United States.
INS Entertainment.
John sat in the conference room with a dark expression.
Below him sat the company's executives, all with grim faces.
"This time, Dynasty Entertainment has gone too far," John slammed the table, causing the executives below to tremble.
As industry insiders, they naturally knew that a single song couldn't generate such a massive reaction in the United States.
For Tingyu to become this popular, Dynasty Entertainment must have been guiding public opinion behind the scenes!
"Speak up, what are you all stunned for!" John glanced at the executives present.
"Tingyu's sudden popularity has indeed caught us off guard, but we can't get involved now, or it will only increase Tingyu's heat..." someone said weakly.
The "Time Music King" competition is just around the corner. If they were to add fuel to the fire now, it wouldn't harm Tingyu, but instead, help boost Tingyu's popularity.
"But we can't let Tingyu become popular like this," John said coldly.
"King of Rock" had already had an unexpected outcome.
He would not allow any unexpected results in the "Time Music King" competition.
Although it seemed that Shawn still had the upper hand, if Tingyu continued to gain popularity, unexpected events might occur.
"I might have a solution," the Director of Artist Relations said at this moment.
"Speak!" John looked at his capable assistant.
At this critical moment, he had to rely on him!
"A few days ago at Tina's concert, didn't a passerby sing a song that became very popular..."
"Have you found out who that person is?"
"Not yet. Mexis Entertainment is our competitor, and it's very difficult to obtain information from them."
"Then what's your plan?"
John frowned.
He felt the Director of Artist Relations was spouting nonsense.
The Director of Artist Relations was not in a hurry and said with a smile, "The internet is saying that 'Hotel California' has reached god-like status. Looking at the data, that song 'Shape of You' has a popularity no less than 'Hotel California.' We can use these two songs to create conflict..."
Hearing the Director of Artist Relations' words, John's tightly knitted brows gradually relaxed.
The corners of his mouth also began to curve upwards.
By creating a conflict between the two songs, inciting fans of these songs to attack each other, they could lower Tingyu's impression among American netizens.
Brilliant!
...
December arrived.
The "Time Music King" competition was about to begin.
Producers from various countries announced that they had arrived in the United States.
This competition was the most crucial and spectacular event of the entire season, attracting unprecedented peak attention from across the globe.
The rivalry between Tingyu and Shawn, after a month of fermentation, had significantly contributed to the competition's hype.
One was the ruler of the Time Music Chart, the strongest producer in the United States, Shawn.
The other was the strongest dark horse of the new generation, Tingyu, possessing the power to sweep everything.
The competition between these two not only determined the current strongest producer in the world but also the influence of the two countries in the global music scene for many years to come.
For both individuals and countries, this was a very important competition.
"Tingyu's sudden popularity in the United States in just a few days shows that he truly has the strength to contend with Shawn in America."
"I was a bit worried before, but now I'm starting to look forward to it."
"Although Tingyu is very popular now, Shawn has deep roots in the United States, and in terms of support, Shawn is still stronger."
"While that may be true, at least Tingyu now has the confidence to directly confront Shawn."
"If Tingyu is given another month, or if Tingyu releases another song like 'Hotel California,' then his chances of winning could truly be fifty-fifty with Shawn!"
"'Hotel California' is an absolutely incredible song; it reached number one on the Time Music Chart in just a few days!"
A few days ago, before Tingyu even arrived in the United States.
Netizens from China and other countries all felt that Tingyu was in danger this time.
After all, Shawn in the United States was equivalent to Tingyu in China, possessing a large number of loyal fans who might vote based on personal sentiment. If the gap between their works was not significant, they would most likely choose to support Shawn.
But now, things were different. Tingyu's song 'Hotel California' and the publicity surrounding it had attracted a large number of fans, and it had swept all obstacles on the Time Music Chart to reach the number one spot.
This had helped him bridge some of his shortcomings in terms of popularity.
However, one song was still not enough, as Shawn had been popular in the United States for so many years.
At this moment, a veteran music critic suddenly emerged.
He brought up a topic that no one had expected.
"Actually, the most popular song in the United States right now isn't 'Hotel California,' but 'Shape of You' sung by that mysterious audience member at Tina's concert. This song doesn't have an official version, so it's not on music platforms and has no ranking, but in terms of popularity, with the endorsement of global superstar Tina, this song is in no way inferior to Tingyu's 'Hotel California'!"
After this comment appeared, it was amplified by netizens, and a trending topic appeared at the top of social platforms.
#'Hotel California' is just capital hype; the truly talented one is 'Shape of You'!#
INS Entertainment's counterattack had begun!
"I also think 'Hotel California' is overrated. I acknowledge Tingyu's talent, but that song 'Shape of You' is truly strong!"
"I prefer 'Shape of You' more. It's a pity there's no official version, otherwise, it would definitely be number one on the Time Music Chart!"
"That's right. 'Hotel California' reached number one because of Tingyu's fame, while 'Shape of You' is just a rough live version, yet it became this popular, proving its immense strength!"
"Nonsense, 'Hotel California' is the divine song!"
"Heh, Tingyu has too many delusional fans. In my opinion, 'Shape of You' crushes 'Hotel California'!"
"Tingyu's fans can't stand anyone being better than him!"
All sorts of paid commenters flooded the internet, hyping up how amazing 'Shape of You' was. They even replicated Dynasty Entertainment's methods, hiring industry bigwigs to guide public opinion and touting the song as a masterpiece.
Regardless of the country, people generally have a strong bias towards ordinary individuals.
'Hotel California' is recognized as a song by a top global producer, while 'Shape of You' is a song by a civilian, not even having an official version.
Under the guidance of public opinion, the tide gradually shifted towards 'Shape of You.'
Supporters of Tingyu and supporters of the civilian user began to argue fiercely.
Public opinion has always been a weapon of capital, and this is true in any country.
They can use public opinion to elevate an ordinary person to godhood, and they can also use public opinion to drag a god down into the abyss.
"Haha, this kind of scene is enough for Tingyu to have a headache!" John was delighted by the online feedback.
"This is quite a gift we've given Tingyu," the Director of Artist Relations chimed in with a smile.
"Indeed, it's a great gift. Let's add more fuel to the fire and make them argue even more fiercely. This will also affect Tingyu's reputation."
"No problem!"
The two old partners exchanged a smile.
This was years of tacit understanding.
Everything was understood without a word.
...