sinovels Chapter 274 Appreciation
Chapter 274 Appreciation
Chapter 274 Appreciation
The recording site of "Run for Time: The Birth of a Boy Group".
With the first season's phenomenal ratings, this late-night reality show, spearheaded by Kitahara Productions, has naturally moved into filming its second season.
However, the show is slowly deviating from Kitahara Shin's original intention of "stablely cultivating a singing and dancing boy group".
Because a group of amateur teenagers with diverse personalities and no stage experience were forcibly brought together, conflicts inevitably erupted among them as the training intensity increased and their exposure skyrocketed. Some slacked off because they couldn't stand the hardship, while others secretly ostracized their teammates in order to get screen time.
When the first season was being filmed and the internal conflicts were becoming irreconcilable, the Kitahara Agency's management team decisively catered to the audience's desire for gossip and introduced a brutal "last-place elimination system" into the show.
Those "troublemakers" who clearly dragged the team down on stage and acted like divas in the training room were ruthlessly kicked out of the training camp.
In this process of natural selection, Sato Takeru, who was always the first to arrive at the training room and the last to leave, and who even argued with his teammates on camera because of their incorrect movements, became the person that viewers felt most sorry for and loved the most.
Currently, only Takeru Satoh and one other equally resilient member remain from the entire boy group's training camp. The show's focus has shifted from "recording their daily training" to a suspenseful drama about "witnessing when they can finally form a group and debut as a five-member team."
Audiences love watching dramas filled with real sweat, conflict, and triumphs. Thanks to this phenomenal variety show, Takeru Satoh's name became a household name among female viewers across Japan, accumulating a massive following for his future acting career.
However, Takeru Satoh, the person involved, was sitting in the corner of the training room, feeling somewhat dejected.
The reason he desperately wanted to sign with Kitahara Agency wasn't to sing and dance on stage or argue with others in front of variety show cameras. His dream was to go to film sets, to act, and to leave his own mark on the big screen, just like that legendary man.
But now, every day he wakes up to endless dance rehearsals and those messy team relationships. All he can do is manage himself, but he can't change the team's overall lackluster performance. He even begins to doubt whether, even if he perseveres to the end, he can really achieve his dream of becoming an actor in this so-called "boy band"? Will he really have a chance to stand on the same screen as that high and mighty President Kitahara?
Just as Takeru Satoh was bowing his head, lost in deep self-doubt, the door to the training room was suddenly pushed open.
The director and crew, who were still preparing to record, immediately stood up straight and bowed respectfully upon seeing who it was: "President Kitahara!"
Takeru Satoh suddenly raised his head.
Shin Kitahara, dressed in a well-tailored casual suit, walked into the training room with a smile. Due to the extremely tight filming schedule of "Shinjuku Incident," Kitahara had practically lived on set recently, causing the variety show to be temporarily suspended for a week. His rare visit today seemed to have changed the atmosphere of the entire set.
Takeru Satoh immediately stood up from the floor, his eyes filled with undisguised longing and awe, unsure of what to do with his hands and feet.
Kitahara Shin's gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Sato Kenji in the corner. He looked at the boy with tousled hair and stubborn yet clear eyes, a smile playing on his lips, and waved at him.
Sato Takeru felt flattered and his heart pounded. He quickly walked up to Kitahara Shin.
"President, you wanted to see me?"
Kitahara Shin looked at him, his tone casual as if discussing the weather: "Would you be interested in having a cameo role with me? I'm currently filming an action movie, and I happen to need a young, capable supporting actor."
boom-!
Takeru Satoh's mind went completely blank. The dream that had seemed so distant just moments before had suddenly and unexpectedly come crashing down on him!
He stammered, pointing to his nose, and asked incredulously, "Does it mean—does it mean I'm going to act in the same movie as you?!"
"Yes." Kitahara Shin nodded with a smile. "How so? You should be free from your current schedule, right?"
"Of course I'm free! I'm free anytime! No problem at all!" Sato Takeru suddenly stood up straight and answered loudly, even in a slightly raspy voice, as if afraid that Kitahara Shin would change his mind if he hesitated for even a second.
Kitahara Shin turned and gave a few brief instructions to the program's director, then led the still dizzy Sato Takeru out of the training room.
Sitting in the back of the spacious and stable minivan, Takeru Satoh looked out at the scenery through the privacy-protected window.
The car was entering the heart of Shinjuku Ward's bustling area. But to his astonishment, the main roads, which should have been teeming with traffic, were now cordoned off with long police tape, and a large number of police officers and film crew security personnel were maintaining order.
He had heard that the president had recently been using the streets of Shinjuku to film a big production, but seeing this terrifying move that could shut down the most bustling commercial district in all of Asia, Sato Takeru's awe of the man beside him deepened even further.
"How have you been lately? Are you getting used to being on that reality show?" Kitahara Shin asked casually, looking out the window.
When Sato Takeru heard the question, he instinctively turned around. He wanted to say, "It's okay, everything's fine," but when he looked into Kitahara Shin's gentle eyes that seemed to see right through him, he hesitated.
After hesitating for a few seconds, he gritted his teeth and chose to tell the truth: "Report to the president! Although the show is currently receiving a lot of attention, I personally feel that I may not be very suitable for reality shows, nor am I very suitable for the path of a boy band idol."
I—I still prefer to be a pure actor, and I want to pursue acting as a career.
After saying this, Takeru Satoh lowered his head nervously, bracing himself for a scolding. After all, this boy band project...
It was personally decided by the president, so my words seemed somewhat willful and ungrateful.
However, the expected reprimand did not come.
"Is that so?" Kitahara Shin nodded, his tone still calm. "That's no problem. If you really don't like it, just find some time to explain your thoughts on the show and then officially withdraw."
Takeru Satoh abruptly looked up, blinking incredulously. "R--really, it's going to be like this?"
"Yeah, what else?" Kitahara Shin looked at his somewhat bewildered expression and couldn't help but laugh. "Didn't I tell you before? My company and the artists you sign have always had an equal working relationship."
"Which path you choose to pursue, or what your own ideas are, as long as they don't cross the line, I will fully support you. I have neither the right nor the time to forcibly control your lives."
Hearing these words, Takeru Satoh was completely stunned.
He never expected that such words could come from a financial tycoon who held the power of life and death!
At that moment, Takeru Satoh suddenly understood why, whenever he returned to the company and went to the break room or the corridor, when he heard those established seniors (such as Takashi Sorimachi and Yutaka Takenouchi) discussing Shin Kitahara, their tone never contained the complaints of being exploited by capital, but was instead filled with heartfelt admiration and respect.
Even in the most private restroom, when they talked about Kitahara Shin, it was with absolute respect. That respect wasn't just because Kitahara Shin was their boss who paid their salaries, but also because he gave each artist the most coveted dignity and freedom.
"Alright, let's not talk about that anymore." Kitahara Shin's smile faded, and he got to the point. "The reason I personally chose you today is because I've looked at your file and observed your training. You're definitely not suited for the kind of group life in a boy band that requires compromise, but your physical abilities are quite good. I heard you've been practicing kendo since you were young, so you should be fine in real combat, right?"
Upon hearing "real combat," Takeru Satoh's eyes sharpened instantly, and he replied with extreme confidence, "Real combat is absolutely no problem! Although I've never participated in any formal kendo tournaments, I've sparred a few times with the special police officers from the Metropolitan Police Department's Dragon Knights using bamboo swords, and basically—I won every time."
"That's good." Kitahara Shin nodded in satisfaction. "We have a major scene coming up in the next few days, and we're looking for a sharp and capable young assassin. You'll be responsible for fighting Jackie Chan in the film."
Sato Takeru's eyes widened instantly, and his voice trembled slightly: "I—I want to fight Jackie Chan?!"
Kitahara Shin looked at him: "Yes, you know Jackie Chan, right?"
"Of course I know him! He's my absolute idol!" Takeru Satoh nodded vigorously. In Japan during the 80s and 90s, which hot-blooded teenager hadn't seen "Police Story" and "Drunken Master"? In Takeru Satoh's mind, besides Kamen Rider, the coolest man was Jackie Chan, the one who leaped across rooftops on screen!
"So today is the day your dream comes true." Kitahara Shin patted him on the shoulder with a smile. "But you'd better do your best at the audition later. You're not the only one competing for this role. If you perform poorly, I'll have to put someone else in."
Kitahara Shin always insisted on absolute fairness within the company. Instead of immediately awarding the exceptionally talented assassin supporting role to Sato Takeru, he opened up audition slots, allowing all the young male actors in the company with some martial arts skills to compete fairly.
He personally went to pick up Takeru Satoh, not only because he had a deep-seated attachment to "Rurouni Kenshin" from his past life, but also because he wanted to personally examine, from a very special perspective, what kind of amazing explosive power this future top-tier manga-adapted action god possessed at the age of nineteen.
He knew he was about to enter the film set of an internationally renowned director, compete with many senior colleagues in the company, and, if successful, would share the screen with world-class superstars like Nobuo Kitahara and Jackie Chan.
Sato Takeru felt his blood boil at that moment, his heart pounding violently in his chest as if it would burst out of his throat!
The van was parked outside a blocked-off underground parking lot.
Takeru Satoh took a deep breath and followed Shin Kitahara into the Shinjuku Incident film crew, a place filled with a somber and hardcore atmosphere.
In the open space where the auditions were being held, there were already more than a dozen young male actors who had also been temporarily transferred by the company. Among them were even Yutaka Takenouchi, who had just made a name for himself with "Long Vacation," and several other promising tough-guy newcomers.
Jackie Chan, dressed in a dusty costume, frowned as he looked at the dozen or so young Japanese actors standing in front of him, appearing somewhat dissatisfied.
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Given Jackie Chan's usual style, for a supporting role like this, which requires extremely strong action skills, he would definitely just pick a fierce-looking stuntman from his stunt team—it's easier and safer. But since Shin Kitahara had spoken up, and considering Kitahara's box office appeal in Japan, as well as the "inhuman" action assistance Kitahara had provided during filming, Jackie Chan still gave him face and agreed to this audition within his agency.
This is in itself a tacit exchange of benefits.
Kitahara Shin walked straight to Jackie Chan's side, and the two stood side by side, like two insurmountable mountains, their powerful aura instantly enveloping the entire scene.
"Let's begin, one at a time," Kitahara Shin said calmly.
The audition process was simple and straightforward. There was no assessment of dialogue; they only looked at the actor's energy, spirit, and martial arts skills.
However, under the watchful eyes of Kitahara Shin and Jackie Chan, two true "gods of death," the invisible pressure was truly terrifying.
As soon as the first few young actors stepped forward, before they could even get into position, Jackie Chan and Kitahara Shin simply glanced at their lower bodies and eyes and waved them out.
Action stars of their caliber can tell whether someone possesses a murderous aura and genuine martial arts skills just by looking at their stance. Those idols who only know how to strike a few fancy moves are practically invisible to them.
Soon, it was Takeru Satoh's turn, who was at the very end of the line.
Takeru Satoh swallowed hard. He tried to calm his racing heart, forcing himself to block out all his surroundings and focus all his attention on his breathing.
He walked to the center of the field, closed his eyes, and paused for a second.
When he opened his eyes again, a fierce and wolf-like aura instantly erupted from his once clear eyes!
Without further ado, Takeru Satoh casually pulled a prop katana from the weapon rack beside him. With a low, cold shout, he sprang forward like a cheetah.
Sword drawing, thrusting, extremely tricky sliding steps and changes of direction, and fierce kasaya slash!
His movements lacked any flamboyant design for aesthetic purposes; each strike was extremely concise and ruthless, carrying an intensely pure aura of practical combat.
As Jackie Chan watched Takeru Satoh demonstrate his footwork and slashing techniques in the center of the arena, his eyes gradually lit up, even though he had initially shown little interest.
"Shin, is this from your company?" Jackie Chan turned his head, somewhat surprised, and said to Kitahara Shin, "This kid's got something! That look in his eyes is fierce, and judging by the stability and explosiveness of his lower body, he's definitely not the kind of dead muscle you get from the gym!"
Kitahara Shin looked at the boy in the arena who was already showing the beginnings of "sword heart" and smiled with satisfaction: "Those who were eliminated just now were all from my company. But this kid definitely has more of a talent for action scenes than the others."
After completing the set of movements, Takeru Satoh sheathed his sword, standing there slightly out of breath, looking uneasy.
Jackie Chan turned and whispered a few words to the martial arts instructors of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team. They all expressed their approval of Takeru Satoh's fearless spirit just now.
Jackie Chan stepped forward, clapped his hands, looked at the young man in the crowd who was still sweating profusely with nervousness, and announced loudly, "Alright! You're the one! That sword-drawing move you just made was beautiful. Go rehearse with the action director later, and we'll start filming the fight scene between you and me this afternoon!"
Hearing this affirmative statement delivered on the spot.
Sato Takeru felt a "buzz" in his head, as if a bomb had exploded in his mind.
From the frustration and self-doubt in the training room in the morning, to being picked up by the president in person, to the extreme tension when facing his idol, and finally to the moment he heard that he had been selected—this extreme rollercoaster experience from hell to heaven left him speechless with joy!
All he knew was that he had finally obtained the ticket he had always dreamed of. In his first big-screen film, he would fight to the death against his idol, Jackie Chan, and leave his name, Takeru Satoh, in the same cinematic world as the man who had pulled him out of the mire!