CHAPTER 654: CHAPTER 445: ONLINE PUBLIC OPINION_2

Print media readers may not be very familiar with Wu Mu, but Zhang Bowen is, because he is a veteran player of Hongtu Game’s "Dynasty Dominator," often joining others to "chop" Wu Mu in the game.

So, while he doesn’t know everything, he is at least aware of most of the hyped-up topics.

He quickly skimmed over the reporters’ introductions of Wu Mu’s past and achievements, wanting to know why he seems to have suddenly become the Cannes Best Actor after not following him for a while.

Luckily, the reporter provided a detailed account, starting with a recap of Wu Mu’s "Twelve Days in Cannes."

It went from being unnoticed at first to winning at Cannes, causing cheers in Cannes.

In the reporter’s words:

"This is the first time I realized that Cannes, famous for its professionalism, could have such a fan-chasing side. Ever since his film screened at Cannes, his popularity there has increased day by day, to the point where each of his appearances caused massive congestion, with people everywhere wanting to hug him and take pictures with him."

"This atmosphere reached its peak at the award ceremony, and at the moment he walked out of the Cannes Film Festival Palace with the Best Actor trophy, the crowd outside shouted his name in unison, cheering for him."

"At first, I was a bit disappointed with these ’star-chasing’ Cannes fans, feeling that they lost Cannes’ professional spirit. Also, because of Wu Mu’s too dazzling star aura, I found it hard to believe him becoming Best Actor."

"It wasn’t until I heard a shout from the crowd’s perimeter that I suddenly felt a bit dazed."

"Legend."

"Legend."

"In the eyes of many foreign audiences, the star Wu Mu might be on the path to legend."

Zhang Bowen was stunned.

Legend?

The one who in the game was chased by all the server’s players, and who occasionally teased everyone, could be a legend?

Was the film mentioned in the newspaper really that impressive?

Zhang Bowen felt a bit unsteady, now wanting to quickly check online to see what everyone was talking about, but if he continued to stand there reading, he would be late for work.

Before leaving, he didn’t forget to remind, the newspaper stand owner, "Old Liu, you should put the page from Southern Metropolis Daily out in front, more people will buy it."

Then he hurried away under the bewildered gaze of the newspaper stand owner, not even grabbing today’s copy of Southern Daily.

While rushing to work, he couldn’t help but take out his phone to search.

Hmm.

As expected, the internet had already exploded.

"I haven’t been following Weibo much these days, and now I see in the Beijing News this morning that Wu Gou got the Cannes Best Actor award??"

"What’s going on, how come Southern news outlets are now hyping Wu Gou? They used to prefer foreign stars and rarely reported on Wu Mu, so why are they hyping Wu Gou now?? Walking the path to legend, I suddenly got goosebumps all over."

"The sky has fallen again! It’s only been a few days without checking Wu Gou, and he’s making big news again? Isn’t there any limit? He advances to a new level every once in a while, doesn’t he?"

"Oh dear, Wu Gou is really breaking through circles again. My dad unexpectedly asked me today if I know Wu Gou, saying the newspapers said he’s a hot young star with real talent, asking me to idolize someone of quality like him... I didn’t dare tell him that Wu Gou once publicly cursed on a show."

Print media itself isn’t very popular anymore, and it’s somewhat in decline, but it is indeed a powerful tool for breaking through circles.

I don’t know how many new audiences drawn by print media are discussing this today.

Plus, there are those who watched the live broadcasts yesterday and already know the outcome, and those informed by news push notifications from various apps also discussing.

"Wow, Wu Gou really won Best Actor, I thought when it was mentioned online he had a chance it was just for fun, but it turns out it was real?"

"Even though it’s a dual award, it’s still impressive! Li Cheng and Zhao Xue can’t even touch this level, from now on shouldn’t they all bow to Wu Gou?"

"Matthew the old man wouldn’t have really given Wu Mu a little inside deal, right? Even though in earlier shows, he seemed to have a lukewarm relationship with Wu Gou, what if even he was charmed?"

These intense online discussions pushed the heat exceptionally high, eventually condensing into one question.

"So what exactly did Wu Gou film this time? When is his movie being released?"

...

"It’s already set to release during the Spring Festival. Although the Spring Festival mainly targets family comedy markets, our film’s hype is quite high, and there’s still an upper limit, so releasing during the Spring Festival is more suitable, tapping into a small piece of that big market."

Lin Qingyue explained to Wu Mu.

Yan Yongmei is quite optimistic about the movie’s overall expectations.

They feel with this level of hype, five or six billion in box office shouldn’t even be considered given it’s an art film.

But aiming for three or four billion might be reasonable, right?

So the original plan was to avoid the key dates of the Spring Festival, instead aiming for the end period.

But now, having won the Cannes award brings confidence, directly aiming for the Spring Festival period when everyone has time, without expecting a direct clash, just utilizing their hype as much as possible.

"Alright, once your side has sold enough, let me know, and I’ll help promote it." Wu Mu nodded, the current popularity is already very high, so there’s no need to use the Profit Card to boost it further. It’s better to wait until the film’s own box office sells well before using the Profit Card.

After the closing award ceremony at Cannes, Wu Mu and his team stayed for one more day before returning home together.

Although staying in Cannes was quite comfortable with his girlfriend to snuggle with every night, Wu Mu still preferred being at home.

However, there are also many things to deal with back home.

The numerous domestic proposals weren’t surprising.

This time, even business from the United States was reaching out.

"The US has a program that wants to invite me?" Wu Mu looked at Shu Mei in surprise.

Shu Mei nodded eagerly, "A variety show, they want to invite you for an episode."

"Brother, this is an opportunity! Although this show is third or fourth tier in the US, it’s still a chance to enter the US market!"

Global strategies aren’t as easy as wanting to pursue them and just doing it; at least a local program’s invitation is needed.

Otherwise, going there on one’s own might result in running into obstacles.

This program’s offer is likely a subsequent influence from Cannes, given how Cannes affairs have made him a non-invisible presence on Western programs’ radars.

Although Wu Mu hesitated about a third or fourth tier show, thinking about the score one could earn, it might not be much better than domestic shows.

Having never been on such a show before, he pondered for a bit and said, "Have them send over the detailed specifics and arrangements for me to take a look at."

If the shoot isn’t too long and there’s just enough time, it might not hurt to dip a toe in the water for trial.

Though he wouldn’t have time for a while.

There’s still a lot to do on hand.

There’s the Spring Festival Gala as well as the Weibo Night Gala, that Japanese variety show’s airing, "Separation" hitting theaters.

In the long run, there’s also Wang Ren’s "Steel Piano" preparations and Lin Qingyue’s preparations for "Love Letter" and more.

A lot of work to juggle.

When company matters wrapped up neatly, suddenly, the delayed Spring Festival Gala showed signs of movement again.

The Spring Festival contacted him early on as a backup participant in case a primary program gets dropped, then these backups would fill in.

Though just a backup, and not guaranteed to be on, theoretically speaking, rehearsals are still needed.

Yet, oddly, the gala program team hadn’t reached out to Wu Mu.

Lin Qingyue had taken on managing this issue and now called him.

Over the phone, Lin Qingyue’s voice lingered heavily, "Amu, about the Spring Festival program, I’ve followed up several times, but their attitude was a bit ambiguous. Today, when I pressed again, they hinted that there are concerns about something happening at your home that might have an impact."

Lin Qingyue paused, hesitated before asking, "Amu, could you tell me what exactly is happening?"