"Before inviting you onto the program, I noticed there were a lot of rumors circulating online."
Chen Shuling fixed her phoenix eyes on Lu Chen without blinking. Her voice remained as pleasant as ever, but there was a sharp edge hidden beneath her gentle tone.
"Someone wrote on their blog that while it's still too early to tell whether the Hong Kong government's new film support policy can restore the glory days of Hong Kong cinema, it has already 'let the wolves in.' They believe this will have a major impact on the local film industry and further intensify an already fierce competition. They suggested that the Hong Kong government should revise the policy and impose restrictions on people entering the industry from outside."
"So, Lu Chen, do you consider yourself one of those wolves? Or what do you think about that opinion?"
On 'Entertainment Three Talks', Chen Shuling was the host and the one who guided the discussion. She didn't personally take sides, instead interacting with her guests from an objective, neutral position.
But that didn't mean she avoided sensitive subjects. On the contrary, she deliberately steered the conversation toward conflict and debate, creating a more engaging discussion.
It was Zhuang Dong who had first brought up this topic, and he was clearly a supporter of those views. Seeing Chen Shuling direct the question at Lu Chen, a faint smile appeared on his face as though he were waiting to enjoy the show.
In Zhuang Dong's eyes, Lu Chen was very young. Youth meant inexperience. It meant lacking the maturity, composure, and adaptability to deal with difficult situations. Besides, Lu Chen had only recently arrived from the mainland and surely wasn't familiar with Hong Kong.
Chen Shuling's question was deliberately tricky, touching on one of Hong Kong's most sensitive issues. If Lu Chen answered poorly, the interview would be a complete failure. In other words, Zhuang Dong would win without even having to fight.
Though, to be honest... winning too easily wasn't much fun. He even felt a hint of disappointment. A true victory should come from utterly crushing your opponent in a fierce battle.
Lu Chen remained silent for a moment, appearing to think carefully. It looked as though the question had genuinely stumped him.
Zhuang Dong grew even more pleased with himself.
The audience watching from home, however, had a very different reaction.
Ah Kang's younger sister complained, "Seriously? How can they ask for something so unfair? How's anyone supposed to answer that?" She had already fallen for Lu Chen's good looks, so she instinctively took his side.
Ah Kang also sympathized with Lu Chen. If he'd been the one put on the spot like that, he was sure he'd have done even worse.
Deep down, though, Ah Kang did somewhat agree with the "wolves" argument. At work, he often heard his coworkers complain that the sluggish economy, soaring prices, and outrageous housing costs were all, to a large extent, because of the mainland.
Mainland companies were taking business away from Hong Kong firms. Mainland visitors were coming to Hong Kong to shop and buy property in large numbers.
And now, even the film industry was being affected. He couldn't understand what the Hong Kong government was thinking. Why not give local people more consideration? As the saying goes, keep the benefits within the family.
His thoughts became a jumbled mess. Then Xiao Wei crossed his mind. 'I wonder if she'll be angry...'
---
Just then, Lu Chen finally spoke. His expression was serious.
"I don't think I, or my colleagues from the mainland, are wolves. If I had to use a metaphor... I'd rather be a catfish."
"A catfish?" Chen Shuling looked surprised. "Why a catfish?"
It was certainly an unusual comparison.
Lu Chen smiled. His smile was bright and warm, so much so that even Chen Shuling felt her heart skip a beat.
"Let me tell a short story first. A long time ago, Norwegians loved eating sardines, especially fresh, live sardines. But in those days there were no oxygen pumps, and the fishing boats had a long journey back to port. The sardines kept in the holds barely moved, and by the time the boats returned, most of them had died, making them worth much less."
"But people noticed that one particular fisherman always managed to bring back large numbers of live sardines, which sold for premium prices. His secret wasn't discovered until after he passed away."
Lu Chen told the story slowly, leaving just enough suspense to keep everyone listening. Chen Shuling was completely absorbed, and even Zhuang Dong grew curious. 'What exactly is he getting at?'
Lu Chen continued. "The answer was simple. The fisherman kept a catfish in the tank with the sardines. The catfish was a fierce predator. With such a dangerous outsider among them, the sardines instinctively kept swimming to avoid it. Because they never stopped moving, they stayed alive and energetic, and many of them survived all the way back to port."
---
When the story ended, Chen Shuling, Zhuang Dong, and many viewers in front of their televisions all began to understand what he meant. The same realization spread through the crew in the studio. The atmosphere suddenly became very different.
Lu Chen continued. "I practically grew up watching Hong Kong movies and TV dramas, especially the films of the 1990s. There were so many genuine classics, such as 'The Great Barrister', 'Human True Feelings', 'Hong Kong Heroes', 'Life-or-Death Rescue', and many others."
Chen Shuling smiled. "Then you must be a fan of Liu Gangsheng!"
Lu Chen laughed as well and nodded openly. "That's right. One of the reasons I came to Hong Kong is because I hope to meet my idol in person someday, even if it's only to exchange a few words."
Chen Shuling replied with a smile, "I'm sure that wish will come true."
Hearing Lu Chen speak with such admiration and respect for Liu Gangsheng immediately won him even more goodwill from the Hong Kong audience watching at home.
Liu Gangsheng was a symbol of perseverance and hard work for countless Hong Kong people. His legendary life had inspired generations of young people to chase their dreams, while his songs, films, and television dramas had left an enduring mark on Hong Kong.
Lu Chen went on. "Back then, whenever Hong Kong movies and TV dramas were released on the mainland, they achieved outstanding box office results and television ratings. The TV dramas in particular were so popular that you could almost say the streets were empty while they aired. But today... How much of a market do Hong Kong films and television still have on the mainland?"
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. Hidden behind his calm words was a razor-sharp counterattack.
"From what I know... It's probably less than one percent."
Chen Shuling fell silent. The muscles on Zhuang Dong's face twitched. He wanted to argue, but he couldn't find any grounds to do so because Lu Chen was telling the truth.
The once-glorious Hong Kong film and television industry had long since lost its ability to dominate the mainland market. It could only compete within its own territory and its traditional Southeast Asian markets.
With just a few words, Lu Chen had mercilessly exposed the industry's current reality. Combined with the story he'd told earlier, anyone with a little insight could understand the point he was making.
Hong Kong's filmmakers were like sardines trapped together in a cramped tank. Sooner or later, they'd all slowly die.
Unless a catfish appeared to stir the waters.
(End of Chapter)
"Before inviting you onto the program, I noticed there were a lot of rumors circulating online."
Chen Shuling fixed her phoenix eyes on Lu Chen without blinking. Her voice remained as pleasant as ever, but there was a sharp edge hidden beneath her gentle tone.
"Someone wrote on their blog that while it's still too early to tell whether the Hong Kong government's new film support policy can restore the glory days of Hong Kong cinema, it has already 'let the wolves in.' They believe this will have a major impact on the local film industry and further intensify an already fierce competition. They suggested that the Hong Kong government should revise the policy and impose restrictions on people entering the industry from outside."
"So, Lu Chen, do you consider yourself one of those wolves? Or what do you think about that opinion?"
On 'Entertainment Three Talks', Chen Shuling was the host and the one who guided the discussion. She didn't personally take sides, instead interacting with her guests from an objective, neutral position.
But that didn't mean she avoided sensitive subjects. On the contrary, she deliberately steered the conversation toward conflict and debate, creating a more engaging discussion.
It was Zhuang Dong who had first brought up this topic, and he was clearly a supporter of those views. Seeing Chen Shuling direct the question at Lu Chen, a faint smile appeared on his face as though he were waiting to enjoy the show.
In Zhuang Dong's eyes, Lu Chen was very young. Youth meant inexperience. It meant lacking the maturity, composure, and adaptability to deal with difficult situations. Besides, Lu Chen had only recently arrived from the mainland and surely wasn't familiar with Hong Kong.
Chen Shuling's question was deliberately tricky, touching on one of Hong Kong's most sensitive issues. If Lu Chen answered poorly, the interview would be a complete failure. In other words, Zhuang Dong would win without even having to fight.
Though, to be honest... winning too easily wasn't much fun. He even felt a hint of disappointment. A true victory should come from utterly crushing your opponent in a fierce battle.
Lu Chen remained silent for a moment, appearing to think carefully. It looked as though the question had genuinely stumped him.
Zhuang Dong grew even more pleased with himself.
The audience watching from home, however, had a very different reaction.
Ah Kang's younger sister complained, "Seriously? How can they ask for something so unfair? How's anyone supposed to answer that?" She had already fallen for Lu Chen's good looks, so she instinctively took his side.
Ah Kang also sympathized with Lu Chen. If he'd been the one put on the spot like that, he was sure he'd have done even worse.
Deep down, though, Ah Kang did somewhat agree with the "wolves" argument. At work, he often heard his coworkers complain that the sluggish economy, soaring prices, and outrageous housing costs were all, to a large extent, because of the mainland.
Mainland companies were taking business away from Hong Kong firms. Mainland visitors were coming to Hong Kong to shop and buy property in large numbers.
And now, even the film industry was being affected. He couldn't understand what the Hong Kong government was thinking. Why not give local people more consideration? As the saying goes, keep the benefits within the family.
His thoughts became a jumbled mess. Then Xiao Wei crossed his mind. 'I wonder if she'll be angry...'
---
Just then, Lu Chen finally spoke. His expression was serious.
"I don't think I, or my colleagues from the mainland, are wolves. If I had to use a metaphor... I'd rather be a catfish."
"A catfish?" Chen Shuling looked surprised. "Why a catfish?"
It was certainly an unusual comparison.
Lu Chen smiled. His smile was bright and warm, so much so that even Chen Shuling felt her heart skip a beat.
"Let me tell a short story first. A long time ago, Norwegians loved eating sardines, especially fresh, live sardines. But in those days there were no oxygen pumps, and the fishing boats had a long journey back to port. The sardines kept in the holds barely moved, and by the time the boats returned, most of them had died, making them worth much less."
"But people noticed that one particular fisherman always managed to bring back large numbers of live sardines, which sold for premium prices. His secret wasn't discovered until after he passed away."
Lu Chen told the story slowly, leaving just enough suspense to keep everyone listening. Chen Shuling was completely absorbed, and even Zhuang Dong grew curious. 'What exactly is he getting at?'
Lu Chen continued. "The answer was simple. The fisherman kept a catfish in the tank with the sardines. The catfish was a fierce predator. With such a dangerous outsider among them, the sardines instinctively kept swimming to avoid it. Because they never stopped moving, they stayed alive and energetic, and many of them survived all the way back to port."
---
When the story ended, Chen Shuling, Zhuang Dong, and many viewers in front of their televisions all began to understand what he meant. The same realization spread through the crew in the studio. The atmosphere suddenly became very different.
Lu Chen continued. "I practically grew up watching Hong Kong movies and TV dramas, especially the films of the 1990s. There were so many genuine classics, such as 'The Great Barrister', 'Human True Feelings', 'Hong Kong Heroes', 'Life-or-Death Rescue', and many others."
Chen Shuling smiled. "Then you must be a fan of Liu Gangsheng!"
Lu Chen laughed as well and nodded openly. "That's right. One of the reasons I came to Hong Kong is because I hope to meet my idol in person someday, even if it's only to exchange a few words."
Chen Shuling replied with a smile, "I'm sure that wish will come true."
Hearing Lu Chen speak with such admiration and respect for Liu Gangsheng immediately won him even more goodwill from the Hong Kong audience watching at home.
Liu Gangsheng was a symbol of perseverance and hard work for countless Hong Kong people. His legendary life had inspired generations of young people to chase their dreams, while his songs, films, and television dramas had left an enduring mark on Hong Kong.
Lu Chen went on. "Back then, whenever Hong Kong movies and TV dramas were released on the mainland, they achieved outstanding box office results and television ratings. The TV dramas in particular were so popular that you could almost say the streets were empty while they aired. But today... How much of a market do Hong Kong films and television still have on the mainland?"
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. Hidden behind his calm words was a razor-sharp counterattack.
"From what I know... It's probably less than one percent."
Chen Shuling fell silent. The muscles on Zhuang Dong's face twitched. He wanted to argue, but he couldn't find any grounds to do so because Lu Chen was telling the truth.
The once-glorious Hong Kong film and television industry had long since lost its ability to dominate the mainland market. It could only compete within its own territory and its traditional Southeast Asian markets.
With just a few words, Lu Chen had mercilessly exposed the industry's current reality. Combined with the story he'd told earlier, anyone with a little insight could understand the point he was making.
Hong Kong's filmmakers were like sardines trapped together in a cramped tank. Sooner or later, they'd all slowly die.
Unless a catfish appeared to stir the waters.
(End of Chapter)
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