Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 287, page 285: Sweeping Across Asia

Over the next few days, Wang Sheng and Zheng Taiyuan held efficient and in-depth talks.

Regarding the Sino-Korean co-production remake of "Happy Family," Wang Sheng showed a level of "tolerance" and "letting go" that surprised Jung Tae-won.

He agreed to use a South Korean director and also approved that the main actors be from South Korea, only retaining Shengying Media's review rights on the core script framework and final editing rights.

This cooperation model greatly satisfies the needs of Jung Tae-won and even potential South Korean partners for localized operations, the development of their own capabilities, and related policies.

When discussing the male lead, Jung Tae-won provided several options, all of whom were young actors who were just beginning to emerge in the Korean film industry at the time, with either a sunny or slightly melancholic temperament.

As Wang Sheng listened to the introduction, his gaze swept over the documents, and finally his finger pointed to a photo of a young man whose smile looked a bit "silly" but was exceptionally sincere.

“Cha Tae-hyun,” Wang Sheng said in a flat tone, revealing little inclination, “I think his temperament is more in line with the character’s kind-hearted yet somewhat unlucky personality, that of a lower-class person.”

Zheng Taiyuan was slightly surprised.

Although Cha Tae-hyun had gained some fame at this time due to the drama "Bathing in the Sun", he did not have many representative films and was not the most popular choice.

He tentatively asked, "Has Mr. Wang seen his work?"

“I know a little about him,” Wang Sheng said vaguely, naturally he couldn’t say it was based on the original prophet: “I feel he has a unique charisma that makes it easy for the audience to empathize. His comedic pacing is also good.”

He added a seemingly professional comment.

Seeing that Wang Sheng's attitude was clear, Zheng Taiyuan said no more.

After all, Wang Sheng is the core promoter and copyright holder of the project, and his opinion carries great weight.

Zheng Taiyuan agreed: "Okay, Mr. Wang has a keen eye. We will give Cha Tae-hyun a serious consideration and contact him as soon as possible."

Both parties held detailed discussions on the investment ratio (Wang Sheng's Shengying Media, along with Beijing Film Studio and Zhou Xingxing, would take a portion, while Taewon Entertainment and other possible Korean investment institutions would take a portion), revenue distribution (including domestic box office revenue, television broadcasting revenue, audio-visual products, and possible derivative revenue), production schedule, and other details, and initially drafted a cooperation framework.

Wang Sheng had no intention of staying in Seoul for long. He needed to go back to make decisions regarding the later stages of "Lurking," and he also had a lot of things to do at the company.

He and Zheng Taiyuan agreed that Zheng Taiyuan would lead his team to China before the end of March, and Zhou Xingxing would also be present at the time, and the three parties would jointly sign a formal contract.

"Don't worry, Mr. Wang, I will make all the necessary preparations. When I go to Beijing, I will definitely finalize this matter!" Zheng Taiyuan said confidently as he saw Wang Sheng and his party off at the airport.

Wang Sheng nodded and boarded a flight back to Beijing with Huang Xiaoming and Gao Yuanyuan, who had gained considerable popularity in South Korea.

……

Wang Sheng had only been back in China for two days when an unexpected visitor, through Han Sanping's connections, found his office directly in the Jingxin Building.

The visitor was Japanese, dressed in a suit and tie, and behaved with great demeanor. He was accompanied by a translator.

The man in the lead was around fifty years old, with his hair neatly combed and a sharp gaze that carried a hint of barely perceptible anxiety. He was none other than Yoshihisa Inoue, the managing director of Shochiku Films in Japan.

Shochiku Films, one of Japan's five major film companies, has a long history and profound heritage.

Previously, it was they who bought the Asian distribution rights and subsequent global rights of "Postmen in the Mountains" for a high price of 11 million US dollars, creating an astonishing record for the overseas sales of Chinese art films at that time.

Yoshihisa Inoue was the key figure who spearheaded that deal back then.

The two sat down in Wang Sheng's general manager's office, where Li Tingting served tea.

Inoue Yoshihisa didn't engage in much small talk, directly conveying his purpose through the translator, his tone carrying a sense of grievance and dissatisfaction at being "forgotten" by his partner:
"Mr. Wang, it's been a long time. I heard that your company's 'First Love' has achieved unprecedented success in South Korea. Congratulations!"

He began with polite congratulations, then abruptly changed the subject, his expression turning serious. "However, Mr. Wang, we are very confused, even somewhat... sad."

Wang Sheng remained calm and gestured for Wang Sheng to speak.

"We at Songzhu have established a very pleasant and mutually trusting cooperative relationship with Mr. Wang and Shengying Media through 'Postmen in the Mountains'. We believe that we are one of Mr. Wang's most reliable and capable partners outside of China."

Inoue Yoshihisa raised his voice slightly: "But why is it that when Mr. Wang was seeking overseas distribution for such an excellent work as 'First Love,' his first thought was the Korean market, without mentioning a single word to Shochiku Pictures?"

He paused, seemingly to calm himself, and continued, "Mr. Wang should know how highly Mr. Huang Xiaoming has been regarded in Japan with his book 'Postmen in the Mountains'! We produced a special report on him, and his image is deeply ingrained in people's minds. Even the postal system has considered issuing commemorative stamps for him (refer to the case of Liu Ye)!"
He has a solid fan base in Japan! A youth romance film like *First Love*, perfectly suited to the Japanese market and starring Mr. Huang Xiaoming, would undoubtedly perform just as well as South Korea if we were to handle its production!

Inoue Yoshihisa's tone was full of confidence, but also revealed a hint of annoyance that "his own treasure was discovered by someone else first".

"Has Mr. Wang forgotten the 11 million US dollars we previously collaborated on? Has he forgotten the pleasant trust we built between us?"

The office fell silent, with only the translator's voice echoing in the room.

Wang Sheng understood.

Songzhu's information network was indeed well-informed; the popularity in South Korea had clearly spurred them on.

He did not deliberately ignore the Japanese market; rather, he strategically chose to start with the easier markets and then move to the more difficult ones, and used the success in the Korean market to raise prices in other regions.

Now it seems the effect is unexpectedly good; the fish are taking the bait willingly.

He put down his teacup, a perfectly timed smile tinged with apology on his face: "Executive Director Inoue, you flatter us. Shochiku Pictures has always been a partner we highly respect and value. We will always remember the success of our collaboration on 'Postmen in the Mountains' and are very grateful for it."

He spoke sincerely, first calming the other person down: "For the overseas release of 'A Little Thing Called First Love,' we adopted a strategy of phased regional expansion. The South Korean market, due to geographical and cultural proximity, was chosen as the first stop for testing the waters. We have absolutely no intention of neglecting the Shochiku and Japanese markets."

In fact, our original plan was to gain a certain response in the Korean market, and then, with better data and a better reputation, discuss cooperation with you in Japan and even a wider range of regions. After all, we hope to bring our partners projects that have been proven in the market and are of greater value.

Wang Sheng's words not only explained the reason but also made the "delay" seem like it was "for the other party's good," giving Songzhu a way out.

Inoue Yoshihisa's expression softened slightly, but his business negotiation instincts told him he wouldn't let this opportunity slip by easily: "Mr. Wang, I understand your company's strategy. But as it turns out, the quality and potential of 'First Love' far exceed the scope of 'testing the waters'."

Its success in South Korea has proven its ability to spread across cultures. We believe now is the perfect time for it to enter Japan and other markets around the world!

He leaned forward slightly, displaying an air of certainty: "To make up for the regret of being 'forgotten' before, and to continue our good tradition of cooperation, Songzhu Pictures is willing to buy out the global rights to 'First Love' outside of mainland China and South Korea at a competitive price!"

Wang Sheng's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained calm: "Oh? I wonder what 'competitive price' that Executive Director Inoue is referring to?"

Inoue Yoshihisa exchanged a few whispered words with his assistant, then announced a figure: "Eight million US dollars. To buy out the permanent rights in all regions except mainland China and South Korea, including all media such as cinema, television, and audio-visual media."

Eight million dollars!
This price was within Wang Sheng's expectations.

It's worth noting that the total box office of "First Love" in China was only about eight million US dollars, while Shochiku almost matched the domestic box office with just the buyout price!

This does not include existing revenue from the South Korean market or potential future gains.

This fully demonstrates the immense confidence and pressure that the craze for "First Love" sparked in South Korea, as well as Huang Xiaoming's market appeal in Japan, brought to Shochiku.

Wang Sheng did not agree immediately; he pondered for a moment, as if weighing his options.

In reality, he was considering whether there was room for the price to rise further, and whether to retain revenue sharing rights in certain regions.

But he quickly decided to quit while he was ahead.

The eight million dollars were pure profit.

“Executive Director Inoue has shown great sincerity.” Wang Sheng finally spoke, a smile appearing on his face: “This price, and the trust in Shochiku’s distribution capabilities, makes it hard for us to refuse. Well then, to make up for the ‘delay’ in our communication this time, and for our longer-term cooperation, I agree to this proposal in principle.”

Inoue Yoshihisa's tense face finally broke into a smile. He stood up and extended his hand to Wang Sheng: "That's wonderful! Mr. Wang, thank you for your trust! Shochiku will never let you down! We will make 'First Love' and Mr. Huang Xiaoming's brilliance sweep across Japan and reach the world!"

The two hands were clasped together.

(End of this chapter)