Almost Famous Episode 18 Recap
> Almost Famous Recap
Ding Dongdong meticulously chose his clothes in preparation for a significant meeting. He was recommended by Professor Li Shuangbai to meet with President Mi Dongnan, a potential investor for their graduation show. His roommate, Zhang Yiyong, ribbed him good-naturedly for taking so long. Zhang Yiyong then observed both Ding Dongdong and You Zhiqi, who was busy reviewing his music composition "Share," and lamented how quickly their four years of university were passing.
He felt aimless, calling himself a "salt fish" while everyone else had aspirations. Ding Dongdong and You Zhiqi tried to console him, suggesting they would fulfill his artistic dreams for him, which only made Zhang Yiyong feel worse. Zhang Yiyong reflected on their classmates' paths: Fang Yali was working hard to audition for the British Ballet School, Amy had established her own street dance studio, and Qu Shiyun was frequently attending auditions, clearly set on becoming an actress.
He expressed particular confusion about Cheng Ming, who had forgone a significant opportunity as the second female lead in Director Lin's new film to focus on the graduation show. Zhang Yiyong playfully "interviewed" You Zhiqi about Cheng Ming's decision, to which You Zhiqi unequivocally stated that he supported whatever Cheng Ming decided. Before leaving for his meeting, Ding Dongdong reminded Zhang Yiyong that he did have an aspiration from his very first day at Starry Arts Academy.
This sparked a realization in Zhang Yiyong, who excitedly declared his dream was to be the man behind his idol, Fang Yali, and rushed off to buy her groceries. Ding Dongdong presented his script, "Almost Famous," at a meeting with President Mi Dongnan's team. President Mi expressed his strong interest in the script and instructed his team to assess its feasibility and adaptation potential.
Ding Dongdong explained his inspiration, revealing that he wrote the story to depict the real-life struggles and dreams of students at an arts school. However, some team members suggested adding "sensational" and more commercially appealing elements to boost ratings, arguing that today's audiences prefer romance and dramatic flair. Ding Dongdong firmly refused, emphasizing the importance of staying true to the realistic and inspirational nature of his story.
When President Mi stepped out to take a call, the team's demeanor shifted dramatically. They harshly criticized the script, calling it "dry and boring" and asserting it lacked the modern elements necessary for success, even questioning its worthiness for production. Feeling disrespected and angered by their superficial feedback, Ding Dongdong declared he would rather abandon the project than allow them to distort his original work.
After the contentious meeting, Ding Dongdong met with President Mi, who encouraged him not to give up on his vision. President Mi revealed that Professor Li Shuangbai had already agreed to use "Almost Famous" as the graduation show. He promised that if the graduation show was well-received, he would proceed with Ding Dongdong's original ideas for a television adaptation.
President Mi, emphasizing his company's commitment to nurturing new talent, then introduced Ding Dongdong to Chairwoman Lin, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry known for her unique vision. Chairwoman Lin also praised Ding Dongdong's talent and shared President Mi's ambition to create a Chinese version of "Fame." She assured Ding Dongdong that she would provide the best resources and team, allowing him to focus entirely on writing a compelling script.
With the support of these two influential figures, Ding Dongdong's spirits soared, and he dedicated himself to the script's adaptation. Meanwhile, You Zhiqi and Cheng Ming were deeply immersed in their work for "Almost Famous." You Zhiqi proudly presented a new arrangement for a song, suggesting it as the main soundtrack. Cheng Ming found it perfect, noting how well it captured the script's artistic essence.
You Zhiqi shared his elaborate plans for various arrangements, incorporating instruments like the violin and piano, promising to make it the best. Wei Feng joined them, lightheartedly teasing them about their collaborative "affection" before offering his own insights on adding harmonies and variations to the melody. Back at the school, students were abuzz discussing the graduation show. Ding Dongdong excitedly announced that Professor Li had confirmed "Almost Famous" as their official graduation performance script, much to everyone's delight.
Professor Dao then delivered even more exciting news: the school would invite renowned organizations, famous actors, directors, and even a Broadway production company to watch their performance. She stressed the immense impact this would have on their future careers and urged everyone to strive for the roles they desired. In the dorm, Cheng Ming, Amy, and Qu Shiyun read the script.
Cheng Ming, who found the characters "robust," immediately set her sights on the female lead, determined to prove herself after missing out on the role in her sophomore year. Qu Shiyun also expressed her desire for the lead, highlighting her early debut and popularity. Amy, however, candidly suggested the role might not suit Qu Shiyun, which provoked a heated response.
Qu Shiyun claimed Ding Dongdong had based the female lead on her, but Amy countered by questioning her ability and suggesting she pursue the lead in the television adaptation instead. Angered, Qu Shiyun called Ding Dongdong, subtly asking if he could secure her an important role in the TV version of "Almost Famous," but he informed her that President Mi held the ultimate decision on casting.
Undeterred, Qu Shiyun went directly to Yiyu Media without an appointment, insisting on meeting President Mi. She recounted her extensive acting experience since childhood, her passion, and the sacrifices she had made. President Mi, who had learned she was Amy's roommate, promised to review her materials and give her a chance if her performance proved compelling, though Qu Shiyun mistakenly believed her talent and sincerity were the reasons for his interest.
Cheng Ming explained to You Zhiqi and Wei Feng why she prioritized the graduation show over Director Lin's film opportunity. She believed that while movie roles could come later, the graduation show was a unique, once-in-a-lifetime chance she had prepared four years for, aligning with her true dream of being a musical actress. You Zhiqi fully supported her ambition. Wei Feng encouraged You Zhiqi, reminding him of his resilient spirit.
You Zhiqi affirmed his dream of becoming the best music producer, while Wei Feng aspired to teach at Starry Arts. Cheng Ming resolved to do her best with the graduation show, and they all expressed hopes for their dreams to come true. Meanwhile, Zhang Yiyong arrived to comfort a distressed Fang Yali, who was distraught after failing her audition for the British Ballet School.
She confided in him that she had hoped admission to a foreign school would free her from her mother's control and parental arrangements, and now all her hard work felt wasted. Zhang Yiyong reassured her, offering his unwavering support. President Mi, concerned about his daughter Amy but hesitant to openly acknowledge her due to her mother's past actions, sought a discreet way to learn more about her.
He contacted Qu Shiyun, offering her a role in the "Almost Famous" TV adaptation. In exchange, he requested that she secretly provide him with information about Amy's academic and living situation. Qu Shiyun, puzzled, received Mi's fabricated explanation that it was for a confidential street dance movie project for which Amy was being considered. Qu Shiyun readily agreed.
Subsequently, President Mi asked his assistant to purchase four gifts for young women, specifying they were for Qu Shiyun and her three roommates. During the delivery, the assistant, misinterpreting President Mi's earlier remarks about "the next generation," mistakenly inferred that Qu Shiyun was President Mi's daughter, a rumor that quickly spread throughout the school after the delivery person mentioned that the gifts were "from Qu Shiyun's father, President Mi of Yiyu Media."
The rumor reached Ding Dongdong, who became deeply troubled. He confronted Qu Shiyun, questioning whether President Mi's investment in "Almost Famous" was due to their alleged father-daughter relationship rather than the merit of his script. Qu Shiyun seemed perplexed by his concern, simply stating that the positive outcome was all that mattered, regardless of the reason. Ding Dongdong expressed his fear that if the investment wasn't based on his talent, it would undermine his confidence as a writer.
Later, Amy and her roommates received the gifts from President Mi. They were puzzled as Qu Shiyun had never mentioned having such an influential father. Although Qu Shiyun knew the truth about the misunderstanding, her vanity led her to avoid clarifying the situation, merely asking if they liked the gifts.
