Caught in Affairs with Superstar

Chapter 1416: Chapter 736: The Tide of Public Opinion

The battle between Zhou Yun and Li Rui on Weibo has become the most closely watched event in the entertainment industry.

Everyone is paying attention to this matter.

Especially industry insiders.

Since Zhou Yun became famous, he has always been renowned for his keen eye, particularly regarding new directors. Zhou Yun’s vision is well-known.

Whether it’s Wen Bing or Xue Qin, they are all new directors who became overnight successes with their first works.

On one hand, Zhou Yun collaborates with big directors like Jiang Xin and Cong Lan, and on the other, he has acted in many new works that were not initially well-received.

Therefore, within the industry, there is a preconceived notion that if a new director is chosen by Zhou Yun, they must be talented and have great potential to become a major director.

Industry insiders even believe Zhou Yun has a special relationship with these new directors.

This time, however, a new director publicly accused Zhou Yun of malicious suppression, naturally attracting attention.

Even Director Kang noticed and called Zhou Yun to ask what was going on.

Zhou Yun explained it briefly.

”This time I was deceived by someone,” Zhou Yun said, ”It’s fine, Director Kang, don’t worry, this matter is Seapool Film and Television’s problem, not mine. I haven’t suppressed him.”

Director Kang said, ”Xiao Yun, this matter might not be as simple as you think. I’ve heard that several directors are paying attention to this incident. Some are sensitive because many have suffered due to big-name actors. Many directors do not like actors having power over them, so now some are saying to resolutely resist big-name actors interfering with and suppressing new directors.”

Zhou Yun said, ”Even if they want to do that, they should at least get the facts straight.”

”Didn’t that Li Rui post a chat screenshot?” Director Kang said, ”I’ve chatted with a few old friends, and they seem to think the person chatting with Li Rui was implying that they gave up working with him because of you.”

Zhou Yun said, ”I don’t even know who was chatting with Li Rui.”

Director Kang said, ”I’m just letting you know, I’ll do some work with my friends, but if someone comes out to accuse you, you should be prepared.”

”Mm, thank you, Director Kang. I understand, I’ll be ready.”

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Yun immediately called Zhou Lan.

Zhou Lan said worriedly, ”I just received a call; a mediator contacted us asking to issue an apology statement, or they will join other directors to denounce us.”

”Denounce?” Zhou Yun incredulously chuckled, ”What right do they have to denounce us? Just because of Li Rui’s chat screenshot?”

”Yes,” Zhou Lan said, ”I also explained the situation to this person, but they said it has nothing to do with the truth anymore. Someone wants to use this to make a point, to defend the director’s authority.”

Zhou Yun incredulously laughed.

Zhou Lan: ”Because you are the top actor, if you soften your stance, it could send a signal to the industry.”

”What signal? That even top actors can’t challenge directors?” Zhou Yun retorted, ”No matter what the truth is, as long as the other party is a director, we have to bow to their authority? What kind of bandit logic is this?”

”Ah, these people...” Zhou Lan seemed to want to say something but didn’t.

Zhou Yun said, ”No matter what they’re thinking, Sister Lan, I will not compromise on this matter, no matter the facts. If they want to use this for a point, then let them go ahead.”

Zhou Lan: ”I knew with your personality, you wouldn’t compromise.”

”Of course, if I compromise on this, I wouldn’t respect myself.”

Zhou Lan said, ”Xiao Yun, we should be prepared that we might indeed face a joint condemnation from several directors.”

”Then let them come,” Zhou Yun sneered, ”I want to see which directors would actually do this.”

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Yun calmed herself down.

She also asked herself if this was a decision made in anger.

But after serious thought, she told herself this was not a decision made in anger, it was a matter of dignity.

Zhou Yun would not allow her dignity to be challenged by anyone.

If some directors do indeed condemn her over this, she would go head-to-head with them!

Zhou Yun believed that there are more reasonable people in this world.

Zhou Yun also believed that in this circle, there are more people who are clear about right and wrong.

...

The next day, suddenly two people certified as directors retweeted Li Rui’s post, speaking up for him.

The first person said: As a new director myself, I can feel Li Rui’s helplessness and anger, as well as his grievances. New directors like us are always at a huge disadvantage in this industry, especially when the painstaking efforts we create are picked apart by companies, criticized, and even manipulated by actors. It’s only when a big-name actor takes notice that the script has a chance to be filmed, and what we create has no independent content in front of these big-name actors. However, they want to change it, we have to change it, and however, they want to shoot it, we have to shoot it that way, we are just tools for their filming. Li Rui is incredibly talented; I’ve read his creation ’Above the Dust,’ if this script could be made, it would absolutely be a classic work. Unfortunately, because of suppression, his efforts can only sink without a trace.

The second person said: I’ve also been through such an experience, clearly a project already got the green light, but because I offended a big shot, that big shot called the producer’s boss, and then the project just got canceled. In front of these big-name actors, we new directors have no standing whatsoever.

These two directors’ posts attracted a lot of attention.

Zhou Yun saw it too.

But she had never heard of these two names and had no idea when she might have offended them.

Or maybe these two were just there to fan the flames.

Zhou Yun did not respond.

Responding to these two would bring her only harm.

Zhou Yun thought, if the so-called joint condemnation by directors refers to these two, then it’s pretty low.

However, what Zhou Yun didn’t expect was that the third director to speak up for Li Rui was one she had worked with.

She never thought this would happen.

And this person’s statement finally sparked a storm, turning public opinion against Zhou Yun.