sinovels Chapter 165 My Father-in-Law's "Money Power"
Chapter 165 My Father-in-Law's "Money Power"
Chapter 165 My Father-in-Law's "Money Power"
When Johnny & Associates, this massive star-making machine, is running at full power, the energy it displays is astonishing.
To salvage the declining ratings of "Hot-Blooded Detective," Takuya Kimura practically pushed himself to the limit. He'd hold surprise handshake events at shopping malls in Shibuya in the morning, appear in a high school gymnasium in a remote prefecture in the afternoon, and then rush back to Tokyo in the evening to record a live variety show.
This carpet-bombing "human wave tactic" has an immediate effect.
Fans of that era, especially female fans, were fervent and highly proactive. When they actually touched their idols' hands and felt their real warmth, the first thing they did when they got home was to grab the remote control, even if it meant forcing the whole family to watch together, just to boost the ratings.
Thursday night's TBS television broadcast showed that the data was recovering.
22%, 25%, 26%
The most popular episode even reached 28%.
This is a truly staggering number. Although it hasn't yet broken 30%, in the Japanese drama market at the time, it was already considered a "minor hit."
It must be admitted that Johnny's strategy, though simple and crude, is effective. They have taken the concept of "idol" to its extreme, selling dreams and a sense of intimacy. Fans don't even need the plot to be amazing; as long as they see Takuya Kimura's face running, bleeding, and solving cases on screen with a heroic air, they are willing to contribute to the ratings.
In contrast, Kitahara Shin took a completely different path.
He didn't have such a frenetic offline promotion, nor did he have those overwhelming fan support groups. He built his reputation brick by brick, one work at a time, through his works.
From the mad dog in yakuza films to Goro Zaizen in "The White Tower".
People who like him might not buy hundreds of CDs for him, but as soon as his drama airs, these people will sit in front of the TV without fail.
This is a head-on clash between traffic and quality.
Thursday night, 10 p.m.
Fuji Television aired episodes 5 and 6 of "The White Tower" one after another, and the plot officially entered the most crucial moment of the "professor election".
In order to win those few decisive votes, Goro Zaizen and his father-in-law, Mataizumi Zaizen, completely tore off all pretenses and began their final sprint.
on the screen.
Toshiyuki Nishida plays Mataichi Zaizen, a vulgar and mercenary obstetrics and gynecology director who speaks fluent Osaka dialect, is heavily pregnant, and is hosting a banquet for bigwigs from the medical community at a high-class restaurant.
He was covered in sweat, and his face was plastered with a fawning smile.
He groveled and poured wine for those so-called "high-minded professors" whom he usually looked down upon.
When the other party feigned refusal, he unabashedly pulled out stacks of thick envelopes from his pocket and stuffed them into the pockets of those hypocrites, his movements so practiced it was heartbreaking.
"Please! This is for my Goro!"
He bowed his head deeply, his forehead almost touching the tatami mat: "Goro is good for nothing but surgery, and we'll have to rely on everyone to be understanding in terms of interpersonal relationships! As long as he can become a professor, what is my meager savings? Even if I have to sell my hospital, I will support him!"
By conventional moral standards, this is a typical villainous figure who engages in bribery. He is the culprit who undermines fair competition, and viewers should feel disgusted and despise this money-grubbing behavior.
However, something strange happened.
Tokyo, a BBS online forum.
Although it was the early days of the internet, forums were flooded with discussion threads about "The White Tower," but the tone of the discussion had completely gone astray.
"Waaaaah, I know it's wrong, but why do I feel like crying?"
"Zaizen Yuichi is truly the best father-in-law in the world! For his son-in-law, he didn't hesitate to uglify himself and squander his entire fortune. This isn't bribery; it's clearly profound fatherly love!"
"Compared to Professor Higashi, who spouts righteousness and morality but only wants to manipulate power, Zaizen Yuichi is such a true villain that he's almost too cute."
"Is this what they call 'gap moe' (a Japanese term for unexpected charm)? He's clearly a nouveau riche, but he's genuinely devoted to Goro! Please, God, grant me a father-in-law like Zaizen Yataichi! I'd be willing to marry into his family! I'd be willing to change my surname!"
The entry for "National Good Father-in-Law" was quietly created on this night.
It's not just the internet.
In an era when letters were still the mainstream form of communication, this feedback was all the more direct and impactful.
In the following days, Fuji Television and Toshiyuki Nishida's office received tons of letters.
Most of them were handwritten, and some were even sent from remote rural areas.
The letter was filled with expressions of affection for the character Zaizen Yataichi. Some said they saw a reflection of their own fathers humbling themselves for their children, others were moved by the unwavering support, and still others sent local specialties, saying they were to help "Dad Zaizen" recover.
Tokyo, Odaiba, Fuji Television backstage dressing room.
Although filming for "The White Tower" wrapped up several weeks ago, the cast and crew had to reunite as the show's ratings continued to climb. Today, they were invited to participate in a prime-time talk show on Fuji TV to give a final push for the upcoming "first season finale."
Inside the lounge, staff had just brought in several boxes of letters from viewers to the program team.
Looking at the piles of letters on the table, Toshiyuki Nishida smiled so hard his eyes narrowed into slits, his wrinkles filled with smugness, yet also a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
"Oh dear, the tastes of this generation of viewers are really unpredictable."
He picked up a letter and waved it at Kitahara Shin, who was reading a script, his tone full of surprise:
Nishida Toshiyuki: "Goro, look at this! Female fans are writing to me saying they want to marry me! They say that compared to an ambitious guy like you who only wants to climb the social ladder, my 'money power' makes me feel much more secure. Hahaha! Looks like this old man can still be popular again. Maybe I can even release a photobook or something."
Kitahara Shin smiled and put down the script, looking at the senior actor's "flattered" expression.
Kitahara Shin: "That's because you captured the soul of the character, senior. If someone else had played the role, it would have been just a greasy nouveau riche. But you portrayed love." The audience's eyes are discerning; they can distinguish between evil and "fighting tooth and nail" for family.
Toshiyuki Nishida laughed heartily, patting his round belly, clearly pleased with the compliment.
Toshiyuki Nishida: "Alright, stop flattering me. I've already maxed out my 'villain' image, and the main event is all about you. I've laid the groundwork, spent the money, and even kowtowed. If you don't get chosen in the end, the audience will send me razor blades—mainly to you, of course."
If the average viewer enjoys the spectacle and the emotional impact, then for those truly working in the medical field, *The White Tower*...
It was a chillingly realistic lesson.
Keio University's Faculty of Medicine, during lunchtime, this place becomes a debate arena.
Several tables were pushed together, and a group of medical students in white coats were having a heated debate.
"I still think Dr. Satomi is the epitome of a doctor. If you don't put the patient first, then no matter how good your skills are, you're just a cold-blooded animal." A boy wearing glasses pushed up his glasses, his voice trembling with emotion.
"Come on."
The tall boy across from me tapped his plate with his chopsticks, looking disdainful. "Idealists like Satomi wouldn't last three episodes in a real hospital. Without power and status, your ideals are nothing but bullshit. Look at Professor Zaizen; only by climbing to the top and controlling resources can he reform according to his own will and save more people. That's the logic of an adult."
"But Zaizen has lost his way! He's not performing surgery to save lives now; he's showing off his skills and campaigning for votes!"
"So what? At least his patients survived! And what about the patients who received 'Satomi's care'? They could only wait to die!"
The debate continued.
The "Zaizen faction" and the "Satomi faction" became two major camps in the medical school.
This debate even spread to the professorial class.
A surgical ward round at a university-affiliated hospital.
A stern-faced surgical professor walked at the head of the corridor. Behind him followed a dozen or so people, including associate professors, lecturers, attending physicians, resident physicians, and interns, all strictly arranged according to their rank.
As the professor walked, he suddenly straightened his back unconsciously, put his hands behind his back, raised his chin slightly, and his steps became more powerful and rhythmic.
That's not his usual walking posture.
That's Goro Zaizen's classic "final check-up" step from "The White Tower".
The young interns following behind exchanged glances, desperately trying to suppress their laughter.
"—The professor must have watched a show yesterday."
"You're too immersed in the role."
"But to be honest, it feels really cool to lead a large group of people on patrol of the territory. I also want to be a professor."
In this oppressive and confusing Heisei era, although people say they are indifferent to fame and fortune, the desire to climb up the social ladder and stand at the top of the pyramid is completely ignited by the character of Goro Zaizen.
Kitahara Office.
Ota Shoichi walked into the office carrying a thick stack of documents, his expression a mixture of excitement and distress.
Ota: "President, the number of script offers has increased by 30% this week. Fuji TV wants to sign you to a long-term contract, TBS is also showing signs of softening their stance, and even NHK's Taiga drama has sent an audition invitation."
Kitahara Shin sat in the boss's chair, twirling a fountain pen in his hand.
He didn't look at those scripts.
Kitahara Shin: "Let's turn them all down. I won't be taking on any new roles for now."
Ota was taken aback: "All of them? They're even promoting NHK's Taiga dramas? That's national-level exposure!"
Kitahara Shin: "The filming schedule for Taiga dramas is too long, and there are too many rules there. I don't like being restricted. As for the rest—"
-
He shook his head.
This year he has already filmed two big-budget TV dramas, "Under One Roof" and "The White Tower." For an actor, this output and quality is already quite remarkable.
In this industry, overexposure is sometimes not a good thing.
Moreover, he has an ace up his sleeve.
Shinji Nojima is tailoring a script for him called "Flowers of Evil." It will be a work that completely subverts traditional values and explores the darkest aspects of human nature.
We can wait a little while.
The so-called "newcomer award" at the beginning of the year, although it is a recognition of popularity, is ultimately seen by the industry as just a sweet treat to encourage young people, and its value is not high.
His self-confidence dimmed slightly.
The Japan Academy Film Prize and the Japanese Drama Academy Awards, both sponsored by the Japan Academy Film Prize, are about to begin at the end of the year.
This time, he wants more than just popularity; he wants the highest recognition in the industry—"Best Actor."
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Only when he achieves complete legendary status domestically, gains absolute control, and reigns supreme in the Japanese film and television industry, will he have the resources to consider his next step in international expansion.
He didn't voice these ambitions. Some things are more powerful when kept in the heart than when spoken aloud.
"By the way, President."
As if remembering something, Da Tian pulled out a plain-looking piece of paper from the bottom of the folder.
"Here is a rather special invitation. It's from Studio Ghibli."
"Studio Ghibli?"
Kitahara Shin raised an eyebrow, and stopped writing with his pen.
Otae: "Yes. Director Hayao Miyazaki is preparing a new animation, it seems to be about a pilot and—a pig. He wants to invite you to audition and voice the main character."
Porco Rosso.
The image of the red seaplane and the pig wearing sunglasses and smoking a cigarette instantly flashed into Kitahara Shin's mind.
"That's right, judging by the timeline, it really is this one."
Kitahara Shin's lips curled into a smile.
Voice acting for a pig?
That sounds interesting. Moreover, the status of Miyazaki Hayao's animated films in film history is undeniable. This is not only a great opportunity for crossover, but more importantly—
Voice acting for animation requires special vocal techniques.
If he could seize this opportunity to find or synthesize some special equipment related to "voice control," it would be a tremendous boost to his acting skills.
Kitahara Shin: "Reply to them, I'm interested. Please schedule a time for me to visit Director Miyazaki in person."
Daejeon: "Understood. So—what about your vacation plans?"
With filming of "The White Tower" nearing completion, the actors will, as is customary, take a break for a period of time.
Kitahara Shin stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, and looked out at the bustling Tokyo.
Kitahara Shin: "Let's buy a house."
Daejeon: "Huh?"
Kitahara Shin: "Find me a vacation villa in Karuizawa or Izu. It needs to be private, preferably with a hot spring. Also, look at a few luxury apartments in Tokyo, preferably the top floor with a view of Tokyo Tower."
Da Tian was somewhat taken aback: "That's quite an expense. Even though housing prices have fallen, the maintenance costs—"
'
Kitahara Shin turned around, looked at his shrewd and calculating manager, and smiled.
Kitahara Shin: "Ota, what's the point of making money?"
"Is it so you can store the numbers in a bank account for later viewing?"
"No."
"It's so that when I want to rest, I have a place to sleep undisturbed. It's so that when I want to enjoy the scenery, the view outside the window is the best."
"Go and do it. If you don't have enough money, ask Zosam to withdraw it from the stock market. Don't try to save money at this time."
Ota Masakazu looked at the young figure standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window with his back to him and took a deep breath.
In a daze, he seemed to see the little actor from a few years ago sitting in the dilapidated office, haggling over a few tens of thousands of yen in pay, and even pondering over a minor role.
At that time, he was the president of the agency, and Kitahara Shin was the only card he had, a card he didn't know if he could play.
And now—
The man before him wore a custom-made three-piece suit, exuding an undeniable aura of authority. That composure, that nonchalant attitude that "money is just a number," made even this veteran agent, who had spent half his life in the industry, feel a sense of pressure.
The reversal of identities happened so naturally, yet so astonishingly.
A surge of indescribable emotion welled up in Da Tian's heart. He had once thought he was the one at the helm, but the course of this ship had long been firmly in the hands of this young man.
Perhaps—this is what is meant by "the chosen one".
Da Tian pushed up his glasses, suppressing his feelings and instead letting a fire burn in his chest.
That small office has now become the entire floor of Kitahara Office, and it will soon be replaced by an entire building.
I'm following this person not just for the money.
By following this person, he might actually see a view he's never seen before—a view of someone standing at the very pinnacle of the Japanese entertainment industry, or even the world film and television industry.
That was an "empire" that countless agents could only dream of.
Thinking of this, Da Tian straightened his back, his eyes becoming more determined than ever before.
"Yes! I'll contact the best real estate agency in all of Tokyo right away!"
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