HuaYu97: Starting as a Singer

Chapter 81 [081] Popularity Reaches Number One in Mainland China
The story goes something like this.

Zhang Jizhong, who spent several years at CCTV, participated in the production of works such as "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and "Water Margin," accumulating experience in producing large-scale historical dramas.

This also led him to a new path that suited him: becoming a producer.

So he put his mind at ease and went to Hong Kong to meet with Jin Yong, hoping to acquire the television rights to Jin Yong's novel.

Jin Yong's martial arts novels are one of the biggest IPs in the current Chinese television industry.

Jin Yong's works are rich in plot and delicate in character portrayal. They often use a certain historical background and add the patriotic feelings of the great heroes who are dedicated to their country and people.

Not only is it easy to adapt, but it also aligns with the mainstream values ​​of contemporary society, making it popular with both officials and the general public.

Gu Long, also a master of martial arts fiction, wrote works that were too imaginative and focused on artistic conception, making them difficult to adapt.

Jin Yong is a very smart man and very pragmatic.

Don't be fooled by his trouser-related remarks published in Ming Pao, the newspaper he founded decades ago.

After all these years, he has come to understand the situation.

Selling the copyright to CCTV for 1 yuan is a good example of this.

He only made one request: to treat his "Swordsman" with the same seriousness he showed when filming "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and "Water Margin".

Zhang Jizhong readily agreed.

"The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" was his first project where he explored the ways of being a producer, and it was related to his future career. Even if Jin Yong hadn't said anything, he would have taken it seriously.

Zhang Jizhong humbly inquired who should be cast to play Linghu Chong.

He mentioned several young male actors from mainland China, including Shao Bing, Li Erpeng, and Lu Yi.

Unfortunately, the mainland television industry was in such a dire state in 1998 that it was truly difficult to find many young actors with both good looks and fame.

To put it simply, the most popular male actors in mainland Chinese television right now are Zhang Guoli and Wang Zhiwen.

Can you believe that Wang Zhiwen is a recognized representative of mainland idols?

In 1995, Wang Zhiwen played a roguish and handsome character in the TV series "Addiction," which quickly made him a household name across China and won him the hearts of many. As a result, Wang Zhiwen became an idol.

Jin Yong was not particularly satisfied with any of these people.

Zhang Jizhong thought for a while and remembered a news article he had seen in mainland China some time ago, in which Richie Jen played Yang Guo in "The Return of the Condor Heroes".

Could he then cast Qi Yuan as Linghu Chong?

He immediately shared his thoughts with Jin Yong.

"How about Qi Yuan? He's a pop star who's popular across mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, and the number one most popular male singer in mainland China."

Upon hearing the name, Jin Yong's eyes lit up, and after a moment's thought, he said, "If we can get him, we won't make a second choice."

Qi Yuan has been ridiculously popular in Hong Kong lately, criticizing Nicholas Tse and attacking the Four Heavenly Kings.

The songs on that Cantonese EP had a wide audience reach; Jin Yong had even heard Qi Yuan's "Rogue" and "Too Late to Love".

He also heard some rumors about Qi Yuan.

His impression of Qi Yuan was that he was talented, good-looking, and popular with women. Isn't that the template for Linghu Chong?
……

the next day.

Hong Kong media gave this major report extensive coverage.

[Martial Arts Masterpiece Sells Copyright for 1 Yuan, Qi Yuan Designated to Play Linghu Chong]

Jin Yong: I won't sell the copyright unless I can get Qi Yuan to join me.

[Warner Music's rising star may be entering the film and television industry, debuting as the male lead in a popular drama]

News stories made Qi Yuan a protagonist in Hong Kong's entertainment news.

Yinghuang had just released a press release marketing Nicholas Tse's campus tour, praising its success and popularity among young people, portraying him as a high-quality youth idol. Then they noticed headlines like "Qi Yuan," "Jin Yong dramas," and "1 yuan copyright" dominating the page.

People are talking about Qi Yuan, Jin Yong, and Linghu Chong, but few people care about Xie Tingfeng's excellent youth idols.

For a moment, Yinghuang was cursing and swearing! "You deserve it! Why are you always the one on top? Do you own Hong Kong entertainment news?"
Left with no other option, Yinghuang had to devise a new strategy for Tse Ting-Feng to avoid direct confrontation.

They made up their minds not to mention Qi Yuan's name again until Nicholas Tse's movie and Mandarin album were released.

……

Mainland China.

The media, including some state media, got quite excited.

Some Southern Metropolis Daily commentators remarked: 'Qi Yuanren is too young. With no acting experience, can he really handle the broad-minded, carefree, witty, and agile Linghu Chong? Jin Yong may have misjudged him.'

The editor-in-chief of Yangcheng Evening News personally wrote an article refuting the claim: "In the original novel of *The Return of the Condor Heroes*, Yang Guo is handsome with striking eyebrows, the kind of actor who appeals to all ages and genders. Ren Xianqi isn't a professional actor, yet he can play Yang Guo; why can't Qi Yuan play Linghu Chong? Qi Yuan is a student at the Beijing Film Academy, a proper professionally trained actor."

The media in mainland China are divided into two factions: the Northern and Guangdong media support Qi Yuan, while the Southern media oppose him.

The two sides had a heated argument.

Southern media outlets have a long-standing tradition of flattering Hong Kong and Taiwanese celebrities while belittling mainland celebrities.

It is rumored that some of the media outlets there are invested in by Hong Kong and Taiwan capital.

Even though Zhao Yanzi's boyfriend was so rich, she still couldn't escape being ridiculed by the Southern Media Group.

After the success of "My Fair Princess 1", a metropolitan newspaper in southern China used words like "professional", "fashionable pioneer", and "international" to describe the Hong Kong and Taiwan actors in the show.

When Zhao Yanzi was mentioned, the comments were: 'Her luck outweighed her talent; she lacked the youthful energy of Taiwanese actors.'

Zhao Yanzi is in a slightly better position, but Fan Xiaopang is in a much worse situation.

The media put Fan Xiaopang and Lin Xinru's photos together, with the headline 'Princess and Maid'.

So for a while afterward, Fan Xiaopang really disliked anyone mentioning the character Jin Suo to her, and she would get angry with anyone who did.

It can also be interpreted this way: if a mainland celebrity is being criticized or belittled, it means that the mainland celebrity is very popular, so popular that they are crowding out the niche of Hong Kong and Taiwan celebrities.

Qi Yuan is incredibly popular right now, with his popularity rivaling that of the Four Heavenly Kings and Richie Jen, making him arguably the most popular star in mainland China.

A new album and concert are coming out in the second half of the year, and then another Jin Yong drama? Is this going to take us to the heavens?
……

Pengcheng.

Qi Yuan and Zhang Hao also know about these things.

Jin Yong commented that you are the best candidate for Linghu Chong. If CCTV really invites you, I think you should seriously consider it.

You and Richie Jen have teamed up, and he even played Yang Guo. It's a bit lacking that you only sing and don't act.

The combination of CCTV drama and Jin Yong drama, plus your popularity, makes it a perfect match.

If CCTV could truly produce a show of the same quality as "Water Margin," the ratings would definitely explode.

Zhang Hao offered his advice earnestly.

Qi Yuan's reaction was calm, mainly because Zhang Jizhong, that old scoundrel, loved to piggyback on the popularity of celebrities.

How could he know whether Zhang Jizhong, that old scoundrel, was acting against him?

Therefore, he instructed Zhang Hao not to respond to this matter with even a single word, but to let things cool down and see how things develop before making a decision.

As for tonight.

Qi Yuan had something more important to do.

He arranged to meet the foal tonight.

(End of this chapter)