booktalesy Chapter 300 Overwhelmed with Praise
Chapter 300 Overwhelmed with Praise
Chapter 300 Overwhelmed with Praise
The post-production special effects of "Resident Evil" were like a bottomless money-devouring beast, frantically consuming the Kitahara Group's cash flow every day. In order to ensure the absolute health of the financial chain and to further reap the entertainment dividends of the entire Asian market, Kitahara Shin set his sights on the ultimate idol drama that could truly dominate East Asian aesthetics—"Boys Over Flowers" (Meteor Garden).
Since the goal is to create an F4 (Flower4) that will be famous throughout Asia, casting is naturally of paramount importance.
Kitahara Shin unceremoniously reserved the position of the absolute core of F4, namely the male protagonist "Domyouji Tsukasa".
Logically speaking, by the end of 1997, Kitahara Shin's actual biological age was already thirty-one. For an idol drama that focuses on youth and school life, having a man in his thirties play a high school student or a wealthy young master in college often creates a lingering sense of greasiness and incongruity.
However, this common sense does not apply to Kitahara Shin at all.
Under the long-term nurturing of the system's "Ring of Life" and other attributes, Kitahara Shin's physical functions and appearance were perfectly locked in the golden age of his early twenties, full of vitality. His skin was taut, and his eyes were clear yet profound. If he wanted, he could seamlessly switch between a mature and steady tycoon and an arrogant young master. With his current looks and domineering aura, playing Domyouji would be a perfect fit, even more so than the original.
Having secured his own role, Kitahara Shin carefully considered the remaining three spots.
The actors like Matsumoto Jun and Oguri Shun from the original Japanese drama are just teenagers in this era, completely incapable of carrying the glamorous aura of F4. As for the Taiwanese versions, Jerry Yan and Vic Chou, they're probably still in school or working odd jobs, which is equally unrealistic.
If we're going to do it, let's create the most luxurious, unprecedented, and top-tier dream lineup!
Kitahara Shin immediately turned his attention to several of his "good brothers" in this circle.
The first person to receive a top-secret audition invitation from Kitahara Productions was Takuya Ichikimura, the most popular star at Johnny & Associates.
At this time, Takuya Kimura was living the dream. His boy band SMAP had completely dominated the Japanese idol market. Their singles not only sold out in Japan, but also became popular throughout Southeast Asia. SMAP's cheerful and infectious singing could be heard everywhere, from the streets to music stores.
However, when Takuya Kimura received the invitation letter from Kitahara Productions from his manager's trembling hands, this top idol, who was wildly adored by girls all over Japan, was stunned on the spot, even feeling a dreamlike sense of being flattered.
"President Kitahara—he actually personally invited me to act in his new drama?" Takuya Kimura muttered to himself, looking at the signature on the letter.
Although Kimura Takuya is actually a few years younger than Kitahara Shin, making them practically the same age, in the hierarchical entertainment industry, Kimura Takuya always inexplicably feels a huge psychological gap, a sense of inferiority, whenever he faces Kitahara Shin.
There's no way around it, Kitahara Shin's achievements are just too terrifying. Kimura Takuya is just a popular idol and a guarantee of high viewership ratings; but Kitahara Shin is a tycoon who can casually spend hundreds of millions of dollars to make blockbuster movies, influence the national economic trend, and even make both the underworld and the legitimate world bow down to him.
Being able to act alongside such a legendary figure, especially since he was personally invited by him, Takuya Kimura didn't hesitate at all. He immediately canceled all his music promotion schedule for the next month and locked himself in his apartment to frantically study the script.
In addition to Takuya Kimura, Shin Kitahara also called his old friend Yosuke Eguchi.
The drama "Tokyo Love Story" forged a deep friendship between Shin Kitahara and Yosuke Eguchi. Yosuke Eguchi's naturally roguish and unruly long hair made him a born playboy.
As for the last member of F4, Shin Kitahara chose Yutaka Takenouchi, who has been gaining momentum in the past two years and has a reserved and cool temperament, from among the male stars' profiles. This actor, who has a perfectly sculpted face, is very suitable for mature, steady, and somewhat mysterious roles.
The audition, or rather the script reading, was scheduled for the private reception room on the top floor of the Kitahara Group headquarters.
When Takuya Kimura, Yosuke Eguchi, and Yutaka Takenouchi gathered together, the sheer number of attractive people in the reception room was enough to make any female fan faint on the spot.
"Shin-kun! Long time no see! You're such a busy man these days, it's harder to see you than to see the Prime Minister!" As soon as Yosuke Eguchi entered, he walked up to Kitahara Shin and gave him a solid hug. He was a very outgoing person, and because of their friendship from their early days, he was the only male celebrity present who dared to be so casual with Kitahara Shin.
"Yosuke, your long hair is still so flamboyant." Kitahara Shin chuckled and punched Eguchi Yosuke on the shoulder.
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Kimura Takuya and Takenouchi Yutaka, standing to the side, appeared much more reserved.
"President Kitahara, thank you for your invitation." Takuya Kimura and Yutaka Takenouchi bowed in unison. Although they were also top stars, they adopted an exceptionally humble posture in front of Shin Kitahara.
"No need to be so polite, please sit down." Kitahara Shin waved his hand, gesturing for everyone to take their seats.
Sasaki placed three beautifully bound scripts in front of them.
The cover prominently displays the words: "Boys Over Flowers".
The three of them eagerly opened the script, after all, anything produced by Kitahara Shin was bound to be a masterpiece. Whether it was the depth of "Infernal Affairs" or the realistic critique of "Dragon Zakura," they all held this script in the highest artistic esteem.
However, after carefully reading the ten-minute plot outline, the expressions of the three grown men all became somewhat strange and bewildered.
There is no profound, fateful showdown, nor any hardcore social critique.
This script is about four domineering rich kids who bully others at a prestigious school because of a "F4" logo with a red paper sticker on it. In the end, the domineering young master falls in love with a girl from the slums—a pure Mary Sue melodramatic love story?!
Yosuke Eguchi couldn't help but scratch his long hair, looking at Shin Kitahara with some hesitation: "Shin-kun, this—isn't this just a pure idol drama adapted from a manga?"
Takuya Kimura and Yutaka Takenouchi exchanged a shocked look.
In the Japanese entertainment industry, class distinctions are deeply ingrained. Even film stars like Kitahara Shin, who have already reached legendary status...
How could an international award winner, even known as the "Godfather of Asian Film and Television," suddenly regress to making such a popular and shallow idol drama?
This is like a Michelin three-star chef suddenly going to the street to sell oden – it's utterly incomprehensible.
"What, feel like you've lost your value?" Kitahara Shin leaned back on the sofa, picked up his coffee, took a sip, and glanced at the three of them.
"No, no, no, President, you misunderstand." Takuya Kimura quickly waved his hand. As an idol himself, he naturally didn't mean to look down on idol dramas. "We just felt that, given your current status and star power, wouldn't starring in this kind of drama cause controversy? Besides, it doesn't seem to require too much acting skill—"
Kitahara Shin put down his coffee cup and let out a soft laugh, a laugh that revealed absolute pragmatism and clarity.
"Status? Burden?" Kitahara Shin's long fingers tapped lightly on the table. "In this industry, only those who can't make money will desperately try to maintain their so-called status."
"Let me tell you, I just poured tens of millions of dollars into the 'Resident Evil' project. Next, I need a large amount of working capital to keep the overseas special effects farms running. The Kitahara Group needs a super money-printing machine that can completely drain the entire Asian market's viewership and GG sponsorships within a month!"
Kitahara Shin's gaze sharpened: "Boys Over Flowers is a money-printing machine. I don't care if it wins any major art awards; I only care if it drives all the women in Asia crazy! You're not playing some complex, profound soul; you're playing four aloof, perfect male gods that every woman dreams of marrying!"
This undisguised talk of making money through business left the three people opposite speechless, but at the same time, they felt an irresistible surge of excitement.
Only someone as powerful as Kitahara Shin could speak so confidently and domineeringly about making money and idol dramas.
"Since you, Shin-kun, don't care about the baggage of being a big shot, then I, Yosuke Eguchi, will definitely play along!" Yosuke Eguchi was the first to decide. "To be honest, playing this kind of rich playboy, I can skip even the life experience!"
Takuya Kimura and Yutaka Takenouchi immediately nodded emphatically. Being able to follow Shin Kitahara to conquer the entire Asian market was an opportunity that would be a once-in-a-lifetime chance in their acting careers.
Kitahara Shin then directly assigned roles.
He himself naturally plays the role of the domineering, childish yet deeply affectionate conglomerate heir—Domyouji Tsukasa.
Takuya Kimura was assigned to the role of Hanazawa Rui, the quietest and most melancholic member of F4, who was like a prince.
Yosuke Eguchi, with his long, flowing hair and dashing demeanor, naturally won over Soujiro Nishikado, who lived by the motto "ichi-go ichi-e" (once in a lifetime).
Yutaka Takenouchi plays Mimasaka Rei, the most mature and composed member of F4 who has a crush on older, more mature women.
When these four men, representing the pinnacle of good looks in the Japanese entertainment industry at the time, officially signed contracts to star in "Boys Over Flowers," Kitahara Productions' publicity department immediately released the news to media outlets across Asia without reservation.
One stone caused a thousand waves!
The entire Asian entertainment industry was stunned the moment they heard the news, as if a heavy nuclear bomb had been dropped on them, causing an instant and complete explosion!
Several major Japanese media outlets and film critics were among the first to voice their incomprehension and even criticism. They jumped out to comment, arguing that Kitahara Shin's actions showed that his artistic pursuits had been corrupted by capital, and that he should have aimed for international film festivals instead of making soap operas for young girls while associating with idols.
However, in stark contrast to the sour criticisms from the media and commentators, there was an explosive, volcanic anticipation from the public!
Nobu Kitahara, Takuya Kimura, Yosuke Eguchi, Yutaka Takenouchi!
Any one of these four people could easily be the leading man in any big-budget production. Now, Kitahara Shin has gone so far as to forcibly cram these four faces, representing the pinnacle of Asian beauty, into the framework of an aristocratic school!
Women across Asia went into a collective frenzy. Japanese high school girls talked about F4 during breaks; Hong Kong entertainment weekly magazines printed posters featuring the four male gods together until they sold out; fans in Taiwan and South Korea even started booking group flights to Japan to visit the set.
Despite the criticism and fervor from the outside world, Kitahara Shin didn't even lift an eyelid.
"President, the costume photos of the four main actors have been taken." Sasaki respectfully pushed open the door and walked in. "After learning that you would be starring in the show, twelve top international luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton and Hermès, have sent three entire warehouses full of the latest haute couture clothing and sports cars free of charge for F4 to use in the drama."
At this point, Sasaki opened another folder in his hand and asked hesitantly, "However—regarding the casting of the female lead, Makino Tsukushi, the talent department has recommended Hirosue Ryoko, as well as several new actresses within the company. Even Ms. Matsu Takako, upon hearing about the script, expressed her willingness to take a pay cut if needed. What do you think—"
"Reject them all." Kitahara Shin didn't even glance at the list before rejecting it without hesitation.
Sasaki paused for a moment: "But, if it's for double insurance of ratings, using a well-known actress—"
"Sasaki, you still don't understand what makes this show so enjoyable." Kitahara Shin stood up and walked to the huge French windows. "The soul of 'Boys Over Flowers' isn't how handsome the four rich kids are, but how much the female lead is like an unkillable weed."
"Matsu Takako and the others have such an aristocratic air about them now. If you asked them to play a poor girl who eats discounted lunches every day, is bullied by the whole school, and still dares to berate a rich tycoon, the audience simply wouldn't believe it. That kind of innate arrogance and wildness can't be acted out."
Kitahara Shin turned around, his gaze exceptionally sharp: "I don't want hothouse flowers, nor do I want any confidantes who are related to me. I want a true newcomer. A completely unfamiliar blank slate, with a fierce look in her eyes, the kind of wildcat spirit that dares to bite you even when trampled underfoot."
"Bring me all the files of pure newcomers that our talent scouting department has discovered on the streets in the past six months, who haven't undergone any commercial packaging yet."
Half an hour later, several hundred somewhat rough-looking new employee files were piled up on Kitahara Shin's desk.
Kitahara Shin quickly flipped through the photos. Among the piles of sweet, cute, or innocent ID photos, his hand suddenly paused.
It was a photo of a girl who was only sixteen years old. The girl in the photo wasn't wearing any elaborate makeup, but her features had a sharp beauty, especially her slightly upturned eyes, which exuded a natural coldness and an unyielding stubbornness.
The name on the file reads: Kou Shibasaki.
Kitahara Shin's lips curled into a satisfied smile. Shibasaki Kou's cool, edgy, and even slightly aggressive beauty was practically tailor-made for the role of Makino Tsukushi.
"Contact this girl immediately." Kitahara Shin pulled out the file and tossed it to Sasaki. "Tell her to come to the top-floor reception room for an audition this afternoon."
At three o'clock in the afternoon, a light drizzle was falling in Tokyo.
Sixteen-year-old Kou Shibasaki, wearing a faded old jacket, was so nervous that her palms were sweaty as she was led by staff to the top floor of the Kitahara Foundation headquarters.
Just a few days ago, she was handed a business card by a talent scout on the streets of Ikebukuro. She thought it was just a regular photoshoot for a young man, but today a phone call took her directly to the headquarters of the most terrifying capitalist empire in all of Japan.
The moment the heavy double wooden door was pushed open, Kou Shibasaki felt like she was about to suffocate.
In the spacious and luxurious living room, four men were casually sitting on the sofa.
Takuya Kimura was engrossed in flipping through a script, Yosuke Eguchi was fiddling with a lighter, and Yutaka Takenouchi was holding a cup of coffee. Seated in the very center, at the head of the table, was Shin Kitahara, the man who frequently appeared on television and in financial newspaper headlines, a man who seemed like an emperor.
The aura of top-tier male gods emanating from these four men, combined with the oppressive presence of someone accustomed to being in a superior position, created a terrifying aura that could make any ordinary girl's legs go weak on the spot.
"You're Shibasaki Kou?" Kitahara Shin slightly raised his eyelids and looked her up and down.
Kou Shibasaki swallowed nervously, clutching her clothes tightly, trying to keep her voice from trembling: "Y-yes! Hello, President Kitahara! Hello, everyone!"
Kitahara Shin didn't display his usual gentle smile; instead, he instantly switched to the arrogant demeanor of "Domyouji."
An arrogant and overbearing state.
He leaned back on the sofa, looking at Shibasaki Kou with a scrutinizing, disdainful gaze, as if examining a product.
"You're just average-looking, and your clothes are pretty shabby." Kitahara Shin sneered, his tone as sharp as a knife. "Are the talent scouting department blind? With your looks, you think you're worthy of walking into this office? I don't think you're even worthy of carrying my shoes. Get out of here and don't dirty the carpet."
Upon hearing this, Kimura Takuya and Eguchi Yosuke, who were standing nearby, were stunned. They hadn't expected Kitahara Shin to suddenly say such vicious things to a young girl with no experience, and they were even about to speak up to smooth things over.
However, to everyone's surprise, Kou Shibasaki did not cry out of fear like a typical little girl.
Before this man, revered as a god by all of Japan, the sixteen-year-old girl from the lower class trembled violently. Then, she abruptly raised her head, and a flame of fury instantly ignited in her previously tense eyes.
She glared at Kitahara Shin, like a wildcat cornered and ready to bite its enemy's throat, gritting her teeth as she retorted, word by word: "So what if I'm poorly dressed? I may be poor, but I haven't eaten a single grain of rice from your house! Just because you're rich and powerful doesn't mean you can trample on other people's dignity! Arrogant idiots like you who only know how to throw money around are truly pathetic! You want me to get out? Fine, do you think I want to stay in this money-grubbing place?!"
After shouting those words, Shibasaki Kou turned around abruptly, her eyes red-rimmed, and made as if to slam the door and leave.
"Slap! Slap! Slap!"
Just as her hand touched the doorknob, a series of crisp applause suddenly came from behind her.
Kou Shibasaki turned around in surprise, only to find Takuya Kimura and Yosuke Eguchi on the sofa looking at him with astonishment and admiration. Shin Kitahara, who had been so arrogant just moments before, had now abandoned all his arrogance, a look of undisguised amazement playing on his lips.
"This is the look I wanted." Kitahara Shin nodded in satisfaction, looking at the still bewildered Shibasaki Kou. "Congratulations, Shibasaki Kou. From now on, you are the heroine of 'Boys Over Flowers'—Makino Tsukushi."