Chapter 201: Beat the Chef, Then Beat His Wife?

Koizumi Riyuzo believed that after years in Japan's music market, he had connections; he was well-connected with both Sony and Warner.

Putting aside Warner, Zhou Yi's former employer, if this Chinese person's sales figures had even a tiny bit of fabrication, Sony would have been eager to use a megaphone to announce it to the world.

Yet now, Sony and all its subsidiary labels were as quiet as chickens, saying not a word, spreading no rumors; this attitude said everything.

"Please remain quiet."

At the head of the conference room, a woman with a rather solemn expression tapped the table with her knuckles, then turned her head to look at Koizumi Riyuzo: "President Koizumi, can you confirm that the sales figures for this Chinese person named Zhou Yi were not faked?"

"Yes, I can confirm it."

Putting down the documents in his hand, Koizumi Riyuzo nodded and said solemnly: "President Fujishima."

Fujishima Keiko, the niece of Johnny Kitagawa, founder of Johnny & Associates, and the current president of Johnny's Entertainment, the division of Johnny & Associates responsible for record business.

"..."

With Koizumi Riyuzo's resounding confirmation, everyone in the conference room fell silent, the documents in their hands clearly making them realize an unexpected opponent was charging through the market.

October 2, 2001, Tuesday.

The Japanese Oricon Chart announced the sales changes across various entertainment sectors in Japan for the previous week as scheduled.

Among these, on the Weekly Singles Chart, a Chinese name named Zhou Yi appeared in the number one spot for first-week initial sales, shattering everyone's glasses—

53,347 copies.

Considering the characteristics of the Oricon Chart, the actual sales of Zhou Yi's "The Lazy Song" were probably around 60,000 to 70,000, or even 90,000.

On the daily chart data change rankings, Zhou Yi's name kept rising.

Starting from 98th place on September 24, it completed a triple jump in just four days; from the fifth day, it firmly secured the top spot for daily sales increments, never dropping down until the seventh day, which represented the end of the week.

"The First Person in the Chinese Music Scene?! A Star Among Stars Shines in Japan!"

"Hype or Skill? Who is actually buying Zhou Yi's single albums?"

"..."

When this data from the Oricon Chart on October 2 came out, Zhou Yi, who had already been disliked by many due to numerous marketing news stories since the single's release, directly caused people to break down—

"Jackie Chan before, Zhou Yi after; has Japan's cultural entertainment leading advantage disappeared?"

Because the Japanese music scene had been dominating the Asian region throughout the 80s and 90s, news that a Chinese person had broken into their home turf for the first time attracted the attention of a large number of young people who loved entertainment almost instantly.

Taking a look, good heavens, this was incredible—

Wasn't it agreed that because Zhou Yi was slandering Utada Hikaru, everyone decided not to buy his albums?

Jackie Chan's albums, at least, were sold in Japan thanks to his movie fame built up over years of struggle, and the actual sales were just so-so.

Leon Lai's peak popularity in Japan also relied more on movies.

Did this Zhou Yi really have no foundation at all?!

Upon digging deeper, the media uncovered the achievements of Zhou Yi's first two albums, which had also been distributed by Warner in Japan and South Korea—

The first album, "Zhou Yi," had sales in Japan of around 5,100 to date; the second, "Jiangnan," had sales of only around 3,900 to date, less than 4,000 copies.

In South Korea, at least, Zhou Yi's two albums combined sold over 100,000 copies.

In comparison, Zhou Yi's newly released English single reached over 60,000 in just seven days, and the daily chart increment data far surpassed other singers...

Among this, the Americans in Japan made a great contribution!

"It exploded! It exploded! Ah Yi! You exploded in Japan!"

Shortly after the Oricon Chart results came out, Qian Jiang, who had been watching the emails from that side at the company, directly excitedly placed both hands on Zhou Yi's shoulders, who had also come to check the data, and shook him excitedly: "You are number one on the Weekly Singles Chart! Weekly number one!!!"

Looking at the string of Japanese names on the documents he didn't recognize, but seeing Zhou Yi ranked first, Qian Jiang almost thought he was seeing things.

"I see it, I see it, don't get too excited; this is just the data for the first week."

Compared to the excited Qian Jiang, Zhou Yi was obviously much calmer.

"The Lazy Song" was a massive global hit single with sales over 4.5 million copies; looking at the current sales in the Japanese market alone, he even felt it was too low.

Moreover, judging from the customer profiles sent by Warner Japan, his sales in Japan were clearly concentrated in areas with many Americans, with the highest proportion in the Okinawa region, which often clashed with the Ribenzheng Prefecture.

This also meant he had not yet fully stepped into the Japanese market to scoop up the meat.

"Having this data is enough; if they don't push hard with this, the top executives of Warner Japan should all commit seppuku!"

Qian Jiang, who had watched Zhou Yi grow step by step until he went out to earn foreign exchange, felt a mix of emotions in his heart at that moment.

The last Chinese singer who could sell albums or singles in Japan was a woman named Wang Fei.

On July 25, 2001, Wang Fei's single CD "Separate Ways" was released in Japan; first-week sales were 27,000, cumulative chart sales were 76,000, and the highest ranking was 14th on the Zhou Bang.

"If I remember correctly, Wang Fei's best single sales record in Japan was 335,620 copies in 1999; if this single CD of yours continues to maintain this momentum, then I think breaking Wang Fei's record shouldn't be a problem."

As a Hong Kong-born manager, Qian Jiang almost immediately found a benchmark for Zhou Yi: Xie Tingfeng's girlfriend, Wang Fei.

Hearing this, Zhou Yi laughed: "No way, so after I beat Xie Tingfeng, I still have to beat his girlfriend?"

Beating Xie Tingfeng domestically, then going to Japan to break Wang Fei's record; just targeting this young couple isn't very fair, is it?

"There's no choice; who else's records are there for you to compete with right now?" Qian Jiang grinned, smiling particularly happily.

If Zhou Yi hadn't emerged, Xie Tingfeng's popularity and sales would have been leading domestically by a cliff-like margin; Wang Fei's overseas achievements, especially in the Japanese music scene, currently had no young-generation singers who could challenge them.

Facts proved that Zhou Jianhui, who treated Zhou Yi's albums with the highest specifications, was well-prepared for promotion—

With a wave of his hand, this message released by Warner Official set off countless media outlets' spontaneous promotion during this joyful National Day holiday!

Especially the Hong Kong media.

As the singer with the highest single sales in Japan currently, whether it was Wang Fei's attitude as a senior or her identity as Xie Tingfeng's girlfriend, it caused many people to pursue her after Warner Official announced this heavy news.

"Ah Fei! Ah Fei! What is your opinion on Zhou Yi's new single "The Lazy Song" topping the Oricon Chart Weekly Singles Chart?"

"Do you think Zhou Yi can break your single sales record in the Japanese music scene?"

"Xie Tingfeng! What is your opinion on your old rival Zhou Yi entering the Japanese music scene? Do you have the idea of entering the Japanese music scene like him?"

"Do you think if you release a single in the Japanese music scene, can you beat Zhou Yi in sales?"

"..."

"..."

Wang Fei and Xie Tingfeng, who had finally managed to go out shopping together after eleven days, were quickly besieged by well-informed Hong Kong reporters, completely disregarding the impatient expression on Xie Tingfeng's face as he was surrounded.

PS: The third update must be postponed by two days; I received notice this afternoon that I must travel to Shenzhen for a business trip for two days.

Fortunately, there are stored drafts. Wuhu.

(End of this chapter)