Looking back at domestic pop music in 2015, there was very little truly noteworthy.
The mainstream market was still dominated by fast-paced catchy tunes and "earworm" songs. Although many established vagabond singers released new albums, few could lead trends or cause a sensation. The new generation of artists, debuting through an endless stream of talent shows, were still treading the well-worn path that countless others had already taken.
This once made the author feel deeply worried, where was China's pop music headed? Would it continue to sink deeper into the abyss of plagiarism, imitation, and bandwagon-following? Or would it stagger forward through hardship, exploration, and struggle?
But then a young singer appeared, bringing a breath of fresh air to the long-dormant pop scene. His music was rooted in nostalgic folk and heartfelt yet passionate light rock. His original works dazzled listeners like an endless wellspring of melodic inspiration, like the dawn's first light, bringing hope and brightness!
Many have probably guessed the name of this young singer already. On the eve of the 2016 Asian Chinese Music Awards ceremony, the author sincerely hopes more support and honors will be given to truly talented young people, so that the future of pop music can be bright.
The above comes from a well-known blogger, Donghu Sanren, who writes for a fashion magazine as his primary job and works part-time as a writer, film critic, and music critic. With over 2 million blog followers, his articles are widely popular.
Donghu Sanren has unique insights into domestic pop music. Every year on the eve of the Asian Chinese Music Awards, he publishes a retrospective blog sharing his thoughts.
It must also be noted that Donghu Sanren is a member of the Asian Chinese Music Awards judging panel.
His blog post caused quite a stir in the show business community.
The young singer Donghu Sanren highlighted without question was Lu Chen. In the 2015 pop music scene, no newcomer shone brighter than Lu Chen. His sharpness surpassed many well-known veterans, and he spearheaded the campus folk movement. All the tracks on his debut album charted on the Original Sound charts.
Donghu Sanren's public praise of Lu Chen sparked much speculation, everyone knew Lu Chen had received four major nominations at the Asian Chinese Music Awards. Would he create another miracle and win multiple awards?
Fans of Lu Chen naturally talked excitedly, declaring him a worthy winner without doubt.
However, fans of his competitors disagreed, and fierce debates erupted across blogs, forums, and online communities, effectively heating up the atmosphere surrounding the awards ceremony and drawing even more attention.
February 18th, Evening, National Centre for the Performing Arts
This majestic landmark sits on the south side of Chang'an Avenue, covering a total land area of 18 hectares and over 200,000 square meters of floor space, with a total investment of 3.5 billion yuan. Its main structure consists of an external steel shell and interior halls: a 5,000-seat main auditorium, a 2,200-seat concert hall, a 1,000-seat theater, public lobbies, and auxiliary facilities.
Most distinctively, the roof is shaped like a semi-ellipse, covered with soft-toned, glossy titanium panels. On both front and back sides are two triangular glass curtain walls. The entire building appears to float on an artificial lake, with the audience entering the performance halls via a 100-meter underwater tunnel.
The whole theatre is innovative, avant-garde, and uniquely conceived, a fusion of tradition and modernity, romance and reality. It has thus earned the nickname: "A Theatre in the City, and a City in the Theatre!"
The 2016 Asian Chinese Music Awards ceremony is held in the main hall of the National Centre for the Performing Arts.
As dusk falls, the leisure plaza outside the venue buzzes with activity. A long red carpet stretches from the plaza's center all the way to the entrance of the underwater tunnel, which is blocked off by a giant signature wall.
Safety barriers line both sides of the red carpet, with photographers and reporters crouched inside holding their cameras. Outside are fully equipped security personnel, while thousands of onlookers use every trick to get a better view, those not at the front rows can only see heads.
On the east side of the plaza, adjacent to the parking lot, is a cordoned-off VIP area where celebrities and other invited guests from the show business community gather, awaiting the start of the red carpet ceremony.
Compared with the recent Chinese Music Charts Awards held by Xiangnan Satellite TV in Shacheng, the Asian Chinese Music Awards co-produced by CCTV and China National Radio is on an entirely different scale and far grander. The very fact they rented the National Centre for the Performing Arts alone made all similar domestic award shows pale in comparison!
Moreover, CCTV's three variety channels and fifteen music channels broadcast the grand ceremony live simultaneously.
Lu Chen was also among the star guests about to walk the red carpet.
Here, he ran into quite a few "familiar faces." Most were not strangers, and he actually knew several personally, like Tan Hong, Liao Jia, Qin Hanyang, and even the three beautiful girls from MSN.
MSN had received a nomination for Best New Group at the Golden Melody Charts. Actually, they debuted quite recently, and their nomination was mainly thanks to heavy PR efforts from Flying Stone Records. Of course, their first album sold well enough to justify it.
Being part of the show business community, regardless of whether they knew each other well or not, and no matter their backgrounds, everyone greeted each other politely, chatting and networking to pass the dull wait.
Looking around, the place was truly star-studded, anyone randomly picked would have millions of fans on Langchao Blog!
Amid the crowd, Lu Chen was undoubtedly one of the focal points.
First, his height far exceeded the average, and combined with a custom-tailored suit and good looks, he was irresistibly handsome, catching the eyes of many female stars and making it impossible to ignore his presence.
Second, his huge popularity from Autumn in My Heart meant very few people there didn't know him.
Having debuted mid-2015, Lu Chen's musical talent was widely recognized. For a newcomer who had looks, skill, and popularity all in one package, it was impossible not to be noticed!
Of course, most stars present maintained their dignity and status. Even if they wanted to chat with Lu Chen, they wouldn't shamelessly crowd him. Still, with introductions from Tan Hong and Liao Jia, Lu Chen met quite a few people.
These two big brothers treated Lu Chen like a younger brother and looked out for him. Thanks to them, Lu Chen expanded his network, even joking and chatting comfortably with top-tier celebrities who used to be out of reach.
Until Chen Fei'er showed up.
"Ah, here comes my sister-in-law!"
The outspoken Liao Jia joked bluntly, "Come on, Lu Chen's all yours now!"
Those in the show business community knew quite a bit about the relationship between Lu Chen and Chen Fei'er. The entertainment industry's gossip spreads fast; many things couldn't be kept secret.
However, since they hadn't officially gone public, no one would talk recklessly about it, unless they had ulterior motives. This was an unspoken rule in the circle, and everyone abided by it to protect themselves.
Only someone like the carefree Liao Jia dared to joke about them so openly in public.
Chen Fei'er gave Liao Jia a glare but ignored him, instead starting a conversation with Tan Hong.
Tan Hong's relationship with Chen Fei'er was well known in the show business community. He was her mentor and a trusted elder brother figure. Without his support, Chen Fei'er's career wouldn't have developed so smoothly.
But unlike Chen Fei'er, who was undergoing a career transformation, Tan Hong, still far from retirement age, was gradually stepping back from entertainment and music, devoting more time to family and other ventures.
Tan Hong appeared only at major events like the Asian Chinese Music Awards or the Chinese Music Charts Awards.
After a few words with Chen Fei'er, Tan Hong pulled Lu Chen over.
Time flew by, and before they knew it, it was 7 p.m., the red carpet ceremony officially began!
The star guests stepped onto the red carpet in pairs as arranged by the hosts, proudly showcasing their identities and honors, soaking in the gaze of millions and the blaze of flashing cameras.
The Asian Chinese Music Awards organizers paired Lu Chen and Chen Fei'er to walk the red carpet together.
Chen Fei'er wore a stunning white evening gown that night, dazzling and radiant after careful styling. She naturally and effortlessly linked her arm with Lu Chen's, and the two walked side by side in perfect harmony.
As the blockbuster cameras flashed, a heart-wrenching roar came from the crowd: "Enxi! Junxi!"
Lu Chen and Chen Fei'er exchanged smiles, then paused, turning left and right to strike poses for the media and fans. Entertainment reporters at the red carpet went wild, furiously snapping pictures to capture the couple together.
These reporters were well-experienced, having seen countless beautiful men and women in the industry. But tonight, Lu Chen and Chen Fei'er truly stood out. Calling them a "golden boy and jade girl" would be cliché, there was no doubt they were the best couple of the year!
One tall and handsome, the other beautiful and charming; rumored lovers and leads of a hit drama, this combo was perfect material, guaranteed to attract massive attention and clicks in entertainment news.
Unfortunately, unlike those stars who drag out the red carpet moment, Lu Chen and Chen Fei'er only stayed a few seconds before moving on, leaving reporters who missed key shots lamenting their luck.
They reached the end of the carpet and signed their names on the autograph wall.
Finally, they entered the National Centre for the Performing Arts through the underwater tunnel.
Inside the 5,000-seat main hall, guests were already seated.
A grand ceremony was about to begin!
(End of chapter)
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