novelslam Chapter 1491, page 1500: Facing Akina Nakamori in a duel, do you think I'm afraid?!
Chapter 1491, page 1500: Facing Akina Nakamori in a duel, do you think I'm afraid?!
Chapter 1491, page 1500: Facing Akina Nakamori in a duel, do you think I'm afraid?!
Seiko Matsuda was delighted to receive the news that "Freesia's Journey" had topped the Oricon charts, marking her 24th consecutive album to reach number one!
This can be considered the greatest achievement in the history of all female singers in Japan!
Even Momoe Yamaguchi and Akina Nakamori never achieved this level of success, which shows that Seiko Matsuda remains at the top of the entertainment industry.
It's a pity that he never won the Japan Record Award.
Furthermore, she understood that this was a result of the agency's vigorous promotion; her actual sales performance, popularity, and influence were inevitably declining! The downward trend was obvious.
Starting next year, her career focus will shift to the United States. Like her predecessors, she will be venturing into the American music scene!
This is actually quite easy to understand. Those with a strong family background stay in their ancestral home, while those from poorer backgrounds leave. Only when they can't compete with others in Japan will they consider venturing to places with more opportunities.
However, while Seiko Matsuda maintains her drive in her career, she is experiencing some setbacks in her personal life:
"October 1st is Sayaka's birthday, and Dad can't miss the party! Please make time to attend!"
"I understand~"
A calm voice came from the microphone.
"Okay, that's enough for now, I need to get back to work!"
"it is good"
This is Seiko Matsuda calling Masaki Kanda before leaving get off work. The topic of conversation, of course, is about their daughter.
Since giving birth to her daughter and returning to work, Seiko Matsuda and Masaki Kanda have been living apart for an extended period. As both are entertainers, their work and lives are extremely busy and irregular; they might not even see each other once a week.
After hanging up the phone, Seiko Matsuda sighed. She could sense that the two of them were becoming increasingly estranged.
At this moment, assistant Takako Tomita came over:
"Seiko-chan, are you done making the call?"
"Hmm~"
Seiko Matsuda nodded, forcing a smile.
"Sayaka's dad will definitely be able to attend the birthday party!"
Seeing her artist's smile, Takako Tomita couldn't help but think to herself, "Seiko Matsuda is indeed a woman with a very strong mentality!"
Even when I'm in a bad mood, I always wear a smile when I'm with others.
"Has something happened?"
Seiko Matsuda knew that her assistant wouldn't bother her unnecessarily.
"Hi, President, please come over, Seiko-chan. There's something we need to discuss."
"Okay, I'm off then~"
Upon arriving at the office of the president of Sun Music, the president, Hideyoshi Aizawa, was already waiting.
"President Aizawa, you wanted to see me?"
"Holy Son, you've arrived. Please have a seat."
Upon seeing Matsuda Seiko arrive, Aizawa Hideyoshi invited her to sit down and then said,
"I've asked you to come here because I want to discuss a notice with you."
Although she doesn't own shares in the agency, Seiko Matsuda is Sun Music's top artist, so the president is very lenient with her and consults with her on important matters.
"What announcement?"
Generally, the agency will issue the announcement based on her schedule and then notify her.
"The production team of the third season of 'Neon Voice' wants to invite you to be a mentor!"
"!!"
Upon hearing this news, Seiko Matsuda was first startled, then overjoyed.
"The Voice of Neon?!"
After the groundwork laid by the first two seasons, "Neon Voice" has become one of the top music talent shows in Japan. The show is incredibly popular, and if you are selected as a mentor, your exposure period can last for one or two months!
This is even more cost-effective than the Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Song Battle)! After all, the Kohaku Uta Gassen is only one night long, and you have to compete with all the artists in the Japanese entertainment industry for exposure~
"Are you really going to ask me to be your mentor?"
Seiko Matsuda covered her mouth, but couldn't hide her smile.
"How could I possibly be a mentor?!"
"That's right."
Hideyoshi Aizawa checked it again, then paused for a moment.
"However, we also invited another person as a mentor, Akina Nakamori."
"Akina?"
Upon hearing this, Seiko Matsuda paused for a moment.
Indeed, this name has been intertwined with her ever since her debut. It's not just in her music and idol career, but also in her relationships and personal life, where she's always being compared to others!
"Has Akina-chan made a comeback?!"
"Hmm, didn't I hear they were already preparing a new song?"
Hideyoshi Aizawa nodded.
"I reckon 'Neon Voice' will be his first release after his comeback! After all, he has connections with his fans."
"Neon Voice" is a program hosted by Shuyu; there is no doubt that it is simply affiliated with NTV.
"."
Seeing that Matsuda Seiko remained silent, Aizawa Hideyoshi could only point it out:
"Your intention in inviting both Nakamori Akina and Seraphim-chan this time is quite obvious; you want the two of you to compete against each other."
"Moreover, the other party has a clear advantage: their relationship with the production company, and the momentum of their comeback."
(This is a losing situation! Do you want to join in?!)
As the saying goes, it's not the matching outfits that are embarrassing, but whoever looks worse. The same applies to TV shows. It's fine to be on the same show, but it's embarrassing if the team you're leading loses.
However, after thinking for a while, Seiko Matsuda finally made up her mind:
"I want to participate!!"
Aizawa Hideyoshi was also somewhat surprised:
"Seraphal-chan, won't you reconsider?"
"no need!"
Seiko Matsuda shook her head.
"This is a great opportunity!!! The popularity of 'Neon Voice' is very important to me."
More than a month of exposure is important for any artist!
Then, a smile full of ambition appeared on Matsuda Seiko's face:
"Besides, if I'm going to have a showdown with Akina-chan, then so be it! Am I supposed to be afraid?!"
"Akina-chan has been retired for a long time!"
Both of them are mothers, but Seiko Matsuda is an active entertainer who returned to work just two months after giving birth to participate in the Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Song Battle) and has been working ever since!
After giving birth to her first child, Akina Nakamori semi-retired, and after becoming pregnant with her second child, she almost completely retired. How much of her popularity can she maintain now?
Who's afraid of who?!
Looking at Seiko Matsuda's energetic demeanor, Hideyoshi Aizawa couldn't help but admire this woman with a strong sense of career ambition.
"Alright, since Seiko-chan is so confident, I'll inform the production team!"
"Thank you so much, President!!"
"."
Emerging from the president's office, Seiko Matsuda felt a surge of excitement. She had actually wanted to compete with Akina Nakamori for a long time, and had even stated in an interview that Nakamori was a formidable opponent.
However, Akina Nakamori seems to consider herself a senior colleague and says there's no competition between them.
Pshaw~ You're only three years older! You'll see this time!
This intense emotion made her want to confide in someone.
When assistant Takako Tomita saw Seiko Matsuda come out, she quickly went over to her.
"Seiko-chan, have you reached an agreement?!"
"Yes, I'm going to be a mentor on 'Neon Voice'!"
"?! That's great!!!"
Having received such a high-quality offer, Takako Tomita was naturally happy for her artist and asked,
"Seiko-chan, how about we celebrate tonight?!"
Even after becoming a mother, Seiko Matsuda still leads a fulfilling life, and it's perfectly normal for her to go singing and dancing after get off work.
However, at this moment, Seiko Matsuda wanted to say:
"No need for tonight. Let's go to Zheng Hui's apartment!"
This excitement, this deep-seated thrill, could not be shared with her assistant—she wasn't in the same social class; nor could it be shared with her friends—there are no secrets in the entertainment industry; and certainly not with her family—her parents wouldn't understand, her daughter was too young.
So I can only talk to my husband, Masaki Kanda, who is also an entertainer!
Perfect timing, it's been a long time since we last met.
"Good~"
Takako Tomita nodded.
"I'll go talk to the driver."
Thanks a lot!
Meanwhile, Naoki Nagayama had returned to Yamazakurain, where he was feeding little Ren with a bottle while listening to Akina talk.
Naoki Nagayama was somewhat surprised at this moment:
"What? An invitation to 'Neon Voice'?"
"yes."
Akina replied, somewhat surprised.
"Naoki-san doesn't know?!"
"I don't know."
Naoki Nagayama shook his head.
“I’ve been busy filming ‘Fast & Furious’ lately and haven’t been back to the company for a long time. Also, I haven’t been paying attention to ‘Neon Voice’ for a long time; I’ve left all the production and casting to the production team.”
"Perhaps it was a minor matter, so they didn't inform Naoki-san."
Akina explained it.
"But it shouldn't be a problem if I go, right?"
Indeed, Yoshimura Otomo's entertainment division was in charge of all the events and programs, and Naoki Nagayama didn't really care.
Even the last time Yoshimura Otomo mentioned the third season of "Neon Voice" while drinking, he said there wouldn't be any new songs this time.
"Of course it doesn't matter. I support you no matter what show you participate in!"
Naoki Nagayama smiled and said,
"I was just a little surprised."
Did Otomo-san invite Akina without telling me? Was he planning to surprise me?!
"Hana-san said it's a good opportunity to promote my new song."
Akina served dinner to the table, then carried Natsuka to her special chair, wrapping a scarf around her neck as she spoke.
"The timing is perfect."
"Yes, that's right!"
Suddenly remembering something, Naoki Nagayama smiled.
"Haha, if I were the producer of the show, and I invited Akina, then the competition would definitely have to include Seiko Matsuda for the show to become a huge hit! This is basically a disguised way of creating a romantic pairing!"
"."
Akina rolled her eyes.
"You have a terrible sense of humor!"
"This is a legitimate program production method! It will make you two and 'Neon Voice' itself even more popular. Wouldn't that make it easier to promote your new song?"
Naoki Nagayama also placed little Ren in the crib next to him. He had finished his dinner and it was time for him to eat too.
"By the way, what's the progress on Akina's new song?"
"The recording is complete. Next should be the album cover design, but the photos have already been taken."
Akina pinched Natsuka's cheek.
"It was Hana-chan who went to film the movie with Hana-chan, right?!"
"Mmmmm~"
The little guy's eyes were completely focused on dinner, and he only nodded perfunctorily at his mother's words. Nothing is more important than eating!
"Mommy, I want to eat meat!"
Okay~~
Akina gently peeled the shrimp meat and put it into the little guy's mouth.
Naoki Nagayama watched this scene and said with a smile:
"Akina, you can eat the flower sauce yourself now, so you can eat your meal too~"
Akina ignored her, her eyes remaining gentle.
"I like feeding Hua Jiang my meals. I'll be starting kindergarten next year, so I won't be able to anymore~"
"."
There was nothing he could do, so Naoki Nagayama shook his head and continued eating, then suddenly remembered something:
"Should we take the flower jam to the kindergarten first to familiarize ourselves with it?"
Of course!
Akina nodded.
"And for a while now, you have to go for half a day at a time. You need to get used to it first."
"That's how it is at the beginning, right?"
The two chatted about the little one's schooling while eating, but that's something for next summer.
There are no secrets in the entertainment industry, because secrets spread faster than lightning!
The news that Akina Nakamori and Seiko Matsuda would both be mentors on the third season of "Neon Voice" was only known to the production team and their respective agencies last night, but by the next day, most of the entertainment industry knew about it!
By evening, the remaining half of the entertainment industry will probably know.
"A clash of idols at their peak! This time, 'Neon Voice' will reach its zenith!"
"Yes, it's the third season!"
Generally speaking, the first season of a large-scale variety show is a trial run, the second season already has a loyal audience, and by the third season, with a solid foundation and a well-established team, it is at its peak. After that, for various reasons, the show usually gradually declines.
"With Akina Nakamori and Seiko Matsuda already taking two spots, what about the next two?!"
"Yes, those two mentors." "Even if they're just playing supporting roles, they'll still make a fortune!"
"."
Soon after, the producer of "Neon Voice", Kazuhisa Fujiwara, and the director, Sora Uemura, were caught in a quagmire of requests for favors!
"Fujiwara-san, we're such good friends! Aren't you going to give my artist this opportunity?!"
Fujiwara Kazuhisa's phone was ringing off the hook with calls from agents from various agencies.
"Fujiwara-san, we can talk! We can talk about anything!!"
"."
And so did another director, Sora Uemura.
Even when he was at home, someone would suddenly come to his door:
"Director Uemura, I want to talk to you about the script for 'The Sound of Neon'! I want to talk about it all night long!"
"."
Uemura Sora felt a sudden tightness in his back!
The female mentor slots are already full! How do you expect a male celebrity like me to talk?! Fencing?!
So he decisively uttered a sentence:
"We can talk about it in the office tomorrow!"
"Director Uemura, don't be so rigid~"
"roll!!"
When they arrived at the preparation office for "Neon Voices," Uemura Sora said to Fujiwara Kazuhisa with a worried expression:
"Fujiwara-san, we need to finalize the remaining two mentors quickly!! Otherwise, I can't take it anymore!"
The casting process could have been done slowly, but now it's suddenly become urgent.
"."
Fujiwara Kazuhisa took a deep drag of his cigarette and nodded silently.
"So, which male mentor should we choose?!"
"A popular male celebrity? A male singer?"
Uemura Sora proposed,
"A member of Hikari Genji?"
"No, no. Male idol groups need a team from the start; one person alone is useless!"
So many boy band members go solo, but not many of them succeed.
"Then let's find a seasoned musician!"
"It needs to be a signature piece, the kind that can highlight Akina Nakamori and Seiko Matsuda even when playing supporting roles!"
They've already decided that this season's show will focus on promoting these two former top female idols, and the entire program will revolve around them.
"Or something a little outdated?"
"Sure, sure!"
"How is Kenji Sawada?"
"Not bad, not bad."
Fujiwara Kazuhisa nodded in satisfaction, and then said,
"Since they are the Four Heavenly Kings of the 70s, we can look for the rest too!"
"Are you talking about Shinichi Mori or Hiroshi Itsuki?"
"They're all kings of enka!"
Fujiwara Kazuhisa hesitated for a moment. Generally speaking, there are more contestants who sing pop music.
However, this opportunity to broaden the range of choices seems like a good idea!
"Let's ask Mori Shinichi first!"
Okay~~
Uemura Sora nodded in agreement, but then something suddenly occurred to him.
"If they agree, then this 'Neon Voice' will be a competition between pop idols, versatile divas, enka kings, and rock kings!"
"Thinking about it that way, even I'm starting to get interested!!"
"Haha, you're right!"
(End of this chapter)