Chapter 263: Intercepting Lu Chuan

That year, Huayu Main Text Volume, Chapter 408: Intercepting Lu Chuan — One night passed, and the media's press releases were all about yesterday's performance by Huayi.

"All major popular groups and idol artists from South Korea will fully enter the mainland entertainment market, bringing wonderful performances to audiences and fans."

"It is reported that all girl groups have signed a large number of performance contracts, with schedules booked through next year…"

"Mango TV has reached several cooperation agreements and will provide a platform for South Korean artists. The cooperation covers, but is not limited to, film, television, music, performances, and other fields."

"Mainland artists such as Song Wan Qian, Lu Han, and Zhang Zhang Yixing have attracted much attention…"

"Sino-Korean cultural exchange will take a big step forward through cooperation in the entertainment circle, bringing the two sides closer together!"

……

Lin Nan saw many news reports, almost all of them overwhelmingly optimistic and full of praise.

Even the officials personally stepped in to express their stance, praising and supporting it, calling it a grand event for the entertainment circle!

"These people really do things thoroughly," Lin Nan muttered to himself, looking at the two Koreans in front of him.

In the eyes of many Chinese, South Korea and Japan love to do things like Dong Shi imitating Xi Shi's frown.

Especially when learning the etiquette part of Huaxia culture, they seem to have to show it off anytime and anywhere, letting outsiders see it — as if to prove that they are the true "Land of Ceremony."

"Lin Dao, UAM hopes to cooperate with your company in the future. Although we cannot match the status and strength of companies like CJ and Showbox in the film industry, we have a large roster of actors, artists, and idol stars. If you need anything, Lin Dao can speak up at any time…"

The two men across spoke with respectful attitudes, then handed over two exquisite booklets, two to three centimeters thick.

One has to admit that South Korean agencies are "professional." The six major agencies have formed an external alliance, holding a large number of South Korean artists in their hands — that carries real weight.

Lin Nan flipped through them casually. One was a list of male artists, the other a roster of female artists, all at least somewhat well-known.

Inside were also many photo shoots and various "stats" for the artists, like two detailed menus!

"Are you planning to visit company by company?" Lin Nan teased.

"Yes, we will visit every major mainland film and entertainment company one by one. Yours is our first choice…"

A flash of disdain crossed Lin Nan's eyes. He wouldn't believe the word "first choice" — at most, they were just put at the front of the list.

"Mm. I understand. You two can go attend to other matters…"

Lin Nan responded, not planning to keep the two men any longer.

Now that the South Korean entertainment circle is coming in, this is the big policy from above — it's a done deal.

The film and entertainment companies in the circle don't really care, because they are the resource providers, the real Party A daddies.

But the agencies, actors, stars, and artists — every one of them is probably going to have strong opinions.

After all, these people are here to fight for their livelihoods. Resources are limited, and good resources are even scarcer; they will surely resist Korean artists from the bottom of their hearts.

…………

As expected, the news that the South Korean agency alliance UAM was going from one major film and entertainment company to the next spread rapidly through the circle.

Ordinary netizens were overjoyed — after all, there really are a lot of K-pop fans. Contrary to the netizens, the stars and artists in the industry began to voice various complaints…

……

The buyback of Tudou shares is getting harder and harder.

At this moment, a small hiccup occurred.

Wang Wei called, his tone carrying a hint of mockery and annoyance — a strange contradiction.

"They want to meet with Lin Dao, Enlight, and Wanda all at the same time. It's downright insulting — Tudou used to be ahead of them…"

Tudou's "recovery from the dead" is not good news in the eyes of its peers. They must be unable to sit still now and have made their move.

"What does Youku mean?" Lin Nan had a rough guess, but still wanted to ask first.

"Buy out Tudou, or absorb us through an equity swap."

"They're getting anxious!" Lin Nan said with a light laugh.

"Lin Dao, if this were six months ago, I might have agreed. But now, I hope everyone refuses. I'm confident I can take Tudou further."

Wang Wei's words were firm.

Six months ago, Tudou was half-dead, looking like it could collapse at any moment.

But now, although it has only just begun to recover, it already looks vigorous and full of staying power.

"Of course, I refuse."

"What about Enlight and Wanda?" Wang Wei asked hurriedly.

"They share my attitude. You can go reply to Youku — no need to meet, we refuse."

Lin Nan said firmly. He could make this decision on behalf of Wang Wang Changtian and Wanda.

A son you raised yourself is definitely closer than one that pops up halfway!

"Good, I'll go now."

…………

Lin Nan felt that, one way or another, he still needed to talk it over with Wang Wang Changtian and the others.

"I'll listen to you. Tudou as it is now is great, and in the future we'll be the ones calling the shots. Over there it's much more complicated — getting involved now would just make us bystanders…"

On Wanda's side, the voice was much louder than Wang Wang Changtian's:

"We're not short on money, no need to pay Youku any attention.

So what if they've gone public? That's just a bit of market cap. Who knows who'll swallow who in the end. Just do as Lin Dao says — not seeing them!"

…………

When Tudou's clear rejection came in, Youku's side knew that this rival, which had almost died before, was back — and the threat it would pose in the future was not small.

"Antique, Alibaba's Chairman Ma is requesting you…"

"Mm? I understand."

……

Sometimes, you really have to admire some people. Take Jia Jia Zhangke, for example.

Today, he announced on Weibo that he would personally fund the construction of an art cinema in the capital, dedicated exclusively to screening art-house films.

He also promised that any art-house films overlooked by mainstream theaters or denied a chance to reach audiences could choose to screen here, allowing more people to see them.

Alongside this, he made a promise to the audience regarding low ticket prices.

Jia Jia Zhangke is not short of money; whether this move was for fame or for ideals, it is worthy of praise within the industry.

Lin Nan specifically went to like the post and made a joke, "I will sign up in the future."

This remark was teased by many art-house directors in the industry, "We must add Lin Dao to the blacklist; his art-house films must be excluded, because Lin Dao's art-house films are more commercially successful than many commercial films..."

Lin Nan felt the company's projects certainly would not use South Korean artists, so the two celebrity brochures were taken by company staff to be "handled."

Currently, the company employees' aesthetic sense is still quite normal; the male artist brochure was thrown into the trash can;

However, the female artist brochure was fought over for a long time, and eventually taken by the people from Tiangong Color.

Tech geeks and science-and-engineering men seem indeed to very much like the style of girl groups!

"When the annual meeting starts this year, how about we find a few top-tier girl groups to come and perform live?"

The more Lin Nan thought about it, the more he felt this was something he could do!

Feng Feng Xiaogang's "1942" has wrapped production.

Perhaps because he made a heartfelt film, Director Feng got emotional on Weibo again.

"I am 54 years old this year; 54 is a good number, meaning my youth has ended.

The successful wrap of "1942" is my gift to myself. If I make mistakes from now on, it will be acting disrespectfully in old age..."

Originally a sincere reflection on wrapping production, the result was that thousands of comments below were filled with words and phrases like "Shu Qi" and "Whisper."

After all, a mistake that can be described as "acting disrespectfully in old age" is certainly not a serious mistake.

Director Feng's good mood was ruined just like that; how could he let it go? He started blasting.

Huayi Brothers and its stars all voiced support, calling on netizens to be rational. Little Zhang Zhang Ziyi and others also posted messages to flatter and comfort Feng Feng Xiaogang, urging him not to argue with ignorant people...

The post-production of "Bad Genius" has already entered its final stages.

Lin Nan needs to consider the scheduling issues for "Passengers" and "Bad Genius."

However, at this moment, media reports about Lu Chuan's "The Banquet" caught Lin Nan's attention.

Lu Chuan, along with the main creative team, held the "Opening Banquet" press conference for "The Banquet" in the capital.

This guy publicly announced to the on-site guests and media that the film's release date is set for the New Year's Day season, November 29.

This date has significance; last year, "The Battle of Red Cliffs" was also released on this day.

In terms of hype, "The Banquet" is directly targeting "The Battle of Red Cliffs."

Lu Chuan even directly named and shamed at the press conference, saying: "I am confident that "The Banquet" will definitely have a higher box office than "The Battle of Red Cliffs," with a guaranteed 300 million box office, aiming for over 500 million, with no ceiling..."

The media has already placed the news about "The Battle of Red Cliffs" and Lu Chuan's words at the top of entertainment headlines.

"What are you thinking about again? You have a wicked smile."

Liu Liu Yifei, carrying washed fruit, walked over; seeing Lin Nan's expression, she couldn't help but tease him.

"Huh? I was just thinking about that "The Banquet"."

"Don't you quite dislike Lu Chuan? Why think about that movie?"

Liu Liu Yifei sat beside him, placing a segment of orange to Lin Nan's mouth, asking curiously.

"Mm, quite sweet. I am mourning for Chairman Yang."

"What, you don't have confidence in this movie? Others haven't even held a premiere yet!"

Lin Nan pinched Miss Liu's jade nose and smiled wickedly:

"I will choose a movie to release in the same season as "The Banquet," specifically on December 1, letting it get a two-day head start.

Tell me, how do you like this idea of mine? You can only blame Chairman Yang for bad luck, investing in Lu Chuan, haha..."

Regarding box office drawing power, Lin Nan felt that even without counting himself, Director Lu Yang and the others could crush Lu Chuan.

Hearing Lin Nan's words, Liu Liu Yifei also laughed out loud:

"You are truly wicked. Although releasing a movie during the New Year's Day season is normal, if you target Lu Chuan, everyone will think you did it on purpose, hehe..."

"It doesn't matter; Jiang Wen doesn't have a movie releasing for a while, so I'll do it. Later, I'll make him treat me to a meal!"

"Then Director Jiang will definitely be very happy; he might even post on Weibo to provoke and mock, hehe..."

Back during "Nanjing," Lin Nan, Jiang Wen, Ning Hao, and others had the idea to directly block Lu Chuan with a film. Unfortunately, this guy never had a movie released.

Now that there is finally an opportunity, Lin Nan certainly will not miss it!