sinovels Chapter 185 Media Wars! Who is the King of Public Opinion?
Chapter 185 Media Wars! Who is the King of Public Opinion?
Chapter 185 Media Wars! Who is the King of Public Opinion?
a few days later.
Kitahara Shin, holding the final draft that had been polished by Nojima Shinji and still smelled of ink, knocked on the door of Akasaka Kitano's office once again.
"Look, director."
He placed a thick stack of scripts on the table.
Takeshi Kitano accepted it with some skepticism.
He initially thought Kitahara Shin's statement about "getting it done in a few days" was just a joke, or that he was just going to throw together a few pages of outline to get by. After all, writing a script is a meticulous job; polishing the dialogue alone can take months.
Turn to the first page.
Kikujiro's Summer.
Takeshi Kitano squinted, took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth, but stopped just as he took out a lighter.
His gaze was drawn to that line of text.
One minute.
five minutes.
ten minutes.
The room was so quiet that only the rustling of papers turning could be heard.
The cigarette dangling from his lips remained unlit; in fact, the filter was deformed from being held so tightly in his mouth.
The story in the script was like a mirror, reflecting the softest and roughest corners of his heart. A lazy, foul-mouthed, and good-for-nothing middle-aged hoodlum takes a gloomy little boy to the beach to find his mother.
Absurd, boring, yet it exudes a tenderness that makes you want to cry.
This is what he wanted to film. No, to be precise, it's a kind of projection of his broken childhood.
"Smack."
Twenty minutes later, Takeshi Kitano closed the script and threw the unlit cigarette onto the table.
He looked up, his perpetually half-closed eyes fixed intently on Kitahara Shin, his tone complex: "Did you really write this?"
"It has the touches of Nojima-san. But I provided the skeleton and the soul."
Kitahara Shin leaned back on the sofa, looking calm.
Of course, this was actually a product of his "downloading" and reconstructing based on his memories from his previous life, using the [Dream Weaver's Automatic Quill Pen]. But he didn't need to explain it.
Takeshi Kitano stroked his stubble-covered chin and exclaimed, "If I didn't know you brought this, I'd suspect you'd installed a surveillance camera in my head. This script—it's practically tailor-made for me. That bastard vibe, no one but me could pull it off."
"It was made to order for you."
Kitahara Shin smiled. "How about it? Can we take pictures?"
"nonsense."
Takeshi Kitano slammed his hand on the table, his thuggish manner returning: "Such a good script, it would be foolish not to film it. Even if this film is box office poison, I'll accept it."
"Don't worry, it's not poison."
Kitahara Shin's tone was resolute.
He had given this work a lot of thought.
As a plagiarist, the worst thing you can do is blindly copy. A work that becomes popular in later generations may not be popular in this era. For example, if you were to quote "Your Name" now, you'd probably be considered crazy. But "Kikujiro's Summer" is different; it explores the confusion and eventual return to normalcy in people's hearts after the bursting of Japan's economic bubble. That subtle sadness and healing are precisely the remedy our times need most.
If you're going to copy, you have to copy skillfully and keep up with the times.
"How much budget are you planning to allocate?" Takeshi Kitano asked. "These kinds of road movies don't cost too much; the bulk of the budget will probably go towards travel expenses."
"There is no budget cap."
Kitahara Shin was quite generous, "I'll approve as many as you need. As for the actors—"
I choose the actors myself.
Takeshi Kitano interrupted him, reverting to his directorial professionalism: "Except for that little boy who needs an open audition, I have my usual team for the others. As for you—"
He looked Kitahara Shin up and down: "Since you wrote the script and are the investor, who do you want to play? The kind-hearted person? Or do you just want to make an appearance?"
Kitahara Shin shook his head: "That's not necessary. You can cast according to your own standards. It doesn't matter if there's no spot for me; I'm only responsible for providing and receiving the money."
Takeshi Kitano paused for a moment.
He'd seen plenty of people in this industry who brought their own funding to projects, practically plastering their faces on the screen. Investors like Kitahara Shin, who completely delegate authority and only care about the quality of the work, were practically rare gems.
"You little brat—"
Takeshi Kitano shook his head and smiled. "With that kind of vision, no wonder you've succeeded. However, there's a role in this script that would be perfect for you."
"That 'freakish' good guy you met on the road while driving. He didn't have many scenes, but his performance was outstanding."
Takeshi Kitano pointed to a page in the script: "You'll have to audition then."
"I still need to audition?" Kitahara Shin pointed to his nose. "I'm an Oscar winner."
Even Best Actor winners have to audition.
Takeshi Kitano grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. "Even though you wrote this script, sometimes you yourself don't understand this industry. How do you know if it's suitable or not if you don't act it out yourself? Here, there's no such thing as backdoors. Even if you're the boss."
Upon hearing this, Kitahara Shin was not angry at all; on the contrary, he was even more satisfied.
This is the kind of partner he's looking for.
Only with this almost obsessive dedication to art can one create a true classic.
"OK."
Kitahara Shin stood up and straightened his suit: "Then I'll wait for your audition notification. I'll leave the pre-production of this film to you."
Takeshi Kitano stood up and, unusually, reached out to pat Shin Kitahara on the shoulder with considerable force: "Don't worry. Leave it to me, I'll make sure you get a good pat."
Just as the two were about to say goodbye, Takeshi Kitano seemed to suddenly remember something and called out to Shin Kitahara, who had already reached the door: "Hey, kid."
"Hmm?" Kitahara Shin turned around.
"Your novel, *The Flowers of Evil*, has been getting a lot of flak lately. I read in the newspaper that those old women from the PTA are planning a sit-in protest in front of Fuji TV. Are you alright?"
Although Takeshi Kitano spoke casually, a hint of concern still lingered in his eyes. After all, the two of them were now in the same boat.
Kitahara Shin raised an eyebrow, looking at him with a half-smile: "What? Does the director know some big shot who can smooth things over? Someone who can help me deal with those parents' associations?"
"ha?"
Takeshi Kitano scoffed, waved his hand dismissively, and said with a look of disdain, "If I knew any big shots like that, would I be sitting here smoking in silence? I was just asking casually. If you go out of business, who am I going to get funding for this movie?"
Don't worry.
Kitahara Shin knew this was the old man's way of expressing concern, so he smiled and said in a relaxed tone, "It's all in the plan. Those criticisms will soon turn into applause."
"Pshaw, you're just bragging."
Takeshi Kitano cursed, "If I can't handle this, I'll sell this script and use the money to buy alcohol."
"Then you don't have a chance."
Kitahara Shin waved his hand and pushed open the door to leave.
After leaving Kitano's office, Kitahara Shin sat in his car, took out his cell phone, and dialed a number.
That was a private line leading directly to the office of the Yomiuri Shimbun's president.
The phone was answered after ringing twice.
"I am Watanabe."
A voice, aged yet full of energy, came from the other end. It was Tsuneo Watanabe, the "Emperor" of the Japanese media industry, who controlled the largest newspaper group and the Giants baseball team.
"President Watanabe, this is Kitahara."
Kitahara Shin spoke in a relaxed tone, as if calling an old friend, "How have you been lately? Those sweetfish you gave me last time were quite delicious."
"Hahaha, you little rascal."
Watanabe Tsuneo laughed. "Nobody comes here for no reason. I've been watching that 'Flowers of Evil' lately, it's causing quite a stir. I heard those old women from the PTA are planning a sit-in protest in front of Fuji TV."
As a media mogul, he has a natural sensitivity to such public opinion trends.
That's why I came to you for help.
Kitahara Shin didn't beat around the bush, "I want a spot in tomorrow's morning paper's society section. Not the entertainment section, but the society section."
"Oh?"
Watanabe Tsuneo became interested. "What do you want to do? Apologize? Or defend yourself?"
"No, that's not it. I want to teach everyone what real education is."
Kitahara Shin gripped the steering wheel, gazing at the bustling streets of Tokyo outside the window, a cold smile playing on his lips: "This isn't just about a TV drama. President Watanabe, don't you think that Japanese society these days is too fond of burying its heads in the sand? As long as they can't see the darkness, they think the darkness doesn't exist. I want to tear off this veil of pretense."
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.
"interesting."
Watanabe Tsuneo's voice held a hint of amusement. He was a political animal, and he loved things that could spark heated social debate.
Topics that can even influence policy are far more valuable than mere entertainment gossip.
"Now that the fire is already burning, let's make it burn even brighter. You write the article; as long as it's high quality, I'll reserve the top spot for you."
"make a deal."
That evening, at the port area apartment.
Kitahara Shin sat at his desk and reactivated the [Dreamweaver's Automatic Quill Pen].
This time, he wasn't writing a script, but a "manifesto".
The granddaddy of keyboard warriors has arrived.
He understands the public's psychology very well. The more you explain, "I did not incite crime," the more the public will think you are guilty.
The best defense is offense.
The goal is to pull this drama out of the mire of "vulgarity and sensationalism" and place it on the altar of "social cautionary tales".
Half an hour later.
Three articles have been published.
The first article, signed by Kitahara Shin, was published as the front page of the social section of the Yomiuri Shimbun.
Title: A Letter to All Parents Who Bury Their Heads in the Sand: Only by Facing the Flowers of Evil Can We Cultivate the Fruits of Goodness
The article is concise and direct, citing data on the rising juvenile crime rate in Japan in recent years, pointing out that "overprotection" and "avoidance of the dark side of society" are the root causes of children's psychological fragility.
"If you cover your children's eyes and prevent them from seeing drugs and crime on TV, will drugs and crime disappear in real life?"
"True education is not about keeping children in a greenhouse, but about accompanying them to see the cruelty of this world and then telling them why we should choose kindness."
Every word is precious and thought-provoking.
The second and third articles were submitted under different pseudonyms to several influential weekly and opinion magazines.
An article analyzes the tragic causes of the character Sayuri Yoshinaga in the drama from a psychological perspective, and condemns society's neglect of women's mental health.
Another article targets so-called "moralists," mocking them for using the moral cudgel to stifle the freedom of artistic creation.
This is a combination of moves.
Qualitative analysis, counterattack.
The next morning.
Newsstands across Japan were filled with the striking black headline of the Yomiuri Shimbun.
Watanabe Tsuneo was very generous; he not only gave it a headline but also included an editor's note, highly praising Kitahara Nobu's "sense of social responsibility."
At this moment, public opinion began to subtly shift.
People who initially joined the bandwagon in criticizing "The Flowers of Evil" as "poisonous weeds" suddenly realized there was some truth to it after reading the articles in the newspaper.
Yes.
Does covering your eyes bring world peace?
Kitahara Shin is right. Although this drama is dark, it's profound! It exposes human nature!
If I don't watch this show, does that mean I'm like an ostrich burying its head in the sand?
Meanwhile, a new saying began to circulate online (at that time, it was still in its nascent stage as BBS) and among housewives offline: "Have you watched 'Flowers of Evil'? That's not just an ordinary TV series, it's a sociology textbook!"
"I heard that famous psychologists recommend watching it."
"After my child saw this, he became more sensible and knew that drugs should never be touched."
Humans are essentially repeaters and followers.
When watching "The Flowers of Evil" transforms from a "curiosity-seeking behavior" into a "noble act of paying attention to social realities," all resistance turns into a driving force.
A week later.
The third episode of "Flowers of Evil" has aired.
Tokyo, Setagaya Ward, Sato House.
Mrs. Sato was about to hide the remote control, not wanting her middle school son to watch TV.
"Mom, don't turn it off!"
My son, Xiaojian, ran over with a newspaper clipping. "Look," he said, "the newspaper says it's a great play that makes you think about good and evil. The teacher even discussed it at school today, saying that if we hadn't seen it, we wouldn't be able to write our social studies reflections."
Mrs. Sato was taken aback.
She took the clipping; it was an article from the Yomiuri Shimbun.
"this----"
-
She hesitated for a moment, but ultimately put the remote control down.
"Okay then. But Mommy will watch it with you. If there are any scary parts, just close your eyes."
"Okay!"
The family of three sat neatly in front of the television.
That night, countless families across Japan turned on their televisions again and tuned in to Fuji TV.
The next morning.
Fuji Television, viewership statistics center.
All the executives held their breath, staring at the fax machine that was spewing out data.
"They're out!"
A staff member shouted, his voice trembling: "Episode 3 ratings—Kanto region—!"
"24.1%!!"
The conference room was deathly silent, then erupted in a burst of enthusiastic applause.
24%.
They were just one step away from that seemingly impossible 25% betting agreement.
Kitahara Shin sat in the corner, twirling the pen in his hand, watching the cheering crowd, a knowing smile on his face.
He won this battle.
And they won beautifully.
He not only saved the show, but more importantly, he proved to the entire industry that in this circle, the rules are made by the strong.
Whoever controls the discourse is the king of public opinion.
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