The trainees' rankings in the finale were transparent, updating every ten minutes, which was even more nerve-wracking than hidden vote counts.
Because fans didn't even have the hope for a potential reversal.
With ten minutes remaining, the current rankings began scrolling on the large screens on both sides of the venue. Pei Zhiping, Han Lemi, Si Yanyu, and Yu Dan had solidified their positions in the top four.
The trainees standing on stage could also see the current rankings. Unless someone invested several million in these final minutes, the positions were unlikely to change.
The fans in the audience, able to clearly see the expressions on their faces, clutched their hearts in guilt, shouting the trainees' names and apologizing.
This was Jiang Juyou's second finale, but it was the most heart-wrenching one yet.
The rules had been set, and she couldn't change them. The final selection wasn't up to her, so no matter how much they had tried to make up for things during the past month, the increased camera time now was futile.
Those who became part of the "Divine Seven" in the first round all made it to the top ten, with their rankings barely changing.
Those who gained a fan base early on, thanks to the show's editing, were now the ten contestants competing on stage for the final positions.
When Jiang Juyou announced Pei Zhiping's name into the microphone, the positions of all ten were set. Now they just had to wait to see how many would actually debut.
The top ten occupied the center positions in the theme song performance. The stage was built like a tiered cake, with Pei Zhiping standing at the very top, while those with lower popularity were positioned towards the edges.
They performed the last song of the night on stage. After this five-minute song, they would announce the number of debuting members. Jiang Juyou stood to the side after leaving the stage, waiting for it to end.
"Director Jiang, it's almost over. Should we ask Boss He and the others to stay afterward?" the young assistant asked, leaning in.
Jiang Juyou snapped back to attention and turned to her, "Yes, please ask them to stay. I'll be there right after it ends."
"Okay."
Unlike previous theme song selections, the female trainees' theme song had more of an action anime feel to it. The climax felt like a grand finale, creating an even stronger sense of loss than the previous season.
Young female fans in the audience were crying while clutching their light boards and banners, their eyes fixed on those on stage.
It was then that Jiang Juyou received the envelope from the production team containing the final number of debuting members.
She gripped the paper envelope tightly, her knuckles turning white.
The seemingly endless theme song finally reached its last note, and in that moment of silence, the fans in the audience broke down crying.
Following the staff's cue, Jiang Juyou walked up on stage, holding her dress. From her position near the stands, she could see the fans with their makeup streaked by tears.
Once on stage, she took a deep breath while holding the microphone. Behind her, the trainees quickly lined up, with those who hadn't made the top ten automatically stepping back to make room for the top ten.
Jiang Juyou held the microphone and followed the procedure of reflecting on everyone's hardships over the past few months, while the fans were trembling with anxiety.
"Hurry up, put us out of our misery!"
"We couldn't see anything in the last hour and had to vote blindly. Please let it be a nine-member group!"
"Even though I love those four, why can't all nine debut together?"
"I think a seven-member group is more likely."
"Nobody's even voting for seven members anymore, what are you talking about?"
"All four companies let their CP fans join forces. If it doesn't work out, things might get ugly."
"Come on, their combined CP fans don't even score as high as my comprehensive exam."
While the comments were flying chaotically, Jiang Juyou lowered her microphone and opened the envelope.
This time, instead of an iPad, it was a simple card.
Jiang Juyou glanced down at it, let out a small internal sigh, then looked up again and announced: "Congratulations to Pei Zhiping, Han Lemi, Si Yanyu, and Yu Dan on their debut as a group—"
"Congratulations!"
The audience immediately erupted in screams, some joyful, others devastated.
"Oh my god!"
"They really did it?! Amazing!"
"Came to witness this! Taking a screenshot for posterity!"
"Didn't someone calculate earlier that they'd need to invest over ten million to secure this? Incredible!"
"Witnessing Chinese entertainment history!"
"Quick! I'm part of history now!"
"This is insane, seriously, you flower fans are terrifying!"
The voting strategy coordinated across twenty-seven fan sites brought enormous exposure to the finale, even causing a slight uptick in Random iWatch downloads.
With three platforms streaming simultaneously, crowds of casual viewers flooded the livestream rooms just to witness this moment that would be written into Chinese entertainment history.
When the results actually matched what the four companies had planned, netizens gained a new appreciation for the flower fans' dedication and unity.
After the announcement, both those on stage and in the audience were in tears. Following their debut speeches, the show finally drew to a close.
After leaving the stage, Jiang Juyou didn't even have time to change clothes before heading in her heels to meet with the invited executives.
"Boss He, Boss Zhao." Jiang Juyou stepped forward to shake their hands.
The young assistant stood behind, listening to the bigwigs exchange pleasantries. Jiang Juyou, who had shown disappointment earlier, now wore a business smile as she discussed future collaborations.
"Thank you, Boss He and Boss Zhao, for coming to watch..."
They weren't discussing just anything, but rather the survival shows their two platforms would be producing next, and Jiang Juyou's mentioned collaboration involved sending the trainees who hadn't debuted today to their shows.
It sounded like a resource exchange, but in reality, whether sending trainees out or receiving others in return, Random Entertainment would be the ultimate winner.
The collaboration was initiated by them during a time when Random Entertainment was undergoing internal restructuring. Only a select few knew the real reason, while outside rumors suggested that Random Entertainment was preparing for takeoff, having recruited numerous elite professionals.
The first to approach were two of China's top platforms, wanting Random Entertainment's trainees to participate in their upcoming survival shows.
Everyone knew how hot Random Entertainment was now, and how selective they were about external collaborations. Therefore, securing their trainees would practically guarantee initial popularity.
For Jiang Juyou, this was exactly what she needed. The funniest part was that they were so afraid Random Entertainment would refuse, they even brought several platform-produced drama resources for Random Entertainment's actors to choose from.
After "deliberating" for a few days, Jiang Juyou agreed and invited them and the show's PD to watch the finale.
Thus, today's finale was crucial for Jiang Juyou.
After exchanging pleasantries, Jiang Juyou saw them off, only returning once their cars had left.
Liu Jiajia and the young assistant stood with her, and as soon as they approached, Liu Jiajia asked, "Who are we sending where?"
Jiang Juyou smiled, appearing in good spirits, "Half and half, sending them to both."
The young assistant glanced at her boss, thinking her expression resembled a fox plotting something devious.
She thought carefully - sending Random Entertainment's trainees over there would be like releasing piranhas into a pond full of fish fry. That scene—
"Wow," the young assistant couldn't help but exclaim.
Jiang Juyou looked over, "What is it?"
She quickly shook her head, "Nothing."
Liu Jiajia spoke up, "What's more concerning is they might target our trainees, give them bad edits or no screen time. What then?"
Jiang Juyou turned to her, "Are you worried they don't have enough influence? We'll just release some clips from our show for marketing. If they don't give our trainees enough screen time, we'll create it ourselves. What's there to fear?"
Jiang Juyou turned back, lifting her dress as she looked ahead—
"Don't forget, our company's specialty is operations."
Random Entertainment possessed China's top operational capabilities. Just think about where they started three years ago, and look at Random Entertainment now.
Despite having only one newly debuted boy group, they had become one of China's top entertainment companies.
What was there to fear?
Yesterday, the trainees who were crying on stage thinking the company wouldn't debut another girl group for years were suddenly notified that they would be participating in survival shows on other platforms in two months.
Moreover, if they successfully debut, it would essentially be under Random Entertainment, as the management rights for both limited-time groups belong to Random Entertainment.
"..."
It was like a gift from heaven.
Meanwhile, those two platforms also began their own audition processes, publicly announcing that the final groups would be managed by Random Entertainment.
After this news broke, not only were the girls who applied ecstatic, but the entire fan community was overjoyed.
"Oh my god, with Random Entertainment managing the limited-time groups, I hope they don't end up turning us all into group fans."
"I'm getting goosebumps, our domestic pop industry is finally going to rise!"
"Why did they take so long to break the ice? If this had happened a year earlier, my bias would have benefited!"
"Is it a girl group survival show?"
"If it were a boy group show, I'd convince my bias to join even as a returning contestant. I really want to experience what top-tier management and styling is like!"
"I've already DM'd my bias to apply. I can't even imagine how happy I'll be!"
Since its establishment, Random Entertainment has never been out of the spotlight. Its existence has improved the entire fan culture environment significantly, expanded idol fandoms beyond their previous limitations, and increased domestic fan activities.
Show after show, they've provided templates for domestic idols and established industry standards.
On this wonderful day, Timetrain also announced their official summer comeback.
"@Timetrain: See you soon, August 6th."
"?"
"Is the song called August 6th?"
"Come on, you're not even bothering to make a poster now?"
"Before the dedicated fans take over the comments, hurry up and explain what this means!"
Woohoo, time to take off!
Congratulations to Random Entertainment on their metamorphosis and official takeoff~
