Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 270, 268: A Tycoon?

In November 1999, the wind blowing from the Huangpu River in Shanghai carried a damp chill, which intertwined with the vibrant construction atmosphere emanating from the skyscrapers rising along the Bund, outlining a contradictory yet energetic silhouette of the city at the turn of the century.

Inside the old-fashioned Soviet-style office building of the Shanghai Film and Television Company, the office of General Manager Zhu Yongde was warm and inviting.

The finest Longjing tea leaves unfurl in the purple clay teapot, releasing a delicate aroma that permeates the entire space.

Zhu Yongde sat behind his large desk, a perfectly measured smile on his face, looking at the middle-aged man in a suit and tie with his hair neatly combed on the sofa opposite him.

This person is none other than Jung Tae-won, the founder and president of Tae-won Entertainment in South Korea.

Taewon Entertainment has risen to prominence in the South Korean film and television industry, known for its discerning eye and willingness to invest in large-scale productions. Jung Taewon himself was one of the first South Korean entertainment giants to set his sights on the Chinese mainland market and actively seek cooperation.

His visit to Shanghai was primarily to inspect the progress of the period martial arts film "Flying Dance," a collaboration with Shanghai Film Studio.

"President Zheng, please have some tea."

Zhu Yongde gestured for him to proceed, speaking warmly yet with an air of importance: "The filming of 'Flying Dance' has progressed very smoothly thanks to the strong support of your company and the hard work of director Kim Young-jun, Shin Hyun-jun, and stars Kim Hee-sun. I believe it will become a celebrated story of Sino-Korean film cooperation."

Zheng Taiyuan bowed slightly, accepted the teacup handed to him by his assistant with both hands, and replied in fluent but slightly accented Chinese: "General Manager Zhu is too kind. It is an honor for Taiyuan Entertainment to cooperate with the long-established and powerful Shanghai Film Studio. China's market is vast and profound, with a rich cultural heritage, which is worthy of our serious study."

He took a sip of tea, his movements elegant, demonstrating his good manners.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zheng Taiyuan changed the subject, seemingly casually asking, "Mr. Zhu, I just arrived in Shanghai a few days ago. On the streets, I saw many young people discussing a movie called... 'A Little Thing Called First Love.' The girl on the poster looks very innocent, and the story seems quite touching. I wonder if Mr. Zhu is familiar with the production company of this film?"

Zhu Yongde paused slightly in his teacup, a fleeting look of surprise crossing his eyes before returning to normal.

He didn't expect that this Korean boss was so well-informed and that his attention had jumped from period martial arts films to modern youth films so quickly.

"Hehe, President Zheng has a good eye."

Zhu Yongde put down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and smiled with a deeper meaning: "This film is really popular lately, with a very strong box office performance. Its production company, 'Shengying Media,' and its founder and director, Wang Sheng, are well-known in Beijing and even the entire film and television industry."

He deliberately emphasized the words "the capital" and "known to everyone".

"Oh?" Zheng Taiyuan showed great interest and asked, "Shengying Media... Wang Sheng... sounds like a very successful producer. Could you tell me more about him, Mr. Zhu?"

Zhu Yongde understood that Zheng Taiyuan had recognized the potential of "First Love" and was considering importing and distributing it in South Korea.

He was happy to do a favor, but at the same time he had some ulterior motives—letting this South Korean tycoon see the most popular "new force" in the country might stir up some waves that he was happy to see.

“It’s more than just success.” Zhu Yongde sighed softly, his tone carrying a complex emotion that even he himself was unaware of: “Wang Sheng is too young, but his skills, vision, and courage are all exceptional.”

He quietly gave a thumbs up.

"He started his career at the Beijing Film Studio, but long ago he established his own company. His Shengying Media and Enlight Media are now the leading private film and television companies. Not just movies, but also TV series, artist management, TV program production, and even..."

Zhu Yongde emphasized: "We recently signed an agreement with China Film Group and the Shenyang Municipal Government to invest over 100 million yuan to build a large-scale film and television cultural tourism base."

Zhu Yongde recounted Wang Sheng's remarkable achievements over the past few years in great detail: from his earliest wedding films to the TV movie alliance that ignited viewership, to a series of films that achieved both box office and critical success, such as "30 Days," "The Pursuit of Happyness," and "Flying Colors," as well as the currently popular "First Love."

He also specifically mentioned that Wang Sheng had just won several awards at the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival, including Best Director.

"In short," Zhu Yongde concluded, his gaze sweeping over Zheng Taiyuan's increasingly serious face, "Wang Sheng and his company are now the beginnings of a massive media empire. In Beijing, he is one of the top figures in this industry."

If President Zheng wants to discuss the import of "A Little Thing Called First Love," I'm afraid... he'll need to make a trip to Beijing in person. Given his current status and influence, he wouldn't proactively meet with anyone, not even an international partner like yourself, for the overseas distribution of a film.

His words were half a statement of fact, half a subtle reminder, and even carried a hint of provocation.

However, after listening, Zheng Taiyuan did not show the slightest offense or displeasure on his face. Instead, his shrewd eyes shone with even stronger interest, and even flashed with the light of a hunter discovering a high-quality prey.

"A massive...media empire?"

Zheng Taiyuan repeated the word in a low voice, his body unconsciously straightening up. He looked at Zhu Yongde, his tone filled with inquiry and disbelief: "President Zhu, from your description, could this Mr. Wang Sheng be... a Chinese 'tycoon'?"

The word "chaebol" sounded somewhat awkward coming from his mouth in Chinese, but it also bluntly reflected his understanding of South Korean social structure. Upon hearing this, Zhu Yongde was taken aback at first, then laughed and quickly waved his hand to explain, "President Zheng, it was a slip of the tongue. Our country has a socialist market economy, and we don't have 'chaebols' in the South Korean sense."

Wang Sheng's company is a private enterprise, very large and successful, but its nature is completely different; it operates entirely within the framework of laws and regulations.

He thought to himself, "These Koreans really have a deeply ingrained way of thinking."

Zheng Taiyuan realized his mistake and immediately apologized, "Ah, I'm sorry, Mr. Zhu. I used the wrong words. Please don't mind."

He paused, but the eagerness in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest: "I am just very surprised and very admiring. For Mr. Wang Sheng to have built such a large-scale business at his age is a remarkable achievement, whether in South Korea or China."

He hesitated for a moment, then became even more earnest: "Mr. Zhu, since you and Mr. Wang Sheng are acquainted, I wonder if you could help make the connection? I very much hope to have the opportunity to meet Mr. Wang Sheng, to ask him for advice in person, and to discuss the release of 'A Little Thing Called First Love' in South Korea, as well as the possibility of future cooperation between the two parties. I would be very grateful if Mr. Zhu could help introduce us."

Seeing the undisguised expectation in Zheng Taiyuan's eyes, Zhu Yongde knew that the time was almost right.

He hesitated for a moment, as if weighing his options, and finally nodded: "Since President Zheng is so sincere, I will naturally help you with this. I'll call President Wang now and see when it's convenient for him."

"That's wonderful! Thank you so much, Mr. Zhu!" Zheng Taiyuan immediately bowed in gratitude.

Zhu Yongde picked up the phone on his desk and dialed a number he had saved but rarely called. The phone was answered after a few rings.

"Hello, Mr. Wang? It's me..." Zhu Yongde's voice instantly became warm and familiar: "Did I disturb you?"

……

In the office of the Jingxin Building in Beijing, a thousand miles away.

"Mr. Zhu, what a rare guest." Wang Sheng answered the phone, his tone calm but with a hint of barely perceptible aloofness: "What can I do for you?"

On the other end of the phone, Zhu Yongde's laughter came through: "I wouldn't dare to offer advice. Mr. Wang, it's like this, a friend of mine, Mr. Jung Tae-won, the president of Tae-won Entertainment in South Korea, is with me right now."

He read your film, *A Little Thing Called First Love*, and loved it! He was absolutely blown away! He's eagerly hoping to meet you to discuss its distribution in South Korea. What do you think…?

Wang Sheng listened quietly.

Thai Won Entertainment?

Jung Tae-won?
I was talking about him just a couple of days ago...

Importing from South Korea?

That's a good idea.

Although the Korean wave hasn't entered the market on a large scale yet, exporting it in reverse beforehand could be worthwhile in terms of both economic benefits and industry influence.

As he listened to Zhu Yongde's slightly flattering yet subtly probing introduction on the other end of the phone about how much Zheng Taiyuan valued and how sincere he was, he already had a plan in mind.

After Zhu Yongde finished speaking, Wang Sheng, almost without pausing, spoke into the microphone with a casual yet undeniably firm tone: "President Zhu, I will certainly give you face. Since that President Zheng is so interested... alright, let him come over."

His voice wasn't loud, but it traveled clearly through the microphone to the warm office in Shanghai, and also reached the ears of Zheng Taiyuan, who was holding his breath.

It was bland, direct, and even carried a hint of self-righteous arrogance.

It was as if receiving a collaborator who had come from afar was a perfectly ordinary thing.

Zhu Yongde's smile remained unchanged as he repeatedly said into the phone, "Good, good, President Wang is indeed straightforward! I'll pass on the message to President Zheng right away."

After hanging up the phone, Zhu Yongde looked at Zheng Taiyuan, who was looking expectant, and said with a smile, "President Zheng, President Wang has agreed. He invites you to Beijing for a meeting."

Zheng Taiyuan's eyes lit up with surprise, and he bowed again, saying, "Thank you so much, President Zhu! I'll arrange the itinerary immediately!"

(End of this chapter)