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

In Shen Mo's office, he looked at the astonishing 3.3 million on the screen, but his face didn't show much unexpected elation.

Li Yitong leaned against his desk, her crescent-shaped eyes crinkling with laughter, and gently kicked his chair leg with her foot.

"Boss Shen, the pressure is all on you now. If the box office doesn't keep up with the pre-sales, it'll be a huge joke."

Shen Mo closed the page, leaned forward slightly to close the distance between them, lowered his voice, and looked at her with a teasing expression.

"Does Boss Li really want me to fail?"

"No way!"

Li Yitong's eyes widened immediately, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, and she subconsciously retorted.

But then she realized he was teasing her and couldn't help but laugh, reaching out to slap his arm.

"I'm just trying to be helpful!"

Shen Mo took the opportunity to grasp her hand that she hadn't yet pulled back, and tickled her palm with his fingertips, earning her a playful glare.

"You've seen the finished film; you know its quality."

"Besides, we've already made a profit at the current box office, haven't we? How much worse can it get?

As Li Yitong listened to his words, the playful smile on her face gradually faded, and her crescent-shaped eyes curved back, now tinged with a gentle and trusting light.

"I knew you'd say that."

She straightened up, walked to his side, plopped down on his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and looked him in the eye.

"If it were just about making money, you wouldn't have entered the entertainment industry."

"With your abilities and memory, you could easily make money by playing the stock market and investing in a few companies. Your assets would be equivalent to the profits of several blockbuster movies."

She pressed her forehead against his cheek.

"You're just being stubborn. Do you think I don't know how much you love acting? Otherwise, why would you apply to the Beijing Film Academy and why would you want to enter the entertainment industry to make movies?"

"However, this movie is really good. I believe in you, and I believe in Oda. It will definitely be a huge hit."

Shen Mo looked into her trusting eyes, which were so close to his own, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"However, your outfit in the movie reminded me of when you were in high school, hahaha." ah!"

Li Yitong reached out and pinched his cheeks, pulling them apart with a mischievous grin.

"If it weren't for this movie, I would have almost forgotten what you looked like in high school more than ten years ago."

"very nice!"

Shen Mo raised his hand, bent his index finger, and reached out to scratch her nose, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"You've seen what I looked like in high school. When will Boss Li make a drama about high school uniforms for me to see? Preferably the JK style."

Li Yitong reached out and slapped his finger away, rolling her eyes dramatically.

"If you want me to die, just say so. I'm over thirty years old. You want me to film high school students? It's weird. I can't even fake that voice."

She shivered as she spoke; it was quite strange just to think about it.

"What's strange about that!"

"Yukiko, don't forget, you're only 24!"

"Playing an 18-year-old high school student, all hands on end!"

Li Yitong burst out laughing, straightened up, put her hands on her hips, and made a fierce face.

"Then give me a script!"

"I don't have a script!"

"Then why did you say it!"

"But you definitely have it!"

"It depends on whether you're willing to take it out."

"Well, you shameless Shen! The movie hasn't even been released yet, and you're already pushing for the next script! You can't treat the production team's donkey like that!"

Although she verbally refused, Li Yitong's mind still began to wander and savor the memory.

What are some suitable movies for two people to film together, with a high school setting?

-----------------

The phrase "You left me behind" dealt a massive 10,000-point blow to the entire market...

Box office of 3.5 million on opening day!

The previous record holder for the highest-grossing opening day in the mainland Chinese film market was "Transformers: Age of Extinction," released in June 2014, which grossed 190 million yuan on its opening day.

The highest-grossing domestic film on its opening day was "Dragon Blade," released during this year's Spring Festival, with 1.16 million yuan.

"Take My Brother Away" has left those two records far behind, ushering in a new era for the mainland film market with "breaking 3 million on its opening day".

However, before the cheers for the record could even begin, they were drowned out by a wider chorus of boos and skepticism.

The reasons are naked and cruel.

This was during the traditional off-season after the Spring Festival, when the market was largely empty and there were no strong competitors.

Thanks to its amazing pre-sale popularity, "Take My Brother Away" secured a screening rate of up to 26%.

The problem lies precisely in the pre-sale process.

The 3.3 million yuan figure represents the pre-sale box office revenue that was secured before the film's release.

When the total box office on the first day was set at 3.5 million yuan, it meant that the actual box office revenue for the day was only 2000 million yuan.

The huge discrepancy in the numbers fueled a media frenzy.

"Haha, that's hilarious! 300 million on the first day? More like 300 million from fan crowdfunding!"

"Take away the pre-sales and see? The truth will be revealed immediately; 2000 million is probably the real box office!"

"Is Shen Mo's phenomenal success just staying alive through pre-sales? Will theater managers dare to give him such a high number of screenings tomorrow?"

"A product of the pinnacle of the fan economy, but unfortunately, the market isn't all about fans."

"Fans, keep fooling yourselves. When the box office figures come out tomorrow, you'll be slapping yourselves in the face."

"2000 million at the box office, hahaha, that's hilarious! This is the kind of success a movie about siblings should have."

"Fan traffic: 3.3 million, actual box office: 2000 million, trash fans, say something!"

The wave of mockery, ridicule, and pessimism almost overwhelmed major social media platforms and movie forums.

Before the record-breaking achievement could even be fully enjoyed, it was already being slapped with labels like "inflated box office," "fan film," and "unsustainable momentum."

However, not all voices are malicious.

There are still rational movie fans, industry observers, and casual viewers who are simply drawn to the film, who are trying to voice their different opinions.

"Although there were many screenings, many shows were sold out. Viewers who wanted to see the film couldn't get good seats and naturally had to reschedule. Can you blame the film itself for that?"

"Using a single day's box office to negate everything is just being dishonest. Pre-sales don't come out of thin air; they're the result of accumulated pre-sales promotion and audience trust!"

"High pre-sales do not mean that all the money comes from fans; there are also many ordinary viewers who were attracted by the movie trailer or the actors' performances."

"Just wait and see. Word of mouth is still building. Tomorrow and the day after will be the real test. Be careful not to be proven wrong if you start talking bad now."

"I saw the preview screening of the movie. It's sincere, funny, and touching. It deserves better results. Haters, calm down."

Amidst the hustle and bustle, the atmosphere in Mohen's conference room was not as tense as outsiders might have imagined.

As Shen Mo watched the scrolling public opinion data on the screen, he tapped his fingers lightly on the table, drawing the attention of everyone in the conference room. A faint smile even appeared on his lips.

What's meant to happen will happen.

He looked up at Chen Zhixi and Lin Wei, who were in charge of publicity.

"Based on the analysis of the first day's data and our previously prepared plan, the second phase of public opinion guidance can now begin."

"The focus should not be on breaking the record, but on why the record was broken and what will happen next."

"clear."

Lin Wei nodded sharply.

"The real word-of-mouth and attendance data are ready. To counteract the label of 'fan film,' we will use broader audience sampling feedback and points of emotional resonance."

Chen Zhixi added.

"Several cinema chains that have close cooperation with us have also reported that they have not seen such a high attendance rate in this off-season for a long time. Moreover, the audience's enthusiasm for watching the movie and the level of discussion are also unusually active after the movie ends, which is extremely beneficial to the stability of subsequent screenings."

The first day of battle was merely the opening act of a grand performance.

The real contest has only just begun.

Capital is watching, peers are watching, the market is watching; countless eyes are watching the box office curves for the second and third days.

They are not as superficial as online trolls who only do simple addition and subtraction.

The following day, the box office figures were released: 8300 million.

The pessimistic pronouncements paused briefly, but sneers still lingered.

"It's just the last bit of momentum before the audience from the first day has completely digested the information."

On the third day, the data was reported again: 7400 million.

The decline was surprisingly healthy.

In the public discourse, pure mockery began to diminish, and a touch of rational scrutiny began to emerge from the questioning.

This trend seems to be quite different from the expected scenario of a precipitous drop in box office revenue for fan-driven films.

The real turning point came during the first weekend.

Day four, Saturday.

When the day's box office figures were released, many onlookers' pupils contracted.

1.1 million.

Although a slight increase was expected over the weekend, the increase actually reached over 50%.

This is a true reversal of the downward trend!

What does this mean?

This means that those going to the cinema are not just the core fans locked in by pre-sales.

There are also a large number of new viewers attracted by word of mouth and trending topics!

The trend on social media platforms has begun to subtly shift, with real audiences' viewing experiences flooding in.

"Funny and touching," "The sibling relationship feels so real," and "I didn't expect it to have such a strong aftertaste" have gradually become frequently used terms in viewers' comments on various platforms.

However, the shock was not over yet.

Day 5, Sunday.

When the final figure settled at 1.4 million, the entire film market fell silent.

Surprisingly, there has been another significant increase!

This has completely transcended the scope of relying on fans to drive traffic, and clearly points to the film's strong word-of-mouth drive and ability to break into new circles.

All the previous skepticism, ridicule, and doubts now appear utterly pale and ridiculous in light of these solid data curves.

Word-of-mouth from viewers has begun to spread across various platforms.

Douban released the rating this weekend, and it immediately settled at 8.0.

The top-rated comment reads:

I went in expecting nothing more than a lighthearted comedy, but left with red, swollen eyes and a heart full of warmth. This isn't just any simple sibling comedy; it's a mirror reflecting the complex, often contentious, yet deeply ingrained connections we all have with our families. Shen Mo's portrayal of Shi Fen is both irresistibly cheeky and undeniably heartwarming. Tian Xiwei's Shi Miao, beneath her explosive exterior, lies the film's most tender core. This isn't a fan film; it's a love letter to everyone who has ever been a child, who has had, or who has longed for, a close sibling relationship.

Another popular comment below reads:

[Technically, there are no weaknesses; the pacing, humor, and emotional moments are handled with precision and skill. What surprised me most was Tian Xiwei; she completely embodied the complexity of the character Shi Miao, portraying the stubbornness, anger, vulnerability, and eventual understanding beneath her sweet exterior with distinct layers, showing great promise for the future. Mohen has truly struck gold this time and polished it to its fullest potential.]

Some rational commenters even left analysis.

The box office performance speaks for itself. The first day relied on pre-sales and fans; the second and third days on public curiosity and initial word-of-mouth; and the weekend's surge was driven by a massive, explosive word-of-mouth effect. The market has voted with its feet, proving it struck a chord with the public's most vulnerable spot. [Selfless, immature, mean-spirited, and unethical, yet he bullies his sister under the guise of loving her, even making her mistakenly believe he truly loves her. Take this kind of brother away, and goodbye!]

Of course, there were still comments that only gave it one star.

If you don't want your sister to find out your father is drunk, you can get up earlier and bring him home; you don't have to slow down your sister's alarm clock or tie her hair up. If you don't want your sister to find out your parents are arguing, you can take her out to play; you don't have to play games and make sure she can't find you. Since your parents have made up their minds, they should tell your sister the truth, instead of keeping it from her or using protecting her as an excuse to tease her.

However, less than an hour later, it was countered by a highly upvoted comment.

[I want to say that firstly, the older brother is a human being; he can't be perfect. Secondly, he's a 17-year-old high school student. We have no reason to expect a 17-year-old to make the best judgments and decisions in every situation. We have no reason to demand that he make the most scientific and reasonable decisions! Those involved are often blinded, while bystanders see things more clearly. Besides, isn't it normal for an older brother to tease his younger sister? Must all his teasing be to hide it from her and prevent her from being hurt? Can't an older brother simply tease his younger sister? Is there a contradiction between teasing his sister and loving her? I just want to say that anyone can offer a God's-eye view, but Shi Fen is just a 17-year-old high school student! This is his first time experiencing his parents' divorce! He's also very sad! He's at a loss! He doesn't have our God's-eye view!]

On Weibo, hashtags such as #TakeMyBrotherAway#, #ThisMovieHasARealEffect#, and #RealSiblingsAtTime# have repeatedly trended on Weibo.

The topic page doesn't feature generic, controlled commentary; instead, it's filled with genuine and heartfelt personal experiences shared.

"I burst into tears during the last ten minutes of the movie. My brother was laughing at me while secretly wiping his eyes. When we came out, I bought him a milk tea that he had been wanting to drink, although we were still teasing each other [doge emoji]."

"I highly recommend it! I was prejudiced against movies with popular actors, but a friend strongly recommended it, so I went to see it. It was amazing! The jokes were plentiful and not awkward, and the crying scenes were natural and not forced. Shen Mo is still such a great actor? Tian Xiwei is so talented! I've already recommended it to my whole family, and we're going to see it again this weekend!"

"I envy the little sister who is sometimes in a minute and sometimes in a second, and I also envy the big brother who is sometimes in a minute and sometimes in a second! The details in the movie are so realistic, fighting over snacks, bickering, protecting each other in crucial moments... This is how love is expressed in Chinese families! I want to bring my troublesome little sister to see this, and I hope we can get along peacefully for a day after watching it."

"Passersby were blown away! They bought tickets purely because of the high ratings, but the result exceeded their expectations. The director is highly skilled, the actors' performances are natural and down-to-earth, and the story is both funny and touching, and thought-provoking. Congratulations to domestic youth films for finding a new way out—sincerity is more important than anything else."

"Kuroko, speak up!"

In many other private social media feeds, the video "Take My Brother Away" was also trending.

Countless people posted photos of themselves with tear-soaked tissues and family photos, expressing their gratitude and saying, "Cherish the people around you who may seem annoying but actually love you."

Emotional resonance has created a viral effect in the most direct and emotional way.

Besides the box office success, Tian Xiwei and Wang Churan became the biggest beneficiaries of this film.

In just one week, Tian Xiwei's number of followers increased from 80 to 200 million, and Wang Churan's number of followers increased from 50 to 150 million.

In her latest daily post, Tian Xiwei posed for the camera, making a cat salute while holding a box of snacks featured in the movie. The caption read, "A boost of energy for Shi Miao! Thank you everyone for liking it!"

The comments below number nearly ten thousand.

"From now on, you are my only sister!!"

"In the first half, I wanted to jump into the screen and beat up Shi Fen for you, but in the second half, I cried like a baby in my best friend's arms. How could you portray such a fierce, sweet, and vulnerable character so realistically!"

"I'm a complete fan! I had no idea you before the movie, but I'm following you now! Your acting is amazing, and your smile is so sweet! What a treasure you are! Please post more selfies! Please join more productions!"

"Your younger sister is finally getting more recognition! 'Take My Brother Away' is just the beginning; your potential is definitely much greater. We look forward to seeing more diverse roles from you. Actress Tian Xiwei, the future is bright!"

"Excuse me, Xiaotian, do you need any extras for your next scene where you beat up your brother? I can bring my own (doge)."

Below Wang Churan's Weibo post was a screenshot of a movie poster and a selfie with a peace sign.

"I was instantly drawn to Miao Miao in the movie! She's so cute, I wish I had a little sister like her!"

"Wang Churan, you're so beautiful! If I ever saw a classmate like you at school, my life would be ruined!"

From Zhang Yueyue to Miao Miaomiao, I've witnessed every step you've taken. I look forward to an even brighter future for Chu Ran!

"Sweet, salty, and cool—that perfectly describes our Ship Boy!"

Meanwhile, as the film's box office revenue steadily increased, a veteran cinema manager expressed his feelings in an industry group.

"Now we don't have to worry about scheduling anymore; the real voices on social media and ticketing platforms are the best guide for scheduling."

"The attendance rate, average number of people per screening, and the expressions of the audience when leaving 'Brother Kuai' do not lie. This film has become a true example of word-of-mouth outperforming the box office."

"Thanks to Shen Mo for saving this usually lackluster off-season movie season."

"The Shura Field of Chinese Entertainment: Young Actresses All Want to Rise to the Top" is full of classic quotes, come and find resonance.