The next morning, the Chinese version of Iris Long's new hit song, "I, the Drear", debuted in the country and in other Chinese-speaking countries.
The music video was also uploaded. Unlike the cinematic music video of the original English version, the Chinese version featured a studio performance video instead.
Iris Long, along with Enrique Valdez as the lead guitarist and the second vocalist, and of course, her band of classic and modern musicians perford inside a recording studio.
Everything was still carefully directed just like the music video of the original English version.
The Black Stars held another series of viewing parties in person and online. This ti, they were more prepared. More people also attended in person, taking this ti to interact with their fellow mbers.
After watching the new music video, people imdiately noticed that there were differences between the two versions.
The English version was incredible. It appealed to a wide range of people in almost all age groups, not to ntion its international appeal.
On the other hand, the Chinese version appealed greatly to the Chinese people. Unlike the English version, the Chinese version incorporated traditional Chinese instrunts such as the guzheng1, erhu2, dizi3, and tanggu.4
Hearing these traditional Chinese instrunts in the music made the Chinese listeners feel their hearts boil.
It was an instant hit.
This was probably the first ti that Iris Long embraced traditional Chinese elents in her music and not just in symbolism in her music videos.
Without any surprises, "I, the Drear (Chinese version)" claid the top number 1 spot in the music charts upon debuting.
As soon as the results ca in, JJ imdiately called Iris Long while she was on the way ho after a magazine shoot and sit-down interview. Today, Jin Liwei was unable to pick her up as he had to fly to the capital for an ergency inspection of one of Jin Corporation's current projects.
Iris was exhausted and was about to take a nap when Dom inford her that JJ was calling.
She opened her drowsy eyes and gave a hand signal.
Dom imdiately understood. He answered the call and put it on loudspeaker.
Before Iris could greet JJ, the hot-tempered producer didn't waste any ti and imdiately said, "I told you so!"
Iris raised an eyebrow.
True to his impatient nature, JJ didn't wait for Iris to ask what he was talking about. He imdiately started talking like a machine gun.
"I told you that making a Chinese version of your music will be an instant hit! But you never believed ! I had to fight tooth and nail with you on this one! Thankfully, you llowed out a bit after having children and beco just a little more pleasant to work with."
She rolled her eyes while covering herself more with a fluffy blanket and trying to find a better position on her seat. JJ's tirade would take a long ti. She was too exhausted today and didn't have the energy to banter with the old man.
JJ didn't mind that she hadn't spoken yet at all. It was clear that he felt too excited about proving that he was "right".
"I already noticed long ago that you weren't comfortable incorporating traditional Chinese elents into your music. Then I spoke with Enrique. He ntioned that it's because you never learned to play traditional Chinese instrunts, that's why you don't bother using them on your music."
Iris paused.
She had never thought about it, but her ntor was right. She didn't know how to play any traditional Chinese instrunts. She preferred using instrunts that she was familiar with like classic Western instrunts.
"You're right," she finally replied for the first ti.
Upon hearing her admission, JJ cackled like a deranged cuckoo. He loved hearing from Iris' own mouth that he was right because it was extrely rare.
Both of them were naturally headstrong and refused to admit the error of their ways in front of each other especially when both thought that they were right.
This ti, JJ felt imnsely satisfied. He stopped pushing his luck, however. If Iris was angered, she might do sothing to make him suffer. It wasn't like he was afraid of her, but she could be pretty vindictive. It wasn't worth it to suffer especially when she had such a loyal husband who would support her in everything that she wanted to do, including punishing those who irritated her.
"It's good that you realize that I'm right," JJ said before clearing his throat. "I think that the Chinese version of 'I, the Drear' is more beautiful than the original version. It feels dreamier as if I'm transported in an ancient world. If it was used as a TV drama or ancient fantasy film's the song, I bet that it's going to be a bigger hit."
"I already told you that I don't want any song in my album with Teacher Enrique to be associated with other works," Iris replied. "I want the album to stand alone and achieve success in its own right."
"Yeah, yeah. I already know. I'm just saying!"
"Now that I have more experience in incorporating traditional Chinese instrunts in my music, I'll be more than happy to do the sa in so of my music in the future. If there's a good offer, I'll compose a the song for a local drama or film."
Iris and Dom couldn't see him, but they sensed JJ's eyes glinting with anticipation.
"You said it! You can't take it back! If I hear of a good offer, I'll recomnd you and you must accept it!"
She rolled her eyes again. "If I think that it's good, then I will accept. But if I don't think that it's good, then I'll reject it even if it's your recomndation. You can't force to accept sothing that I don't like."
"Little brat, always going against !" JJ went on another tirade about her stubbornness.
Iris yawned.
He stopped when he heard her. "You must be exhausted. I'll see you soon. Don't talk anymore and rest your vocal chords for your next MusicFest Tonight performance tomorrow night!"
The phone call finally ended after Iris was forced to listen to JJ's lecture.
traditional Chinese plucked zither
traditional Chinese two-stringed bowed musical instrunt, more specifically a spike fiddle, that is sotis known in the Western world as the Chinese violin or a Chinese two-stringed fiddle
traditional Chinese transverse flute
traditional Chinese drum that is dium in size and barrel-shaped, with two heads made of animal skin, and is played with two sticks
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