Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 285, Section 283: The First Appearance of Chinese Culture

After receiving news that "First Love" would be released in South Korea, Wang Sheng wasn't particularly concerned.

At that time, although the South Korean film market was beginning to see the dawn of domestic blockbusters thanks to "Shiri," its overall scale and influence, especially its acceptance of Chinese films, were far beyond what would be seen in later years.

Even in later years, very few Chinese films were released in the South Korean market. Instead, a number of remakes of South Korean films dominated the Chinese film market for a short period of time.

Currently, perhaps because China's national strength is not yet strong enough to be locked down by the Western world, or perhaps because the United States has its own considerations, these years have actually been the period when Chinese films are most likely to go global.

Furthermore, if Zheng Taiyuan succeeds, it will prove his operational capabilities and channel value, allowing for deeper cooperation in the future and promoting more "Shengying Series" works overseas. If he fails, it will merely confirm the current predicament: a partner who cannot prove their value is not worth investing more resources in. In business, value is the only passport.

Filming for "Lurking" has entered its second half and is expected to wrap up in mid-to-late March.

……

The company's film project, "My Sassy Girl," aimed at the summer blockbuster season, has entered the substantive preparation stage.

The script was completed last year by the writing team under Wang Sheng's guidance. While retaining the core settings of the original version, it was fully adapted to local conditions to make it more in line with the emotional cognition and humor of young people in China today.

Regarding the choice of the female lead, Wang Sheng made the decision without hesitation, immediately casting Fan Xiaopang.

When the news reached Fan Xiaopang, she was in Beijing shooting a cover for a fashion magazine.

After receiving a call from Cai Yinong confirming that she would be playing the lead role in "My Sassy Girl", Fan Xiaopang almost jumped up in the studio.

After hanging up the phone, her cheeks flushed with excitement. She looked in the mirror repeatedly to check her appearance, feeling as if the path to stardom had widened considerably.

Before her excitement had even subsided, she couldn't wait to call Wang Sheng, wishing she could fly to Tianjin immediately to express her gratitude in person... and perhaps she had other expectations as well.

She dialed the number, her voice so sweet it could melt your heart: "Brother! Thank you for giving me this opportunity! I have no plans for tomorrow, and I'd like to come to Tianjin to see you and discuss the script..."

On the other end of the phone, Wang Sheng's voice carried the distinctive noise of a film set: "What are you talking about? Focus on figuring out your character. 'Wildness' isn't about throwing a tantrum. How do you portray that kind of energy? Go back and practice in front of the mirror. Filming starts in April, you don't have much time left. Don't come and cause trouble, I'm rushing to meet the deadline here."

One sentence shut down all of Fan Xiaopang's enthusiasm and ulterior motives.

She pouted, but didn't dare to argue, and could only stammer, "Oh... I know, brother. I'll definitely prepare well and won't let you down."

"Well, hung up."

Wang Sheng has always used a combination of whip and stick when dealing with Fan Xiaopang, who is extremely career-driven.

Once resources are provided, even stricter requirements must be set.

The success of this movie largely depends on whether Fan Xiaopang can carry this highly contrasting and charming character.

Besides "My Sassy Girl", Wang Sheng has another project he will direct himself - "The Proposal", which is aimed at the Lunar New Year film season.

The script is also a treasure from the "film library". After localization, it has an urban light comedy style and the shooting period is not expected to be too long, with ample time for post-production.

In addition, the company's portfolio of theatrical films is steadily expanding, and several medium-budget projects have been approved as a reward and promotion channel for outstanding TV movie directors:
Zhang Yang directs an urban romance film, continuing his delicate narrative style.

Wu Yiyi is in charge of a dark comedy that explores the absurdity of social reality.

Renowned director Huo Jianqi submitted a script titled "The Bathhouse," focusing on the diverse lives of people in bathhouses in the old city, full of humanistic concern. The budget was low, three million. Wang Sheng read the project proposal and approved it with a stroke of his pen.

He grants Huo Jianqi, a director who has already proven his artistic value and market appeal, full creative freedom.

"Let it be. We'll accept the loss even if it's a project by Director Huo."

This trust is based on the immense prestige and profits brought by "Postmen in the Mountains".

Meanwhile, Huo Zhuang is busy filming the movie version of "The Four Great Constables".

After the success of two TV series, this IP has accumulated a considerable number of fans and has the confidence to try its hand at the big screen.

This is also an important step in the collaboration and in-depth development of the "Shengying Series" IPs.

……

Time slipped away quietly in the midst of our busy schedules, and before we knew it, it was March 10th. Seoul and other major cities in South Korea.

Thanks to the continuous hype generated by the theme song "Courage" sung by Park Jung-hyun, and the tireless efforts of Taewon Entertainment in promoting the film through both on-the-ground and media channels, "First Love" finally premiered in theaters across South Korea on this day.

The screening rate is not high, at around 12%, and most of them are during non-prime time slots.

But for a Chinese youth film, this is an unprecedented treatment.

At a multiplex cinema in Myeongdong, Seoul, the afternoon screening of "First Love" was about 60% full, mostly with young women and student couples.

Many people are attracted by Park Jung-hyun's singing voice and the beautiful visuals in the music video, and come out of curiosity.

The lights dimmed, the public screening license appeared, followed by the opening credits of Shengying Media and Taiyuan Entertainment...

The film begins.

At first, there were occasional hushed conversations in the theater.

But as the plot unfolds, the scene gradually quiets down with the appearance of Xiao Shui (played by Gao Yuanyuan), an ordinary girl with a secret crush, the subtle interactions between her and senior A Liang (played by Huang Xiaoming), and the appearance of her group of friends with different personalities.

When Xiao Shui tried applying lemon slices to whiten her skin but had an allergic reaction, embarrassed herself while wearing contact lenses, and joined the drama club and practiced hard to get closer to senior A Liang, bursts of empathetic laughter began to echo in the theater.

These clumsy attempts to change themselves for their crushes transcended national borders, accurately striking a chord with many young audience members who had experienced or were experiencing similar feelings.

"Wow... I feel like I've done some of the things she did..."

A girl whispered to her companion.

"That senior is so handsome, the sunny type."

"The footage is so refreshing! Are schools in China like this?"

As Xiao Shui gradually "transforms," ​​from removing her braces to having fair and delicate skin, from being unknown to shining brightly on stage, the exclamations of amazement in the cinema gradually increase.

Gao Yuanyuan's portrayal of Xiaoshui is initially rustic but not annoying, and her later transformation is natural and not abrupt. Her pure and lively temperament and delicate acting skills successfully drew Korean audiences into the story.

The emotional intensity increases in the second half of the film.

Xiao Shui's struggle with misunderstandings, her tears in the rain, and the regret of her failed confession brought tears to the eyes of many female viewers.

Years later, when the more outstanding and confident Xiaoshui meets senior Aliang again, they smile at each other and pass by. The melody of the theme song "Courage" plays at the right moment, and the sense of relief and melancholy that "growth is more important than love" permeates the entire theater.

The lights came on, and the credits rolled. Many audience members remained seated, seemingly still immersed in the story's emotions. The young people leaving the theater were buzzing with discussion:
"I never expected a Chinese movie to be this good! The story is so touching!"

"Xiao Shui is so cute! Gao Yuanyuan, I'll remember this name."

"The song is so good, it matches the movie perfectly."

"It's a bit of a shame, why didn't they end up together? But... it seems like that's how it should be."

"I want to recommend it to my friends!"

Of course, there were also dissenting voices: "The pacing seems a bit slow..." "Some scenes are a bit cliché..." But overall, the initial audience feedback showed a clear positive tendency.

That evening, discussions about "First Love" began to rise on South Korea's first online communities and film forums.

Many spontaneous positive reviews began to emerge, gradually overshadowing the doubts raised before the release.

Although its influence is still limited to a specific young audience, it has already shown a good start.

Zheng Taiyuan immediately informed Shengying Media of the audience feedback from the first day and the preliminary attendance data (an average of over 65%, with evening shows even sold out).

His tone on the phone clearly carried a hint of barely suppressed excitement and relief.

(End of this chapter)