Showbiz: My True Self Hasn't Changed Either

“Teacher Yan Fuyu’s adaptation of Du Fu is the most brilliant adaptation I’ve ever heard, bar none. From the gloomy spoken-word opening to the R&B verse, explosive rock, electronic arrangement, and lyrical ending, the vocal styles shift seamlessly throughout. The arrangement is a masterclass in showing off. This is the kind of self-expression and attitude a Gen Z singer should have!”

“A huge number of listeners don’t get it, so they call it unpleasant. Not understanding an avant-garde style doesn’t mean the work is bad. Jianghu, Without Either Knowing has put a new spin on an old classic, blurring the lines between rap, spoken word, and singing. The trendy breathy tones and dynamic control are all carefully designed. It might look like random singing and shouting, but the details reveal real vocal skill, breathing new life into this Hong Kong masterpiece.”

From the contestant seats beyond the spotlight, Bai Chuan Xun watched the pretentious man spout nonsense with his eyes wide open. He couldn’t help thinking that the waters of Huaxia’s entertainment industry were still far too deep. Even influencers who used to clean sewers could go on variety shows and pose as veteran music critics.

He was a mixed-race guy who had just returned from Fusang. Entering the competition without understanding the current state of Huaxia was far too reckless!

Still, when he thought about the song he was about to sing, Bai Chuan Xun could hardly spare a thought for anything else. The pressure was immense.

“That day, the melancholy grew melancholy...”

As an island-country mutt, he’d rather sing Secondhand Rose from his previous life!

At heart, this is a satirical novel about the entertainment industry, with a little personal agenda and plenty of jabs at Korean and Japanese entertainment (though we haven’t gotten to that part yet).