HuaYu97: Starting as a Singer

Chapter 217 [217] 140 million copies sold in one day, shocking the industry!
The album "Wish" has been gaining popularity ever since its release.

Qi Yuan and Zhang Shaohan launched the promotional campaign.

A temporary stage was set up in front of Taipei's largest music and video store.

Qi Yuan changed her style of dress, wearing a white sweatshirt with a black jacket, a baseball cap, and sunglasses, giving her a more hip-hop look.

Qi Yuan was quite restrained and didn't wear gold chains like American black hip-hop artists; Qi Yuan felt that was a bit tacky.

Holding the microphone, Qi Yuan sang and danced: "In the 80s, what should we shout? B Boys B Girls, Let's make some noise."

Zhang Shaohan then asked, "What should I wear?"

Qi Yuan: "Hmm~~ Tight pants and tight top, show off your figure. If someone shows off their gold teeth, don't be surprised. Hip hop is sprouting, don't pull out its dentures."

Chorus: "Lockin' Poppin' we dancing, Ain't no stopping, sing along with me!"

"Happiness worship, happiness is harmless, although happiness is like a virus that can spread. In the 90s, we waited for the millennium, partying and playing electronic music all night long..."

Qi Yuan has absorbed the singing skills of so many people, and among pop singers, his singing skills are definitely top-notch.

He also drew some of the timbre characteristics of three voice rogues: Wang Fei, Sun Yanzi, and Zhang Shaohan.

At the autograph session, Qi Yuan's top-notch singing skills and unique vocal characteristics combined to create an even more captivating effect than the studio recording!

In the studio version, Zhang Shaohan's voice is very eye-catching; it can definitely attract everyone's attention as soon as it appears.

On stage, Qi Yuan was able to hold her own against Zhang Shaohan. Both of them had outstanding voices, but Qi Yuan's singing skills were much better than Zhang Shaohan's at the moment, giving her the upper hand.

The fans who filled the venue were ecstatic, cheering and clapping non-stop.

The "walking CD" truly lived up to its name; the live performance was even more impressive than the recording studio!

After the album was released, Qi Yuan was extremely busy.

During the day, I run around to numerous autograph sessions, and at night I record TV programs. After recording the programs, I give various media interviews, and I also have to squeeze in time to shoot promotional covers and posters. I'm so busy that I can only sleep five or six hours a day.

However, Qi Yuan's achievements are very impressive.

The album's first-day sales figures across Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia left people both inside and outside the industry speechless.

"Wish" sold 740310 copies in mainland China, 269200 in Taiwan, 155200 in Hong Kong, and 223400 in other countries and regions.

The Chinese music market, which has been shrinking year by year, is giving the illusion of returning to its peak.

Nearly 140 million genuine copies sold in a single day—is that even possible?!
Considering the quality of Qi Yuan's previous two albums and two EPs, everyone felt it was reasonable.

Each album was better than the last. From 97 to 99, Qi Yuan had been building up his strength for more than two years before this punch became so explosive.

If another singer released the same album as Qi Yuan over two years later, and then released this album "Wish," the sales wouldn't be much worse than Qi Yuan's.

Zhou Jianhui excitedly called Qi Yuan, who was busy with book signings, and said, "Yuan, great news! Time magazine wants to interview you."

Time Magazine, also known as Time, was founded in 1932. It is one of the three major current affairs magazines in the United States and one of the most influential current affairs magazines in the world. Being interviewed by Time Magazine is undoubtedly the highest honor.

"And Time Asia is going to use your photo on the cover. Do you know what that means? You will become the first male singer from Asia to appear on the cover of Time magazine."

Even through the phone, you could feel Zhou Jianhui's excited emotions.

If I could only describe her in one word, it would be "awesome." This year, Amy Chang was featured in *Asia Weekly*, and Taiwanese media have been raving about her.

Amy Chang launched her "Radiant Beauty Asia Tour," taking concerts to Singapore and mainland China.

If Qi Yuan really does appear on the cover of Time magazine's Asian edition, it will be a great benefit for his entry into the Japanese music scene next year!
Ayumi Hamasaki, a Japanese singer, only appeared on the cover of the Asian edition of Time magazine in 2001, becoming the first Japanese female singer to grace the cover of Time magazine.

With the labels of Time Magazine's Asian cover star, outstanding producer in the Western music scene, and king of Mandopop, plus Chen Kaige's new movie, this combination is sure to make Qi Yuan known to a large number of young people in Japan.

……

Qi Yuan took the time to give an exclusive interview to Time magazine. Warner Music Taiwan and Warner Music headquarters both put in some effort to help Qi Yuan make a big splash.

It was January 2000.

With the arrival of the new century, Qi Yuan came to Hong Kong to promote his album.

Wherever she goes, she attracts thousands of fans. Qi Yuan attends many autograph sessions in Hong Kong every day and appears on some variety shows, gaining a lot of exposure in Hong Kong.

This popularity is unmatched by any of the Four Heavenly Kings at their peak.

When Alan Mak was in mainland China last time, he received confirmation from Qi Yuan that he would be starring in the film. After returning to Hong Kong, he teamed up with Chong Man-keung and spent several months polishing the script, finally writing out the complete plot and dialogue.

Alan Mak then teamed up with Du Qifeng, who had just won the Golden Horse Award for Best Director, to seek investment from Media Asia's Lam Kin-yue.

When Lin Jianyue heard that Qi Yuan had agreed to participate in the film, he promised to invest ten million in Mai Zhaohui.

Lin Jianyue asked, "Qi Yuan's salary skyrocketed after filming 'The Mission,' and his popularity has soared. He's already commanding an astronomical price. You're suggesting casting Liang Chaowei opposite Qi Yuan."

The combined salaries of the two actors are probably over ten million. Could you persuade them to take less, or even offer them shares in exchange for a portion of their salaries?

How could we let him take the risk alone, and let Qi Yuan and Liang Chaowei go on the adventure with him?

Later, Leung Chiu-wai filmed "Infernal Affairs" and received a salary of six million.

Tony Leung's current salary is not as high as it was later; it still costs three or four million. Tony Leung's salary is higher than that of Aaron Kwok, one of the Four Heavenly Kings.

Last year, "The Mission" was a huge hit, and Qi Yuan won the Golden Horse Award. His career in the music industry has been on the rise, and his film salary has naturally increased.

Ten million might not be enough to pay the salaries of these two actors.

After Mak Siu-fai left Lam Kin-yue's residence, Kei Yuen made a phone call to inquire.

“Yuanzai, I have good news and bad news. The good news is that Mr. Lin from Media Asia has agreed to invest ten million in our film ‘Infernal Affairs.’ The bad news is that Mr. Lin is only willing to invest ten million.”

The Hong Kong film market is sluggish, and many investors are unwilling to invest in movies anymore.

Could you perhaps find a way to help us connect with some investors in mainland China?

Mak Siu-fai has recently heard some rumors.

When "The Mission" was released in mainland China last year, Du Qifeng went to China Film Group, and China Film Group made it clear to Du Qifeng that he was involved.

By accepting more than one-third of the investment from mainland China and using more than one-third of the actors from mainland China, they can enjoy all the benefits of domestic films and do not have to compete with Hollywood for import quotas.

We can't get much investment from Hong Kong, so we can only go the co-production route.

(End of this chapter)