Chapter 433

In a previous incarnation, "Running Man" debuted in 2014, and its guests were only second‑ or third‑tier stars. In this timeline's 2012, the regular cast members were even less famous.

Luckily, Jiang Heng and Jing Xuan took part in filming the first episode, using their star power to promote the show, so it generated buzz even before airing and was highly anticipated by many viewers.

We're really excited, since both Jiang Heng and Jing Xuan are currently A‑list stars in the Chinese entertainment scene.

By the end of 2011, fans had only a narrow way to learn about celebrities, and information wasn't as widespread.

The thought of seeing their idol on a variety show drives countless fans into a frenzy of excitement.

But to many film‑industry heavyweights and renowned directors, the idea seems a bit inappropriate.

Take Louis Koo as an example: he entered TVB's artiste training program, after graduation hosted the children's show "430 Shuttle" on TVB Jade, then moved on to TV dramas, became a big star, and later branched into films.

Just say the simplest: back then Liang Chaowei got into TVB's Artiste Training Class; after graduating he hosted the children's TV show '430 Shuttle' on TVB Jade. Then he went on to act in TV dramas, became a hit, and later moved on to films.

Many celebrities actually start out by appearing on variety shows before moving into TV dramas and movies.

Jiang Heng, the country's number‑one director, actually signed up for a variety show — something that directors like Chen Kaige and Feng Xiaogang view as somewhat undignified.

Jiang Heng, this is fine—being the top-ranked director domestically, he actually went to join a variety show; in the eyes of Chen Kaige, Feng Xiaogang and others, it seems somewhat 'sweeping away his refinement'.

When the show took off, appearance fees became so high they were hard to turn down; everyone saw that variety shows were lucrative and easy, so they dropped their inhibitions and jumped on board to cash in.

When the variety show became a hit, appearance fees rose to the point of being hard to refuse; once everyone realized that variety shows were both lucrative and easy, they all let go of their reservations and flocked to variety shows to make money.

Day by day, advertisements for "Running Man, Brothers" appeared everywhere.

On Friday, December 30, 2011, many viewers finished watching the prime‑time dramas on various satellite channels around 9 p. m. and then switched to Beijing Capital TV.

When it came to Friday, December 30, 2011, many people, after watching the prime-time dramas on various satellite TV channels around 9 p. m., switched their TVs to Beijing City Satellite TV.

Moreover, in some mansions in Jingcheng, many celebrities were also watching Beijing City Satellite TV, wanting to see how Jiang Heng's variety show turned out.

The "Yellow Sect Master" is a husband who dotes on his wife; he feels guilty because he hasn't been able to secure film/TV resources for her.

Although Jiang Heng values "Running Man" highly and even participated in filming the first episode, no one knows how it will turn out!

If it falls short, he'll have to find other ways to get resources so his wife can become just as famous as he is.

Yang Tianbao next to her grew even more nervous, making several bathroom trips before the broadcast. She knows her own limits well — acting is truly tough, and if she relied only on her looks she'd just be a pretty face.

She genuinely can't master acting, but she finds variety shows effortless and enjoyable to film; she just doesn't know how audiences will react. If they like it, her career will go smoothly.

As for acting skills and such, she truly can't learn them! On the contrary, participating in variety shows comes naturally to her; she films it very happily, just not knowing how the effect will be after broadcast—if the audience likes it, the road ahead will be smooth.

After finally getting through the advertisements, the first season of "Running Man, Brothers" aired; Yang Tianbao was both nervous and excited, constantly grabbing the Yellow Sect Master's arm without realizing how hard she was gripping.

After finally finishing the commercials, the first season of 'Keep Running, Brothers' finally aired; Yang Tianbao was both nervous and excited, from time to time grabbing Huang Jiaozhu's arm, completely unaware of how much force he was using.

Even when Huang Jiaozhu frowned from being grabbed, he couldn't bear to scold his wife, merely indulging her with: 'Now I know why you performed so well in the show!'

Yang Tianbao, clueless, with a clear yet somewhat foolish look, asked, 'Why?'

Ah, sorry, sorry!

Yang Tianbao quickly apologized, "I was too absorbed in watching!"

You're just too nervous, but the show is really well done — I think viewers will love it!

"I think you're just too nervous, but this show is really well done; I feel it will be very popular with the audience!"

Huang Xiaoming nodded, "I think it'll blow up and maybe even start a variety‑show craze!"

Huang Xiaoming is known as a hot‑shot star, but he's also a successful entrepreneur with many companies; he later became vice‑chairman of the Film Association, showing great ability and vision.

Huang Xiaoming has always given the impression of being a hotshot star, but he is actually also a very successful boss with many companies under his name; later he even became a vice-chairman of the Film Association, a person of considerable ability and vision.

Yang Tianbao looks up to Huang Xiaoming, finds his words convincing, and exclaims delightedly, "So you're saying I could become famous thanks to this show?"

At this moment, Yang Tianbao still looked up at Huang Xiaoming, found his words quite convincing, and exclaimed delightedly: 'So you're saying I could possibly become famous thanks to this variety show?'

That would be truly wonderful!

After the first 90‑minute episode aired, the show's reputation was clear — online reactions were full of praise.

As the first episode, lasting one and a half hours, ended, the reputation of 'Keep Running, Brothers' also surfaced, with praise flooding the internet.

Honey, look — lots of people are posting my pictures on the forums and saying they like me!

"Honey, look, lots of people are posting my photos on the tieba, saying they like me!"

Yeah, haha, this post is also about me!

"Yes, haha, this post is also talking about me!"

But in fact, many forums are talking more about Jing Xuan from the show, since she's currently the hottest Chinese‑language female star.

But the actual situation is that, in many tieba forums, more people are discussing Jing Tian from the show, after all she is currently the most popular Chinese-language female star.

Moreover, her chemistry with Jiang Heng on the show only increases the buzz.

These days she's often lounging on the sofa, scrolling on a tablet, reading netizens' praise of her performance on the show, and she's thrilled.

Speaking of her, she was also leaning on the sofa, scrolling on her tablet, seeing netizens' affirmation and praise of her performance in the show, overjoyed.

"Haha, honey, lots of people say they like my performance on the show and ask whether I'll participate again."

Jiang Heng chuckled beside her and asked: "What do you think?"

Going on variety shows once in a while is okay, but if you do it too often you lose your mystique; as soon as the audience sees you, they think of your show antics, and your acting career is basically over — no matter how you perform, they'll think you're just acting.

"Variety shows, you know—occasional participation is fine, but once you do it too often, you lose your mystique in the audience's eyes; as soon as they see you, they think of all your various performances on the show, and your acting career is basically ruined, because no matter how you act, the audience will think you're just putting on an act!"

Jiang Heng laughed, "Do you know why Zhang Jinsheng didn't achieve much after playing the Monkey King?"

Jiang Heng smiled and asked: "Do you know why Zhang Jinsi, after playing the Monkey King, didn't achieve much afterwards?"

Because he played the Monkey King too perfectly; later, whenever he takes on other roles, the audience sees only the Monkey King in them.

"Because he played the Monkey King too well; afterwards, whenever he played other roles, the audience also felt that the character was just the Monkey King transformed!"

Of course, Zhang Jinsheng never really took off; this may be just one factor, since breaking into showbiz requires the right combination of talent, opportunity, and luck.

Of course, Zhang Jinsi didn't manage to develop further; this might just be one factor, after all, for someone to become a hit in the film and TV industry, personal conditions, opportunities, and luck are all needed.

Although she's cut back on her work and seems to be stepping away from acting, she doesn't want to completely sever her ties to the film/TV industry, just in case she needs to return someday.

She has now reduced a lot of her workload and adopted a low‑profile stance, yet she is unwilling to easily cut off her foundation in the film‑and‑TV circle, in case she ever needs to return someday!

If she truly becomes Madam Jiang, then she won't have to worry about those.

However, that afternoon, Beijing City Satellite TV's official Weibo posted an update saying that the ratings for 'Keep Running, Brothers' on the CSM50 city network reached as high as 2.889, ranking first nationwide.

As soon as the news came out, it was immediately reposted everywhere, shocking the entertainment industry.

Although I expected the ratings wouldn't be bad, I never imagined they'd be this high—right after airing they snagged first place nationwide; what will happen in the future? (End of chapter)