After all of them were reborn, who would still be an actor?

Chapter 665 With ulterior motives, playing with fire

Around 7 p.m., Li Mingyang met Cai Zhongxin at the airport. After exchanging pleasantries for a while, they took a car to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Seoul.

This was not a public trip, and there were not many people. In addition to Tsai Chung-hsin, there were two deputies, a senior lawyer, and a senior accountant.

Alibaba's plan to build a warehousing base in South Korea is essentially impossible.

So I just let him do it...

He owns land, that piece of land in Cheongdam-dong, which is perfect for a dry storage base.

As a major economy in Asia, South Korea's investment in warehousing facilities will not only strengthen Alibaba's logistics network in Asia, but also promote cooperation between China and South Korea in the field of e-commerce, create numerous job opportunities for South Korea, and help small and medium-sized enterprises sell their products overseas.

With so many benefits, it seemed like the Koreans had absolutely no reason to refuse.

In fact, once this warehousing base is built, it will effectively strangle South Korean e-commerce, dealing an unprecedented blow to the local e-commerce industry. There will absolutely be no e-commerce company more powerful than Taobao.

South Korea has a huge e-commerce market, ranking fifth in the world, after Tokyo, the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan.

It is an important dumping and manufacturing market for the global e-commerce network.

"President Li, what's your decision? I've brought the contract with me this time." Cai Zhongxin placed the contract in front of Li Mingyang.

Li Mingyang glanced at a couple of pages and said with difficulty, "You want to use my name to build a warehousing base? Impossible! The conglomerates are just bad, not stupid. They'll stop construction before it even starts..."

Cai Zhongxin laughed and said, "Director Li, we have been investigating in South Korea for more than half a year and know how difficult it is. We had originally given up and were preparing to build a warehousing base in Qingdao. It was you who showed us the opportunity. Cheongdam-dong is a blessed place!"

"hehe."

“Director Li, although this is a lease agreement, this warehouse base actually belongs to us, do you understand?” Cai Zhongxin said seriously, his smile fading.

Li Mingyang shook his head, not understanding.

Cai Zhongxin laughed heartily, put the contract away, and then dismissed his two deputies.

Seeing this, Li Mingyang also told Bai Bin to leave.

When only two people remained in the private room.

Cai Zhongxin raised his glass and said with a smile, "Congratulations to Director Li on becoming the vice president of CJ soon."

"Congratulations, congratulations! We still need Mr. Cai's help in this small business."

Li Mingyang picked up his wine glass and clinked it with Cai Zhongxin's.

"We'll talk about our daily lives later. Let's talk about the 480 million first."

Li Mingyang borrowed a total of 480 million from Cai Zhongxin.

It's time to settle accounts.

Tsai Chung-hsin doesn't want money; he wants shares—not shares in FBTV, but shares in Bouquet Entertainment.

"We don't cheat our own people; flowers and entertainment are worthless."

"I think he's worth it, so I won't ask for more. iQiyi invested in Bouquet Entertainment and got 6% of the shares, so I only need 6%."

"As soon as I take office, I will merge FBTV and TVing. At that time, the value of FBTV will definitely double. If you want to take it, take FBTV. Bouquet Entertainment is really worthless. Don't even mention a valuation of 10 billion, it's not even 1 billion. That valuation is just for show and to make it easier to deal with the government."

Cai Zhongxin nodded. "I know all of that, including the buyback clause in your performance-based agreement with iQiyi."

"President Cai is awesome!"

There's a spy involved!

“That’s normal. There are no secrets on the internet.” Cai Zhongxin poured himself a glass of wine. Instead of clinking glasses with Li Mingyang, he held his glass and said, “I think differently from others. I believe that Director Li will eventually return to his roots… Compared to FBTV, I have more faith in Bouquet Entertainment, which is rooted in China.”

“FBTV is more in your best interest. Bouquet Entertainment is just an empty shell. Mr. Cai helped me when I needed it most. I would never lie to you, let alone to anyone else.”

"I chose this myself, there's no deception involved. Cheers!"

Fuck your sister!
Li Mingyang wasn't lying; Bouquet Entertainment was just an empty shell. Without government subsidies for its overseas expansion, it was a company that could go bankrupt at any time.

However, once he returns to China and re-establishes himself, Bouquet Entertainment will no longer be an empty shell.

It is one of the most famous and powerful film and television companies in mainland China!

Starting a new company? Changing the name?

no point.

Bouquet Entertainment is him, he is Bouquet Entertainment, there is no name more suitable than this.

And changing the name makes people think it's gone bankrupt or been kicked out of the industry...

Can't afford to lose that person.

"Director Li, come on, cheers!" Cai Zhongxin urged.

Li Mingyang lowered his head, swirling his wine glass, lost in thought. After a while, he said, "6% is too much."

"Director Li, what do you think is a suitable amount?"

"2%."

"I have no objection, I only have one request: sign the anti-dilution clause."

"Mr. Cai is being too cautious; there is a right of first refusal."

"It's better to be careful."

Cai Zhongxin is meticulous and leaves no room for error.

Li Mingyang could refuse, but only shared interests could safeguard the interests and cooperation of both parties.

This also involves the land in Cheongdam-dong...

Just as Li Mingyang guessed, Cai Zhongxin was going to use his shares in Bouquet Entertainment to exchange for the land in Cheongdam-dong.

The shares of Bouquet Entertainment are used to protect the interests of the land in Cheongdam-dong.

Alibaba funded the construction of the warehousing base; Li Mingyang didn't have that much cash flow.
The land in Cheongdam-dong is over 70 acres, and Alibaba plans to invest 500 million US dollars to improve its logistics system and build a dedicated logistics warehouse.

The annual rent is five million US dollars.

It's called rent, but it's actually protection money...

The reason for choosing Lee Myung-yang was not because he had connections with the largest gang organization and government departments in South Korea.

Alibaba doesn't care about these things.

In the eyes of conglomerates, these are just tools that can be replaced at any time to their advantage.

Ali was after the victims in Cheongdam-dong.

A group of genuine victims can shift public opinion and protest against the government's underprivileged.

Alibaba is even prepared to hire these people to ensure the existence of its warehousing bases.

Cai Zhongxin revealed Alibaba's plan, or rather, Jack Ma's plan.

Li Mingyang's face immediately darkened. "This is a real mess! I just wanted to build a skyscraper and bought a large plot of land, but I never expected to get into so much trouble..."

"How can this be considered a sin? This is fate! If those victims in Cheongdam-dong hadn't caused trouble and protested during the election, Samsung wouldn't have compromised. Without Samsung's compromise, the situation in Gwangju wouldn't have been so easily resolved. Later, the government wouldn't have endorsed them, and Moon Jae-in and Park Geun-hye wouldn't have used the Seoul Spring campaign to garner votes. It's all a cause and effect relationship."

"Eh……"

Li Mingyang sighed, but before he could finish his sigh, he was already in a daze.

Cai Zhongxin suddenly laughed and said, "There's something I've always been curious about. When the news of the deaths and injuries in Cheongdam-dong was all over Weibo, there wasn't a single word pointing to Director Li. I can interpret that as someone trying to get you to obey them."

"But... the timing of the truth being revealed was wrong, it wasn't a good time... whoever is the biggest beneficiary should be the one who did it, and now it seems that Director Li is the biggest beneficiary."

Cai Zhongxin and Li Mingyang have known each other for many years, and their relationship is very good, no less so than that of Wang Changtian.

Based on his understanding of Li Mingyang, Li Mingyang was capable of risking his life and causing his own downfall!

"Now that you mention it, it seems the one exposing my bastard status is Jack Ma! Alibaba is the biggest beneficiary right now!"

Cai Zhongxin was taken aback. "I was just curious, haha. This has nothing to do with Alibaba. I guarantee it with my integrity."

"I even swear on my conscience." Li Mingyang closed the contract in front of him, threw it aside, and said he would need a few days to think about it.

Cai Zhongxin's eye twitched slightly. He had promised Jack Ma in front of everyone that he would get this done.

If Li Mingyang backs out, no one can get this done...

……

The biting wind carried snow.

A Hyundai sedan pulled up in front of a hotel in Incheon.

Li Mingyang opened the car door, handed the keys to the doorman, and walked into the hotel.

This is where his behind-the-scenes team lives.

Except for the White Tiger Group and the Black Tortoise Group who went to Xiao Rizi for research, everyone else was there.

"Hi boss!"

"Hi boss!"

Li Mingyang nodded, greeted the passersby, and made his way to the internet cafe on the first floor of the hotel. He pushed open the door, knocked, and said to the people inside, "In ten minutes, all the behind-the-scenes crew of the Miss film crew, please meet me in the conference room on the second floor."

After saying that, Li Mingyang went to the conference room on the second floor, sat in the seat of honor, and smoked alone.

He wasn't actually worried about the young lady's filming.

Although he rarely focused his energy on the prostitutes, he never stopped making preparations.

The pre-production work for Miss was the most extensive of all his films!
The level of detail is also the highest!

He entrusted his behind-the-scenes team to follow up on the prostitute project, and they reported on the progress every week.

We visited the filming location multiple times, and the script, costumes, storyboards, sets, interior sets, etc., were basically all in place.

With over a hundred hours of simulated footage, filming could begin as soon as the actors were in place.

Of course, many details have not been resolved, and there is not enough time. We will figure them out when we start filming.

From beginning to end, Li Mingyang's choice to go to Cannes has always been clear and has never changed: Miss Cannes!
Li Mingyang and everyone else reconfirmed the project's preparations and the start date.

After listening to the report, Li Mingyang nodded in satisfaction, took out a handwritten list of actors from his pocket, and said, "Well, everything is ready, all that's missing are the actors... Xiao Zhao, notify all the actors on the list to come here for auditions tomorrow."

"Okay." Xiao Zhao, the translator for the film crew, took the cast list and started making phone calls to notify the actors of their auditions.

This phone call, within half an hour, had shaken the entire Korean entertainment industry. Even though Lee Myung-yang had clearly stated at today's gathering that he wouldn't use Seoul Spring to compete for awards!

But Li Mingyang's words are often deceitful, and no one is entirely sure.

After all, Lee Myung-yang doesn't have much time left to film his new movie. With less than a month to make, a movie that's been rushed out might not be any better than Seoul Spring!

It wasn't until the final round of casting for "Miss" that top actors in the Korean entertainment industry realized that Lee Myung-yang was using "Miss" to get his way to Cannes!
In a short time, countless actors and actresses who had good relationships with Li Mingyang called him, hoping to get a chance.

Even though Li Mingyang said he had someone in mind, these people were still persistent and wanted an audition opportunity.

In the entertainment industry, a place of fame and fortune, it's easy to feel awkward if you have too good a relationship with someone.

For example, Jun Ji-hyun herself wouldn't take her clothes off, but Jo Yeo-jeong was willing; she got the audition opportunity for Jo Yeo-jeong.

And My Love from the Star still depends on her.

So in the end, Li Mingyang agreed.

For example, Kim Go-eun is ambitious and wants to get the second female lead role, aiming for Best Actress!

The acting awards at international A-list film festivals are awarded to every actor in the film, and all actors are automatically nominated for Best Actor.

Therefore, it's common to see supporting actors and actresses winning Best Actor and Best Actress awards at international film festivals. For example, Brad Pitt starred in "Inglourious Basterds," but Christophe Waltz, the supporting actor, won the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival.

What kind of daydreaming is this... Sweeping the Korean Newcomer Award and already doesn't know who to believe anymore...

For example, Lee Byung-hun, despite his infamous reputation, always receives support and assistance from others, no matter what he does.

The ministers from Nanshan stopped filming and didn't complain.

This film can't be made!
Are we going to make all of South Korea relive how Ms. Park's father was shot and killed...?

This is a slap in the face to Ms. Park!

Lee Byung-hun humbly begged for a chance, even saying he didn't want any payment. Since he'd gone this far, I could only give him a chance.

Hwang Jung-min, Lee Jung-jae, Jung Woo-sung, and Lee Sung-min also called, either wanting to go themselves or looking for opportunities for their friends.

The movie "The Handmaiden" is quite friendly to men... there are no nude scenes or sexual activity between men and women.

The explicit scenes mainly focus on the two female leads.

He received numerous calls from award-winning actors and actresses; he's well-liked. There's no way around it; he has a very good relationship with many Chungmuro ​​actors in South Korea.

Of course, the best relationship is between Hwang Jung-min and Lee Jung-jae, and Choi Min-sik.

The reason he delayed filming until now is partly because he has been focusing his energy on getting the Seoul Spring event to reach 20 million viewers, so he doesn't seem distracted.

On the other hand, I'm afraid of encountering the current situation.

After answering almost all the calls, Li Mingyang had just taken a sip of water when Zhang Wei called again.

"Are you going to bid for the prize?"

"You knew all along..."

"Wang Changtian couldn't get through to you on the phone, so he asked me if the cast list had been released yet."

"Not yet, tomorrow is just the final round of auditions."

"No domestic actors?"

"We don't need domestic actors; domestic actors can't film prostitute scenes."

"Miss, this is a Sino-Korean co-production project. It's not appropriate for you to skip domestic actors, is it?"

"I film movies in South Korea, and all the movies I make are co-productions between China and South Korea."

"..."

……

Zhang Wei turned off the speakerphone, hung up the phone, and looked at Wang Changtian and Boss Zhao, who had flown in overnight.

The two of them skipped the Spring Festival and came to South Korea to give Li Mingyang a surprise, celebrate properly, and boost the prestige of Li Mingyang, the vice president of CJ.

Unexpectedly, not long after landing, Li Mingyang gave them a big surprise.

Like the filmmakers on the Korean side, they all believe that Lee Myung-yang is using Seoul Spring to compete in Cannes!
Unexpectedly, Li Mingyang will be able to shoot Miss Cannes in less than a month.

And they didn't even notify the domestic authorities...

China Film Group is the producer of the film. As for the cast, we don't need a female lead, but we need a male lead from a domestic production company.

Li Mingyang is completely disregarding China Film Group...

It feels great now, but there will definitely be problems later...

"Is there any news from within the country?" Wang Changtian asked Boss Zhao.

Mr. Zhao looked at his phone and shook his head solemnly.

"They've given us a big surprise right from the start. This is the first time a Sino-Korean co-production has bypassed China Film Group," Wang Changtian said with a wry smile.

“Director Li said that he films movies in South Korea, and all the movies he makes are Sino-Korean co-productions, so I think there’s no problem,” Zhang Wei said.

"That's true, but we must follow the rules in terms of procedures," said Mr. Zhao.

"Actually, it wasn't that strict before, but it's much stricter now..."

"Could this be a set of rules and regulations targeting Director Li?"

"Manager Zhang is very knowledgeable!" Wang Changtian chuckled twice and looked at Boss Zhao.

Mr. Zhao adjusted his glasses and said awkwardly, "Lost in Thailand failed to reach 2 billion. If Zuo Shandiao knew that Director Li used prostitutes to try and win Cannes, he wouldn't have let it go, for both reason and emotion."

Zhang Wei shook her head. "I don't really understand these things, you don't need to tell me so much."

"We can't say it directly, but you can."

"That's right! You're the person Director Li trusts the most."

Wang Changtian and Boss Zhao worked together to flatter Zhang Wei, but Zhang Wei was unwilling to accept it.

Having fulfilled his bet with Lee Mi-jin, Lee Myung-yang has completed the final piece of the puzzle for South Korean streaming media, leaving him with no more worries.

She can barely take care of herself, so how can she have the mind to worry about others?

"Mr. Wang, I think you'll have to go and talk to her." Seeing that Zhang Wei was not easy to fool, Boss Zhao immediately changed his tune.

"He might not like what I say, so you should do it, Mr. Zhao."

“You are the major shareholder of Enlight Media, and he is the minor shareholder. If you don’t step up now, when will you?” Boss Zhao said, trying to put Wang Changtian in a difficult position.

"That's true, but I can't argue with him! There's still time. Manager Zhang, where is Li Mingyang now? Boss Zhao, go find him quickly and settle this matter quickly!"

Neither Boss Zhao nor Wang Changtian wanted to persuade Li Mingyang, knowing they would only be met with a rebuff.

Li Mingyang used to be a stubborn person, but now that he has no more concerns, it's even harder to persuade him.

They couldn't even imagine what could make Li Mingyang stop.

"Director Li is at a hotel in Incheon. Shall I take you there?" Zhang Wei said, putting down her phone.

Wang Changtian and Boss Zhao exchanged a glance.

Li Mingyang can choose not to do business with domestic entities.

But their roots are still in China.

This just happened to happen; failing to report it is also a crime!
"commit a sin……"

"What a worry..."

Both of them regretted arriving so early and encountering this situation.

Two more days and Zuo Shandiao will arrive.

The two of them came along too, so they can see what happens...

……

Yanbei.

Sitting in his boss's chair, Zuo Shandiao, Chairman of China Film Group, listened to his secretary's report, feeling both pleased and helpless.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons," co-directed by Stephen Chow and Derek Kwok, grossed over 7800 million yuan at the box office.

It's great to have made a strong start to the Spring Festival film season.

But Zuo Shandiao wasn't exactly happy, mainly because the Thai drama "Lost in Thailand" had failed to reach 2 billion yuan in box office revenue.

Goodbye My Soulmate will be released on January 12th!

He guessed the beginning correctly. Even without much pre-release hype, Li Mingyang's star power allowed the film to be released unexpectedly and still achieve high box office returns.

The box office was over 20 million on the first day and over 40 million on the second day.

It surpassed Late Autumn in just two days, setting a new box office record for South Korean films in China.

Horrible, truly terrifying!
With the marketing and promotion efforts of CJ and Enlight Media, coupled with a ticket subsidy of 5.9 yuan, the box office performance of "Goodbye" was very stable.

Based on the box office potential of "Goodbye" and the active cooperation of Enlight Media, Zuo Shandiao felt at the time that "Lost in Thailand" was a sure thing for 2 billion yuan.

But he never expected that at this crucial moment, a group of people on Weibo would expose that Lost in Thailand had stolen box office revenue, and that the stolen revenue was from Goodbye My Love.

The handwritten ticket stub and the recording from the cinema staff provide compelling and irrefutable evidence.

At first, he didn't pay much attention, because this wasn't the first time that box office fraud had been exposed online.

But this time was different. He never dreamed that the box office fraud would be exposed, causing the "Goodbye" movie to plummet in box office revenue. It was truly goodbye...

The box office plummeted, with daily box office revenue dropping to just over 200,000 on the sixth day of release.

It's not a matter of reputation.

It has received good reviews on Douban, with over 8 people giving it a score of 7.3, which is not much lower than that of Lost in Thailand.

A group of unruly kids are clamoring online not to watch "Goodbye" and not to let "Lost in Thailand" leech off them.

Then, he watched helplessly as the daily box office of "Goodbye" plummeted from over 40 million to a pittance in just a few days, ending in a week-long run.

Lost in Thailand is so addictive!
(End of this chapter)