Chapter 84: Little Comrade, Has Your Magnetic Field Weakened Again Recently?
Director Ou: “Oh? Tell me, why?”
Vice Director Li replied nervously:
“Director, I think there are three reasons why we must hold 《Super Boy》…”
“First, 《Super Girl》 is facing difficulties in selecting contestants. The General Administration requires that the age of contestants in talent shows must not be lower than 18 years old, which further narrows the pool of contestants. We estimate that the quality of contestants signing up next year will be significantly worse than this year.”
“Second, 《Super Girl》 is struggling to innovate and break through. In the first year, we targeted the sweet type, but the effect was not good; male audiences were not very enthusiastic about chasing stars.
In the second year, we targeted the neutral style popular in Japan and Korea, which had good results. However, the champion was not a neutral contestant but the powerful Zhang Liangying, indicating that the commercial value of this type of contestant is debatable in our country.
Therefore, it is difficult to determine the style for next year. We have temporarily selected a few options, such as hip-hop, singing and dancing, or pure idol style, or continue with the neutral style. However, based on the selection process over the past two years, there are too few outstanding talents who meet the criteria, and market recognition is not very high…”
“Third, 《Super Boy》 has natural advantages. As far as we know, the fan market is still dominated by women, and women are the main force of consumption. Because the vast majority of women like handsome guys, the audience for 《Super Boy》 will be larger than for 《Super Girl》…”
Vice Director Li’s professional competence was actually quite good.
He spoke for ten minutes, covering all the pros and cons of 《Super Girl》 and 《Super Boy》.
Director Ou’s thoughts gradually became clearer.
Finally.
After everyone finished their reports, Director Ou made a summary.
“Today’s meeting has been very rewarding. I’ve learned a lot about talent shows; there’s indeed a lot of knowledge involved…”
“Wang Peng’s summary was comprehensive, Li Chuang’s two competition schedules were also complete, and Director Li’s speech hit the nail on the head. Based on your reports, I will simply make one request and three suggestions…”
Then~
Another simple hour and a half passed~
These leaders, they can really talk!
And it seems like they can’t speak without mentioning “three”; every time it’s: I’ll talk about three points, I have three suggestions, I have three questions…
In summary, Director Ou agreed with Vice Director Li’s opinion and decided to directly hold 《Super Boy》 next year.
Actually, what ultimately made Director Ou decide was a single sentence: 【The commercial value of contestants with a neutral style is debatable】.
Mango TV doesn’t do business at a loss!
This year’s Super Girl competition results already illustrate the problem—although some advertising fees were earned, the subsequent revenue was not ideal.
The runner-up Li Yuchun and third-place winner Zhou Bichang, who were painstakingly selected, combined did not receive as many text message votes as Zhang Liangying alone.
What does this explain!?
It only explains that their commercial value is low, and the market does not recognize them.
Don’t be fooled by Li Yuchun’s fans shouting loudly; in reality, it’s just that group of fans hyping themselves up.
The silent majority, the passersby, will not go out on the streets to campaign for votes, nor will they voice their support for Li Yuchun online every day…
Silence is the majority.
But this majority is the main force of consumption.
Another point is that Zhang Liangying’s departure from Mango TV will definitely be exposed in a few days.
At that time, various media outlets will likely publicize the “overlord contract” extensively, like eighteen lords attacking a rebel.
Is there still a need to hold such a 《Super Girl》?
For Mango TV, it has no value.
Therefore, Director Ou gave his answer: We won’t do it!
…
After the meeting, Director Li was beaming with pride.
But as soon as he saw Wang Peng, he became furious. “Wang Peng, come to my office!”
After closing the door, Wang Peng was lectured by Vice Director Li for a full hour, not daring to utter a single word.
Finally.
Wang Peng patted his chest and guaranteed, “Director Li, I promise you won’t be disappointed with next year’s competition. I’ll go back now and hire Changsha’s best legal team to perfect the contracts.”
Director Li: “Go ahead! Also, release the albums for Li Yuchun and Zhou Bichang as planned. We have to release one to test the waters.”
Wang Peng: “Understood, Director Li.”
As he reached the door, Wang Peng turned back, putting on a fawning smile, and asked, “Director Li, if Shen Qing wants to participate in 《Super Boy》 next year, should we let him…”
Vice Director Li slammed the table in anger, “He still wants to come and fleece 《Super Boy》?”
Wang Peng immediately became overjoyed, bowing and scraping as he said, “Ah, alright, we’ll directly ban him.”
…
Meanwhile~
Shen Qing and Liangying were enjoying the joy of winning the championship.
The two of them went shopping and bought many things.
Finally, they went to an internet cafe to surf the web.
Not to play Legend of Mir~
But to understand their influence after winning the championship.
In this era, there were too few ways to understand the outside world. Computers were the most direct and effective means. The two of them repeatedly browsed various online news reports and netizen comments.
Almost every portal website and forum they opened had news about 《Super Girl》, and Zhang Liangying’s name was always in the most prominent position.
During this time, Zhang Liangying’s smile never stopped.
This most direct feeling made Zhang Liangying feel like she wasn’t dreaming.
She had truly won the championship.
She had truly become famous, far ahead of Li Yuchun.
Actually, Shen Qing and Liangying still underestimated the influence after winning the championship.
On the streets, you could hear the songs sung by Zhang Liangying almost every moment, and you could see Zhang Liangying’s posters every few steps.
In high school campuses, 《Myriad Lands》 was played during breaks to motivate students, making them feel more passionate and study harder.
In factories and companies, Zhang Liangying’s more than ten original songs, along with songs by Zhou, Wang, Tao, and Lin, were played on repeat.
This was an influence that transcended its original audience.
It was no longer just the fan base hyping themselves up.
As for Li Yuchun and Zhou Bichang, their influence was much smaller. They had not broken through their existing circles; it was only their fans cheering.
If you were a brand representative looking for a Super Girl contestant for endorsement, you would definitely choose the more influential Zhang Liangying.
Shen Qing had already received several endorsement invitations from brands today, but he had rejected them all.
Zhang Liangying had just become famous, and if she accepted endorsements carelessly, she might lose some of her public appeal.
Let’s stabilize things first~
Releasing an album to further expand her influence is the right way to go.
Or, as someone on Tieba, claiming to be a Mango TV employee, boasted, finding a way to appear on a stage as prestigious as the Jinmen Anti-Japanese War Commemoration Gala would be much better than endorsing a brand…
Shen Qing: “This person must be bragging. It’s so late, and no one has called yet.”
Zhang Liangying: “Yeah, the gala in Jinmen is about to start soon. How could they still contact me…”
Shen Qing: “Forget it, it doesn’t matter if we can’t go. These next two days, I’ll accompany you to your mom’s, then I’ll go back to my hometown, and after that, we’ll go to Beijing to produce the album…”
As she listened, Liangying started to cry.
She was so touched.
“Qing, you’re so good to me.”
Her red lips brushed against Shen Qing’s earlobe, and then she bit it.
Damn it…
Shen Qing actually felt a jolt.
“Behave yourself in front of outsiders, understand?”
“Hehe, okay~”
“Alright, alright, this is an internet cafe. Even though it’s a private room, it’s not appropriate for you to be riding on me like this.”
If Shen Qing hadn’t stopped her, Zhang Liangying’s little hands would have started to wander.
Just as the two of them left the internet cafe and were walking on the street, Shen Qing’s phone suddenly rang.
Zhang Lu said excitedly, “Shen Qing, Jinmen is inviting Liangying to audition for the 60th Anniversary of the Victory of the Anti-Japanese War Gala…”
Shen Qing: “Damn? Really?”
Zhang Lu: “Of course it’s real. I’ve already bought your plane tickets. We’ll fly to Jinmen immediately, and tomorrow morning at 8 AM I’ll take you to the venue for the audition. This is a live broadcast, and city leaders will be attending… You must do your best. Taihe Rye Music has prepared 500,000 yuan for publicity and promotion…”
…
The next day.
Nine o’clock in the morning.
A bombshell news, no less explosive than Zhang Liangying winning the championship, appeared on Sina, Sohu, and other major online media.
【Shocking! Super Girl champion Zhang Liangying has only been famous for less than a day, and she’s also become ‘famous’!】
Fans saw this headline and were furious.
“Damn it, did the editor eat shit? What kind of headline is this? I have to see what it says…”
“Holy crap! Holy crap! She really became ‘famous’!”
“Liangying is going to Jinmen to participate in the 60th Anniversary of the Victory of the Anti-Japanese War Gala? And her performance order is after Liu Huan? My heavens!!!”
“Quick, forward this to the fans.”
In less than half an hour, the entire 【Super Girl Bar】 became lively.
At 10 o’clock, another piece of news appeared.
【Zhang Liangying auditions for the Jinmen 60th Anniversary of the Victory of the Anti-Japanese War Cultural Gala, sings 《Myriad Lands》 acapella on site, everyone stands and applauds, Liu Huan, who is participating in the rehearsal, directly states: This song 《Myriad Lands》 is enough to be the finale.】
The emotions of the fans surged again.
Many people celebrated until late last night after winning the championship. They just woke up this morning and saw even more explosive news, making their mood feel like a roller coaster.
Excitement needs an outlet…
The fans wore out their keyboards.
It should be known that although the Super Girl competition had great popularity, it was ultimately an ordinary talent show. Even though Central Media had reported on Zhang Liangying, the show as a whole was not officially promoted or recognized.
But this gala in Jinmen was undeniably ‘red’!
Extremely popular!
Little comrade, has your magnetic field been weak lately?
Then come listen to a gala of this caliber. One song by Zhang Liangying can help you regain your magnetic field.
（Image from: 《The Three-Body Problem》 animation）
…
Throughout the day, Zhang Liangying’s name occupied the headlines of major websites. Many fans rejoiced, turning the Jinmen City Gala, which originally had little attention, into a trending topic.
To further expand influence and viewership, the local propaganda department directly promoted Zhang Liangying through Jinmen Satellite TV.
Instantly.
The attention for this gala reached an unprecedented height, and the live broadcast viewership that night was the highest among all galas in Jinmen’s history!
After Teacher Liu Huan sang 《Missing Comrade-in-Arms》 and 《You Are Such a Person》, Zhang Liangying, wearing a Chinese-style evening gown, took the stage to perform 《Myriad Lands》.
Due to the different venue and atmosphere, Zhang Liangying was even more passionate and performed exceptionally well.
After her song, the leader sitting in the center stood up and applauded, followed by everyone in the audience standing up.
The live broadcast fully recorded this scene.
Shen Qing’s feelings at this moment were indescribable. The woman radiating brilliance on stage was the one he had personally cultivated. Who could understand this feeling?
Shortly after the live broadcast ended that night, the internet exploded.
Fans almost flooded the Chinese portal websites; fans could be seen everywhere. The next day, CCTV’s morning news also reported on the event.
Li Yuchun and Zhou Bichang saw this and were stunned!
Are you this strong?
Doesn’t that make us look weak?
…
The next day, August 29, 2005.
Zhang Liangying’s popularity continued until 3 PM, when three equally explosive news items appeared on Baidu’s trending search list.
【Mango TV: 2006 《Super Boy》 project launched!】
【Jiangsu TV: 2006 mixed-gender singing competition: 《Absolute Singing》, currently in preparation!】
【Shanghai TV: 2006 《Go! Boys!》 launched, waiting for your participation!】
The string of major events left young people bewildered.
After drinking the “become famous overnight” chicken soup from Zhang Liangying, now three major TV stations are giving you three opportunities to become famous overnight. You need to be capable, young people!
