Chapter 630: Nineteen Years

On August 29, the *Birth of an Actor* program group released a message:

We will produce a year-end special episode of *Birth of an Actor*, talk about this year's film and television dramas, and talk about acting. What film and television works do you like this year? Welcome to leave a message in the comment section, especially niche but you think very good works.

As a hot program of the year, as soon as this news of *Birth of an Actor* was released, it immediately welcomed the cheers of many program fans.

On September 1, *Jump Up* magazine released news:

What is your favorite fictional book this year? What is your favorite non-fictional book? Who is your favorite actor? What are your favorite movies and dramas? Who is your favorite singer? What is your favorite music work? We will issue questionnaires in the following September, October, November, and December monthly issues to conduct a year-end review! Literary style, we are serious!

On September 3, Yuehu Station, North Aurora Video, and Icefield Video jointly released the list of the most popular works of platform users this year to be released at the end of the year.

After that, many media and traditional magazines followed closely.

For a time, people in the entertainment industry were a little confused.

Huh?

Things like reviews were quite prosperous in the original TV era. At that time, there were often selections of top ten songs and top ten singers of the year, which was a very critical honor for singers. But with the rise of the internet era and the decline of music, these things gradually faded out of the rivers and lakes.

Why did so many media suddenly pop up and want to do a year-end review?

Chen Siqi accepted an interview and said bluntly: "Evaluation itself should be diverse. Everyone can have works they like. Similarly, TV stations, media, or individuals should all have the courage to express the works they or their user groups like. It is not just telling everyone, yes, this is our aesthetic orientation, this is our attitude, but to tell those creators who may not have received warm feedback for the time being, your creation, we see it, we like it."

"Why do this? Because rich and diverse evaluations can reverse-motivate creators to create various different works," Chen Siqi said. "Mainstream awards have their preferences, our traditional magazines also have our preferences, internet new media of course also have their preferences, and individuals also have personal preferences. A hundred schools of thought contend, listening to both sides is clear, let everyone truly participate in the discussion, don't let our reading and watching only be in that book, that film and television drama time, communication can open our inherent thinking and perspective, let us see more things we may not have seen before."

At this moment, because of various reasons, people who were slowly unwilling to speak on the internet, many of them had some psychological touch.

Yes, when did it start to become unwilling to speak on the internet? When did it start to tend to put away one's attitude and not argue with others?

Because I often feel that summer insects speak of ice, and well frogs speak of the sea, so I simply closed my mouth.

But the purpose of communication is to find like-minded people, to expand one's world.

Someone asked Chen Siqi: "Is this because of the conflict between the Golden Tripod Awards and Lu Yan He before, so you want to establish a new set of evaluation rules outside the three major awards?"

"This is not an award evaluation, what kind of new award evaluation rules are established," Chen Siqi said with a smile. "We don't have such great ambition, nor are we any credible selection. I especially hope that various media can join in, through the results selected by their user groups, to present a real audience preference that is not covered by internet water armies and noise. The more media that join, the smaller the volume of a single media, and the so-called evaluation rules will no longer be decided by anyone. What really counts is the audience and users of each media."

"This is too exaggerated," Li Zhibai said to Lu Yan He in disbelief. "Chen Siqi made such a move, feeling that everyone is going to have a big earthquake."

"Big earthquake? Exaggerated," Lu Yan He shook his head. "How can it be."

Li Zhibai: "No, do you know how many film and television companies and producers I have cooperated with contacted me, asking if I could know this list in advance, they want to operate some of their plays up."

"Operate?" Lu Yan He was speechless. "It is said that it was voted by *Jump Up* readers."

"Others don't believe it," Li Zhibai said.

Just as he was talking, Lu Yan He's mobile phone vibrated.

*Jump Up* magazine released a recruitment message, recruiting ten part-time personnel, responsible for live broadcasting to dismantle reader letters and registering voting results.

The whole process is broadcast live.

Lu Yan He gave the mobile phone to Li Zhibai, "You can reply to them now, those who don't believe this result can watch the live broadcast."

Li Zhibai: "Damn, you guys are really big hands."

Lu Yan He: "Quite good."

Li Zhibai: "Only you guys can play like this. Only your magazine has a circulation of about 300,000, and has a large enough reader base to do this questionnaire for you, otherwise, the survey sample is not enough."

Lu Yan He: "Different magazines also have different ways of playing. We are through reader surveys, some magazines are prepared to let editors nominate and vote by themselves, and some are inviting their authors to nominate and vote."

"This is also okay."

"Anyway, it's a gimmick. It's mainly to let everyone see what good literary works are worth paying attention to through this gimmick," Lu Yan He said. "Traditional magazines haven't made an activity with relatively large attention for a long time. I heard that the participation enthusiasm of many magazines is quite high."

This itself is also an act of increasing interaction between media and their users, and an act of enhancing stickiness.

Li Zhibai: "If the mention rate of *Can't Even Fake Death* is very small, it will be too embarrassing."

"What are you thinking about? This movie has such a high box office. When it was released, your performance also received unanimous praise. Regardless of whether this movie will enter the top ten of the year for some people, at least your performance will definitely enter the top ten of the year for many people."

It is about to enter the award time of several major domestic awards.

Except for the Golden Tripod Awards, which are special and held every summer, other awards are basically between October and March of the following year.

Lu Yan He is also very curious whether such discussions about film and television dramas from the people will have an impact on these mainstream awards.

If these choices from the people are very different from the choices of those mainstream awards in the end, it will be interesting.

Lu Yan He smiled.

This year, Lu Yan He was not polite at all.

In terms of his personal aspects, *Love Letter* reported Best Supporting Actor, Best Screenwriter, Best Director, and *Friends* reported Best Screenwriter (Script), Best Actor.

Just right, one movie, one TV series.

The Golden Tripod Awards have already had a big BUG, but I don't know what the situation is later.

This day, Lu Yan He had a scene to film, arrived at the set early, and unexpectedly met an acquaintance.

*TV Review* editor-in-chief Liu Bin.

"Editor-in-Chief Liu." Lu Yan He walked over to greet him with a pleasant surprise.

Liu Bin called out to Yan He enthusiastically, "Oh my, this look—it's handsome."

Lu Yan He was currently dressed in the costume of an ancient scholar.

He smiled sheepishly.

After chatting for a bit, Lu Yan He learned that Liu Bin had come today specifically to ask Luo Yuzhong for a film list.

"Television Review" wanted to launch a "Top Ten Series of the Year by Great Directors" project, so they had sought out Luo Yuzhong to invite him to list his top ten of the year.

Liu Bin said with a smile, "This was actually inspired by 'Jump Up'. Since you all use reader votes, we decided to take a different path."

"That's excellent," Lu Yan He said.

Luo Yuzhong glared at Lu Yan He and said, "You're the one with all these ideas, always causing me trouble."

Lu Yan He was taken aback.

Luo Yuzhong's sudden temper was inexplicable, and Lu Yan He was completely bewildered.

However, he apologized immediately, a smile on his face, "I was wrong, Master."

Luo Yuzhong gave Liu Bin a helpless look.

"I told you already, this kid's skin is thicker than a city wall. You lecture him, and he just shamelessly apologizes to you. His attitude is impeccable—it's great—but it's useless. He'll still do whatever he wants afterward."

Hearing this, Lu Yan He understood almost immediately.

Luo Yuzhong was likely using Liu Bin's visit as an opportunity to let Liu Bin see this scene.

*Don't come looking for him to nag him anymore; nagging him is useless. He's already lectured Lu Yan He as much as he can, but Lu Yan He's skin is too thick to be lectured. *

Once Lu Yan He understood, he just chuckled foolishly, solidifying this persona.

Liu Bin watched the two of them, smiling without a word.

Luo Yuzhong added, "I saw that article you wrote on your WeChat official account a couple of days ago. It said that after I'd spent half my life shooting realist themes, I suddenly changed course to shoot ancient idol xianxia, questioning if I was short on money. That was pretty malicious."

Liu Bin waved his hand with a smile, "Some of the kids down there wrote some harmless articles; they can't shake you in the slightest. Besides, by lowering everyone's expectations beforehand, wouldn't it be even more of a pleasant surprise when you release the show with your ability? I read it; it didn't make any substantive attacks on you. Others will only think the person who wrote that article is a narrow-minded, angry youth."

Luo Yuzhong let out a 'heh'.

With two old veterans bickering, Lu Yan He naturally could only stand to the side with a smiling face, saying nothing.

"Don't forget what I told you. Organize it; it's best if you explain the reasons you like each film," Liu Bin said. "Don't hold back. The drama market has undergone so many changes over these years, and rating websites like Ye Mai have become the only standard for audiences to judge whether a show is good or bad. You are a great director with huge influence; your choices can influence many people to re-evaluate the quality of a show."

Luo Yuzhong: "Saying so much, isn't it just to get me to help you drum up business?"

Liu Bin said with a smile, "We are drumming up business, but your drumming can push the progress of this industry."

Luo Yuzhong waved his hand.

Although he seemed very impatient, he still agreed.

Not long after, "Jump Up" also sent a formal invitation to Lu Yan He, asking him to list his favorite series and films of the year.

In this line of work, many people are constantly observing the wind direction.

With so many media magazines making moves, booking articles with big names, and doing year-end reviews, this matter hadn't caused much of a splash at the public level, but it had already become a hot topic within the circle.

The number of phone calls increased.

Everyone was asking each other: Have you received an invitation from any media to list your films? What are your top ten?

As a result, Yuehu Station also announced that they would host a "Chinese Drama Gala" at the end of the year, inviting ten film critics, ten directors, ten actors, ten screenwriters, ten cinematographers, and ten producers from the industry to vote together and select the top ten series of the year.

A first-tier major station had entered the fray.

Inexplicably, the trend of year-end reviews swept through the entire entertainment industry.

"Yes, we invited Chen Bige to shoot the cover for our October issue. She is the undisputed Best Actress of our Chinese cinema and also one of the most active actors in the international film scene in recent years."

After the fashion magazine "Fashion" announced its October cover, Chen Bige's tech-heavy cover received polarized feedback.

Some loved it, some hated it.

The editor-in-chief acted as if they hadn't seen those negative comments, saying, "I am very happy to have been able to collaborate with Bige on such an avant-garde shoot that has been widely praised by everyone. Actually, in previous years, our domestic film and television circle was a bit boring; no newcomers were emerging, and actresses like Bige who had already achieved huge success didn't come out much to film. But look at these past few years—the entertainment industry is so exciting, with newcomers constantly popping up, and Bige has also released several 'king bombs' right out of the gate."

"Especially now, many media outlets are doing year-end reviews of various works like film and television dramas, songs, and books. If you ask me, this should have been done long ago. For an industry to develop well, you can't always wait for the audience to discover good shows; you have to try every possible way to get good shows in front of the audience. Reviews are the best way. What could stir up public interest more than a ranking list? Who you support, who I support, whose ranking is higher, whose is lower—in such competition, the buzz and attention follow."

"Yes, our 'Fashion' will also participate in this year-end review carnival. We will collect opinions from our readers to select the movies and series that our 'Fashion' magazine readers like the most."

"Of course, I will also pay close attention to the lists of other media and platforms. Which works and which stars can stand out from the selections of so many media and platforms—that is what proves they are truly good works and good actors that have received attention this year. As for recommending stars to brands next year and choosing which artists to collaborate with, I will naturally care about the results of this review."

"To be honest, if a company or an artist wants to use personal connections to handle one or two editors or one or two magazines, okay, that's possible. But who has the ability to handle television stations, video websites, self-media, traditional media, print media, newspapers... and even many famous directors, film critics, and famous actors all at once? As far as I know, there are already more than thirty reviews in preparation that will be released at the end of the year. Who knows what the situation will be like next? Whether it's a mule or a horse, it really depends on ability."

This interview with the editor-in-chief of "Fashion" finally pushed the "year-end review" matter to the public.

It wasn't just "Jump Up" magazine doing this review, and it wasn't just Yuehu Station doing this "Chinese Drama Gala." Over the next few months, many places would be doing these reviews.

At this moment, everyone who usually watched film and television dramas and had works they liked couldn't help but have a question pop up: The work I like should be able to make it onto these lists, right?

"This has completely turned into a free-for-all," Chen Siqi said over the phone.

Lu Yan He gave a hum, "Ziyan should have pushed the wave quite a bit behind the scenes. She was afraid we would be the 'bird that gets shot,' so she pushed many media outlets to also do this year-end review."

"That's quite good," Chen Siqi said. "This way, the number of people coming to greet us can also be reduced quite a bit. With so many people doing reviews, even if they want to greet us, they can't get to everyone."

Lu Yan He: "The stir this has caused is completely beyond my imagination."

Chen Siqi nodded: "Me too. I originally thought this was just us doing it ourselves for fun. I didn't expect so many people would want to participate."

"It might also be because doing this doesn't actually require much cost," Lu Yan He said. "However, it can attract a lot of people's attention through these lists. You know, there are many magazines now that haven't gone bankrupt purely because they are supported by government subsidies and cultural funds. There are very few print media that can truly maintain themselves through normal commercial operations. They also haven't entered everyone's field of vision for a long time."

"If everyone really does this review together, the influence formed by this review will be quite significant."

"Mm," Lu Yan He said. "It just depends on whether such a review can help some film and television dramas enter the audience's field of vision. If it can, I think this review activity can continue next year."

Chen Siqi: "In any case, we at 'Jump Up' will continue to do it. As a literary magazine, doing reviews of literary works is something we should do. Our readers are very interested in this review; the number of posts on the forum has increased several times over, and everyone is asking why they can't vote online."

"Right, why didn't you do online voting?"

"Because with online voting now, no one can tell how many bots are involved," Chen Siqi said. "Our survey forms all have individual QR codes—one code per form. You can't copy them, which means if you want to vote, you have to spend over thirty yuan to buy a magazine. For anyone who wants to stuff the ballot box, this cost is not as low as buying bots online."

Lu Yan He: "So after all that, it still takes primitive methods to ensure authenticity."

"There's no other way."

"Did you receive an invitation to that Chinese Drama Gala at Yuehu Station?" Yan Liang asked Li Zhibai.

Li Zhibai: "Me? No, I didn't. I didn't have any shows airing this year."

"Ah? Zhou Ping'an told me that Yuehu Station wanted the three of us to do an OST medley performance for film and television dramas that day," Yan Liang said.

Li Zhibai: "That might be because they are still communicating with Lin Suyang, and Lin Suyang hasn't told me yet."

Yan Liang: "Are there many people looking for you recently?"

"What do you mean?"

"People asking you why Old Lu wants to do this year-end review thing."

"There are a few. It's strange, too; this matter has nothing to do with Old Lu. It was clearly Chen Siqi who started it."

"Husband and wife are one, I suppose. Although the two of them aren't married yet, in other people's eyes, no matter what either of them does, they are doing it together."

"Strange, strange," Li Zhibai said. "But to be honest, with so many media and platforms suddenly wanting to do year-end reviews at the end of this year, it makes me strangely nervous."

"What are you nervous about?"

"The reputation of the movie 'Even Death Won't Do' wasn't that good to begin with. When it was released, it wasn't well-received by many media and film critics."

"Well, there's nothing to be done about that. Look at 'Flowing Light'," Yan Liang said. "I don't even need to be nervous; I know for a fact that this show will basically be unable to enter any reviews."

The controversy surrounding "Flowing Light" recently has been too great.

The plot is controversial, and Zhang Lan's performance is also controversial.

Many people say that Zhang Lan's age is no longer suitable for playing in ancient idol dramas.

Li Zhibai: "We two really are brothers in misfortune."

"How did you comfort me back then? It's the entertainment industry, after all; you can't succeed with every show. There will always be some shows that aren't as successful," Yan Liang said.

"Except for Old Lu's."

"Oh, right, except for Old Lu's."

"Thinking about 'Nineteen Years' that I'm about to air, I feel a bit desperate," Li Zhibai said. "There is nothing more desperate than discovering that you are actually quite mediocre."

"I think you're being too hard on yourself. Since Lighthouse Video wants to put this show in September to compete for the 'King of September Dramas,' it means it still has a certain level of quality."

"You're wrong. Since it has a cast of leads like me and Teacher Jiang Jun, and it's still being put in such a cold time slot, it means the quality really isn't that great, so it can only try to compete for the 'King of the Cold Slot'."

Yan Liang had nothing to say.

"The time slot 'Flowing Light' is airing in is the one truly favored by the platform."

"Then look at how controversial it is now."

"What does being controversial matter? Look at the play count and viewership of this show—it's a landslide first place. Although there are many people scolding it, it's truly popular. I see your latest episode has reached 9 pre-roll ads," Li Zhibai said. "Do you wish it were like 'The Summit' in the beginning—good reputation, but no one watching?"

Yan Liang thought about it seriously, shook his head, and said, "Then I'd rather be scolded and be seen first."

"See," Li Zhibai smiled.

The three of them, except for Li Zhibai, had all tasted the feeling of "not being seen," so none of them were that naive or idealistic. When it came time to make a real choice, bread was definitely more important.

Yan Liang's high standards for himself and Li Zhibai's high standards for himself were also built on their previous achievements.

Compared to those previous achievements, this time was quite a bit worse.

And when "Nineteen Years: Criminal Records" aired, with the popularity and heat of the original novel, plus the leads of two top-tier popular actors, Li Zhibai and Jiang Jun, it had high heat on the day it premiered, air-dropping to the champion of the drama heat list.

However, just as Li Zhibai had thought, the reviews the show received were not very good.

The main problem was that the editing rhythm was terrible.

On top of that, several supporting actors with significant screen time in the show had very average performances, and several segments of their acting were mocked until they hit the hot searches.

The villain played by Li Zhibai was also criticized for being too stereotypical.

On the set of "Legend of Sword and Fairy," everyone suddenly didn't dare to talk to Li Zhibai these past few days, knowing his mood must be bad.

Li Zhibai sighed.

An executive at Lighthouse Video had sent him a message ten minutes ago: If you had agreed to let Lu Jingbo come back as director instead of insisting on using the newcomer director Liu Manbo, the reputation of this show wouldn't have turned out like this.

Li Zhibai felt as if someone had pierced his heart with a sharp sword.

Liu Manbo also sent him a message: Sorry, the feedback on this show's broadcast isn't very good.

Back then, Liu Manbo, a newcomer, was able to replace the director after Lu Jingbo's incident entirely because of Li Zhibai's strong support.

But it was a shame; this time, the inspiring story of "a talent scout finding a steed" did not happen.

Although the entire show seemed to go smoothly and well during the on-site filming, Liu Manbo indeed lacked experience, which caused problems with the overall rhythm during the post-production editing.

Li Zhibai replied: This is your first time as a director; it's already very good to be able to shoot it like this. Next time will be better.

It took a long while for Liu Manbo to ask: With this show being questioned by so many people, will I still have a next chance?

Li Zhibai said: This show has many highlights too. It's just controversial; it's not like it flopped. How could there be no next chance?

After comforting and encouraging Liu Manbo, Li Zhibai sighed, put down his phone, and shook his head.

Let this matter pass.

Li Zhibai thought to himself, *don't overthink it. *

Failing the first time is no big deal.

It's nothing.

Li Zhibai recalled the situation of Liu Manbo directing on set, and recalled the problems he had pointed out at the time. *Mm, that's right, Liu Manbo is indeed a director who knows how to direct on set, a director who made the people on set believe in him in the end. *

He just couldn't use an overall mindset to handle these materials in post-production yet.

Just like someone said, "Nineteen Years" has many segments that are eye-catching, but they are very strange when put together.

"Knock, knock."

Someone was knocking on the door.

Li Zhibai was alone in the lounge; he had sent everyone else out.

"Who is it?" Li Zhibai asked.

He just wanted to be quiet by himself right now; he didn't want to see anyone.

"It's me," Lu Yan He replied from outside.

"And me," this was Yan Liang's voice.

Li Zhibai went to open the door.

"Don't tell me you guys are here to comfort me," Li Zhibai smiled.

Lu Yan He: "There's no need to comfort you. How thick your nerves are—if others don't know, don't Yan Liang and I know?"

Li Zhibai: "Damn."

Yan Liang: "However, you locking yourself in the lounge and sending your assistants away—when others see that, they'll inevitably start whispering."

Li Zhibai: "I just wanted to be quiet by myself and think about whether I was thinking too beautifully before, being too idealistic."

"And what's your conclusion?"

"I think I wasn't wrong; it's just that my luck wasn't that good. Liu Manbo indeed lacked experience and couldn't edit so much footage into a complete show with a good rhythm."

"Mm," Lu Yan He nodded. "So you really were thinking about these things."

"What else did you think I was thinking about?"

"Thought you were crying secretly," Yan Liang laughed out loud.

Li Zhibai: "Heh."

"I was thinking, if this show was shot well and it's just a post-production and editing problem, why don't you find someone else to edit a version?" Lu Yan He asked.

"Ah?" Li Zhibai was stunned.

Lu Yan He said: "I watched this show. Actually, many scenes were shot very well as independent chapters. From the perspective of editing points, Liu Manbo is actually very good at visuals and filming; he's just not good at the rhythm of storytelling."

Li Zhibai said: "But it's too late to edit a new version now, isn't it?"

"I'm not asking you to re-edit and replace the version currently airing right now," Lu Yan He said. "Keep this version, but editing a new version can also help see where the problem actually lies."