Becoming a Movie Star, System Only Finished Loading After Ten Years

No matter how tumultuous the outside world was, the film crew remained calm and unruffled.

Zhonghao Entertainment formed its own team.

The core crew members were their own people, enjoying better conditions than their peers, but also adhering to more rules.

As for extras joining the crew, their phones would be directly confiscated.

Of course, they could also choose not to bring their phones on set.

Secret filming, as they called it, meant not letting any wind slip out.

Nevertheless, Qi Hao and An Feng would still attend some events.

"Those Years" was scheduled for release on Qixi Festival, August 16th.

Mostly because July was a bit rushed.

So, it was simply scheduled for mid-August, coinciding with Qixi Festival.

It was still within the summer release period.

Besides, a few days after the release would be An Feng's birthday, making it quite memorable.

The two would get engaged on that day.

Although the film was delayed, promotion would definitely begin in June.

The promotional team released the first trailer.

In terms of promotional strategy, they used the copy from "First Love 2" to clearly ride the wave of "First Love, This Little Thing."

Qi Hao was not someone who pretended to be lofty.

When he first debuted, he had nothing, and if he were truly lofty, he wouldn't have become famous even in ten, let alone twenty years.

There are plenty of good-looking and talented people in the entertainment industry who just don't become popular.

Partly due to bad luck, not having the fate for it.

Another reason is not working hard enough.

He could ride on the popularity of "First Love, This Little Thing" effortlessly.

Official announcements could boost film promotion, so he planned to make announcements during the promotional period.

Many people started pretending to be lofty after becoming famous.

Qi Hao never would.

Whether it's speaking English on a show or making official announcements during the promotional period, it showed he was a pragmatic person.

Others had nothing to say.

Because "First Love" and "Those Years" had the same director, the same male lead, and were genuinely akin to being a series of films.

An Feng's appearance in the trailer was greatly praised.

In "First Love," An Feng mostly played an unattractive role.

Even when slowly transforming at the end, it couldn't change too much all at once.

The visual impact wasn't that significant.

In terms of visual enjoyment, it couldn't compare to An Feng's appearance akin to a "white moonlight" in "Those Years."

High ponytail, high school uniform.

At twenty-three, she had shed her immaturity but wasn't overly mature.

A fresh face, with a refined aura.

Invincible from the front, stunning from the side.

It could totally be said that An Feng was at a peak of beauty at this time,

the first trailer primarily focused on An Feng's look and appearance, garnering a huge response.

Clearly, Qi Hao produced another "fan-gathering" idol film.

Moreover, first love remained an unavoidable theme in the film.

Otherwise, it wouldn't have been called "First Love 2."

Then, the promotional team sparked a controversy.

Which was whether the result of first love should be a tragedy or a comedy.

Most people have experienced first love.

They could fully share their own first love experiences since no one knows anyone else online anyway.

Let's see whether BE or HE is more prevalent.

Borrowing the promotional approach from "First Love," just slightly altering the angle.

This topic genuinely had a very high level of interest.

It sparked a wave of discussion.

"First Love, This Little Thing" had a happily-ever-after ending, which many people thought was fake.

Xiaoshui and Liang shouldn't have ended up together.

They should have met by chance years later and exchanged a polite smile.

Incorporating all the bittersweet and regrets into that smile.

Then turn around and return to their own worlds.

Now "Those Years" presented a first love story with a dramatically different ending to everyone.

Upon learning that in this new movie, Qi Hao and An Feng didn't end up together, many "First Love" fans cursed heavily.

Our daily lives are miserable as it is.

Some are single, some face their shrewish wives at home, some are in constant arguments.

Only when watching your movie can we savor a touch of white moonlight again.

What the heck are you thinking?

Why can't they be together, are you deliberately making people's lives difficult?

Qi Hao had anticipated this.

Criticism is essential. Without controversy, there's no buzz.

If it wasn't a sure bet, the filmmakers wouldn't dare to disclose the regretful ending to everyone from the start.

There's no benefit in angering the audience.

Qi Hao's solution was simple, the leads didn't end up together in the movie, leaving everyone feeling regretful.

To make up for your regret, we decided to be together in reality.

Surprised? Excited?

The timing of the public announcement became a question to ponder.

Qi Hao and An Feng were filming with the crew and couldn't both leave for a promotional event, otherwise, the crew would have to take a break.

Even though director Han Yan is quite capable, he cannot cook without rice.

With both the male and female leads absent, where would he get enough minor scenes to shoot?

Therefore, Qi Hao and An Feng mostly attended events separately.

Of course, a public announcement is a big deal, and it's fine if filming stops for a few days because of it.

Qi Hao originally planned to make the announcement at the Shen City International Film Festival. Although the awards from this festival aren't highly regarded, because the event is in Shanghai, the lineup of attending stars grows stronger.

The media naturally pays a lot of attention too.

Moreover, the festival committee member Wu Yushen once invited Qi Hao to be a judge.

A Golden Rooster Best Actor and Golden Horse Best Director, he's fully qualified to chair most film festivals, only lacking international award recognition.

After learning that Zhao Yanzi was also a judge, Qi Hao found an excuse to decline.

In recent years, he refused every opportunity to collaborate with Zhao Yanzi.

Attending the same event was unavoidable.

But being a judge isn't just a titular role. They need to work together frequently.

Choosing films isn't done with a single meeting.

Zhao Yanzi is clearly close to some people.

Back then, the outfit she wore was obviously an assigned task, a typical Oath of Allegiance.

Qi Hao had no intention, nor the ability, to blacklist her.

But he could choose not to collaborate with someone like her.

Zhao Yanzi gained fame in '98, Qi Hao in 2000, a bit one after the other.

Many production companies have tried to pair them for a project.

Especially after Zhao Yanzi's repeated flops, her side even approached Qi Hao for collaborations.

Qi Hao turned them down every time.

This time, his rejection was even clearer, and he even revealed his reason for refusal.

The public might have heard nothing about it.

But insiders were astonished.

So, Qi Hao's continuous refusal to collaborate was out of his disdain for Zhao Yanzi.

A disdain that prevented even joint judging.

The organizing committee deliberated, and although they regretted not being able to invite Qi Hao, they couldn't just kick Zhao Yanzi out either.

Those in charge needed to save face too.

You can't expect immediate compromise with a simple "with her or without me" tactic; if anyone with influence started doing this, what credibility would this international film festival have left?

A festival aspiring to align with international standards.

Zhao Yanzi sitting as a judge clearly showed someone put in efforts.

Moreover, the film festival also gave a few official statements.

Roughly meaning, to err is human, to change and correct oneself is commendable, holding onto someone's mistake isn't very manly.

Screw your notion of manliness.

Qi Hao simply abandoned attending the Shen City International Film Festival.

The excuse he made was quite perfunctory.

Just saying I'm filming a movie, in a closed setting now.

If he doesn't go, An Feng certainly won't go either.

Even if this might lead to getting blacklisted again, she's now with Qi Hao anyway.

Shared glory and shared loss.

Worst case…

Alright, with Qi Hao's current status, there's not much of a worst case.

Just like Old Guo and Capital TV.

Old Guo collaborated with Mr. Yu in '03 on the cross talk "Hello Capital" which won a special award at the Capital Crosstalk and Sketch Invitational, gaining prominence gradually.

Subsequently, Old Guo was invited to participate in the recording of Capital TV's "Starry Night Story Show", which became a big hit upon airing, gaining high ratings and reviews.

At that time, Old Guo and Capital TV were mutually beneficial, and he regarded Capital TV as an important platform for promoting De Yun Society, frequently bringing his apprentices for recordings, and often appearing on the Capital TV Spring Festival Gala stage.

However, this year, the conflict between Old Guo and Capital TV became irreconcilable; he withdrew from the recording of "Starry Night Story Show", and switched to Jinmen Satellite TV's "Tonight There's Drama".

This action displeased Capital TV.

Besides cutting Old Guo's show, they even sent reporters to his home to secretly photograph allegations of "occupying green space".

And engaged in a physical altercation with Old Guo's apprentices.

Old Guo was completely blacklisted.

Yet, it wasn't long before De Yun Society performances returned to normal.

It could even be said that they thrived more than before.

Even Old Guo could withstand Capital TV's pressure.

Qi Hao is ten times more formidable than Old Guo.

Moreover, his main area of activity is over at Capital; Shen City can't really do much against him.

Besides, Shen City International Film Festival is just a film festival after all.

It's not equivalent to a TV station.