Chapter 164 – Collision
Internet in China began to sprout in the late 90s and flourished after entering the new century. Up to now, it has become a trillion-level huge industry, which can be called one of the pillars of the economy.
The advent of the Internet era has also profoundly changed the economic pattern of the world, which has had a great impact on many traditional industries, and many industries have declined or even disappeared.
The record industry is one of them.
When portable audio music players were developed and integrated into the smartphone, the traditional record industry entered an irreversible decline, and many record companies have transformed themselves into new entertainment media.
In the 80’s and 90’s, singers can make a lot of money from a big-selling record. Now, the new generation of idol artists still makes records even at a loss, just for the sake of appeal and promoting popularity, and then get back the cost through peripheral products, advertising endorsements, notices and performances, etc.
Therefore, online sales have become one of the main business channels of entertainment brokerage companies, such as QQ Music, NetEase Music and other big music websites, which is an important battlefield for singers and artists.
Moreover, the sales performance of the four domestic music websites is calculated through album sales, resulting in the new era of [Gold Record], [Platinum Record], [Diamond Record] and [Crown Record]!
Online sales + actual sales of more than 100,000, through places certified by Chinese Music Association, can get the [Golden Record] achievement!
When sales volume reached 500,000, it is [Platinum Record] and when it reached 1 million, it is [Diamond Record].
As for the highest honor [Crown Record], the sales volume requirement is 5 million!
The music websites certified by the Chinese Music Association include QQ Music, NetEase Music, Pop Radio and Voice of China. The physical store that is certified to sell CD is only limited to Xinhua Book Company, and online sales on Yibao are not included in the list.
The reason why Yibao is not included is very simple. The sales results on Yibao was very easy to alter, due to the cost of doing so was very low, and it was impossible for the Chinese Music Association to require a behemoth like Yibao to cooperate with itself, so it simply gave up.
As for the four major music websites and Xinhua Book Company, although people can also spend money to alter the sales, the cost was much higher.
Therefore, the authority of China Music Association certification is the highest in China.
Every Monday, the Chinese Music Association will publish the top 50 domestic record sales on its official website, as well as the list of certified Golden, Diamond, and Crown Records!
For most singers, getting the [Golden Record] was enough to make them proud.
And among the criteria for judging a first-class singer, a [Platinum Record] is essential.
As for the real superstar, the target has always been [Diamond Record]!
As for [Crown Record], it is now a type of miracle that may come by chance but not sought. In fact, even [Diamond Record] often take a long time to accumulate, unlike in the past, where millions or even several of millions of sales can easily be achieved.
The free and sharing spirit of the Internet has resulted in cultural piracy of film, music and literature that can never be eliminated.
The main reason why people were not optimistic about the online sale of Lu Chen’s first solo album, “You Who Sat Next To Me”, was apart from strong rivals, was that the songs in the album can basically be found on the Internet, and many netizens have heard all of them, and the desire to buy it naturally greatly reduced.
September 8, at 7:00 pm, his album went on sale on QQ Music online.
At the same time, Cui Zhengzhi’s “Provocation” also went on sale!
A lot of people were paying attention to the sales of these two albums and the showdown of the four singers.
Zou Bei’s album “Blooming Flowers” was in the lead. It was 4th in the list. Current sales are 70,000+. (TN: She is in the lead, among the four of them, and 4th on QQ Music.)
Ling Xiaoxiao’s solo album “True Love is Invincible” was 5th in the list, with sales of 50,000+. There was not much difference between the two.
So far, the results of both were up to standard, not too surprising, and not too disappointing.
At least getting [Golden Record] was secure, but the momentum of both albums was obviously slowing down.
There has always been a law in online record sales, that is, the sales within seven days on the shelves account for 40-50% of total sales, especially the first three days, which is called the 72-hour law.
How well an album sells, whether it’s a miss, up to standard or a hit, will basically be known within 72 hours. (TN: bad, meh, or good)
Zou Bei’s “Blooming Flowers” and Ling Xiaoxiao’s “True Love is Invincible” can only be regarded as just up to standard, far from the standard of being a hit. The performance of the two more or less disappointed the onlookers.
Originally, everyone expected to see a fierce competition, but the start was so peaceful. So, everyone’s eyes couldn’t help but fall on Lu Chen and Cui Zhengzhi’s new album to see if there would be a collision between the two and create dazzling sparks.
Most people believe that there is no doubt that Cui Zhengzhi will win!
If nothing else, in terms of publicity campaign alone, Cui Zhengzhi’s “Provocation” left Lu Chen at least three blocks away, and his title song “Provocation” still firmly occupied the top spot on the home page of QQ Music, which was truly imposing. (TN: Spot here is the advertisement location, I think.)
In contrast, Lu Chen was too low-key, “You Who Sat Next To Me” basically has no big advertising investment.
Some people have also analyzed that Lu Chen’s approach was wise. Even if he spends money, his album sales will not be very good, and an improvement in his reputation is enough.
Even if he responded to Cui Zhengzhi’s provocation with “Come to fight” on his blog, many people thought that Lu Chen was just taking advantage of the latter, which was an act of hitchhiking, and he didn’t really want to fight to the bitter end with Cui Zhengzhi. (TN: Hitchhiking – taking a ride on Cui Zhengzhi’s fame, at least that’s what those people think.)
The simplest proof was that there were no advertisements for Lu Chen’s album in the major online media, including QQ Music, but the publicity of “Provocation” can be seen everywhere.
On Inspur blog, although the buzzword “Come to fight” has been hyped up, but how much effect can it have?
In related blogs, forums and post bars, there were many people who hold the same view.
Including Cui Zhengzhi himself.
He was in a five-star Mingdu Hotel in Huhai when his album “Provocation” hit the shelves.
During the album promotion period, Cui Zhengzhi has done dozens of notices under the company’s arrangement. Today alone, he performed live activities in two shopping malls and a car 4S stop in Huhai.
When he returned to the hotel, it was already dark, he hadn’t eaten, and he was exhausted, but he was still in high spirits.
The young idol artist was staring at the computer screen, staring at his and Lu Chen’s album list on the home page of QQ Music, staring at the changing numbers beside the two albums – download sales.
From the beginning, the sales volume of “Provocation” has steadily gained the upper hand, and it was significantly ahead of the album “You Who Sat Next To Me”!
Cui Zhengzhi’s face showed a satisfied smile.
“Little Zhi, you don’t have to see that. That Lu Chen is not your opponent at all!”
The one who spoke was his agent sitting next to him.
Interestingly, like Lu Chen, Cui Zhengzhi’s agent was also his big sister, Cui Xiuyin.
Cui Xiuyin, who was originally an artist. Even with the support of her parents, she didn’t become popular even after several years. She has been in several small role in several TV dramas, but her career has never improved.
Later, she went behind the scenes and concentrated on helping her brother.
Cui Xiuyin’s appearance is very ordinary. Even after careful dressing, she is only 6 or 7 points. All of the good traits of their parent were basically inherited by her younger brother Cui Zhengzhi, who blossomed with dazzling brilliance when he made his debut.
Cui Xiuyin wasn’t jealous of her younger brother. On the contrary, she loves Cui Zhengzhi the most and takes good care of him.
In Orange Field Entertainment, she is famous for her tough personality. Many people dare not mess with her.
For Lu Chen, who competes with her brother, Cui Xiuyin is completely dismissive.
“He’ll be lucky if he can sell a tenth of your sales with those old works of his!”
Cui Xiuyin dared to say such words showed that she was very confident.
This was because in Cui Zhengzhi’s album “Provocation”, except for a few songs written by himself, all the other songs were written by Lee Jung Ki, a famous Korean pop music composer.
This album was also supervised by Lee Jung Ki himself. The level can be called first-class authentic Korean pop style. It is the pop song and fast-paced song that young people like the most nowadays. Both its melody and rhythm are impeccable.
Cui Xiuyin believed that with this album, Cui Zhengzhi’s career will inevitably take a big step and he will become a popular idol in the domestic entertainment industry, and then naturally he will step into the film and television industry.
A broad path to stardom has been paved out in front of him!
As for Lu Chen, hehe, he was nothing more than a small stone on the road, someone that can easily be kicked aside.
It was his misfortune to run into our Zhengzhi oppa! (TN: Oppa – Korean word which means big brother.)
This sentence didn’t come from Cui Xiuyin herself, but from Cui Zhengzhi’s fans in the post bar.
Cui Xiuyin was deeply convinced.
Although Cui Zhengzhi was proud and agreed with Cui Xiuyin’s view, he still said: “Lu Chen’s strength is still there. His “Brightest Star In The Night Sky” is good, but his other songs are very ordinary and too out-of-date.”
Cui Zhengzhi grew up in South Korea and received artist training in South Korea. He was influenced by the prevalent customs of South Korea. He returned to China to develop and expand the market through “Korean Wave”. He didn’t like Lu Chen’s folk songs.
“But if he’s this too bad…”
Cui Zhengzhi’s face showed his signature smile: “Then it’s no fun for me to win, is that right, sister?”
“Yes!”
Cui Xiuyin touched her brother’s hair and said with a smile, “Don’t look at it anymore, eat first, don’t starve yourself!”
The dinner in the hotel has just been delivered to the room. She was afraid that it will not taste good if it is cold.
Cui Zhengzhi nodded and turned off the computer.
He has full confidence in his own album.
Just thinking of Lu Chen’s response to himself in his blog, Cui Zhengzhi was really a little annoyed.
I will let you know what real power is!
He has already worked out what he would write on his blog post tomorrow, and has to fight back with facts.
Wouldn’t that just be thinking too highly of Lu Chen?
Cui Zhengzhi couldn’t help laughing and asked loudly, “Sister, what delicious food did you order for me?”
“I want to eat meat!”
___________
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