CHAPTER 702: CHAPTER 494: BRAINLESS_3

Low-to-mid-budget web series all follow this pattern; their profit targets are typically just tens of millions, which is not the same as the goals set from the start for S-tier projects.

Normally, the marketing costs of a series can account for half of its budget. Before "Ashes Like Frost" was aired, nobody had faith in it. At that time, the two leads were not the coveted top artists they are today. After its release, due to the unexpectedly good viewership, the platform recovered its funds and both the production side and the platform increased their marketing investment while airing the series, ultimately turning it into a hit show. "Imperial Coroner" can also be considered a minor hit, but, unfortunately, it didn’t spark a nationwide drama-chasing frenzy like "Ashes Like Frost". Even though it had enough buzz, the actual conversion to viewership wasn’t as high as expected. Still, no matter what, its performance is a classic example of getting a big return on a small investment, given that, before its launch, it was truly an unknown show. Unlike "Ashes Like Frost," whose main actors had names and were known to some degree before starring in it, though not hugely popular, the leading cast of "Imperial Coroner" was utterly unknown before it aired.

For "Despicable Love Object," both leads are completely new; one debuted as an idol last year, and the other a fresh graduate who had never acted before. Yuk Chu took this role last year, playing an ultimate green tea bitch, and now that it has aired, she’s become the most famous artist in the entire show, with promotions centered around her.

After Zhou Yun shared a promotional post, many fans left comments in her section: What kind of drama is this? Why does it look like a complete flop?

But in any case, Zhou Yun’s Weibo post at least made many people aware of the show’s existence.

Her single post was worth all the previous promotions for the drama.

What Zhou Yun didn’t expect was that two hours later, Gu Huaichun also shared Yuk Chu’s post, promoting it.

Did Yuk Chu also ask Gu Huaichun for help in reposting it?

But Zhou Yun felt that Yuk Chu wouldn’t do that, especially since Gu Huaichun and Yin Zhou are in the same company, and the reason she broke up with Yin Zhou was due to Yuehai’s interference.

Zhou Yun asked Gu Huaichun: Why so enthusiastic? Even helping to promote Yuk Chu’s new drama.

Gu Huaichun replied: It was Yin Zhou who asked me to.

Zhou Yun was stunned.

Gu Huaichun added: He’s not in a position to help promote it directly, so he asked me.

Zhou Yun was somewhat surprised and shaken.

She had thought that Yin Zhou and Yuk Chu had definitively ended things between them.

It turns out Yin Zhou was still willing to do such a thing.

That night, after finishing filming "Four Killers," Zhou Yun opened up "Despicable Love Object" in the hotel to give it a watch.

To her surprise, the show was unexpectedly good; although the acting was average, all the artists performed earnestly.

What Zhou Yun meant was, she could tell that the performers really put their heart into their roles and weren’t just phoning it in.

When Yuk Chu appeared, Zhou Yun was a bit impressed.

She portrayed an incredibly fake and annoying woman—her character could be described in two words as ’premium quality.’ She was the obstacle between the male and female leads, constantly scheming to trip them up and cause misunderstandings, preventing them from being together.

Zhou Yun was taken aback because Yuk Chu’s performance in this drama was completely different from her usual roles; Zhou Yun could see how relaxed and effortless her portrayal was.

Zhou Yun turned on the commentaries to see people’s opinions.

Sure enough, many were cursing the character played by Yuk Chu.

Joining in the fun, Zhou Yun posted on Weibo: Lucky for me Yuk Chu is my bestie, otherwise, I’d be hating with an itch I couldn’t scratch. "Despicable Love Object" is quite interesting, going to continue watching.

With Zhou Yun’s recommendation, those who saw the post out of curiosity took a glance.

The viewership data on the first day far exceeded expectations, astonishingly reaching twenty million plays, leaving both the producers and the platform incredibly happy and taken aback.

They knew very well why there was such a performance.

They were equally clear on why someone would be willing to promote the drama.

In return for the favor, after discussing it, the production side and the platform decided to organize a marketing campaign around Yuk Chu.