.

"Did you personally invite her, Sweetie?"

The reporters' eyes lit up instantly, like sharks smelling blood, and they immediately turned their attention to Jing Tian, ​​bombarding her with a series of questions:
"Jing Tian, ​​do you and Gu Qing have a good relationship in private?"

"What were your considerations when you decided to invite Gu Qing to compose the theme song for such a large-scale fantasy production?"

Have you ever collaborated or had a personal relationship before? How did you meet?

Nothing attracts the attention of gossip lovers more than digging into the "circle of friends" and potential scandals of today's top male celebrities.

"Uh... I don't actually know Gu Qing."

Da Tiantian pursed her lips slightly, looking a little embarrassed, and subconsciously raised her hand to smooth her hair behind her ear.

During this period, she maintained a cool and mysterious image as a "worldly beauty of wealth and elegance."

She calmed herself down a bit and continued, "Mainly because I really like his music. I've listened to his previous works like 'Spring Snow in the Courtyard' and 'Memories of Farewell to the Nine Gates' privately, and I think he's very talented."

Their understanding and innovation of traditional Chinese music is unique.

So this time, I contacted him through the studio, just to give it a try, and asked him to write a song for me.

"I see. After this collaboration, do you have any plans to work with Gu Qing on film and television projects in the future?"

One reporter, suppressing a laugh, deliberately brought up a sore spot, asking, "Isn't he the entertainment industry's undisputed 'lucky charm' and 'box office miracle'?"
I've heard that every actress who has worked with him, whether in television dramas or movies, has become famous.

"..."

Jing Tian's pretty face instantly darkened, and her eyes coldly stared at the reporter who asked the question.

If looks could kill, that reporter would probably be riddled with holes by now.

Mentioning a "box office magic bullet" in front of her?
This is a blatant slap in the face and a mockery!
Is this implying that her big-budget production flopped and she needs to ride on someone else's good luck?

"I'm sorry, we don't have any plans in that regard at the moment."

Da Tiantian's chest heaved slightly as she suppressed her anger and shook her head in an extremely cold tone.

Even if I really want to be famous, I would never go out of my way to tell so many media outlets that I want to work with a male actor who is younger and less experienced than me!

You want to eat shit!
Da Tiantian is determined not to go back to an old flame.

"Director Zhang, Director Zhang!"

Seeing this, the reporters wisely shifted their focus, turning their questions back to Zhang Guoshi: "What is your personal opinion of the young actress Gu Qing?"

"If a suitable project comes up in the future, do you think there is a possibility of cooperating with him?"

Zhang Guoshi is no novice; he is well-versed in the ways of speaking in the entertainment industry.

Since he tasted success with his early film "Hero" by using an all-star cast, he has become increasingly inclined to pile up well-known actors in his films, trying to win with quantity.

So, his usual slightly thoughtful smile immediately appeared on his face as he replied:

"Gu Qing is a very good and promising young actor."

I've seen some of his work, not many, but they left a deep impression on me. This kid is very talented, and I quite like his acting.

He paused, then continued speaking in a casual tone, "Who can predict the future? The film and television industry is all about fate."

If the opportunity arises in the future, and a suitable script and role come along, I think we might have the possibility of collaborating.

Although these words were official, they successfully piqued the interest of the media.

After all, this is a high praise from a top-tier director.

But Zhang Yimou's words were not entirely just for show.

He certainly knew Gu Qing; in fact, anyone in the entertainment industry couldn't possibly be unaware of that name.

It must be admitted that when Zhang Yimou first saw Gu Qing's image, he was struck by its aesthetic appeal.

It was an extreme beauty that blended masculine and feminine features; her exceptional bone structure created an incredibly photogenic, cinematic face, and her aura was both cool and refined, imbued with a strong scholarly air.

Especially those eyes, which were incredibly bright and clear, yet seemed to hold a story. This complex quality truly struck a chord with his aesthetic as a director when it came to casting.

His aesthetic preferences are practically an open secret within the industry.

He favored faces with pure, delicate features, possessing a natural, unadorned beauty like a lotus emerging from water, but the eyes could not be weak; they had to contain a stubbornness.

Even in extreme situations (such as when he is bullied or oppressed, as often seen in his films), he can unleash amazing inner strength and resilience.

From Gong Li, Zhang Ziyi to Zhou Dongyu,

Even Xiao Hua, whom he later promoted, and Sister Zhao, more or less possessed this quality.

however,
In the past, this trait was mostly reflected in the "Zhang Yimou girls" he selected.

Gu Qing, a male actor, also possesses a face and temperament that are extremely photogenic, full of stories and contradictions.

Thinking about it,

Director Zhang stared at the empty dot in the air, his fingers unconsciously stroking it, a strong, directorial urge rising within him—

A creative impulse to take such a malleable face under my lens, to explore, to shape, and to give it a complex role.

Unconsciously,
The awkwardly atmosphere of the press conference finally came to an end. The media, carrying their cameras and microphones, left satisfied.

It wasn't until then that many actors in the "The Great Wall" crew belatedly realized what was going on.

"That's not right... Why were all those reporters asking questions about that guy named Gu Qing?"

"Isn't this our movie 'The Great Wall' press conference? Why does it seem like the lead actor has changed?"

"Director Zhang, this...this is so disrespectful! Our film, our hard work, are all overshadowed by a song?"

Back in the backstage dressing room, many actors couldn't help but complain, their words laced with sourness.
There were even those who maliciously whispered and belittled the name that had stolen all the limelight.

However, Zhang Guoshi seemed completely absorbed in his own world, ignoring the complaints and grumbles in the lounge and not bothering to pay them any attention.

His mind had already wandered elsewhere.

"Sweetie, those reporters are really something. They don't think before they speak. What do you mean by telling you to rush to cooperate with Gu Qing? That's too much."

People gathered around Jing Tian, ​​seemingly to comfort her, but in reality, they were stirring up trouble.

"Exactly, he just got lucky and became a popular celebrity. The entertainment industry is full of ups and downs. Without some background or connections, how far can you go just by luck?"

“They dare to call him a ‘box office miracle’ or ‘industry lucky charm’. The higher they are praised, the harder they will fall. Sooner or later, they will suffer the consequences.”

Seeing that Zhang Guoshi didn't react, some people gathered around Jing Tian and started chattering.

"I also wish I had that kind of 'luck'."

Da Tiantian replied casually, her voice not loud, but enough to instantly silence the surroundings.

Although she is sometimes criticized as a "resource-backed" or "not smart," she is definitely not stupid.

She knew exactly what these people were up to.

They simply wanted to incite her discontent, and ideally, encourage her to use her connections to cause trouble for the rising star, Gu Qing.

"That's disgusting."

"This industry is a cesspool!"

Da Tiantian felt nauseous, and a clear look of disgust flashed in her eyes.

Too tired to continue the pretense with these people, she picked up her bag and said to her assistant, "It's too stuffy in here, I'm going out for some fresh air."

"Sweetie, wait! Put your mask on! It's too dangerous for you to go out like this!"

The assistant hurriedly caught up, holding a brand new black mask in his hand.

"Not many people know me, why should I wear a mask?"

Da Tian Tian's tone carried a hint of self-deprecation and a sense of resignation, but she didn't stop walking.

Her gaze swept over the dazzling array of movie promotional signs in the cinema lobby, then she suddenly stopped and walked straight in one of the directions.

"Sweetie, where are you going?" the assistant asked, puzzled.

"Let's go to the movies!"

Da Tiantian snorted coldly; clearly, what those people had said earlier had provoked her to some extent.
"I want to see for myself whether the movie starring Gu Qing is really as amazing as the legends say!"
Can it truly be called a 'miracle drug'?

After all,

She held her head high and walked toward the ticket gate of the "Detective Chinatown" theater.

The assistant watched her retreating figure, sighed helplessly, and had no choice but to quickly go to the cinema staff to discuss the ticket issue.

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(End of this chapter)