booktalesy Chapter 325 What exactly is national popularity?
Chapter 325 What exactly is national popularity?
Chapter 325 What exactly is national popularity?
Nobumasa Kitahara was far away in Los Angeles, across the ocean, fully immersed in the massive and intense pre-production work for "Inception".
The absence of the big boss allowed major agencies throughout the Japanese entertainment industry to breathe a sigh of relief. Many companies that had been suppressed by Kitahara Productions for a long time tried to take advantage of this "vacuum period" to launch their own new talents and seize market share.
However, they soon discovered with despair that although Kitahara Shin was not in Japan, his "backup plans" left behind on the mainland were still like a mountain, suffocating everyone.
In this spring season of renewal, a suspenseful crime drama called "SPEC" (Special Measures Case Files) officially premiered on TBS's Friday primetime slot.
The absolute female lead of this drama is none other than Yuko Takeuchi, who has just undergone a transformation after months of brutal street training on late-night variety shows.
Before the broadcast of *SPEC*, there were doubts about Yuko Takeuchi taking on the lead role. Viewers remembered her only as the charming, intelligent, and charismatic host from *Tokyo Sleepless*, who skillfully navigated a drunken man's life on the street. Casting her in a serious, classic mystery drama seemed like a risky move to many.
However, when the first episode aired, all the doubts were completely shattered within just forty-five minutes!
On the television screen, Yuko Takeuchi completely overturned her previous clean and bright image.
She plays Touma Saya, a top student policewoman from Tokyo University. She wears an ill-fitting, slightly baggy old suit, and her hair hangs messily over her shoulders as if it hasn't been washed for days. She gets lost at crime scenes, gives an awkward and naturally silly smile in front of a ramen stand because she forgot her wallet, and even dozes off in the messy, mysterious office of the Metropolitan Police Department without any regard for her image.
Yuko Takeuchi's portrayal of this natural "naiveté" and "life-skills-challenged" demeanor is exceptionally precise, instantly bridging the gap between the character and the audience, making people feel that this girl is simply adorable to the core.
However, the real magic of this show lies in the moment when the case reaches a dead end.
When all the veteran detectives were at a loss for what to do with those bizarre locked-room murders, the one who had been dozing off...
Saya Touma, who seems dazed, will suddenly look up.
The camera zooms in.
In that instant, the innocent naiveté in Yuko Takeuchi's eyes vanished without a trace. In its place was an extreme calmness, sharp as a scalpel, capable of instantly seeing through all lies and pretense!
"So that's how it is—I understand the criminal's method now."
When she uttered this classic line and casually tossed the piece of paper covered with clues into the air, the terrifying contrast of instantly switching from a "clumsy idiot" to a "genius detective" sent a jolt of electricity through the scalps of viewers all over Japan!
This kind of nuanced acting cannot be learned in front of a mirror in a training class. It was precisely because Kitahara Shin threw her into the streets late at night, allowing her to witness all sorts of everyday life, that she was able to portray Touma Saya's complex core of "seeing through the darkness of human nature, yet still maintaining a pure curiosity about the world" so vividly and profoundly!
SPEC has become a hit, and a phenomenal one at that!
The first episode's ratings plummeted to 18%, and then, with positive word-of-mouth, the second episode reached 22%, the third 25%, and by the time the fifth episode aired, the ratings had skyrocketed to a terrifying 30%!
This not only broke all of TBS's viewership records for the past five years, but also became the highest-rated suspense drama in the entire history of Japanese television, apart from the legendary dramas starring Kitahara Shin himself!
With this drama, Yuko Takeuchi became a top-tier national star in Japan.
In the eyes of the media and the public, she officially took over the baton and became the fourth "pillar of strength" under Kitahara Productions, following Rie Miyazawa, Nanako Matsushima, and Takako Matsu, who could single-handedly carry half of the ratings!
Along with her sudden rise to fame, Yuko Takeuchi's unique fan base grew rapidly.
In this era, Japan's idol culture is highly developed, but it is also accompanied by strong exclusivity and aggression. Many popular female stars have very hostile fan groups, and they often engage in fierce battles with other stars' fans on online forums or privately in order to compete for rankings and endorsements.
However, Yuko Takeuchi's fan base presents a completely different, healthy ecosystem, like a paradise.
This may be related to her natural affability and incredibly healing smile. Her fans range from teenagers to housewives in their fifties and sixties, and even a large number of silent working men. They are very gentle and friendly, never getting involved in those boring fan wars in the entertainment industry, nor do they try to put down other actresses.
Their way of supporting their idol is very simple and pure: whenever Yuko Takeuchi stars in a drama, they will be glued to the TV to contribute to the ratings; whenever Yuko Takeuchi endorses a product, whether it is skincare or affordable beverage, they will quietly buy up the shelves in the supermarket.
This exceptionally high level of loyalty, strong purchasing power, and incredibly easy-going fan environment have made countless merchants absolutely adore this rising national star, with them lining up with sky-high endorsement contracts.
"National-level A-list actress".
This title frequently appears on the headlines of major newspapers, used to describe Yuko Takeuchi today.
However, in the eyes of industry insiders who truly understand the field, the definition of "national popularity" is actually very subtle and cruel.
In the entertainment industry, almost every year one or two people suddenly become famous because of a hit drama or a popular song. At this time, the media will always generously give them the titles of "National Actress of the Year" or "National Male God". But in reality, the value of these titles, which are only given once a year, is constantly being diluted.
To judge whether a celebrity is truly popular or has genuine "national recognition," you absolutely shouldn't ask fans who are regulars in the entertainment industry and constantly follow celebrities. Because in their eyes, their idols are the center of the world. But this is just self-indulgence within an "information cocoon." While fans' purchasing power can indeed be monetized, they don't represent the overall population.
The only true measure of a nation's popularity is the perspective of an ordinary person.
Go to a ramen stand on the street and ask the uncle cooking noodles; go to the tram in the evening and ask the person who has just finished get off work...
A weary 50-year-old white-collar worker; go to the farmers' market and ask that housewife whose mind is only on discounted vegetables.
If these complete strangers, who never read entertainment news and might not even go to the movies once a year, could recognize your name and say, "Oh, that's him, I know him," then...
That's what real popularity looks like! That's what true national recognition looks like!
Looking at the entire Japanese entertainment industry, there is only one person who has truly taken the concept of "national popularity" to its extreme, even turning it into a cultural symbol.
That was Kitahara Shin.
He spanned a decade, from his initial Blue Ribbon Award for Best Newcomer to a behind-the-scenes godfather dominating the music scene, then to the leading man in a phenomenal hit TV series, and finally to an international mogul sweeping Hollywood. His name has long transcended the limitations of his fan base. Whether it's a seventy-year-old grandmother or a ten-year-old elementary school student, the mere mention of "Shin Kitahara" conjures up a vivid image of a tycoon, a god of cinema, and the strongest man in all of Asia.
He not only dominated all fields, but he also completely captured the attention of the Japanese people across generations!
Now, thanks to the goodwill she has built up through late-night variety shows and the suspenseful charm of the drama "SPEC" that appeals to all ages, Yuko Takeuchi has finally taken a solid first step toward achieving true national recognition.
The day after the final episode of SPEC aired.
A grand celebratory press conference was held in the top-floor studio of TBS television station.
The venue was packed, with hundreds of media reporters surrounded by cameras and microphones. When Yuko Takeuchi, dressed in a simple yet elegant white dress, walked onto the stage surrounded by the crew, the flashbulbs went off as if it were daytime.
The record-breaking ratings were prominently displayed. After a series of standard questions about the plot and characters...
A senior reporter from the Yomiuri Shimbun stood up, handed the microphone to Yuko Takeuchi, and asked a question everyone was curious about: "Ms. Takeuchi, congratulations on becoming the ratings queen with this drama. We know that just over a year ago, you were just an ordinary girl with no acting experience. To achieve such an incredible comeback in this fiercely competitive industry, what are your truest feelings right now?"
Upon hearing this question, Yuko Takeuchi on stage paused slightly in surprise.
She didn't answer immediately, but lowered her head, looking at the microphone she was clutching tightly in her hand. Her eyes, without her noticing, welled up with warm tears.
Her thoughts drifted back to that late autumn afternoon.
She remembered riding her old bicycle and accidentally crashing into that priceless Maybach; she remembered the man rolling down his window and handing her a black business card that would change her destiny; she also remembered the times when she couldn't find the camera on set and fell into deep self-doubt because she couldn't act out emotions.
Unlike other company bosses, Kitahara Shin did not hire expensive acting coaches to teach her how to read lines and make expressions.
He simply threw her into a late-night street variety show. He sent her out into the Shibuya wind to freeze, made her face the harassment of a drunken old man, and let her experience what true awkwardness, embarrassment, laughter, and heartache are all about.
At the time, she didn't understand and even felt wronged. But now, when she holds the script and can effortlessly resonate with the character, she finally understands.
Kitahara Shin never taught her how to "act". What he taught her was how to "live" and how to understand "people".
He didn't give her a quick-fix martial arts manual, but he gave her a key to unlock her own treasure trove of talent.
"My feeling is that I am a very lucky person."
Yuko Takeuchi raised her head, and crystal tears finally slid down her cheeks, but a bright and sincere smile bloomed on her face.
She bowed deeply to the camera.
"If I hadn't met that person that day, and hadn't received that business card, I might just be an ordinary waitress in a restaurant now, and I would never have known that I could stand in the spotlight."
Yuko Takeuchi's voice trembled slightly, yet it resonated clearly throughout the room: "Many people in this industry call me a genius. But I know for myself that I am not. My success today, and my ability to portray the character of Touma Saaya so well, is all thanks to President Kitahara."
"He didn't give me any shortcuts; he threw me into the most authentic, grassroots world on the streets, letting me experience the joys and sorrows of ordinary people. He made me understand that a good actor must have a heart capable of embracing the realities of life. He's not only my boss, but also the mentor I'm most grateful to in my life. I, Yuko Takeuchi, will never forget this kindness!"
These heartfelt and sincere words echoed in the quiet studio.
The reporters below the stage were stunned for a few seconds, and then their eyes gleamed with a green light, like hungry wolves smelling blood!
Big news! This is absolutely huge news!
The reporters were snapping photos so hard their cameras were practically smoking, and they were desperately pushing their recording pens forward.
They didn't care how much hardship Yuko Takeuchi endured on the streets late at night, nor what true essence of acting she had grasped. In their minds, only one name remained: Kitahara Shin, a name synonymous with "sales secrets" and "ratings legend" in this country!
"Ms. Takeuchi! Has President Kitahara given you any special, secret guidance in private?"
"I heard that this drama was personally tailor-made for you by President Kitahara. Does this mean you've become Kitahara Productions' darling?"
"President Kitahara is currently filming in Hollywood. Has he called to congratulate you?"
The reporters bombarded him with questions like a machine gun, and every single one of them was trying to steer the conversation toward Kitahara Nobu!
These media figures know all too well that Kitahara Shin is currently filming "Inception," a $160 million project, in North America. There hasn't been any firsthand news about him in Japan for months, and the public's desire for this "national deity" has reached a point of extreme hunger.
Now, the newly crowned ratings queen is tearfully thanking Kitahara Shin for his mentorship on camera. Once this news gets out, those newspapers and magazines will definitely sell out within ten minutes!
That night.
The evening editions of major Japanese newspapers and entertainment news on television were all dominated by this celebration party.
However, the headlines were surprisingly consistent, all focusing on the man on the other side of the ocean.
"The Queen of Ratings Sheds Tears on Set! The Man Behind Yuko Takeuchi's Rise to Fame!"
The ultimate myth of turning lead into gold! What magic does Kitahara Shin possess that allows an ordinary girl to sweep Japanese television screens within a year?
Kitahara Productions' fourth trump card is born! The vision of Asia's godfather once again shakes the entertainment industry!
The media used exaggerated language to embellish the legendary story of how Kitahara Shin casually handed out a business card on the street and discovered a genius actress.
As the story was passed down by word of mouth, it became increasingly fantastical.
"That's amazing! President Kitahara's eye for talent is incredible! Even after getting rear-ended on the street, he managed to snag a ratings queen!"
"That's what you call an Asian godfather! This is it! He doesn't even need to get involved himself; just a few pointers and he can create a national superstar!"
"I now seriously suspect that if President Kitahara were to become a talent scout, all the talent agencies in Japan would go bankrupt!"
On this night, whether in a bustling Ginza bar or a remote country ramen shop, everyone was talking about Yuko Takeuchi's rise to fame and the man behind her.
In this era, Kitahara Shin has long transcended the scope of an entrepreneur; he has become a living legend.
Whether he is in Japan or not, wherever he is, as long as he is on this land, and as long as there are words related to entertainment and miracles, the ultimate source will always point to him.
And at this very moment.
Inside the Burbank Mega Mechanical Studio in Los Angeles.
Kitahara Shin, thousands of miles away, had no idea that a chess piece he had casually placed had stirred up such a frenzied wave of worship in Japan.
He was wearing a hard hat, holding a walkie-talkie, and standing on a huge scaffold that was at least ten stories high.
Directly in front of him, a 30-meter-long circular corridor, entirely constructed of aerospace steel and hydraulic motors, was emitting a dull and awe-inspiring mechanical roar, like a steel behemoth about to awaken!