Chapter 53: A Battle to Become a God (Part 2)
Han Sanping and Hou Hongliang had become mere decorations.
Both of them were on an emotional rollercoaster due to Li Chen's words.
Han Sanping had already cursed Li Chen in his heart.
He would definitely teach this kid a good lesson later!
Li Chen nodded with a smile: "Let's start by talking about the malicious intentions."
Li Chen took a sip of water to moisten his throat.
Miss Liu, in front of her computer, was very displeased: "Always keeping us in suspense, it's so annoying!"
Liu Xiaoli smiled and shook her head, noncommittal.
At this moment, everyone watching the live broadcast,
From leaders of the General Administration and local governments to ordinary netizens,
And also Mango TV, which introduced the drama, as well as the vast number of Chinese TV drama professionals.
It could be said that Li Chen was truly dancing on the edge of a knife, genuinely under the spotlight of millions.
"The character of dae jang geum is indeed very appealing."
"Her humble origins, resilient character, and being a woman in a disadvantaged group in ancient times easily evoke empathy."
"However, we cannot ignore that it is a historical drama."
"And a historical drama, in addition to conforming to mainstream values,"
"More importantly, it must respect history, not arbitrarily fabricate it!"
"This is why I just said that after watching dae jang geum, I was as angry as Mr. Zhang Guoli."
"History must not be desecrated, much less tampered with!"
The internet was once again flooded with comments: "Director Li speaks well!"
Director Li's words were entirely from the highest point of historical righteousness.
It remained to be seen whether he would be slapped in the face like Zhang Guoli.
"Director Li, are your words a response to the statement from the Mango TV representative?"
A TV station reporter asked.
Li Chen sneered inwardly: "I will discuss three plot points, and you, as the media, can judge for yourselves."
"First, that elderly Taiping official's inner chamber claimed to have become pregnant after being insulted by our Ming Dynasty envoy."
"dae jang geum and a few others listened, and those who heard were saddened, and those who listened wept."
"But after watching it, I only have three words for you: ungrateful wretches!"
"MBC's people are also here today, and I ask you."
"Why did you fabricate these? What kind of intentions did you harbor?
"What do you want to convey to the world through this drama, which is widely broadcast in Southeast Asia and every country?"
"Do you want to express that ancient Chinese people were so despicable?"
"Or do you want to use this to satirize the soldiers of a certain country who have committed evil deeds over the years?"
Boom!
"Damn it, the server crashed." Cao Guowei couldn't help but curse.
As soon as Li Chen made this statement, Sina's server was overloaded and completely shut down.
Han Sanping was a bit dumbfounded, his face also flushed.
He dared to speak too much!
Domestic media professionals and TV drama practitioners were all in an uproar.
These words were like a treasured sword, drawn and instantly fatal!
But netizens discovered that Sina's live broadcast no longer allowed comments!
Wang Xifeng muttered, "Old Zhang, Director Li hit the nail on the head! This drama definitely won't pass censorship!"
In an office at Mango TV, a teacup crashed to the floor, shattering into pieces!
"Didn't you guarantee it would absolutely conform to mainstream values? Then what are these things being said online?"
The person in charge was scolded so badly that he dared not look up, let alone argue.
He was too wronged; it was just a snippet, how could he have thought of so much?
South Korean media at the press conference were filled with righteous indignation.
"You're talking nonsense, we will complain to your General Administration, this is slander!"
Li Chen suddenly pointed directly at that reporter.
"You listen to me carefully!"
"The true history is that..."
"Our Ming Dynasty General Li Rusong and the Qi Family Army fought bloody battles."
"They defeated Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who invaded you, and protected your homes, women, and children!"
"How is it that in your dae jang geum, the suzerain state, the savior, has become a shameless villain?"
The Chinese media at the scene immediately erupted in thunderous applause.
The vast number of netizens watching the live broadcast online were completely boiling with excitement!
Unable to leave comments, many netizens were so angry they smashed their keyboards.
The image of Li Chen glaring fiercely and pointing at the South Korean reporter at the scene was instantly reposted frantically across various forums.
Han Sanping felt settled; he knew today's press conference wouldn't go wrong.
He glanced at the calm and confident young man beside him, admiring him even more.
Netizens familiar with history and the vast number of TV drama professionals were also extremely excited.
Mango TV obtained the exclusive broadcasting rights for dae jang geum's introduction.
The major TV stations that had not won against Mango TV were somewhat gloating.
Only Mango TV...
In an office at Hunan Broadcasting System, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and the director's face was as dark as ink.
The South Korean media at the press conference didn't know how to defend themselves for a moment.
Li Chen ignored them.
"I'll continue with the second part."
The scene returned to quiet.
"Manchu Han Imperial Feast, as everyone knows, only existed in our ancient Qing Dynasty."
"But in this dae jang geum, South Korea already had it more than a hundred years earlier."
"Hmm, the Manchu Han Imperial Feast is your invention! And you used it to entertain the Ming envoy?"
"And you said that by entertaining the Ming envoy with it, he would be extremely grateful!"
The media at the scene burst into laughter.
The MBC reporter's chest heaved, clearly embarrassed by the ridicule.
"Dear media friends, you can just laugh it off."
"After all, anyone who has been to school probably knows what the Manchu Han Imperial Feast is."
"When I watched it, I also laughed."
"But then I thought back, at that time, the Ming and Qing Dynasties were irreconcilable."
"Upon hearing the four words 'Manchu Han Imperial Feast,' with 'Manchu' before 'Han,' could Ming officials still be moved to tears of gratitude?"
"I'm afraid you'd be beheaded immediately."
"Then this dae jang geum would also come to an 'end of series' right there!"
The scene once again erupted in continuous laughter, and the faces of several South Korean media personnel turned green.
What they didn't know was that the scriptwriter of dae jang geum, in South Korea,
Was now like a clown stripped naked, utterly mortified and furious.
Li Chen didn't spare the scriptwriter any face.
"Is this scriptwriter not well in the head?"
"Or were our ancient Ming officials truly so foolish and ignorant?"
"Or, in the eyes of this scriptwriter, using the past to satirize the present, are we Chinese truly so foolish?"
Whoosh.
The scene once again became a hubbub of voices; Sina's live broadcast couldn't receive comments.
Netizens then moved to Tieba.
Tieba already had a post about the crossing the guandong launch ceremony.
Netizens' comments once again sparked a wave of enthusiasm.
"Damn, Director Li made my blood boil."
"I'm already galloping on horseback in Hancheng!"
"I feel the beast's blood boiling..."
Han Sanping nudged Li Chen with his leg.
Li Chen knew what he meant.
Reminding him not to curse.
Another round of applause erupted at the scene.
"Now for the third part."
"When the Ming official was unwell, what did Lady Han say?"
"She said: If this lord continues to eat greasy Chinese food, it will be harmful to his health."
"Media friends, pay attention to this sentence: greasy Chinese food!"
"It's truly full of hidden intentions."
"The entire drama barely mentioned these two words."
"Yet, they prefixed these two words before 'greasy food.'"
"What? Belittling Chinese food culture, to highlight the uniqueness of your South Korean food culture?"
"Our country's food culture is profound and extensive."
"Any one of the Eight Great Cuisines is a brilliant cultural history."
A third round of applause rang out at the scene.
Tieba comments exploded.
"Director Li's insight, truly a fiery golden eye!"
"When I watched it, why did I never think about these things?"
"But now that Director Li has said it, I understand everything."
"The Koreans are so cunning."
"I'm completely a fan of Director Li!"
Miss Liu sat in front of her computer, her eyes sparkling, filled with deep admiration and affection.
Liu Xiaoli glanced at her daughter's eyes, sighing inwardly that her daughter had been completely captivated.
This was not a good sign.
In a relationship, the one who loves more deeply is often the most vulnerable to getting hurt.
She hadn't seen Li Chen reciprocate her daughter's feelings in the same way.
At the same time, the gentlemen of the censorship committee were also watching the live broadcast.
"There's no need to modify dae jang geum; let's shelve it."
Several censors who had been advocating for cuts and changes now lowered their heads, daring not to speak.
Originally, the review of dae jang geum had divided opinions within the censorship committee.
Now, with public opinion raging, they dared not incur public wrath by giving dae jang geum the green light.