1novels Chapter 38: The 50-to-25 Qualifying Round Begins
Chapter 38: The 50-to-25 Qualifying Round Begins
Xu Man didn't say anything, but she raised her glass and clinked it with Wang Junhai's, her eyes fixed on Anderson in the screen.
Wang Junhai smiled with satisfaction but didn't reply. He then looked at Anderson and asked, "Mr. Anderson, what do you think?"
Anderson stopped what he was doing and came in front of the camera, speaking fluent Mandarin as soon as he opened his mouth.
"I've studied Chen Fan's songs."
"How should I put it? I don't deny that he has some talent, but his songs are too 'Chinese style'."
He deliberately emphasized the pronunciation of the words "Hua Guo Feng," his eyes filled with disdain.
"Our fund invests in musicians with international potential."
"The songs Chen Fan sings, putting aside everything else, can't be changed just from the arrangement alone. Nobody except Chinese people can understand them."
"He has no value to me."
Wang Junhai sneered inwardly upon hearing this.
However, he showed no sign of it on his face.
The more Anderson belittled Chen Fan, the more it proved that he felt threatened.
The "fund" that the other party serves essentially uses capital and discourse power to turn the Chinese music scene into a dumping ground for Western pop music.
They then implant the ideas they want to promote into the music, further corrupting...
Chen Fan's traditional Chinese style is precisely what they least want to see rise.
Because this is something pure, something buried in the blood of every Chinese person, a spiritual pillar that cannot be "Westernized".
"So you mean..." Wang Junhai asked deliberately.
Anderson shrugged and said, "If you want Chen Fan to be 'international,' either he has to change his style, sing English songs, and use Western arrangements."
"Or, I'll make him disappear."
At this point, Anderson's eyes met Wang Junhai's for the first time.
Inside was what Wang Junhai wanted to see, something he was determined to obtain, and he finally felt a little relieved.
Lin Chuan immediately seized the opportunity to flatter him:
"Teacher Wang, I've heard Chen Fan's song 'Red Dust Inn'."
"Well... technically it's alright, but I don't agree with calling it high-tech."
"Just like Mr. Anderson said, the Chinese style is essentially self-indulgent. Europeans and Americans play blues, jazz, and rock, which are the universal languages."
"Our erhu and guzheng, let alone whether foreigners can understand them, how many people in China can even understand them?"
He paused, and seeing Anderson smiling across from him, he continued, "I'm planning to write a long article these next few days, titled 'Chinese Style Is Not the Cure for the Chinese Music Scene'."
"At that time, I will post it on my personal accounts across all platforms, hoping to wake up some people."
Hearing this, Xu Man took over the conversation: "Old Lin, your title is too mild. I think we should write 'Chen Fan: The 'Chinese Style Genius' That Was Overhyped'."
"I just said on the show last week that the aesthetic standards of domestic audiences are too low. Anything with a little bit of ethnic characteristics can be praised to the skies, while truly good music is ignored."
Taking a sip of tea, Xu Man continued, "I've already contacted a few influential bloggers, and we'll publish an article together. The title will be 'Chen Fan's Chinese Style is Just an Upgraded Version of Rustic Charm.'"
"Once the hype starts, his popularity won't last more than a week."
At this point, she put down her coffee cup, her voice low but each word clear: "Besides that, Teacher Wang, there's one more thing I can do."
"What?"
"I know Thomson, a former Grammy judge and professor at Berklee College of Music. He compiles an annual list of 'Asia's Most Promising Musicians,' which, although not officially endorsed, has a huge influence in the industry."
She raised her eyes, a slight smile playing on her lips: "If Professor Thomson were to 'comment' on Chen Fan's music..."
"For example, if his works are criticized for 'lacking an international perspective' or 'having outdated arrangements,' how do you think the domestic media will report it?"
Wang Junhai's eyes lit up.
"You mean...?"
"Domestic media love news about 'exporting to the domestic market' the most."
Xu Man spoke calmly, as if she were talking about something commonplace: "If a foreign expert says you're good, you might not actually be good; but if a foreign expert says you're bad, then you definitely aren't good."
"Isn't this a common mindset among many Chinese people?"
Wang Junhai secretly praised her, thinking that this woman was indeed worthy of being a returned overseas student; her methods were much more sophisticated than those of Lin Chuan, who only knew how to write rants.
There's a reason why it's expensive...
"Alright!" He slammed his hand on the table. "Let's do as Xu Man says. Xiao Lin, you're in charge of domestic public opinion. First, stir things up."
"Xu Man, contact Professor Thomson. I'll cover any cost. Mr. Anderson..."
He looked at Anderson, who nodded slightly.
"We will contact several international music media outlets to collaborate with Thomson's 'commentary' and produce a special report."
Anderson said slowly and deliberately, "I've already thought of a title: 'The Chinese Music Scene's Craze for Traditional Chinese Style: Cultural Confidence or Self-Isolation?'"
The four of them exchanged a smile.
Wang Junhai raised his glass: "Come on, let's wish each other success."
The crisp sound of clinking glasses echoed through the private room.
******
The highly anticipated final round of Masked Singer, where 50 contestants were narrowed down to 25, has arrived.
Surprisingly, the judge who was absent that night was replaced by Mr. Cheng!
Mr. Cheng, dressed in a Zhongshan suit, sat on the judges' panel. When the host introduced him, he stood up and explained to the audience:
"I'm very happy to have this opportunity to work with young people and enjoy the music they like. I hope everyone performs well and that we have a pleasant collaboration!"
This humble speech drew continuous applause from the audience:
"Wow! Isn't that the legendary old gentleman?! How did the production team manage to get him on board?"
"The old man isn't as irritable as he was portrayed in 'The Master Class'! He's kind of cute, how come?"
"+1! The arrival of this old gentleman elevates our program by several levels!"
"Wow! I'm so nervous, half the contestants will be eliminated tonight!"
"Nervousness increased by 1! Hopefully, with a fairer judge, my brother can stay!"
When Chen Fan heard Old Cheng's voice backstage, he couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth into a smile.
The old gentleman was quite adorable.
This round of matches will be played in a staggered format.
After each of the top 50 contestants finished performing, a contestant from the waiting area would perform.
After each performance, contestants are scored immediately, and the top 25 with the highest scores advance to the next round.
When Youyou finished explaining the new rules, she exclaimed, "There are 76 contestants tonight, but only 25 will advance. The competition is going to be fierce!"
"How will everyone choose their songs, and what surprises will they bring us? Please stay tuned!"
This sentence unintentionally reminded all the audience of the last time the show, "The General's Command," was a smash hit.
"Who can understand! I can't get enough of 'General's Command'! I can't get enough of it!"
"Is there any song more explosive than 'General's Command'?"
"Is Brother Fan that strong?"
"What I'm curious about is what you all voted on regarding Fan Ge the other day! I voted for his face!"
"Face +1! I've seen Fan Bingbing without makeup before, but I've never seen him with makeup on!"
"Hahahaha! Face +1! Fan-ge is so mean, he doesn't even want us to see his face!"
"I'm different from you guys; I want to see your face, and I also look forward to your new song!!"
The discussion about Chen Fan unsurprisingly went off-topic again, but its popularity remained high.