The Entertainment Industry in Turmoil: Young Actresses All Want to Rise to the Top

The author, depending on their mood, is waiting for you with "The Shura Field of Chinese Entertainment: Young Actresses All Want to Rise to the Top".

Shen Mo did not tell Li Yitong about Tian Xiwei's performance during the art exam.

After all, nothing substantial changed; it simply confirmed once again that Tian Xiwei's dream was not a coincidence.

The next day, Shen Mo and Tian Xiwei appeared at the premiere of the movie "Take My Brother Away".

The film had a very low budget; apart from Shen Mo receiving a symbolic 100 million yuan salary, the total cost was less than 600 million yuan.

The bulk of the cost was spent on the setup of the entire production crew and daily expenses.

Another part of the expenses was the film's post-production promotion. Fortunately, Mohen had a wide enough network of contacts, so the promotional effect was achieved without spending too much money.

However, producing and starring in such a low-budget youth film has indeed sparked a lot of whispers and public disdain.

"I thought his performance in 'Brotherhood of Blades' was a stepping stone to becoming a serious actor, but now he's playing a high school student just to cash in on fans? That's beneath him!"

"Hey, isn't this the Hundred Flowers Award-winning actor? How did he end up making high school teen movies?"

"Capital is truly powerful. An award-winning actor is sent to promote a newcomer, making this kind of low-brow, fan-driven film. Is that really meaningful?"

"He's 24 years old, why is he still filming high school students? Aren't he ashamed?"

"I'd like to see how high Shen Yingdi's box office numbers are. Top star, huh? Does he really think casual viewers will pay for a movie like this? I'm just waiting for its reputation to collapse!"

"It can only be said that in the face of huge commercial interests, so-called artistic pursuits are utterly worthless. Shen Mo is nothing more than that."

"Besides hype, what else can Mohen do? The synopsis of his film is like a high school kid playing house; what's so informative about it?"

"He's the boss of Inkmark now. He's all about business. Who knows, a small budget might yield a huge box office return, and he'll make a profit, right?"

"Where do you find so many box office miracles? I'd eat that up!"

Feng Xiaogang even made outrageous statements at a gathering of Beijing's elite circles.

"If a 24-year-old is playing a high school student, no matter how good his acting is, it can't hide the incongruity."

"The Hundred Flowers Awards were blind to give Best Actor to someone like that. It's laughable."

"Besides playing the traffic game and creating hype, what else can Mohen do?"

"What era are we living in? They're still making these old-fashioned coming-of-age movies about siblings."

"Does he really think he can apply the hype tactics from TV dramas to movies? This is a movie where people pay real money to buy tickets, unlike TV shows that you can just turn on and watch."

After all, most youth-themed films these days don't have much box office revenue, let alone this unconventional youth film.

Traditional coming-of-age films either depict youthful innocence and celebrate the beauty of first love, or they are filled with rebellion and taboo topics, enough to attract people to the theater.

However, the film directed by Mohen completely abandons these elements, with no melodramatic scenes of separation, death, or unrequited love.

The film chose a very niche theme of siblings to tell a story of family affection, which is rarely touched upon in current films.

Therefore, the outside world is generally not optimistic about the film's box office performance. Moreover, the only relatively well-known character in the entire film is Shen Mo; the rest are all unknowns or newcomers.

Although Shen Mo is currently the top of the four new generation of celebrities and has a high level of popularity, many people have always wanted to see him fall down.

Only in this way can his popularity, his fans, and his attention be shared with others.

Ink Trace plans to hold a premiere a week before the film's release, and then use word-of-mouth from that audience and media to expand the publicity.

After all, this movie doesn't really have many things to promote.

The theater lights dimmed, and the big screen lit up with the prelude light.

Shen Mo sat in the center of the first row. To his left was Tian Xiwei, who was sitting with her back slightly straight and looking a little nervous, and to his right was Wang Churan, who was also sitting upright.

This is the first movie that the two have actually starred in, and they are much more nervous than in their previous cameo roles.

Moreover, the various doubts, pessimism, and comments waiting for Shen Mo's downfall online during this period have also put a lot of pressure on them.

They didn't want Shen Mo's popularity and reputation to collapse just because he acted in a drama with them.

If that's the case, they'll only feel like sinners.

Fortunately, the film's opening scene, with its lighthearted and cheerful banter between the siblings, still elicited bursts of chuckles from the audience.

Shen Mo could clearly feel Tian Xiwei's body gradually relaxing on his left, and she even let out a few very soft chuckles in sync with the plot.

But as the plot unfolds, the seemingly annoying pranks on screen reveal the clumsy protection hidden behind them.

Shen Mo noticed that Tian Xiwei's breathing rate had changed.

He glanced sideways, taking advantage of the changing light and shadow on the screen.

Seeing her focused profile, her large eyes reflected a flowing light, seemingly unfocused, and her lips unconsciously pursed.

Shen Mo's left arm trembled very slightly.

"Brother Mo, please don't leave me behind, okay?"

Shen Mo gently reached out and grasped her slightly trembling hand resting on the armrest.

This silent answer brought Tian Xiwei a sense of comfort.

Her trembling fingertips relaxed instantly, and she grasped Shen Mo's hand in return.

She felt a warm, enveloping sensation in the large palm, and her reddened eyes slowly curved into a slight smile.

The emotions evoked by the film seemed to find an anchor and gradually subsided.

In the darkness, under the lights of the movie screen, Tian Xi turned her head slightly and met a pair of eyes that made her feel incredibly at ease.

Just then, there was movement on Shen Mo's right.

An unopened pack of tissues, accompanied by a slight scraping sound of plastic, was somewhat roughly stuffed into his right hand.

Shen Mo was taken aback and turned to look to his right.

Wang Churan kept her eyes glued to the screen, but Shen Mo could see that her other hand, resting on her lap, was fidgeting with the fabric of her jeans.

He understood immediately.

This girl probably sensed the emotional fluctuations in Tian Xiwei on the left.

Shen Mo found it somewhat amusing, yet also felt a touch of warmth.

He gently touched the pack of tissues, then raised his right hand, opened the tissues, tore off a tissue, and handed it to Tian Xiwei.

Tian Xi paused for a second, then quickly pulled her hand out of Shen Mo's grasp, took the tissue, and gently dabbed her eyes.

Now her tense shoulders finally relaxed completely. Holding the tissue, she leaned slightly towards Shen Mo.

The film is a mix of tearful and humorous moments.

When the movie ended, Tian Xiwei finally showed a relaxed smile, and even gently nudged Shen Mo with her elbow, her big eyes full of relieved joy.

The lights came on, and the creative team returned to the stage. After answering the reporters' questions, they quietly left.

After the premiere, the film's pre-sale window officially opened.

However, Shen Mo's box office appeal was displayed directly to everyone for the first time.

On the first day of pre-sales, the pre-sale box office reached 5000 million!

On the second day of pre-sales, the cumulative pre-sale box office reached 1.1 million yuan!

On the third day of pre-sales, the cumulative pre-sale box office reached 1.8 million yuan!

……

Until the day before the film's official release.

The cumulative pre-sale box office has exceeded 3.3 million!

This number completely upended the film market.

This isn't a Chinese New Year film season!

This is the off-season for box office revenue, after the Spring Festival, when everyone is at work or school!

Moreover, apart from Shen Mo, everyone else is a newcomer, whether they are actors or directors.

It's worth noting that the previous highest-grossing youth film, "So Young" directed by Da Yanzi, only grossed 7.26 million yuan, and the pre-sale of 3.3 million yuan is almost half of that.

However, this movie has a host of stars, including Yang Zishan, Zhao Youting, Han Geng, and Jiang Shuying, to boost its box office.

And in the current film "Take My Brother Away," the only character who can carry the box office is Shen Mo!

His commercial value as a top influencer became immediately apparent.

This means that his participation in a movie will bring in at least 300 million in box office revenue.

It's worth noting that many movies don't even reach 3 million yuan in box office revenue by the time they leave theaters.

Within the industry, there was an immediate deathly silence, followed by an outpouring of disbelief.

"How much?! 3 million?! Are you sure there's no decimal point?!"

"This is insane! How can there be such high pre-sale box office numbers?"

"Is this still the off-season I know after the Spring Festival? Shouldn't the overall market activity have cooled down?"

"A coming-of-age film? A sibling-themed film? No romance, no abortion, no car accidents? This can sell 3 million in pre-sales?!"

"Has Shen Mo's influence reached this level? He single-handedly carried 300 million in pre-sales?!"

"How did Inkmark do its marketing? The initial buzz didn't seem overwhelming!"

"This is insane. We have to reassess Shen Mo's commercial value now."

"Quick! Analyze their marketing strategy! Summarize all the methods you can copy!"

"Let's adjust our promotional strategy immediately! See if we can capitalize on this trend?"

Some industry insiders and film critics who were not optimistic about the film were also speechless by this number.

But their doubts did not disappear; they simply changed their tune quickly.

"The fan economy is mortgaging the future; it certainly won't continue to have such high box office returns after the film is released."

"Pre-sales don't tell the whole story; we need to look at the subsequent word-of-mouth and attendance."

"There are plenty of movies that start strong but end weak and lack staying power; you can't go far just by relying on fans."

"In the end, it's still a niche film. The 300 million yuan in pre-sales has probably already captured the core fans and curious viewers."

"The subject matter itself determines its market boundaries, making it very difficult to break into new circles. Where will the future growth points be? Relying on repeated viewing by casual viewers? That's unrealistic."

"Pre-sales rely on nostalgia and the appeal of Shen Mo, but what audiences will see when they enter the theater is the quality of the film. With such a low budget, the film's roughness is predictable. When it is released, its reputation will collapse in an instant."

"Honestly, are Tian Xiwei and Wang Churan really suited to acting in movies? Although their previous drama 'A Little Reunion' was very popular, how many people actually watched it? Without Huang Lei and the others' adult storyline, these kids' childish acting was really unwatchable."

"Wang Hetian's acting in 'A Little Reunion' was quite spirited, but it's still far from being a leading actor on the big screen. Let's wait and see how it fares after the film's release."

Although there are many voices of doubt and pessimism, most people are still in shock and have to seriously admit it.

Shen Mo, this rising star, was originally thought to only have high popularity in the TV drama circle.

However, the pre-sale box office of this film proves that it already possesses the terrifying power to shake up the basic box office of the film market.

A film with a budget of only a few million dollars recouped its costs and made a huge profit during pre-sales.

This is undoubtedly a resounding slap in the face to the industry's traditional mindset of pursuing high investment and large-scale productions.

On social media, however, it was a completely different kind of jubilant scene.

On Weibo, the hashtag #TakeMyBrotherAwayPresalesExceed300Million# shot to the top of the trending list at lightning speed.

"Ahhhhh! 3 million! Brother, you're awesome! [tears][tears][tears] Pre-sales are just the beginning! See you at the cinema! [cheering][cheering]"

"3 million is just the beginning, not the end. Keep it up!"

"Have you witnessed the absolute dominance of a top star?"

"What the hell does 'top influencer' mean? Tell me what the hell makes someone a top influencer!"

"Xiwei, I've been following Fang Duoduo since then, is our little darling finally about to take off?!"

"Xiao Tian's first leading role in a movie! 3 million in pre-sales! That's impressive! Mohen spoils his child so much! Shen Mo's dad is carrying her to new heights! Looking forward to my daughter Shi Miao!"

"I originally only wanted to see it because of Shen Mo's good looks, but the sibling relationship in the trailer seems really touching."

"These pre-sales are insane! Now I'm even more curious. I've already bought my tickets, see you at the premiere tomorrow!"

"Shocking! A bigwig in the industry raked in 300 million! Is this a distortion of human nature or a decline in morality? [doge] Oh, it's Shen Mo. Never mind then, I bought four tickets."

The comment sections of major ticketing apps, movie-related forums, Douban discussion groups, and Weibo topic pages are filled with cheers from fans and amazement from passersby.

Sharing screenshots of pre-sale tickets has become a new social trend, and "Support my brother/sister" has become an unspoken understanding among fans.

Tian Xiwei and Wang Churan's Weibo followers also began to surge, with countless people flooding in to leave messages such as "Go, little sister!" and "May your movie be a huge success!"

Along with the explosive pre-sales of this film, the overall popularity of the artists associated with the "Ink Trace" series has also been pushed to a new peak.

At just the right time, the media and audience at the premiere also shared their viewing experiences.

[A refreshing film that exceeded expectations. "Take My Brother Away" avoids the clichés of youth films that dwell on love and heartbreak, focusing instead on the often-overlooked bond between siblings.]

The film maintains a steady pace, with natural and unforced humor, and restrained yet precise build-up to emotional moments.

Shen Mo delivers another highly approachable performance since "Brotherhood of Blades," vividly portraying the high school student Shi Fen, clearly distinguishing between his outwardly roguish exterior and his underlying gentle protectiveness.

Tian Xiwei's portrayal of Shi Miao is lively and realistic; her emotionally charged scenes are powerful yet controlled, a truly delightful surprise.

This isn't a film that pursues flashy techniques or profound themes, but it successfully breaks through genre barriers, winning over audiences with sincerity and empathy.

The pre-sale miracle is not without foundation.

While the market is chasing after IPs, special effects, and strong plots, Mohen proved with a small but beautiful work that the core of the story and the precision of its emotions are the true keys to success.

The brilliance of this film lies in its use of a slightly fantastical setting to wrap a realistic core theme of loss and growth.

The film's high degree of realism in its portrayal of the daily lives of siblings will bring a smile to viewers with siblings and evoke longing in only children.

The chemistry between Shen Mo and Tian Xiwei is so natural it doesn't feel like acting, especially their scenes together, which are far more nuanced than those in similar films.

[It's worth mentioning the newcomer, Chu Ran. Although her screen time is limited, her presence is extremely strong, and her acting style is unique.]

This film has the potential to be a dark horse, and its market performance will have a trendsetting influence on the creation of future youth films.

……

Some paths have to be walked first to prove that they are viable, or even that they are shortcuts, contrary to their expectations.

Those they look down on might just slap them in the face.

The doubts and praises during the promotional period were merely a prelude to the film's release. Although somewhat jarring, they did not disrupt the established pace of Mohen's project.

Because they firmly believe that the quality of the film will silence all those who look down on it.

The denigration at this time will ultimately serve as the most striking contrast to the success at that time.

Finally, amidst much anticipation, the film was released in theaters.

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