HuaYu97: Starting as a Singer

Chapter 305 [305] Taking second place on the Oricon chart, the darkest moment for the Japanese music scene?
After Qi Yuan released his EP, the song and music video became a global sensation.

Perhaps Fan Bingbing can take this opportunity to market herself as an internationally renowned actress, thus surpassing many actors in China.

Don't think this is an exaggeration. Let alone the fact that it's 2000 years ago and the moon is rounder in foreign countries than in China.

In his previous life after 2010, Fan Xiaopang followed Li Bingbing's example and went to Hollywood to develop his career, but only played a few minor roles without a single line.

For example, "Iron Man 3" was only made in China; the version shown overseas cut out Fan Bingbing.

Even so, her team dared to release press releases boasting that she had officially entered Hollywood, attempting to cultivate the image of an international superstar.

The music videos for "You're Beautiful" and "Baby" received a hundred times, or even several hundred times, more exposure than the Hollywood movies she later starred in.

Listening to Qi Yuan's grand promises, Fan Xiaopang imagined herself becoming an international star, trampling Zhao Yanzi and Lin Xinru under her feet, and it was incredibly satisfying.

She kissed Qi Yuan on the cheek: "I knew you were the best to me."

Qi Yuan smiled. Wouldn't it be better for Fan Xiaopang to become famous sooner so that he could make money sooner?

"Knowing how good I am to you, how do you plan to repay me?"

Qi Yuan is much richer than Fan Xiaopang. She is not yet an 800 millionaire. Qi Yuan's career does not need her help.

Besides that thing, what else could she offer to repay Qi Yuan?

Fan Xiaopang decisively suggested that Qi Yuan help her correct her English accent. As an internationally renowned actress, how could she not speak English?
Qi Yuan, who enjoys guiding female celebrities, readily accepted the offer.

After the guidance was finished, it was past 11 a.m. when Qi Yuan appeared at Warner.

Zhou Jianhui looked refreshed. He had only returned to Taiwan late last night, and judging from his condition, he knew that the talks with headquarters had gone well.

How Warner Taiwan and Warner headquarters divide their interests is their business, and Qi Yuan doesn't want to worry about it.

“Ah Yuan, it’s settled. Your ‘Free Loop’ will be officially released in the United States on the 15th of this month.”

Zhou Jianhui didn't need to elaborate further.

The American music scene is a trendsetter for global pop music. If an English single becomes a hit in the American market, Warner Music headquarters will naturally assess whether the song can become popular in other countries, and then allocate resources to let the song test the waters in more countries.

Those were Warner headquarters' jobs, and Zhou Jianhui had no right to interfere.

Actually, Zhou Jianhui doesn't need to interfere. If Qi Yuan's single is really popular there, Warner Music headquarters will step in, unless they don't want to make money anymore.

Zhou Jianhui recently made a trip to the United States, and it has been confirmed that Qi Yuan's single and EP will be released in the US in the future.

"Come and see this."

Zhou Jianhui took out a business plan and showed it to Qi Yuan with great interest.

The Free Loop cartridge is priced at $3, and the CD is $5.

Qi Yuan's pupils dilated slightly; the US dollar still smells so good!

A cassette tape with only audio costs close to 25 yuan, while a CD sells for over 40 yuan.

Zhou Jianhui turned another page for Qi Yuan.

"Take another look at this, your EP plan."

Qi Yuan glanced over and saw that the basic version of the EP, consisting of three English songs, was priced at $8.99 by Warner Music, excluding all music videos.

Below the main content is a deluxe edition with upgraded packaging, including all the music videos, behind-the-scenes footage, photos, posters, etc., priced at $12.99.

What the hell!

Qi Yuan was stunned; when it comes to making money, you have to look to the Americans.

An EP (Electronic Points) card, basic or deluxe version, dares to sell for $12.99. But Americans earn in dollars, and their per capita GDP exceeded $20,000 last year, so $12.99 is reasonable.

"This is just the initial pricing. When it's actually released, there might be some discounts. Since you're a newcomer, it's possible that the single cassette could be discounted to $2 or even less."

Zhou Jianhui was afraid that Qi Yuan would float away, so he quickly poured some cold water on Qi Yuan to cool her down.

That's how it works with new singers: first, set the price at 3 yuan, then offer a discount, like 2.49 or 1.99, which makes people feel like they're getting a bargain.

Later, didn't those mobile phone manufacturers use the same tactic? They first set a price of 2299 yuan, then announced a limited-time offer of only 1999 yuan, and the whole audience was shouting "Awesome!" But actually, they had planned to sell it for 1999 yuan from the beginning.

This is called the anchoring effect, also known as the anchoring trap.

"In addition, a deluxe version of an EP isn't something you can just release casually. First, your 'Free Loop' needs to achieve a certain level of success in the United States. Also, a deluxe version of an EP usually requires the addition of a hidden track, which is simply an extra song."

Zhou Jianhui explained the ins and outs of the matter to Qi Yuan in detail.

The basic version costs $8.99, while the deluxe version jumps to $12.99.

If all they do is change the packaging to look nicer and throw in some behind-the-scenes photos, even die-hard fans, let alone casual fans, will be cursing them out. This is outrageous; they're clearly just trying to cash in, they've no shame.

Adding a hidden song made fans feel it was totally worth it.

Qi Yuan is quite confident about "Free Loop". He's definitely going to release a deluxe edition EP. He can earn a few extra dollars per EP, which is all money!
Qi Yuan thought about it for a moment and decided to take out Maroon 5's sweet hit song "Sugar" as a hidden song.

The four songs, "Baby," "You're Beautiful," "Free Loop," and "Sugar," perfectly embody the concept of 'youthful love.'

"Baby" tells the story of a teenager's first love and heartbreak. Qi Yuan revised the lyrics for the latter part, describing her first love at 18, which is more in line with her identity as a Chinese person.

In "You're Beautiful," some time after losing her first love, Qi Yuan sees an angelic girl on the subway, only to discover she has a boyfriend. Having experienced a first love, Qi Yuan has matured, keeping her regrets and disappointments deep inside.

"Free Loop" can express the pursuit of a piano dream, or it can express nostalgia for past love, indicating that one has let go of the past and is hopeful for the future.

In "Sugar," Qi Yuan finally emerges from the pain of heartbreak and unrequited love. He still believes in true love and hopes for a sweet romance of his own.

The four songs tell the story of a young man's growth through love.

……

a few days later.

October 10th, Tuesday, is a very important day.

The Oricon charts change every Tuesday.

Qi Yuan's "Free Loop" has released its first full week of sales data in Japan, with 29.4 copies sold, ranking second on the singles sales chart.

Above "Free Loop" is only "Everything," the theme song from the popular Japanese drama "Yamato Nadeshiko."

The release of the new charts has caused an earthquake in the Japanese music scene.

What? The Japanese music scene has really been taken over by a Chinese singer? Didn't we agree to boycott him? Wasn't Japanese pop music supposed to be the pinnacle of Asian pop? Where's our Heisei diva? Why didn't we stop her?

The fall of the empire: the Japanese music scene is being invaded by Chinese singers.

Breaking the "Wall of the Orient"! A Chinese singer takes second place, shattering the undefeated myth of the Japanese music scene.

[The darkest hour for the Japanese music scene!]

……

Many proud and arrogant Japanese musicians and netizens felt like the sky had fallen.

(End of this chapter)