Hong Kong had two major television networks, TVB and Asia Television, along with more than a dozen small and medium-sized cable channels. Every year, they produced countless variety and entertainment programs, including all kinds of reality talent competitions.
Yet there had never been a competition specifically dedicated to original pop music. That was why so few people had taken Madam Jin's earlier proposal seriously. To them, it seemed like she was simply dreaming.
But Liu Gangsheng's support and involvement had suddenly made this seemingly unrealistic idea highly feasible. Once he agreed to serve as a judge, both TVB and ATV would fight to host it.
After all, Liu Gangsheng was one of the biggest stars in Hong Kong's entertainment industry. He rarely appeared on variety shows, limiting himself mostly to prestigious interview programs.
His firm stance made people wonder whether the Heavenly King had actually been thinking along the same lines for a long time.
What truly surprised everyone, however, wasn't Liu Gangsheng's support for the competition; it was how highly he thought of Lu Chen.
Liu Gangsheng had always been famous in the industry for helping newcomers. Quite a few popular stars had received his recommendations and recognition in the past.
But his appreciation for Lu Chen clearly went far beyond that.
He had asked Lu Chen to name the competition and sincerely invited him to serve as a judge. In doing so, he was practically placing Lu Chen on an equal footing with himself.
What had a young entertainer from the mainland done to deserve such favor from the Heavenly King?
The looks directed at Lu Chen ranged from shock and confusion to sheer jealousy. Some were so intense they seemed capable of melting steel.
If any other Hong Kong entertainer, even an unknown newcomer, had received this treatment, the news would have dominated entertainment pages and made headlines. They would have become famous overnight.
It was practically a giant pie falling straight from the sky.
Lu Chen himself was surprised, finding it almost unbelievable. But when he looked into Liu Gangsheng's eyes, he saw genuine admiration and sincerity.
"Thank you, Brother Sheng."
Lu Chen thought for a moment before saying, "Then I'll throw out a rough idea and let everyone build on it. How about we call it 'Hong Kong's New Voice'?"
"Hong Kong's New Voice?"
Liu Gangsheng's eyes lit up, and he nodded approvingly.
"That's a good name. It's simple, easy to understand, and carries a great meaning."
He turned toward the others.
"What do you all think? How does 'Hong Kong's New Voice' sound?"
The Heavenly King himself had approved it. Who would dare say it was a bad name?
Besides, it really was a good one, simple, straightforward, catchy, and perfect for publicity.
"Excellent!"
"Hong Kong's New Voice, that's a great name!"
"I agree!"
The looks directed at Lu Chen grew even more intense.
If 'Hong Kong's New Voice' actually took off and became a success, Lu Chen would undoubtedly have his name carved into the history of Hong Kong pop music, leaving an indelible mark on the city's music scene.
Liu Gangsheng was very pleased.
"Since everyone supports it, let's use this name."
Applause erupted around them.
More and more guests gathered around Lu Chen and Liu Gangsheng. Before long, practically everyone from the entertainment industry had crowded over. Once they learned what had happened, many felt as though they were witnessing history in the making.
Lu Chen said, "I'd like to make another suggestion. I think 'Hong Kong's New Voice' needs to be the biggest and most prestigious competition of its kind. We can't be stingy when it comes to the prizes. So, on behalf of Lu Chen Workshop, I'll donate five million to the prize fund."
Hong Kong's talent shows had always had one major weakness: their prizes were notoriously small.
Even the highly prestigious Miss Hong Kong and Miss Asia pageants offered their winners less than a million at most, with the title itself being the main reward.
As for ordinary talent shows, getting a few tens of thousands was already considered generous. The invited guests and judges were basically there for a modest appearance fee. Compared to the mainland, the difference was enormous.
The whole purpose of 'Hong Kong's New Voice' was to encourage and support original music. Without substantial prizes, how could they attract talented independent singers and songwriters?
Liu Gangsheng's name alone wouldn't be enough. As the old saying went, generous rewards would always draw out brave competitors.
Unfortunately, although Lu Chen's suggestion was excellent, quite a few people present felt a bit awkward.
Everyone knew the reality of their situation. How could people in the industry not know what Hong Kong's television stations were like?
Liu Gangsheng smiled.
"Then Sheng Media will donate ten million."
Sheng Media was Liu Gangsheng's own company. Its setup was similar to Lu Chen Workshop, though it operated on a much larger scale.
Lu Chen had donated five million. As one of the biggest stars in Hong Kong and the Heavenly King of its pop music scene, there was no way Liu Gangsheng could contribute less.
Ten million!
Everyone present knew that Liu Gangsheng was dead serious this time. He had never been someone to make empty promises.
Madam Jin immediately followed with a smile.
"Then Madam Jin Entertainment will also contribute five million."
That made twenty million already.
Even as a prize fund, that was an eye-catching amount, and this was only the beginning.
Many people could no longer sit still and immediately began announcing their own contributions.
"Oriental Records will contribute one million!"
"I'll personally contribute five hundred thousand!"
"Chen Media will contribute one million!"
"We..."
Chen Fei'er smiled.
"I'll personally contribute two million."
The donations pledged on the spot comfortably surpassed fifty million in total. Many others still needed to report back to their respective companies, so the final figure was bound to rise.
The music salon, which had begun with the theme "The Past, Present, and Future of Hong Kong Pop Music," had somehow turned into a fundraising event for an original music competition.
It was, to put it mildly, rather ironic.
Yet beneath the surface, there was a deeper reason for what had transpired. Although coincidental, it also felt inevitable.
Hong Kong's musicians were deeply worried about the present and future of local pop music. They were actively looking for ways to change things and exploring new possibilities.
'Hong Kong's New Voice' had arrived at exactly the right time.
There was also another reason that most people were reluctant to voice out loud.
They wanted to learn from the mainland.
"Our ATV is willing to host 'Hong Kong's New Voice' as a major production!"
At that moment, a middle-aged man pushed his way out of the crowd and loudly declared, "We'll guarantee production standards on the same level as Miss Asia!"
Everyone recognized him. He was Liu Hanyang, Music Director of ATV's Variety Channel.
"Haha, can Miss Asia really compare with Miss Hong Kong?"
Before Liu Hanyang could finish, another slightly hoarse voice cut in.
"A program like this should obviously be hosted by TVB if we want it to have the greatest possible impact!"
The man confronting Liu Hanyang was short and stocky.
He was Li Mingyuan, the producer of TVB's Music Channel.
(End Of This Chapter)
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