China Media and Entertainment Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 11 Week of 12 August 2024
(1) Tencent Music Outpaces Spotify in Subscriber Growth
Despite a lower average revenue per user, Tencent Music Entertainment’s recent announcement of its second quarter in 2024 revealed an additional 10.3 million subscribers to its streaming service within 3 months, a growth which matches the numbers of its international counterpart Spotify.
(2) Hong Kong Orchestra Competition Fosters New Gen Talent
The Fourth International Conducting Competition for traditional Chinese Music concluded after four years, with Huang Wei-cheih winning and receiving multiple awards, highlighting the importance of nurturing young conductors and promoting Chinese musical culture globally.
(3) Stephen Chow’s “The God of Cookery” is Set to Screen in Mainland China
The God of Cookery, a 1996 comedy directed by Stephen Chow, follows a boastful chef who learns humility after losing his title as the God of Cookery, and will be re-released in Mainland China, drawing significant fan interest.
Dang Hong Qi Tian announced a collaboration to showcase free-roam immersive VR gaming using ZTE’s 5G-A Minimalist Private Network at ChinaJoy 2024, enhancing experiences with the Xiaomi 14 Pro and promoting 5G-A technology in entertainment.
(5) ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ Makes Roaring Start in China
“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” debuted strongly in China earning around US$7 million at the theatrical box office, and projected to earn up to $105 million, despite being lower than its predecessor, while receiving high audience scores of 9.6 and 9.4 on major ticketing platforms.
Daughter of Donnie Yen, Jasmine Yen, had her first performance at a charity show with attendant support from her family and hinted plans to debut her first Cantonese song in the next month.
The “Cold War” film series is expanding with two prequels set in 1994 and 1995, starring acclaimed actors Daniel Wu, Kang Ren Wu, and Terrance Lau Chun Him, generating great excitement among fans; while Wu expressed his fondness for Hong Kong’s local cuisine during filming.
G.E.M.’s “I AM GLORIA” world tour concluded in Macau with six sold-out shows before her 33rd birthday, featuring intimate fan interactions and surprise appearances, including Nicholas Tse, who praised her energetic performance.
(9) Commercial Films, Free Movie Events Enrich People’s Summer Holiday in China
During China’s summer break, a wide variety of movies were made accessible through commercial screenings and free events, attracting families and enhancing cinematic experiences nationwide.
(1) Tencent Music Outpaces Spotify in Subscriber Growth
(Photo Credit: Donald Wu)
Tencent Music Entertainment (“TME”), China’s leading music streaming service, has roughly half the paid users of Spotify, yet is experiencing a growth at a similar rate as its counterpart.
TME operates popular music streaming platforms like QQ Music, Kugou, Kuwo, and WeSing, reaching 117 million subscribers as of June 2024. The company’s growth is driven by factors such as personalized experiences, exclusive content, and innovative features. Executive Chairman Cussion Pang expressed his optimism about the music industry’s potential following their recent successes.
While TME’s average revenue per user (ARPPU) is lower than Spotify’s, the introduction of premium tiers like Super VIP has helped increase TME’s ARPPU. Spotify is also launching a super-Premium tier at a higher price point.
TME has invested in AI technology to enhance user experience, focusing on original content and partnerships to drive engagement. Despite regulatory challenges in TME’s social entertainment division, TME reported an operating profit of RMB 2.2 billion ($302 million) in Q2 2024, a 42.8% year-over-year increase.
News Source: https://routenote.com/blog/tencent-music-outpaces-spotify-in-subscriber-growth/
(2) Hong Kong Orchestra Competition Fosters New Gen Talent
(Photo Credit: Khaosod English)
The Fourth International Conducting Competition for Chinese Music came to an epic conclusion after a four-year pause due to the global COVID pandemic. Huang Wei-cheih from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music won the competition, also earning the “Audience’s Favorite” and “Media’s Choice” awards.
Initiated by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra in 2011, the competition originally faced delays but featured 59 participants from various countries in its 2019 round. Huang expressed gratitude for his win, highlighting the talent of his fellow contestants.
The competition, aimed at nurturing young conductors, was praised by notable figures like Yan Huichang, who emphasized the need for skilled Chinese conductors, and Zhao Jiping, who called it a significant milestone for Chinese music. Other awardees included Feng Tianyou (second place) and Guo Pan (third place, along with a special award). The event continues to play a crucial role in promoting Chinese musical culture globally.
News Source: https://www.khaosodenglish.com/sponsored/2024/08/15/hong-kong-orchestra-competition-fosters-new-gen-talent/
(3) Stephen Chow’s “The God of Cookery” is Set to Screen in Mainland China
(Photo Credit: The God of Cookery)
The God of Cookery (食神), originally released in 1996, is a comedic film directed by Stephen Chow, who also stars alongside Karen Mok, Vincent Kok, and Richard Ng. The story follows a boastful celebrity chef, played by Chow, who is framed and loses his prestigious title of “God of Cookery.” Throughout the film, he navigates a series of humorous challenges and interactions that lead him to learn about humility and reevaluate his approach to cooking.
Chow’s signature slapstick style exaggerates everyday situations, enhancing the comedic elements of the narrative. The film has become a cult classic over the years, beloved by fans who appreciate its nostalgic charm, similar to Chow’s other hits like “Kung Fu Hustle” and “Shaolin Soccer”.
The decision to release the film in Mainland China marks a significant moment for Hong Kong cinema, reintroducing a beloved classic to a new generation of audiences. Although the reason for the delayed release isn’t officially stated, the announcement has drawn considerable attention, accumulating over two million views on Weibo shortly after the news broke on August 12. This shows strong interest among fans, eager to relive or experience this iconic film.
News Source: https://www.lifestyleasia.com/hk/entertainment/stephen-chow-the-god-of-cookery-mainland-china-screening/
(4) Dang Hong Qi Tian Joins Hands with ZTE, China Mobile, Qualcomm and Xiaomi to Bring a Free-Roam Immersive VR Experience Based on 5G-A Minimalist Private Network to ChinaJoy 2024
(Photo Credit: ZTE)
On August 15, 2024, Dang Hong Qi Tian, a Chinese tech enterprise, announced a collaboration with ZTE, China Mobile, Qualcomm Technologies, and Xiaomi to demonstrate free-roam immersive VR gaming using ZTE’s 5G-A Minimalist Private Network at ChinaJoy 2024 – a large-scale digital entertainment industry event in China. This project utilizes the Xiaomi 14 Pro, equipped with Qualcomm’s modem, the world’s first 5G Advanced-ready system, to enhance VR experiences and promote the exploration of 5G-A mmWave technology in the entertainment sector.
The initiative is currently active at SoReal Sci-Fi Park, located in Shougang Park, Beijing, with plans for nationwide and international expansion. A standout feature is the 5G-A Minimalist Private Network, which streamlines deployment using a 5G-A baseband unit that functions as a proxy for the core network. This upgrade reduces costs and power consumption while ensuring reliable connectivity through intelligent beam-forming. The network can support over 100 VR users simultaneously with low latency level, providing a seamless interactive experience.
Since its founding in 2015, Dang Hong Qi Tian has focused on merging technology with culture to create innovative digital experiences. With this strategic initiative, they aim to spearhead the evolution of free-roaming immersive VR in the 5G-A era, fostering large-space, multi-user interactions and revitalizing the industry on both a national and global scale.
News Source: https://www.zte.com.cn/global/about/news/dang-hong-qi-tian-joins-hands-with-zte-china-mobile-qualcomm-and-xiaomi-to-bring-free-roam-immersive-vr-experience-based-on-5g-a-minimalist-private-network-to-chinajoy-2024.html
(5) ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ Makes Roaring Start in China
(Photo Credit: Hollywood Reporter)
“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” opened strongly at the Chinese box office, generating approximately US$7 million (RMB 50 million) by Friday afternoon. Ticketing service Maoyan projects that the film could earn up to US$105 million in total, which, while significantly lower than the US$188.7 million earned by “Godzilla vs. Kong” in 2021, still represents the best performance of a Hollywood film in recent months. Currently, Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Two” is the top U.S. title in China for 2024, with a box office of over US$45 million.
The new film has garnered impressive social media scores, averaging 9.6 on Alibaba’s Taopiaopiao and 9.4 on Maoyan, reflecting a positive audience reception.
As the fifth installment in the MonsterVerse series, “The New Empire” follows the storyline of Godzilla vs. Kong, where audiences witnessed the epic battle between the two iconic monsters. This installment delves deeper into the mysteries of the Hollow Earth and introduces a new Titan threat, forcing an alliance between Godzilla and Kong.
Director Adam Wingard returns to helm the film, reuniting with cast members Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, and Kaylee Hottle. Dan Stevens joins the franchise as a new lead, contributing to the film’s appeal.
(6) Jasmine Yen Participates in Charity Variety Show Performance, Her Mother Cecilia Wang Brings a Team to Support Her
(Photo Credit: Mingpao)
Jasmine Yen, the daughter of actor Donnie Yen, made her debut performance at a major charity show last night (10th August). Her mother Cecilia Wang, younger brother James Yen, and other family members and friends came to support her. Jasmine said she didn’t feel nervous or under pressure, and rated her performance 9 out of 10, leaving room for improvement. Donnie couldn’t attend as he was working, but Jasmine’s mother recorded the performance for him to watch later. Jasmine said her father would usually leave her messages saying “Good Job! Support.”
Jasmine shared that she will be releasing her first Cantonese song next month, but is worried her Cantonese may not be fluent enough. She also said the song has a fast tempo and she’s concerned that people won’t be able to understand it clearly.
Overall, Jasmine seemed to have handled her first major stage performance well, with the full support of her family. While she sees room for improvement, she appears confident and excited about her upcoming musical debut, even if she has some worries about the Cantonese elements.
News Source: https://ol.mingpao.com/ldy/showbiz/latest/20240811/1723371886695
(7) From Cold War (1994) | Daniel Wu Returns to Hong Kong to Continue Filming, He Shares a Photo of the Male Lead’s Lunch Box on Set: ‘The thing I miss the most.’
(Photo Credit: Daniel Wu’s photo on Weibo)
The “Cold War” film series is a hugely successful Hong Kong crime thriller franchise. Earlier this year, it was announced that two prequel films would be produced, set in 1994 and 1995 respectively.
The production of the “Cold War” prequels has been kept low-key, but the casting of three acclaimed actors – Daniel Wu, Kang Ren Wu, and Terrance Lau Chun Him – has generated a lot of excitement among Hong Kong film fans.
While Daniel Wu has focused more on his Hollywood work in recent years, he still has a deep affection for the Hong Kong film industry that launched his career. During his current trip to Hong Kong for the prequel filming, Daniel Wu shared on social media that he’s missed one thing the most after 8 years of not working on a local Hong Kong production – the delicious and hearty local-style lunch boxes provided on Hong Kong film sets.
Daniel Wu posted a photo of the elaborate lunch box he was served, featuring dishes like Hainan chicken, buns, pork knuckle, and sweet tea – a true taste of Hong Kong that he clearly relishes. This shows Daniel Wu ‘s continued connection to and appreciation for Hong Kong’s film industry and cuisine, even as he’s found success globally.
(8) Nicholas Tse Dominates the Spotlight, Attending the Event – G.E.M. Anxiously Calls Out for Her Celebrity Crush
(Photo Credit: On.cc)
G.E.M.’s “I AM GLORIA” world tour concert in Macau concluded successfully last night with 6 sold-out shows, was also the last stop before her 33rd birthday. G.E.M. opened the show with a pure white duchess dress, performing hit songs like “Ferris Wheel”, “Sleeping Beauty”, “A.I.N.Y Love You”, and “Where Did U Go”, before ending with “A Period”.
During the concert, G.E.M. had an intimate interaction with the fans, opening up about her inner world: “I’m actually just a very ordinary girl. Many times I’m not as strong as you all see me. I also get nervous sometimes. You are not facing life alone, I will accompany you with my music.”
Many artists showed up to support G.E.M., and last night Nicholas Tse made a surprise appearance. G.E.M. introduced her good friends Gigi Leung and MC Jin, then said: “There’s one person… I’m so nervous about, because he’s sitting in the front row. All evening I kept looking at him, and whenever I caught his eye, I immediately looked away, I’m so nervous! My idol, Nicholas Tse!” Tse then waved and applauded. Afterwards, he posted a photo with G.E.M., writing: “A stage full of energy and infection, BRAVO! Good show!” TVB starlets Polly Ho and Jade Kwan also attended the concert together.
News Source: https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/entertainment/20240813/bkn-20240813000103141-0813_00862_001.html
(9) Commercial Films, Free Movie Events Enrich People’s Summer Holiday in China
(Photo Credit: Bastille Post Global)
During the summer break in China, there was a wealth of movie options available to the public. Both commercial films and free movie events were held across the country, making cinematic offerings more accessible to the general audience
At a cinema in Xi’an, a diverse range of films were showcased including comedies, mysteries, children’s movies, cartoons and science fiction. This diverse programming attracted many viewers, particularly families who brought their children to enjoy the summer shows.
Similarly, the film authorities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in northern China held a free public screening event, where they presented recently released movies as well as award-winning films produced in the region in recent years. Meanwhile, in Shenyang, free film screenings were organized in busy public spaces, with plans to screen patriotic movies.
The overarching goal of these initiatives was to enhance the accessibility of high-quality cinematic experiences for the Chinese public, while also providing them with a variety of movie options to choose from during the summer holiday.
