Caught in Affairs with Superstar

Chapter 1420: Chapter 738: Power_2

Xin Zhike collaborated with Zhou Yun on ”Deep Sea.” After its broadcast at the beginning of the year, Xin Zhike’s popularity skyrocketed. With Yuehai backing him, he now looks poised to challenge Gu Huaichun’s status as ”Yuehai’s Top Brother.”

His sudden interview in support of Zhou Yun immediately drew attention.

Besides Xin Zhike, both Cheng Shenlv and Zhou Jianfeng also expressed their support for Zhou Yun.

”When I worked with her, we were both newcomers, but she never looked down on me or suppressed me. On set, she was always the most supportive person of the director. She once said that before accepting a role, one must assess whether the director is trustworthy. Once committed, even if you don’t understand the director’s decisions, try your best to realize them because deciding to take the role means you’ve decided to trust them,” said Cheng Shenlv. ”Sister Xiao Yun told me this, and I’ve always remembered it, applying it to myself. So, I don’t believe she would not support a director unless he is not worth supporting.”

Several popular directors and actors spoke up for Zhou Yun, quickly reversing the unfavorable public perception she was facing.

That evening, at a brand event, Zhou Yun was invited to attend.

As it was a top-tier brand, the organizers had lavishly invited over a dozen celebrities from the industry.

With Zhou Yun at the center of the spotlight attending a public event, the media exploded, scrambling to secure an invitation.

Besides Zhou Yun, Wang Jing and Lu Zhongting would also attend this event.

Of course, Lu Zhongting was an addition from Zhou Lan during her coordination with the event organizers. The main purpose was to boost his exposure and also to help Lu Zhongting connect with the brand.

For a newcomer like Lu Zhongting, forming a friendly relationship with a top-tier brand would elevate his status and reputation significantly whenever he’s associated with the brand in public and media appearances.

The fame and fortune circle isn’t like sports competitions, where the ranking is strictly based on performance.

Since Ning Yao would also be attending that evening, the brand organizers assigned Ning Yao the grand finale spot.

They even took the liberty of explaining this to Zhou Lan.

Zhou Lan didn’t say much, just smiled and said, ”No problem at all. Having Miss Ning Yao as the finale is perfectly fine. Xiao Yun and Miss Ning Yao are good friends. Don’t worry, we don’t mind, we will follow your arrangements.”

With Ning Yao and Zhou Yun present, and being a top-tier brand, there surprisingly wasn’t any drama over appearance order.

Zhou Yun and Ning Yao hadn’t seen each other for quite some time.

Ning Yao smiled joyfully upon seeing Zhou Yun and said, ”It’s been a while. What’s going on with you and that Li Rui? How did you get involved in this trouble?”

Zhou Yun helplessly laughed and said, ”I can only blame myself for trusting the wrong person. I originally wanted to support his filming. Who would have thought I’d get bitten back? I have no idea what’s happening between him and Seapool Film and Television.”

Ning Yao said, ”I also heard you are looking for scripts. You should check out more creative pitching events. We have many such events where new and young directors and screenwriters participate. It can save you a lot of effort. Even I, with my limited ability, have come across several scripts I liked but couldn’t take them all.”

Zhou Yun looked at Ning Yao in surprise.

”Sister Ning Yao, are you selecting scripts at creative pitching events?”

”Yes.” Ning Yao replied, ”Given the current environment, if you want to perform in truly worthwhile dramas, you have to find them at pitching events. Otherwise, the scripts offered by other movie companies are mostly dime-a-dozen, so-called marketable scripts, which I personally don’t favor. I still want to shoot dramas that provoke thought.”

Zhou Yun always believed that actresses like Ning Yao, with her fairy-like presence and great public appeal, wouldn’t actively seek scripts and opportunities.

She had never heard of Ning Yao actively seeking scripts.

In the actor’s realm, even though everyone mingles in the entertainment industry, their situations are entirely different.

Like Wei Ru Xue, who holds a very high position in TV dramas, even though Zhou Yun and Ning Yao may have higher positions in society and among audiences, the remuneration, treatment, and market feedback in the television market cannot surpass Wei Ru Xue and are usually on par.

So Wei Ru Xue holds top-tier resources and projects in television, and even works from top directors may not be enough to enlist her.

However, she is inadequate in films. If she wants to act in movies, she either plays supporting or decorative lead roles in commercial films, or takes on roles with good presence and commendable character but not responsible for the main role. The market and the investors do not buy it. So, if Wei Ru Xue wants to act in films, she must find scripts and assemble a team herself until a film achieves massive success and she rises. Before that happens, she doesn’t hold dominion in this field.

Xu Siyao, highly discussed in the drama field, can secure S+ productions from platforms as long as she doesn’t encounter opponents like Wei Ru Xue or Zhou Yun, who evidently surpass her. Her competitiveness is strong. However, she has popularity without recognition in the mainstream, so it’s hard to enter the mainstream awards’ radar and the serious drama circle. If Xu Siyao wants to break into serious drama, she needs someone to introduce her or convince capable producers and directors to give her a chance. This is indeed challenging.

When Song Chi invited Kang Xin to direct ”Heart Inquiry,” Zhou Yun played the second female lead, giving her the most significant boost by entering the serious drama circle.

Some dramas, despite having an excellent reputation when broadcast, are scarcely visible during mainstream awards.

Serious dramas operate within a circle, and films do as well.

Some dramas, sensationally successful in the market, don’t signify mainstream recognition and accolades.

This is true for dramas, and true for actors as well.

Thanks to ”Heart Inquiry,” Zhou Yun stepped into the mainstream circle, paving the way for much of her subsequent development.

Having someone like Teacher Kang Xin as her support, she doesn’t have to compromise on many matters.

Zhou Yun and Ning Yao were having a delightful exchange.

Although they seldom engaged privately, they thoroughly appreciated each other in their professional lives, always having plenty to talk about whenever they met.

”I recently met with Wen Bing,” Ning Yao said while smiling. ”He’s preparing for the second installment of ’Two Tigers.’”

”Yes.” Zhou Yun nodded, ”This year the movie had a high box office during the Spring Festival release. New Shield hopes for a release in the Spring Festival after next year.”

”Your action scenes are fantastic, I truly admire you,” Ning Yao said. ”I’ve always wanted to shoot action films, but my movements are really uncoordinated, which makes it impossible. I almost shot an action movie before, but had to give it up during the test shoot.”

Zhou Yun laughed and said, ”I’m also quite unadapted. If it weren’t for director Wen Bing, I wouldn’t dare to try.”