Reborn in the Chinese Entertainment Industry: You're a Director, But You're a Casanova?

According to the original historical trajectory, the main character in the music video for "Seven Mile Fragrance" was indeed Chie Tanaka, who starred in Initial D.

But now that Liu Yuehua has taken over the production team, he absolutely will not allow any traffic to be stolen.

Since Tanaka Chie's role in the movie has been replaced by Liu Yifei, the female lead in the music video should naturally take over seamlessly.

"Go and change Liu Yifei into that long dress. Keep the makeup simple, apply a thorough base, and don't use any extra colors. Highlight the cool and aloof feeling of her bone structure and the feeling of first love."

Half an hour later, when Liu Yifei walked in front of the camera, the entire crew fell silent.

In the afternoon breeze of Gunma Prefecture, the distant rice paddies and nearby houses are reflected in each other's beauty.

Wearing a clean long dress, Liu Yifei turned around and glanced back. The unique tolerance of film captured her perfect smile and clear eyes to the fullest extent.

That unadorned, first-love girlish charm is more captivating than any deliberately crafted romance.

In an instant, Jay Chou felt that the imagery of the fragrance of first love in his lyrics had been brought to life by our rediscovery.

He exclaimed, "Director Liu, your casting choices are absolutely perfect."

Liu Yuehua smiled slightly.

Liu Yifei's cameo appearance without pay resulted in her being featured as the female lead in Jay Chou's peak album's title track, increasing her exposure.

With the popularity of "Seven Mile Fragrance" sweeping across Asia, Liu Yifei will effortlessly gain widespread recognition as the nation's first love across Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

This is a deal with a return on investment of up to 10,000 times.

Once "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" is released, won't Sissi's popularity skyrocket?

He mimicked Chen Zhan, secretly marveling that he would surpass Chen Jinfei without Chen Jinfei even needing to appear.

"Good, very good, one guaranteed." Liu Yuehua picked up the walkie-talkie, in high spirits.

The crew proceeded smoothly and efficiently, with an astonishingly high level of efficiency.

Just as Liu Yuehua was calculating whether he could squeeze more out of the crew tonight and shoot some more footage.

A taxi stopped outside the film set.

The car door opened, and Liu Shishi, who had just finished filming "Kung Fu" in Hong Kong, jumped out carrying large and small bags and waved excitedly at Liu Yuehua.

Following closely behind, getting off the bus from the other side was Lee Yoon-ah, dressed like an ordinary South Korean female college student.

She was particularly interested in racing, and as soon as she heard that Liu Yuehua was filming "Initial D," she immediately dragged Liu Shishi, who had just finished filming, to visit the set.

The runaway heiress looked at the taxi meter with heartache.

You don't know the cost of firewood and rice until you're in charge of the household.

She complained to Liu Shishi in broken Chinese, "Taxi fares in Japan are practically robbery. We should have taken the bus instead."

Liu Yuehua walked over and took the luggage from Liu Shishi's hand. Just as he was about to tease Li Yun'er, an eye-catching Lexus rushed into the film set and braked sharply not far from the monitor.

Several Japanese men in suits got off the bus aggressively, led by a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair who looked menacing.

Upon recognizing the person who had arrived, the production manager quickly lowered his voice and said to Liu Yuehua:

"Director Liu is in big trouble. This is Mr. Watanabe, the head of the distribution department at Toho Films in Japan."

There's a distorted production committee system in the Japanese film industry. Of course, other industries also have distorted systems, such as agricultural cooperatives, but we won't discuss those unrelated to film.

Theaters and distributors hold absolute power; they are at the very top of the hierarchy. Even if you are an outsider, if you want your film to be shown in Japanese theaters, you have to bow down to these local distribution giants.

"Director Liu, according to the agreement between Huanya and us, Toho can accept the promotion and distribution of 'Initial D' in Japan."

"However, based on my understanding of the Japanese market, your plan must be revised." Watanabe's attitude was arrogant, as if he were bestowing a favor.

"First of all, the female lead and supporting actress in the film are both Chinese."

"This is not good. It has no market in Japan and does not conform to our aesthetic at all. We must replace it with our local actresses."

"Secondly, Toho must unconditionally take 50% of all licensing fees generated by the film in Japan for all related merchandise, figurines, racing games, etc. Otherwise, you won't get a single screen in the core theaters across Japan."

This is blatant capitalist bullying and reaping the benefits.

They use scheduling rights to restrict viewers, force actors to promote their own people, and even snatch away the most profitable merchandise licenses.

The production manager was so anxious he was wringing his hands, hinting to Liu Yuehua to quickly agree.

"Director Liu, Toho controls more than half of Japan's cinemas. If we offend them, we'll lose everything in the Japanese market."

Liu Yifei stood not far away, biting her lip, her eyes slightly red.

She knew how much the production crew spent every day, and she knew even more how fatal it was to be held hostage by theaters.

To avoid putting Liu Yuehua in a difficult position, she quietly prepared to return to the dressing room, and Liu Shishi and Li Yun'er quickly followed to comfort her.

Although Lee Yoon-ah has been hiding her identity from them and pretending to be an ordinary Korean exchange student, she is a chaebol at heart.

Back when she was at Ocean Park, she was forced to run away by her family, and even her bank cards were frozen. When she was desperate, it was Liu Yifei and Liu Yuehua who helped her.

There's an old Chinese saying that goes, "Those who know the times should act accordingly..." No, it's more like, "A drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring of gratitude."

Looking at Liu Yifei's aggrieved back, Li Yun'er quietly took two steps back and shielded everyone in front of her.

She took out her phone and dialed her home number.

"Hello, is this big sister?" Lee Yoon-ah's tone carried a hint of coquetry and tattling.

"Let's not talk about going home yet, can you do me a favor first?"

"Speak, what kind of help do you need?"

"I'm having some trouble in Japan. Two of my Chinese friends are being bullied by a Japanese company called Toho Pictures."

"Toho Pictures, I remember the group was recently in talks with them about the distribution of animated films in the Korean market."

Lee Yoon-ah was overjoyed to hear this.

"Sis, can you do me a favor? Give them a little warning."

"The people at that company are too arrogant; they even tried to steal my friend's movie role."

……

On the other hand, the atmosphere of the negotiations had reached a freezing point.

Liu Yuehua, of course, had no idea that Li Yun'er was pulling strings behind the scenes; he was pondering Dongbao's weakness.

It's unrealistic to litigate in Japan; a head-on confrontation would only result in mutual destruction.

Those vicious tricks can't be used in person, otherwise if something happens on my set, they'll blame me.

Let me show him how I'm hiding something.

"Mr. Watanabe, you've come all this way, please have some water first."

"In business, we believe in harmony and making money together. How about this, we've been here for so long and haven't tried any local Japanese specialties yet. Why don't you treat me to some?"

"Maybe I'll agree to any conditions if I'm in a good mood."

Watanabe sneered, about to mock the mainland director for his ignorance and arrogance, "What do you mean I'm hosting? Aren't you just a beggar on your knees?"

Suddenly, his phone rang like a death knell.

Watanabe answered the phone with a frown, and his face darkened instantly after he said "hello".

The roar of President Dongbao on the other end of the phone was so loud that Liu Yuehua, who was several meters away, could hear it.

"Damn it, who did you offend in Gunma Prefecture?"

"One minute ago, Samsung suddenly called and unilaterally announced the suspension of the release of all our films in South Korea this year."

"All projects worth tens of billions have been halted!"

"They specifically named you, saying that you offended their distinguished guest in Gunma Prefecture."

"If you don't calm things down now, you'd better commit seppuku tomorrow to atone for your sins."

Watanabe was sweating profusely. He stared at the young mainland director in front of him as if he had seen a ghost. He couldn't understand why Samsung of South Korea had personally intervened when he had only come to manipulate a Chinese film crew.