Chapter 181: Saranghaeyo

Recently, Huayi has been having a rough time; Ge Daye's contract expired, and he left Huayi.

This caused their stock price to fluctuate again.

Shareholders erupted in curses: "Fucking frauds—they swore they wouldn't leave, and yet they left. Ge Daye's no good either, just serving capital's interests."

But it was all just a farce; neither Huayi nor Ge Daye made any statement—they'd already made their money, who cared about the shareholders' fate?

Recently, Huayi has been trying hard to make movies, watching others thrive in heated battles, while he could only stand by, itching inside.

Laoer, Lao San, and Lao Si are fighting over the movie market, yet the big boss has no presence—how humiliating.

Mainly because he hasn't done anything with Yutu, and he's furious!

He let Bo Na, his old brother, suffer, crushed by the combined pressure of two sides.

Recently, there was another piece of news: someone exposed that Liu Tianxian snatched a role and acted like a diva in "The Big Shot."

Meaning the supporting female role in "The Big Shot" was originally meant for Liu Sisi, but Liu Tianxian took it.

But this voice was still too small, drowned out by the three-way movie war.

Liu Tianxian had suppressed Fang Hong for several days at Yutu, and seeing "The Big Shot"'s box office holding steady, she was holding her own against the other factions.

She only went to attend the special screening and seminar for "The Genius Club," which was held in Beijing on the 19th.

At the banquet hall, the head of the long conference table was occupied by Secretary-General Rao Shuguang of the Filmmakers Association and Honorary President Zhang Boqing of the Film Criticism Society.

On either side sat experts, professors, and scholars from the film industry.

Against the back wall sat reporters and film industry workers; the Movie Channel's cameramen had already set up their cameras and were filming.

"Studying 'The Genius Club' as an exemplary genre film is highly meaningful."

Secretary-General Rao Shuguang believed: "Carefully observing and analyzing 'The Genius Club' helps us develop a diversified cinematic philosophy. What fascinates me most about this film is its structure—powerful, turning an engaging story into a heart-pounding experience full of suspense and emotional impact."

"Meanwhile, the character development in this film is extremely successful, creating strong immersion. Especially Liu Tianxian's portrayal of the female lead is outstanding; even minor details and their rendering leave a deep impression."

"Thank you, Secretary-General!"

Liu Tianxian sat in the middle of the long table.

Her slightly wavy long hair hung loose; she wore a white shirt that exuded intellect and elegance. On the table before her sat a name card and a microphone; her face carried a faint smile.

"Little Liu, this is just a discussion—speak freely, don't be nervous," Rao Shuguang leaned back in his chair, gesturing for her to speak.

"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed experts and scholars, fellow filmmakers, and media friends—hello."

"Actually, when I first received the script, I was anxious—I didn't know how to portray a genius prodigy. Even after joining the crew, I was still clueless about how to depict Liu Tianxian speaking into the microphone with that calm, measured tone—it clearly wasn't improvised."

All the experts and scholars turned their gazes toward her.

"To portray this character well, I must thank one person—the film's director. He taught me so much, taught me how to be an actor—a film actor!"

"One thing he told me stuck with me: Forget you're an actor. Forget you're performing. Feel what you feel. Release what you release."

"I've been savoring the meaning of those words ever since, and only now do I understand: a truly great actor never feels like he's acting."

"Clap clap clap clap!"

Sparse applause broke out in the room.

That last line was good—true great actors never feel like they're acting; they become the characters in the film.

"Little Liu, you said it well. A good actor doesn't feel like he's acting. 'The Genius Club' succeeded not because of star power, but because of superb acting and polished production—that's why it won the love of audiences worldwide."

"But that guy called Principal isn't here—if he were, we could discuss how he made a film that both reflects social issues and carries such intense power. That's something our film industry should learn from," said Zhang Boqing.

"He received the invitation. Before coming, he told me to apologize to the experts and scholars here—he's just too busy; his new movie just released, and he's currently in South Korea."

Liu Tianxian added: "But he also sent a message: as long as you make films with heart, shoot films with heart, you can make great films."

"Clap clap clap!" Applause erupted again.

"That's true. If you put your heart into it, you can make great films. But today's market is full of movies stacking stars and Best Special Effects, pandering to the market, inflating salaries, eating up production budgets, cutting costs, and dragging film quality below the level it should be—far inferior to films like 'The Genius Club,'" said Zhao Baohua, Vice President of the Film Literature Society.

Liu Tianxian watched these old men look so pleased with Fang Hong's words, and she was a bit bewildered.

She didn't really want to say that line—it felt empty, like saying nothing at all—but the old men loved hearing it, loved it so much.

She didn't really want to say that phrase—it felt empty, like saying nothing at all—but the old men loved to hear it, just loved it.

In truth, this meeting had no meaning, no use—it was just a show for everyone to see.

Look, we idle folks are doing serious work!

Seoul, South Korea, Yongsan District, Hongdae CGV Cinema—this cinema belongs to CJ Entertainment.

Now it's the post-screening fan meet-up; the theater lights are bright, and hundreds of fans, just finished watching the film, saw the two actors appear on stage.

Now it was the post-screening fan meet-and-greet; the cinema lights were bright, and hundreds of fans who had just finished watching the film saw the two actors from the movie appear at the front of the theater.

"Young Master Zhao, Oppa!"

"."

Countless male and female fans instantly jumped to their feet, some cheering, others covering their mouths as if they couldn't believe it was real.

Many female fans reacted with extreme excitement, waving their arms wildly, trying to get their idol to see them!

"Hello everyone, I'm Zhang Songwen, I played a police officer in 'The Veteran.'"

After speaking, Zhang Songwen bowed to the audience in thanks.

The host beside him naturally translated his words for the audience.

Upon hearing the translation, the crowd shouted "Oppa!" then chattered incoherently—too noisy, everyone talking at once, nothing clear.

Zhang Songwen, seeing the fans' passion, felt deeply grateful.

He'd become famous overseas after starring in just two films.

Thinking back, when he first chose to collaborate with Yutu, he'd felt melancholy—worried he'd be blacklisted by Huayi.

Now Yutu had finally held on, giving him his chance, giving him the role of lead actor.

In truth, he was an actor. "Hello everyone, I played Young Master Zhao in 'The Veteran.' You can call me Principal. Thank you!" Fang Hong said into the microphone, speaking in Mandarin.

Actually, he is an actor! "Hello everyone, I play Young Master Zhao in the movie Old Hand; you can call me Principal, thank you!" Fang Hong said into the microphone in Chinese.

After the host translated for him, the cheers grew even more intense, as the audience fans endlessly shouted, "Opa, mosda, saranghaeyo, saraheyo-a!"

Some younger female fans were so excited they cried, probably soaked through—way over the top.

Just because he portrayed Young Master Zhao as terrifyingly handsome, the Korean female fans had become obsessed—they loved this mix of weirdness and beauty, and it perfectly matched their taste! "Korean fans are so passionate!" Fang Hong sighed.

"Yes, you're very popular in South Korea; everyone loves you," the host translated, then spoke Korean to soothe the fans in the audience.

The audience fans were too enthusiastic; Fang Hong and Zhang Songwen didn't understand what they were shouting, and had little to talk about—after a few brief exchanges, they prepared to leave and head to the next stop.

Time was limited; finish this small country and get out!

"Bye!"

Fang Hong waved to the audience fans—it must be an international language.

The audience fans were still reluctant to let him go!

Just as Fang Hong and Zhang Songwen were about to leave, a girl ignored security's attempts to stop her and suddenly charged toward the stage.

Before Fang Hong could react, a soft little body flung itself into his arms, knocking him back two steps.

Luckily he was in great shape; otherwise, he'd have been flung away.

This sudden scene startled the fans, and chaos erupted across the venue.

"Opa, saranghaeyo!"

The girl, overcome with emotion, leaned in to kiss Fang Hong's face.

Still dazed, Fang Hong felt a warm, soft, rosy lip press against his cheek.

By the time the security team pulled the girl away, Fang Hong finally saw her face—she looked familiar, like the later Bae Joo-hyun.

This woman would later be hailed as South Korea's number one divine beauty!

Now, Bae Joo-hyun hadn't debuted yet; she had just turned twenty! "Saranghaeyo, Opa!" Bae Joo-hyun kept shouting as she was dragged offstage.

"Korean fans really are adorable!" Fang Hong said, easing the awkwardness.

"If the Principal has time, please come to South Korea often and interact with the fans," the host said.

"Absolutely!"

Fang Hong spoke into his microphone, whispering to Zhang Songwen beside him: "What does 'saranghaeyo' mean?"

"I think it means 'I love you,'" Zhang Songwen wasn't sure.

"Nee-deul, saranghaeyo!"

Fang Hong blew a kiss to the audience fans.

"Saranghaeyo!!!"

The audience fans erupted in a passionate response—though uncoordinated, their enthusiasm for him was genuine.

As for Bae Joo-hyun, her eyes followed Fang Hong with glistening, watery longing as he left.

(End of Chapter)