635: Chapter 624 635: Chapter 624 “This…
I just came to take a look; let’s talk about it later,” Song Yun still wasn’t a beast, so he had to brush it off.
“Sigh, you’re still too naive,” the other said, “Let me tell you, even if you don’t play by the unwritten rules, they’ll force you into it.
If you’re really in this line of work and someone can’t sing well, has no connections but wants to get ahead, you’ve got to give them a way out, right?
If you don’t take advantage of them, their road ends there.
You want to be a good guy but end up offending others.
That’s why I’m telling you, don’t get any psychological barriers.
If you see someone you like later, go ahead and pick.
I’m telling you, these talent shows, beauty contests, they’re all about finding women for us big shots.
Just be open-minded about it.
Ha-ha, I’m going to pick a few today too.”
“This…
it’s not necessarily like that, right?” Song Yun doubted, “When that sister debuted back then, was someone trying to manipulate them too?”
“This …
this is an exception, okay?
That’s a rare freak occurrence that happens once in a blue moon.
Actually, I heard from my friend that for those two editions of the talent show, it seemed like someone from the TV station liked that kind of style.
Of course, that’s just hearsay; I don’t know for sure,” Shen Yan gave Song Yun a suggestive smile, making Song Yun’s skin crawl.
Song Yun and Shen Yan took their seats at the judges’ desk, while the number of background actors behind them kept increasing.
“Are these people all part of the friends and family group?” Song Yun curiously asked.
“Most of these are hired by the TV station to boost the atmosphere,” Shen Yan leaned back in his chair, offering Song Yun a cigarette, “Can’t all be friends and family, right?
It’d be hard to control the crowd that way.”
“I had no idea there was so much to it!” Song Yun really learned something new; without getting involved, one would never know these things.
“There’s much more to it than this!
Contestants have their underworld too!
Too ordinary contestants can’t get on stage!
You have to be either intolerably bad or astonishingly good.
If you’re too ordinary and lack that conflict point, there’s no spark, and the ratings won’t climb!
Look at the talent shows these days, if you’re not a migrant worker, without a disability, or your life hasn’t been tough like hell, they won’t let you on stage.
Decent, normal folks don’t stand a chance.”
“This…
It can’t be this dark, can it?” Song Yun was a bit incredulous.
“Aren’t TV stations all about ratings?
Wasn’t there a drama that said it?
If you don’t have a tragic fate, a third party, a sob story, you can’t make it to prime time.
If your performance on a talent show has no conflict, no highlights, doesn’t make the audience teary-eyed, who would watch you?” Shen Yan took a drag of his cigarette, “As far as I know, soon there will be quite a few ‘farmers-turned-singers’ coming up, but these days, where do you find genuinely legit farmers-turned-singers?
It’s all packaging, just see it for what it is.”
“Okay, you’ve successfully made me disenchanted with talent shows,” Song Yun said dismally.
“Actually, there are still some genuine things in it, not everything is predetermined.
There has to be some element of uncertainty, right?
That’s what makes it thrilling,” Shen Yan chuckled.
Before long, the stage lighting and props were all set up, and a woman wearing sunglasses walked into the studio.
“Why does it seem like she’s always wearing sunglasses?
Who is she?” Song Yun asked.
“A celebrity.
But this chick is really something, from Yanjing.
Many people vowed to get with her, but none succeeded; seems like she’s got some backing,” Shen Yan said earnestly.
Soon, the woman arrived at the judges’ desk accompanied by her agent.
“Hello, my name is Chen Mengjie, one of the judges today.”
“Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Feeling the gaze of so many people around him, Song Yun thought he’d better be a gentleman.
He stood up and extended his hand.
“Everyone, please be seated.
My brother here is a real connoisseur of musical performances!” Shen Yan interjected, as Chen Mengjie nodded and took her seat.
Not long after, the stage and sound system were all ready, and the host, dressed in sparkling silver, took to the stage, followed by a long and meaningless opening spiel.
In the midst of this, Song Yun caught a glimpse of Shen Yan beside him and saw that he looked all serious and earnest, which was hilarious given he didn’t understand a note of music.
Song Yun had nothing but contempt for the pretense.
“Now, let’s welcome our three distinguished judges with a round of applause.
First up, Mr.
Shen Yan from XX Media.” The host shouted as if he was moaning in bed.
“Hello, everyone.” Shen Yan stood up and nodded pretentiously.
“Next, let’s welcome the seasoned musician, Mr.
Song Yun.” The host kept up the same suggestive tone.
Taken aback, Song Yun thought, since when did I become a seasoned musician?
But since he was called upon, he stood up solemnly, nodded to the crowd, and was greeted with applause.
“How’s that?
Feels good, doesn’t it?” Shen Yan whispered.
“Indeed, this is what putting on airs feels like,” Song Yun nodded, satisfied.
“Next, let’s welcome with a warm round of applause, the perfect goddess in everyone’s heart, Miss Chen Mengjie~!!” The host cried out as if he had reached a climax.
There was a fierce round of applause from the audience, interspersed with some whistles.
“Seems she’s getting a much warmer welcome than us,” Song Yun muttered.
“Of course, look at her status.
She’s a world-renowned figure!” Shen Yan also whispered back.
Then came a bunch of useful and useless remarks, and the host left the stage for the contestants to come up.
“Damn, why does the first one look so lousy?” Song Yun was startled by the woman on stage who was barely more attractive than Ru Hua.
“It’s a warm-up, you get it?
It’s all arranged by the TV station,” Shen Yan said indifferently.
Indeed, no sooner had Ru Hua appeared on stage than a small frenzy ensued in the audience, with constant screams.
Confident, Ru Hua threw flirtatious glances toward the audience and at Song Yun and Shen Yan.
“Beep.” Shen Yan couldn’t take it any longer and immediately pressed the red button.
Ru Hua remained unfazed and started dancing joyfully on stage.
The soulful dance moves, the spare tire-like flesh on her belly, and the eyebrows painted thicker than Crayon Shin-chan all made Song Yun nauseous.
As for the performance itself?
Song Yun simply ignored it.
Chen Mengjie, however, watched Ru Hua’s performance seriously and when it ended, she politely gave her feedback, which was quite reasonable.
She was not like some poison-tongued judges who constantly ridicule and satirize others.
No wonder Chen Mengjie was so popular!
Impressed, Song Yun nodded in agreement.