Tokyo: The evil god doesn't want to be the top star

Chapter 81 The Foundation Has Bent
Originally, in the static makeup photos of each character in "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword", all the "beautiful young swordsmen" were extremely handsome, and their costumes, shapes and temperaments were also very close to the original. Not only did the female fans of the original novel look forward to the fencing scenes, but it also attracted many passers-by.

However, due to the actors' lack of experience in TV drama shooting and the hasty start of filming, they did not have enough time to read the original work in depth and understand the characters. Although the storyboards, shooting, and editing were all top-notch in the industry, the actual broadcast footage was a "shoddy product" with stiff body movements, distorted expressions, and poorly read lines.

In the first few episodes that were aired, this "eye-catching" acting was fiercely criticized by the audience who came to watch the show. Only the die-hard fans of the original novel who said "it's enough to be handsome" and "when will the fencing start?" were still holding on.

However, the protagonists of this drama are the tragic group "Shinsengumi" which is known as the "last bushido" and disappeared from the stage of history along with the shogunate...

According to the historical context and plot development, those important and popular characters will sacrifice tragically one by one.

Originally, this kind of scene where a character dies heroically and the survivors bear the sorrow and continue to swing their swords forward is a "memory killer" in BL dramas, a "tear gas" that the majority of female audiences cannot stop watching.

However, due to the massive deletions in the plot, many characters were directly "killed by the plot" in the absence of "important bond plots", resulting in the original heroic stories becoming hasty deaths.

Therefore, fans of the original novel gradually began to turn against the show, believing that the characters they supported were being "bullied by roles" and refusing to acknowledge the relationship between the show and the original comic.

The former director could not stand the pressure and ran away, which was the last straw that broke the camel's back and completely triggered the negative reputation of the drama. Many female fans began to indiscriminately attack the actors, the distribution platform and the comic author.

Under such circumstances, the investor adhered to the principle of "starting and ending" and found the "outstanding young director" Nakano to continue filming the remaining two episodes into one.

After all, it is impossible for a well-known director in the industry to take over such a mess.

"I see. So Director Nakano actually came to save the day and brought me along?"

After listening for a while, Xia Fan finally understood the general situation.

"But, I only have one video commercial shooting experience, and I am no different from the previous models and actors in the drama, so why did you call me?"

He opened the online drama "The Broken Chrysanthemum and the Sword" and quickly glanced at the first episode which was available for free trial.

"Sure enough, the acting was over the top, and the comments were even more over the top..."

The stiff dialogues between the several "male protagonists", the fake cross-eyed expressions, and the clumsy action scenes that are just fancy moves are too painful to watch.

The violent comments and vicious photoshopped pictures in the comment section made him close the app as if he was running for his life.

"In short, my job is just to finish filming the last episode carefully. After all, the foundation has been bent, and no one can straighten it out."

"I'd like to take this opportunity to let this big media platform owe me a favor, so I won't be afraid of not having dramas to shoot in the future."

"But for you, Xia Jun, it's completely different..."

Nakano blinked brightly.

"Although this is just a web drama that has been filmed badly before. But this drama is broadcast on a top platform, the original comic has a huge audience base, and the super villain can barely be considered the third male lead, which is a position that other amateurs would have tried their best to get a chance to play."

"If you have the experience of filming this drama, Xia Jun, you will also be a young actor qualified to perform in the credits in the future."

"As long as you perform normally as you did in the previous commercials, there will be no problem at all. Besides, the villain was originally planned to appear in the last two episodes, but now that two episodes have been cut into one, the two million yen reward has not been reduced. This is something I specifically fought for you!"

Fearing that Xia Fan would refuse, Nakano told him all his painstaking efforts.

The general idea is that the drama was ruined by the people in front of him, and it has nothing to do with the people behind him. He and Xia Fan just take advantage of the situation and try to sell as many favors as possible, get as much traffic as possible, and earn as much money as possible.

"Two, two million... It's not impossible to give it a try. I'll ask my agent first."

Hearing the "keywords", Xia Fan couldn't help but be tempted and dialed Dong Ye's number.

"Go ahead and shoot. Why wouldn't you shoot something you found for free?"

"I know the drama "The Broken Chrysanthemum and the Knife". Although it has a bad reputation, it is still popular! For a drama of this level, especially for a role like the third male villain with little trouble, high pay and heavy scenes as a 'virgin drama', other amateur male actors can't find such a role even if they use ten Ma Yinglongs." "Send the contract to me for review. If there is no problem, I will join the crew immediately!"

"By the way, Director Nakano is such a good guy. He actually thought of you when he had such a good thing. I must treat him to a drink when I get back!"

On the other end of the phone, Higashino Yoshihide heard the whole story and agreed without hesitation.

[God has sent down an oracle: Show your face to people and fool them. After completing the task, you will receive God's blessing.]

The moment he hung up the phone, Xia Fan received a new oracle.

"After hearing 'there is faith to be believed', even the God of Heaven wants to get involved?"

"Director Nakano, thank you for your kindness. I will give this role a try."

Xia Fan sighed and confirmed with Nakano.

"Great! I knew you would understand my intentions, Xia Jun. I will arrange an audition for you right now."

"Hey, come here, there's an audition here..."

Nakano excitedly stuck his head out of the door and called the makeup artist.

"Director Nakano, the one who took over midway, is that you?"

But a thin middle-aged woman blocked Nakano at the door.

"Um, who are you?"

"I am Airi Kawasaki, the original author of the manga "The Withered Chrysanthemum and the Sword"."

Under Nakano's puzzled gaze, the middle-aged woman introduced herself expressionlessly.

"I heard that the investor arranged a new director, so I took the liberty to come here today."

There was a hint of suppressed anger in her eyes, and it was obvious that she had no good intentions.

"It's Mr. Kawasaki. I've heard of your name for a long time. Please come sit in my office..."

"Um, Xia Jun, go try on your makeup first, I have something else to do here."

Nakano invited the other party into the office with a wry smile, and secretly waved his hand to let the makeup artist take Xia Fan away.

"Teacher Kawasaki, can I have some green tea? I just came here to take over today, and I'm not fully prepared yet..."

Asking Kawasaki Airi to sit down, Nakano picked up the kettle and started making tea.

"No need for tea. What I want to discuss with you today is the termination of the filming of "The Broken Chrysanthemum and the Knife"."

Kawasaki Airi politely declined the hot tea offered by Nakano.

"What? Stop filming? Hiss, hot, hot, hot..."

Hearing this shocking statement, Nakano froze in the spot where he was handing the tea until he was awakened by the scalding heat of the teacup.

(End of this chapter)