Chapter 688
Discussion at the Fan Meeting
Chapter 688 Discussion at the Fan Meeting (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
Although "Counterattack" attracted the audience's attention with the second trailer, which was told from the perspective of a passerby.
However, what truly garnered widespread attention and became a viral sensation was Gu Cheng's trailer.
The trailer was full of romantic undertones, which led many netizens to feel both anticipation and apprehension.
Could it be that "Counterattack" is mainly about the love stories of young men and women?
Romance isn't part of their youth; if they were to spend their entire lives in a relationship, they wouldn't be interested in watching it.
After the first wave of online ratings and reviews came out, those netizens who were worried that the show was all about romance finally felt relieved.
According to online reviews, this drama doesn't actually have many romance plots; instead, it focuses more on inspiration and striving.
Some netizens even commented that the male lead, Gu Ziming, had less screen time than one of the female lead's friends, meaning he wasn't as much as a supporting character and was merely occupying the male lead's name.
The feeling that the movie was about to start a romantic relationship only came towards the end.
The male protagonist, Gu Ziming, left the female protagonist, Jin Xiaoli, with a message before going straight to university.
Yes, the male protagonist, Gu Ziming, is very smart. He has excellent competition results and could have been directly admitted to Tsinghua and Peking Universities, but because he did not want to study the major offered by Tsinghua and Peking Universities, he decided to return to the college entrance examination track.
But a person's excellence can shine even without relying on competition results.
Gu Ziming not only excelled in competitions, but also in regular subjects, which earned her a place on the school's recommendation list.
Because the recommended major was one he liked, he was directly admitted to Tsinghua and Peking Universities without having to take the college entrance examination.
Gu Ziming said to the female lead, "I'll be waiting for you at Tsinghua or Peking University."
The male lead's scenes have actually come to an end here.
Even though there's a later storyline where the female lead gets into Tsinghua or Peking University and walks on their campus, the male lead never appears.
The only thing that could be heard was his voice.
He called out, "Jin Xiaoli! Welcome to Tsinghua and Peking University!"
These sounds appear as voice-over, with the camera focusing on Jin Xiaoli's incredibly surprised expression after hearing those words.
The light in his eyes was like a shooting star streaking across the sky, bursting forth with dazzling brilliance in a fleeting moment.
Jin Xiaoli immediately sprinted forward.
It felt like rushing into Gu Ziming's arms, and also like rushing into a brand new life.
Netizens couldn't help but exclaim that, as expected of a youth campus film, it's all beautifully shot.
To reiterate, it has a very youthful feel.
Every director expresses youth differently. Director Xu has made several youth films and has developed his own unique aesthetic.
His aesthetic sense has also gained recognition from many netizens when he shoots youth films.
Otherwise, investors wouldn't have approached him to film youth campus dramas.
In this respect, his reputation is evident to all.
Jinli's immersive performance further enhances the film.
Although this movie is based on her true story, the audience sees Jin Xiaoli instead of Jin Li in the film.
This is actually very rare.
It is often said that actors need to break through their own limitations in order to be free from the constraints of different acting styles, but how difficult that is!
Some actors naturally have a delicate appearance, so when they are asked to play ruthless characters, it always feels strange.
It was as if he was trembling as he uttered the harshest words.
For example, if a character has a sinister look, but is asked to play an extremely righteous role, netizens will find it very strange.
Whenever this character speaks, netizens always imagine him turning into a villain at any moment.
This is due to both the inherent characteristics of the actor and the acting habits that actors develop over time.
Only by forgetting your own characteristics, forgetting the image you've given yourself, forgetting everything, can you recreate a new character.
The script is adapted from Jin Li's story, and "Jin Xiaoli" seems to appear as her shadow.
But she portrayed the shadow's second life.
Jin Xiaoli's experience is derived from her own, but it is also different.
This character is more in line with what the general public perceives.
She is a high school student, studying at school like millions of other students around the world.
Therefore, this character will be more representative.
Her inspiring story of struggle can motivate everyone even more.
Jinli sensed this when she accepted the role, which is why she eventually agreed to take it on.
She doesn't want audiences to watch movies that are entirely based on her experiences; they would just be replicating her path.
Her path has already been written by countless media outlets, and it doesn't need further embellishment by a film.
However, Jin Xiaoli's life experience is completely different from that of Jin Li, who is a celebrity.
Jinli felt that the drama made up for her regret of not being able to attend high school.
She felt very connected while filming this drama, and even now, she can still recall every minute and second of the filming process and every little moment she spent with everyone.
She also had her own period of campus life, although that time was short.
But she cherished it.
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On its opening day, "Counterattack" topped the box office charts with a total of 2.3 million yuan!
With the first wave of feedback from netizens, other netizens who were still observing no longer hesitated and bought tickets to watch.
On the second day, it still took the top spot in daily box office, and its performance was even better than the first day, directly taking in 300 million yuan!
Day 3, Day 4, Day 5...
"Counterattack" dominated the box office for a full week before finally losing its absolute dominance. The gap between it and the second-place film narrowed, but it still remained number one on the charts.
When many media outlets saw that "Counterattack" had reached 2 billion yuan at the box office in August, they couldn't help but praise it as a grand feast of youthful revelry.
The success of "The Comeback" demonstrates that even niche markets can thrive. No matter your age, you're always young at heart!
The legend of "Counterattack" continues!
The box office, which had been declining, rebounded as universities and colleges added the film to their summer must-see lists and encouraged students and parents to watch it in various groups. This revitalized the box office, which had been on a downward trend, and it grew again.
Without a doubt, it led the entire summer box office, absolutely dominating the scene. Its performance was so strong that it was unparalleled in previous summer seasons.
A youth campus film with an investment of less than 2 million yuan has defeated a number of special effects blockbusters with investments of billions of yuan with its touching story, beautiful scenes and performances that do not disappoint the audience!
Telling a good story is the key to a film's success.
Let's wait and see if "Counterattack" can make it into the top 10 of Chinese film history!
Once emotions are aroused, a comeback seems to become a force, an unstoppable torrent.
Everyone is hoping it can break records and enter the top ten of Chinese film history!
It is of great significance that a youth campus film has made it into the top ten of film history.
This signifies a diversification of film themes; as long as you tell a story with care, audiences will be willing to pay for it.
Therefore, when "Counterattack" came out in August, there was no need to invest any additional promotion.
People across the country are spontaneously promoting it, and the ideas it expresses and the will it conveys resonate with everyone's emotions.
What is the main theme?
This is the main theme!
The main theme does not represent a specific type of film, but rather a spirit.
The female protagonist in "Counterattack" goes from being a poor student to working hard and getting into Tsinghua and Peking Universities. Isn't this spirit of struggle and inspiration also a mainstream theme?
Youth is the prime of life!
Inside Chenxi Entertainment. Outside, the popularity of "Counterattack" continues.
Jinli, however, did not become complacent with the glory of box office success. Although she was looking forward to breaking into the top ten in film and television, she would not focus all her attention on it.
Because the trajectory of "Counterattack" is no longer something that can be controlled by publicity.
Whether it can make it into the top ten films of all time depends on whether the audience will buy into it.
During the summer vacation, Jinli had some free time, so Sister Fang called her to Chenxi Entertainment to discuss the fan meeting.
The two were discussing the timing of their fan meeting.
Sui Lingfang felt that it was safer to hold the event on Jinli's birthday, because many celebrities in the industry also hold their fan meetings on their birthdays.
However, Jinli quickly rejected the proposal.
"This is my birthday, not my fans' birthday. I want to spend it alone."
The main reason is that I feel my birthday has no meaning for my fans. I'm not some savior, and they don't need to celebrate my birthday; that kind of sentiment is too strong.
She had previously learned that celebrities prepare many programs for fan meetings, including singing and dancing.
These are all high-intensity exercises, and Jinli is a little worried about whether her body can handle them.
In addition, she also noticed that fans would do various promotional celebrations for celebrities on their birthdays and spend money on advertising.
This made Jinli think it wouldn't work.
Waste of money.
Why not do something better with this money?
Her fame is so great that she no longer needs her fans to do these things.
She is happily enjoying life and hopes that her fans can also happily enjoy their own lives.
Sui Lingfang originally wanted to explain that other celebrities in the industry do the same thing.
But just as she was about to speak, she suddenly remembered that Jinli was no longer an idol or a popular celebrity.
The popularity of her dramas is not only due to her popularity, but more so to her acting skills.
So there's no need to follow the idol route.
As a talented actress, what's wrong with her not wanting to hold a fan meeting on her birthday?
completely fine!
Many actors completely separate their work and private lives.
They need to maintain an air of mystery in order to make their characters resonate with the public.
Excessive and frequent exposure to variety shows is detrimental to character development.
Even if a drama is old, if it is a classic and deeply ingrained in people's hearts, viewers will feel disconnected from the drama when they see celebrities acting in a completely different way.
Old-school actors cherish their work and roles and naturally take care of them.
The more restless and superficial society becomes, the more precious certain qualities become.
So Sui Lingfang took back her words and asked in return, "When would you like to hold the meet-and-greet?"
Jinli blurted out, "The fifteenth of the first month, the fifteenth of the seventh month, and the fifteenth of the tenth month."
Fangjie wasn't particularly sensitive to dates, but she wondered why the last three dates all ended in 15, and whether there was any connection between them.
So she asked.
Jinli said, "This is the Three Yuan Festival, when the Heavenly and Water Officials bestow blessings, pardon sins, and relieve calamities."
Sui Lingfang: ?
Jinli explained, "When I was filming on set before, I went to a Taoist temple to pray for blessings on the Ghost Festival. You should remember that the blessing ceremonies for the three festivals are quite large."
Sui Lingfang vaguely remembered, "You went there back then...it seems like it was around Ghost Festival."
Jinli: "Yes."
Sui Lingfang was stunned again.
"This is your fan meeting, why did you have to choose the Valentine's Day?"
Jinli said with a serious face: "I'm praying for my fans. Every festival of the Three Yuan Festival is very meaningful."
Since my fans came to my meet-and-greet, I should give them something in return. I wanted to share my blessings with them.
Sui Lingfang: ...
It's so simple that no one can think of a reason to refute it.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind, and she refused, saying, "Forget it, don't choose to hold a fan meeting on a special holiday, lest the fans think you are holding some kind of cult ritual."
Now it was Jinli's turn to be confused.
"The Three Yuan Festival is a good day for bestowing blessings, pardoning sins, and relieving calamities. How could it be related to cults? If I dare to use evil magic on these festivals, I will be struck by lightning."
Sui Lingfang hesitated.
But thinking about the recent controversy surrounding a certain celebrity's concert, she decided to have Jinli choose a different holiday.
"You don't know that netizens are very sensitive about this lately. If any bad elements appear in a concert, it will trigger bad associations."
It's quite possible that the venue will be built, but the event won't be able to proceed, resulting in huge losses.
"The Three Yuan Festivals you mentioned are too representative. The audience will immediately think of metaphysics and may feel that you are absorbing their luck."
Even if your intentions are good, and these holidays are excellent, netizens may not be familiar with them. They might just think you're trying to cause trouble on these special holidays.
Sui Lingfang took a sip of water and continued:
"For example, the Zhongyuan Festival, which falls on the 15th of the seventh lunar month, is commonly known as the Ghost Festival."
If you set it for this day, they will only think that you are inconsiderate of your fans. Who would let fans travel on Ghost Festival?
Even if the holiday has a good meaning, like the absolution of sins you mentioned, right?
Jinli: "The Ghost Festival, the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, is the birthday of the Earthly Official Qingxu Emperor, who is in charge of pardoning sins; officials examine transgressions, and it is advisable to repent and avert disaster. If you participate in the ceremonies on this day, you might be able to avert disaster."
Sui Lingfang earnestly advised, "Let's choose another one."
Jinli thought for a moment and said, "Then let's choose the Three Meetings Day, when the Three Officials will assess the merits and demerits of humankind."
Before she could ask, Jinli explained, "On the seventh day of the first lunar month: a grand celebration for promotion and rewards, where the Heavenly Official bestows blessings."
July 7th: A day for celebrating birthdays, when the Earth God grants pardons sins.
October 5th: The Jiansheng Assembly, the Water Official relieves calamities.
On these three days, the Three Officials descend to examine merits and demerits; it is the most auspicious time for fasting and praying for blessings.
Sui Lingfang felt a headache whenever she heard about the Three Officials or the Great Emperor.
"Could we get another one that's not so special?"
Jinli thought about it for a moment. Actually, she felt that the Three Meetings Day was not very common, and if she told her friends, they wouldn't know that it was a special day.
However, if you want to change, there are alternatives.
"Then let's go with the Five Laba Festivals. These five days have auspicious meanings, which is quite good."
The Fifth Laba Festival: The Five Emperors determine the blessings and longevity of the living.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, known as Tianla, the Five Emperors determine the lifespan of living beings, and it is auspicious to offer sacrifices to ancestors to prolong life.
On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the Earthly Sacrifice is performed to examine and determine official ranks and the waxing and waning of flesh and blood.
On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the Taoist Laba Festival, the Five Emperors assess physical health, academic achievements, and future success. It is a time for repentance and seeking blessings.
On the first day of the tenth lunar month, the year of the Lunar New Year, the official ranks and titles of officials were revised and approved.
On the eighth day of the twelfth month, the royal decree was held to determine the places where living people would receive their stipends.