PS-Chapter 94 Star-Studded Night
The clock hanging on the wall ticked resolutely, its minute hand pointing directly down at the number "6."
At exactly 6:30 p.m., the live taping of Capital City TV's first reality talent show, "Singing China", officially began!
The atmosphere backstage in the studio immediately became tense.
The big screen lit up, showing the stage in the studio. The host was the first to appear.
Capital City TV had made a bold choice by appointing a newcomer named Zhao Zhe to host this highly anticipated talent show. Although he showed a hint of nervousness and excitement at the beginning, he quickly found his rhythm.
After giving an enthusiastic opening speech, Zhao Zhe's expression turned serious and his eyes looked straight ahead.
"Now, let's give a warm round of applause to welcome the first judge of tonight's 'Singing China'!"
The 1,500-seat studio was filled to capacity, and as soon as Zhao Zhe finished speaking, the audience erupted in thunderous applause to welcome the judge onto the stage.
Capital City TV had pulled out all the stops to make the judges' selection exciting. Unlike its competitors, who usually promote the show by revealing the names of their judges to create buzz, Capital City TV had deliberately kept it a secret, keeping viewers guessing.
No one doubted the station's ability to bring in high-profile figures, given its influence and connections. The mystery surrounding the judging panel fueled endless speculation and discussion on blogs, forums, and online communities, creating a great deal of buzz.
While "Singing China" competed with Xiangnan Satellite TV's shows for ratings, its promotional strategies were no less effective.
Tonight's live broadcast of the first qualifying round in the Capital City Division promised a major highlight: the revelation of the four judges.
The audience applauded enthusiastically.
Suddenly, all the studio lights dimmed, plunging the stage into complete darkness.
After a brief pause, a bright spotlight shone straight down onto the center of the stage, illuminating a figure.
A man stood there, his back to the audience, his posture tall and motionless. Behind him, the giant screen displayed the "Singing China" logo.
The studio fell silent in an instant.
Though hidden in the shadows, host Zhao Zhe's voice echoed in everyone's ears.
"He is a man of extraordinary talent."
"He is a superstar of the Asian music scene."
"He has won countless awards!"
"His songs have accompanied the growth of a generation and remain timeless classics."
"And he is..."
The giant screen suddenly exploded with dazzling images, accompanied by an intense rumble. Two golden characters jumped onto the screen:
''Tan Hong!''
Tan Hong, the first judge of Singing China, was none other than the legendary Tan Hong!
No one had expected this, and the surprise was greeted with joy!
The lights came back on, and the applause that had just died down roared back to life, becoming louder and more frenzied, as if it could blow the roof off the building.
Many members of the audience stood up, clapping and shouting Tan Hong's name.
Born in the early 1970s, Tan Hong began studying music at an early age. At the age of 17, he won the National Youth Singing Competition and began an illustrious career.
During his 25-year career, Tan Hong has released 17 original albums. His 1999 album "Flying Pigeons" sold over five million copies, marking the last golden age of pop music album sales.
Although not particularly handsome, Tan Hong was known for his uniquely recognizable voice and exceptional songwriting talent.
Many of his best-selling albums featured songs he wrote and composed entirely, including classics such as "Flying Pigeons", "After the Rain", "End of the World Prodigal Son", "Remembering Our Time Together" and "Passion".
When he finally turned under the spotlight with a gentle smile, the atmosphere in the studio reached a fever pitch!
Backstage, many contestants and their support groups also stood up, their eyes glued to the TV screens.
"Tan Hong! It's really Tan Hong!"
"I love his songs so much. I can't believe he's a judge!"
"Capital City TV is amazing!"
"I want an autograph!"
Amidst the excited and enthusiastic crowd, Lu Chen was also there.
He was also a fan of Tan Hong!
Lu Chen had never imagined that Tan Hong would join as a judge, nor could he fathom the strategy Capital City TV had used to make it happen.
Although Tan Hong had been a megastar for more than a decade, his demeanor remained modest and reserved. He shied away from the limelight, rarely appeared on variety shows, had no scandals to his name, and lived a quiet and steady life with his first love and wife.
In his 25-year career, he had only appeared in a handful of commercials.
So Tan Hong's appearance tonight on 'Singing China''s judging panel was monumental. By tomorrow, he was certain to dominate entertainment headlines!
Capital City TV had been biding its time for years and finally delivered a show-stopping move.
Even though Tan Hong had been semi-retired for the past few years, his popularity was unshakable, especially among fans from the 70s and 80s who remained fiercely loyal to him.
It's worth mentioning that Tan Hong originally signed with Juxing Entertainment. He had once benefited greatly from Jin Hongwei's guidance, but later a falling out between the two escalated into a nationwide lawsuit that attracted enormous public attention.
Given Tan Hong's character, such resolute action suggested that he had truly reached his limit.
At over 40, Tan Hong was at the peak of charm for a successful man. Though he was no longer young, his smile remained genuine, his eyes bright, and his demeanor as elegant as ever.
He brought back a flood of memories for many!
One could even say that the moment Tan Hong appeared, Singing China had already won its first victory.
After Tan Hong took his seat, his name lit up on an LED display above the stage.
The applause was endless, but the studio lights dimmed again.
Host Zhao Zhe began to introduce the second judge.
While Tan Hong had already fulfilled everyone's expectations, who could the second judge be?
Would their presence pale in comparison to Tan Hong's radiance?
No one knew the answer.
"Her voice is one we all know well."
"Her beauty is a shining star in the world of pop music."
"She holds the record for the best-selling album by a female singer in the country - a record that remains unbroken!"
"She is none other than Tan Hong's junior sister!"
"And she is..."
"Chen Fei'er!"
Even before the name appeared on the screen, many in the audience had already shouted it out.
"Chen Fei'er!"
The second judge on 'Singing China' was none other than the famous Song Queen, Chen Fei'er!
Speaking of this music superstar, she was a household name. Known for her sweet ballads and love songs, her melodious voice had captivated countless fans, and her albums often broke sales records.
Unlike Tan Hong, Chen Fei'er continued to thrive in the entertainment industry even in the Internet age. She had successfully transitioned into acting, starring in numerous blockbuster movies and becoming a spokesperson for many major brands.
What fascinated people most was the camaraderie between Tan Hong and Chen Fei'er as senior and junior students under the same mentorship. Their relationship had always been strong, but it had never caused any rumors.
When Chen Fei'er terminated her contract with Juxing Entertainment years ago, it was said that without Tan Hong's full support, it would have been much more difficult for her to break free.
When Chen Fei'er opened her own studio, Tan Hong had even invited a dozen entertainment industry heavyweights to celebrate the occasion.
Her presence as the second judge instantly dispelled all concerns.
There was even a humorous anecdote circulating in the entertainment industry: Jin Hongwei was said to despise Tan Hong the most, but if Tan Hong ever decided to return to Juxing Entertainment, Jin Hongwei would be willing to drop to his knees in welcome!
"Fei'er!"
Even Tan Hong didn't know that Chen Fei'er would be here. Startled, he stood up and quickly walked back to the stage. "What are you doing here?"
Although Chen Fei'er was over 30 years old, she looked no older than her early 20s. With a sweet smile, she opened her arms and hugged Tan Hong, saying, "They said you'd be here, so I came too.
In just two simple sentences, she conveyed the depth of their friendship.
The audience burst into thunderous applause. Many fans were moved to tears as they had seen this scene countless times in the past, etched in their memories.
Now it was happening again.
Tan Hong and Chen Fei'er proved to countless people that true friendship could exist between men and women - a friendship as strong as family ties!
'(End of Chapter)'
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