It’s hard to pin down a definition for *Galaxy and You*.
The promotional booklet labels it an “inspirational growth drama,” but the representatives from several TV stations disagreed.
The first episode not only set up the background clearly but also delivered a small climactic twist, starting with high energy and becoming impossible to stop watching.
If the drama’s setting truly drew from the Japanese and Korean entertainment industries, the representatives couldn’t help but be alarmed: Is the entertainment scene in Japan and Korea already this cutthroat?
The character who seemed like a good person at first glance had their true nature revealed by the end of the first episode. The plot moved fast, with rapid changes, keeping viewers guessing and reluctant to miss even a few minutes.
Did it have the traditional elements to attract audiences, like handsome men and beautiful women?
Absolutely!
The first episode built up anticipation from the sidelines, and in the second episode, the male lead, played by Yun Chen, finally appeared. The character, an idol superstar, was even more commanding than the real Yun Chen, exuding an aura of dominating Asia. His charisma practically overflowed from the screen.
The representatives were certain that some young female viewers would lose control watching Yun Chen like this.
The highest praise for a screen heartthrob isn’t a pile of flowery adjectives. To put it bluntly, does seeing the handsome guy make your face flush and heart race? Does it spark thoughts like, “Oh, I want to sleep with him”?
This isn’t a lewd reaction—it’s uncontrollable hormones!
As for the women, there’s no question. Li Mengjiao, the female lead, has a sweet appearance, and the supporting actresses are all visually appealing. From the set design to the colour palette to the director’s cinematography, everything was pleasing to the eye. Calling it an idol drama was well-deserved.
But *Galaxy and You* was far from just an idol drama.
It had the veneer of an idol drama and an entertainment industry setting, yet it seemed to encase a workplace core. The “trainees” in the first two episodes acted like new hires at a big company, each using their skills to secure a permanent spot… After just two episodes, the Eastern TV representative grew curious about the screenwriter, Wen Ying.
A young girl writing romance dramas isn’t surprising. Teenagers are at the age of dreaming, with budding feelings and fantasies about love. Add creative talent, and it’s easy to weave a “beautiful dream” that captivates audiences.
But this young girl didn’t focus on romance. Her idol drama had a workplace core. Where did she learn about workplace dynamics?
The Eastern TV representative even suspected *Galaxy and You*’s script was ghostwritten.
That thought was quickly dismissed.
Impossible.
Someone capable of writing such a script wouldn’t settle for being a ghostwriter!
The representatives were engrossed in the plot, too busy to pay attention to the newcomers.
Wen Ying led the group in and left them to their own devices. As a minor screenwriter, she wasn’t equipped to cater to “VIPs” like Hu Man and Liang Dan. Better to let them roam freely in the venue.
Wen Ying quietly returned to Xie Qian’s side, winking at him. Xie Qian’s lips curved slightly.
Wen Ying was like a weasel who’d successfully stolen a chicken!
Though Xie Qian sometimes found Wen Ying lacking in academics, in other matters, she never dropped the ball!
So what if Liang Dan and her group got in? They were just tools brought in by Wen Ying.
Tools should know their place and help Tianjiao sell *Galaxy and You*’s copyright. Tianjiao didn’t care about their behind-the-scenes scheming. If they didn’t cooperate… since when did tools have a say?
Holding the promotion at the Huatian Hotel, Xie Qian had anticipated Hunan TV would show up.
Hu Man’s arrival, however, was truly unexpected.
It seemed this pop diva, long pampered, had lost her basic sense of caution. Without a few public slaps to the face, she wouldn’t learn her lesson!
Just wait.
Xie Qian refocused, diving back into the drama.
*Galaxy and You* showcased Wen Ying’s growth as a screenwriter, and Xie Qian was keen to catch every detail.
When the two episodes finished, the Anhui TV representative, still wanting more, clutched the promotional booklet. “Why not play a couple more episodes?”
The colleague, who earlier didn’t even know the screenwriter, had made such a spot-on suggestion. The Eastern TV representative nodded eagerly. “Yes, yes, a couple more episodes won’t hurt. We’re not in a rush.”
Mrs. Wang stood up, smiling broadly. “Two episodes, then another two—it’ll never end. If you’re truly interested in our drama, let’s discuss deeper cooperation. Then you can watch as many episodes as you like!”
*Galaxy and You* had 28 episodes, slightly longer than *The Princess’s New Clothes*.
Only the first 10 episodes were fully produced; the remaining 18 were still in production.
Even if the representatives had time to watch all 28 episodes, Mrs. Wang couldn’t reveal their shortcomings. She’d only brought 10 episodes to Hunan!
Playing more wasn’t impossible, but the TV stations needed to show some sincerity, like discussing bids.
Otherwise, if the preview ended without getting to business, it would put Tianjiao at a disadvantage.
These people thought Mrs. Wang was an amateur they could fool, unaware that while she was new to the film industry, in business, she was as sharp as a monkey. She knew she had limited bait and had to dole it out carefully to hook the big fish!
The Anhui TV representative sighed regretfully.
The Eastern TV representative, meanwhile, was mentally calculating how much it would cost to secure the “exclusive broadcast rights.”
Before coming to Hunan, Eastern TV hadn’t considered exclusive rights. The station’s leaders were fine sharing “premiere rights” with other stations. A drama’s biggest draw is its premiere, so securing that was enough.
But after watching two episodes, the Eastern TV representative changed their mind.
This drama demanded exclusive rights.
Eastern TV’s viewership share had dropped, but the representative sent to Hunan was a true industry professional.
From a professional’s perspective, the first two episodes of *Galaxy and You* were rewatchable—two, three times even. If professionals felt this way, regular viewers would be even more hooked.
With proper promotion, *Galaxy and You*’s ratings could surpass Tianjiao’s *The Princess’s New Clothes* from last year!
Exclusive rights were a must!
The Eastern TV representative was already texting higher-ups, sharing their honest viewing experience and inquiring about the station’s maximum acquisition budget.
At that moment, the other representatives were making similar calculations, some texting, others stepping aside to make quiet calls.
Wait, didn’t someone enter midway?
A glance caught Liang Dan’s group, but their minds were too occupied with securing broadcast rights to process who they were.
Who cared who came in late? Nothing would shake their determination to secure the rights!
After being blocked at the entrance, an even bigger embarrassment hit: no one paid attention to Liang Dan and the female leader.
They were peers, but also rivals.
So what if Hunan TV had the highest viewership share among provincial stations? Other stations didn’t need to bow to them.
Not only did no one care who entered, even if they recognised Liang Dan and the female leader, they wouldn’t grovel. They’d only grow more nervous, assuming Hunan TV was there to snatch the copyright!
Liang Dan and the female leader being ignored was one thing, but Hu Man, a major celebrity, entered the venue, and not a single person greeted her.
Mrs. Wang, once a big fan of Hu Man, saw her, glanced once, and refused to look again, turning away coldly.
This was a normal reaction for a fan who’d turned away. If Mrs. Wang were more extreme, she’d become an anti-fan, badmouthing Hu Man. For now, she just didn’t want to engage.
Mrs. Wang thought she was being kind enough.
But Hu Man couldn’t accept it.
Mrs. Wang had once used her work connections to get Hu Man’s autograph!
Like the security guard earlier, asking for an autograph but still not letting her in—was this a traditional Tianjiao employee skill?
Hu Man’s hands trembled with rage. Taking deep breaths, she forced a smile. “Xiao Dong, why’s it just you? I heard *Galaxy and You* had production issues. I thought you wouldn’t make the summer slot. Thank goodness, it looks like you’ve sorted it out.”
Swish, swish, swish.
Mrs. Wang turned to Hu Man, her gaze like knives, ready to cut her down.
Wen Ying and Xie Qian both looked at Hu Man, their youthful appearances deceptive. No one noticed how hard Wen Ying was trying not to laugh.
The representatives paused their actions.
Those texting stopped.
Those calling hung up.
They exchanged glances.
They recalled the rumours: why Tianjiao had ditched Hunan TV to pitch *Galaxy and You* to other provincial stations.
Offending pop diva Hu Man, music director Huang Yongjun’s mid-production exit, and *Galaxy and You*’s post-production delays… were those rumours true?
The Eastern TV representative let out a soft “ah,” seemingly recognising Hu Man, then asked Mrs. Wang hesitantly, “Did your company really face issues in post-production?”
