"Thank you." "Thank you." "Can I sing one more?" "Yes!" "One more." "One more!" "What would you like to hear?" "Anything you like." "There are so many great songs." "One at a time." "Step aside!" "What the hell is this?" "You're supposed to help me in the field." "Let's go!" "I'm sorry." "I forgot." "I'm sorry?" "You think you're some kind of a pop star?" "Who ever gave you that idea?" "You're too slow." "The harvest has to be done before the winter." "No wonder your real parents didn't want you." "Han Bing!" "Is that you?" "Get me a beer!" "In ten minutes we will arrive at our final stop, the Shanghai Central Station." "Please prepare to get off." "Sorry." "Taxi!" "Wow, people actually live in those buildings?" "Sure." "But it's not cheap I tell you." "I wanna live like that someday." "First time in Shanghai?" "Yeah." "My uncle lives here." "I'm moving in with him." "Good." "Then you already know someone here." "Actually I don't know him that well." "But I've listened to his music a lot." "He moved here when I was very young, to start a band." "I see." "Hope you'll like it here then." "Shanghai is not always easy to live in." "Don't worry." "I'll take my chances." "Stop the car." "I have to see this." "I'll walk from here." "Hello." "Anyone there?" "Hello!" "Uncle Zhiping!" "What do you want?" "Come back tomorrow." "We're closed." "Han Zhiping?" "It's me." "Han Bing." "Little Bing?" "Is it really you?" "Yes." "It's me!" "Last time I saw you, you were about this tall." "There've been a lot of thieves here lately." "I thought you were a thief." "Come on." "Let's go inside." "I'll take that." "Come." "Great picture." "I don't know about that." "The good old days." "I listened to your music a lot when I was growing up." "Imagining what your life would be like here in Shanghai." "I know all your songs by heart." "Have you made some new songs lately?" "No, not that I'm aware of." "I wanted to come here for so long." "You're the only real family I've got." "Little Bing, I wish I could have helped you out more." "But as you can see the last few years have been kind oftough for me too." "Don't worry." "It's not your fault what my parents did." "Growing up without them has actually made me a stronger person." "Anyway, I'm glad to have you here." "The room in the back has a small bed." "Lets go." "You must be tired." "Come." "This is your room..." "I hope you'll like it." "Of course." "I've never had a room of my own before." "This is so great." "I love Shanghai already." "I'm never going backto the village again." "Little Bing, what are you going to do here?" "Look here." "What is this?" "A singing contest." "It's one ofthe record companies here is looking for new talent." "The winner gets a contract with Star Records." "OK, but what's that got to do with you?" "Don't you remember how much I loved to sing as a child?" "This is what I've always dreamt of." "To come here and become a pop star." "A popstar?" "Yeah." "To work with music just like you." "Little Bing, I'm not a musician." "Not anymore." "I gave that up a long time ago." "Gave up?" "Why?" "More than one reason." "But I don't understand." "You were so good." "Well, sometimes being good isn't good enough." "As you can see I sell and repair bikes now." "I know." "It's not bad either." "No, but it pays my bills." "OK." "Lets get some rest!" "It would be great if they could let us in some time soon." "I'm only here cause my manager told me to." "I'm already working on my first album." "Here is your form to fill out." "Then leave it at the desk." "When will it be my turn?" "Today, if you're lucky." "Welcome, welcome everyone." "So nice to see so many people here." "This is the second year Star Records has the pleasure to arrange this contest." "Who is that?" "You're not from around here are you?" "That's Mr. Shen." "A really big manager." "He's one ofthe jury members." "So, without further ado, let's welcome our first contestant." "You are too weak." "Have a rest." "Next please." "What's your name?" "I'm Du Lei." "Han Bing." "Nice to meet you." "I thought this contest was for girls only." "That's right." "So, what are you doing here then?" "A bit of everything." "Many pretty girls to look at." "My hair is a mess." "What is that?" "Lyrics for a song." "You'll never win with that song." "It's too old." "That's what you think." "Where did you buy those clothes?" "Let's go." "Thank you all for coming." "Unfortunately we can't accept any more contestants today." "Please come back next year." "Thanks." "Hey." "Too bad you didn't get to try." "Better luck next time." "Thanks." "So, what song were you gonna sing?" "Listen." "I have to go." "Go where?" "I didn't come here for nothing." "At least they're gonna hear me sing." "Mr. Shen..." "Please, hold on a second." "What do you want?" "I've been waiting for this for so long." "Could you please just listen to me?" "I really can sing." "I think we've heard enough today." "Come back next year." "Let's just hope your voice is as good as your looks." "Not bad." "I don't know if it's right for us, but you can clearly sing." "Thanks." "Let me get your number and we'll get back to you, ifwe have something for you." "OK?" "Sure." "OK." "Thanks." "Bye." "We have to go now." "Hey!" "There you are." "Du Lei?" "I heard you singing in the parking lot." "Fantastic voice you have." "So, why didn't they let me on stage?" "You need a manager." "A what?" "Manager..." "Someone who helps you out with promotion and stuff." "And who would that be?" "You?" "No, but maybe I can help you out anyway." "Get you a job or something." "Job?" "I know a club that needs a singer." "Maybe that would be a start?" "Sure, but how." "Trust me." "I've been around for a while." "I have connections." "Is that where you live?" "I should go now." "I'm late for dinner." "Sorry." "OK." "I'll come by tomorrow then and we'll take care ofthings for you." "Sure." "Bye." "Today is payday." "I know." "What is this supposed to mean?" "There's three thousand." "Just like always." "That was for last month." "What about this month?" "It's only the twenty-fifth." "It's been slow lately." "Give me a few more days..." "OK." "I know I can count on you." "I'll be back next week." "There you are." "I was just getting worried." "How did it go today?" "Not so good." "I didn't even get to try." "I told you." "Just as well." "Have some soup." "The guy who was here." "Who was that?" "What are you talking about?" "The guy with the car." "I heard you talking." "Little Bing, that's none of your business." "Sit down and eat before it gets cold." "You were giving him money." "It's just an old debt." "I had to take a loan when I first got here." "That's all." "But he took all you got." "Why did you take a loan?" "Because of your music?" "Is that why you don't play anymore?" "Bing, I don't wanna talk about it." "Help me out here." "So, thing's didn't work out for you yesterday?" "I don't know." "We'll see." "At least I got him to listen to me." "The entertainment industry is for assholes." "You have to have connections." "No, that's not true." "Many famous artists started like me." "Why don't you put these dreams aside and get a real job?" "I will make it." "You'll see." "It's the only thing I've ever wanted." "What now?" "What do you want?" "can't help you with that piece of junk unless you have money." "I'm looking for Han Bing." "Who?" "Du Lei..." "There you are." "What are you doing here?" "I fixed a job at the night club for you." "Just like I said." "Really?" "We gotta go there right now and talk to them." "They're waiting for you." "Hop on." "I thought you were gonna help me today." "I will." "I'll be back before dinner." "What's his problem?" "He's just looking out for me, I guess." "No problem." "What kind of place is this?" ""Ying-yang"." "The best nightclub in town." "You work here?" "Sure." "I know the owner so he calls me when he has things for me to do." " Like finding a singer?" " Yeah." "Something like that." "You like it?" "It's OK." "Hey." "There you are." "This is the talented singer I told you about." "Nice meeting you." "If you're as good as he says, we'd love you to work here." "Thanks." "You wanna hear me sing?" "No." "Save it for tonight." "I'm Liu Yikun, the owner of this club." "Welcome." "Thanks." "Show her around a little." "Get her ready for tonight." "Some new clothes maybe?" "Sure." "No problem." "Tonight?" "But I have to..." "You have something else to do?" "No." "It's fine." "Get ready..." "Thank you." "This is my first night singing here and I hope you'll enjoy it." "Hey." "Where did you find this girl?" "That's my secret." "I told you she was good." "Really good..." "It's justwhat this place needs." "She's perfect here." "I know." "Forget it." "Soon she wont be interested in a loser like you anyway." "That's what you think." "I may not have the biggest wallet in town, but I know my way around and that's worth something too." "Here." "On the house." "That was the last song for tonight." "Thank you so much." "I hope you had just as good a time I did." "Thanks." "Not bad." "What are you gonna do with all the money?" "To start with I'm gonna help out my uncle." "That's nice of you." "Yeah." "This is more than I would make in a month back in the village." "You remind me of a girl who used to work here a couple of years ago." "Also a singer?" "Yes." "She was also a small town girl with big dreams." "What happened?" "She got married and moved back." "That won't happen to me." "What about yourself?" "You're gonna hang out here for the rest of your life?" "Who knows?" "As long as you mind your own business it's fine." "How do you mean?" "Nothing." "Don't worry." "So, you think they liked me?" "I already told you." "You were fantastic." "I had a boyfriend back home." "He always told me I would become a star." "He's not your boyfriend anymore, is he?" "No." "Thank you." "For everything." "Oh, my God." "Look!" "I can't believe she's coming here." "I've loved Tyana all my life." "She's so beautiful." "Don't you think?" "Not as beautiful as you." "What are you doing?" "I like you." "Why?" "Do I need a reason?" "But you hardly know me." "So?" "I take my chances in life." "Just like you." "Good morning." "I'm sorry I got home so late last night." "What are you doing?" "What does it look like?" "I'm doing the stuff I thought you were gonna help me out with yesterday." "Sorry, but I told you over the phone that I might be home late." "Where's the glue?" "Don't you wanna know how it went last night?" "Han Bing." "I know what kind of place you're working at." "You shouldn't hang out with people like that." "It's not good for you." "Why?" "Just trust me." "I've been around longer than you have." "But this is a great opportunity for my career." "Your career?" "Who knows?" "Some guy from a record company might come and hear me." "I made a lot of money last night." "Maybe I can help you out." "No thanks." "I can take care of myself." "You're just jealous because you're stuck here." "Just because you couldn't make it doesn't mean I can't." "Dinner is ready soon." "No thanks." "What are you going?" "I'm moving out." "Why?" "What's wrong?" "I came here to be a pop star." "Not to work in a garage." "What is it that makes you want this so bad?" "It will only bring your trouble." "We're closed." "Hey." "Come in." "I didn't think you were working today." "I'm not." "Can I get you anything?" "Tea?" "So, what are you doing here?" "You got kicked out or something?" "Sort of." "But where are you gonna stay?" "I don't know." "I guess I'll find a cheap hotel or something." "I have another idea." "This is it." "Pass me your bag." "I stayed here for a few months when I first got to Shanghai." "Thank you so much." "I'll pay you for it, as soon as I can." "No need for that." "Just try to keep it down and don't make any noise." "I will." "I promise." "Here's the key." "Hi." "What can I get you?" "The usual." "It's crowded tonight." "It's like that, every night she's on stage." "She's a hit." "It runs in the family I guess." "What do you mean?" "I checked her up." "Her uncle was once a talented musician." "Really?" "You know him?" "Yeah." "A few years ago." "I helped him out a little." "What happened?" "He didn't listen to me." "Tried to go his own way." "Yes." "Is this Miss." "Bing?" "Yeah." "It's me." "Mr. Shen would like a meeting with you next week." "Really?" "Yes." "Is Friday the second, at two o'clock OK with you?" "You bet." "Thanks a lot." "Look at you." "Do I look OK?" "That depends on what you're planning to do." "Just meeting someone." "Who?" "A friend." "OK." "Have a good time." "Thanks." "I gotta go now." "Hello, I'm Han Bing." "I'm here to see Mr. Shen." "Please wait." "There's a Miss Han here to see you." "OK." "I'll send her up." "Mr. Shen will see you now." "Thanks." "Hello." "Come in, come in." "Good day." "I'm Han Bing." "I remember you." "Thanks." "So, what have you been up to lately?" "I sing at a nightclub." "That's a shame." "You have way too much talented for that." "You think so?" "Come." "This way." "I've helped many young girls like you become famous." "I think we can work something out." "You do have what it takes to become a star, don't you?" "Uncle..." "What are you doing here?" "I wanted to talk to you." "About Liu." "I know what you're gonna say." "And you cant stop me." "This is my dream." "I used to work for him." "Liu Yikun?" "Yes." "I was young and naive." "He said he would help me." "But when my career ended he told me I owed him money for his expenses." "You understand?" "Don't worry." "I'll be out of here soon." "I have a manager now." "Hey." "What are you doing here?" "Just catching some fresh air." "With your bag?" "I'm leaving, Liu." "I can't work here anymore." "Leaving?" "What makes you think you can leave just like that?" "We have a deal." "You can't stop me." "I'm gonna be a star." "I have a new job." "I'm moving back with my uncle." "Really?" "Well, let me tell you this." "If you leave now, your uncle wont be pleased." "What do you mean?" "He owes me money." "You're a smart girl, you'll figure it out." "How much?" "How much do you want?" "At least ten grand." "Can you afford that?" "There you are!" "I thought I'd hear you sing tonight." "No." "I don't feel well." "What's wrong?" "What's this?" "Nothing." "You wrote this yourself?" "I didn't know you wrote your own songs." "No one knows." "You should be proud ofthem." "Show them to that manager." "I don't think so." "What's wrong?" "Everything here is so complicated." "I feel lost." "They don't have to be." "Look at me." "I just do what I feel like." "Take one day at a time." "No worries." "I'm glad we met." "Let's go out this weekend." "Just you and me." "Forget everything." "Just have fun." "I'd love that." "Howwas it?" "Great." "Just great." "Needs some more work, but this is the kind of material we need." "But don't you think it's too soft?" "Right!" "It's so hard to know what the kids want these days." "Don't worry." "We'll find the right material for you." "Let's try it one more time, with a little more edge." "Or you've got something better to do?" "No, of course not." "Have you seen Han Bing?" "No, sorry." "Strange." "She should have been on stage an hour ago." "Damn it." "Cant trust anyone these days." "Come on." "It's all I have." "Give me a few more weeks." "Be a pal Liu." "Once." "Only once do I allow my creditors to be late with their payments." "You've got two more days." "There's no way I can come up with that kind of money in two days." "That's your problem." "Steal, rob someone." "I don't care." "I worked my ass off for you for over ten years." "I pay my bills every month." "It's never been a problem before." "Things change, my good man." "Perhaps you should talk to that niece of yours." "What do you mean by that?" "You've always been loyal to me and done the right thing." "Perhaps you should teach her the same thing." "Understand?" "Very good." "Smile a little." "Lean forward..." "Lean backwards..." "Oh." "Sorry, sorry." "It's OK." "I have to leave, but there's a party tonight for a big international artist." "A lot of important people will be there." "We should go there." "Of course." "Which artist?" "Tyana something?" "Tyana!" "I can't believe I'm gonna meet her." "And after the party I thought we could go out and celebrate." "Just you and me." "I'll call you about it." "I have to go." "Mr. Shen." "How did it go today?" "Not bad." "Very good." "We need to work more on your image and find some even better songs." "How long will that take?" "A month?" "Then we better be lucky." "It takes time." "Lot's of hard work, to become a star." "Understand?" "Yes..." "Good, see you tonight then." "I'll call you." "Bye." "Look at you." "I was only gonna take you out for dumplings." "I'm sorry Du Lei." "I completely forgot." "What?" "I have plans." "The record company is having a release party for a foreign artist." "I have to go there." "Lot of important people will be there." "Important people?" "You know." "Artists, producers." "What am I then?" "Unimportant?" "Listen Du Lei." "I don't think I'll have time to see you for a while." "What do you mean?" "I must focus on my career." "And Mr. Shen doesn't want me to have any distractions." "Such as a boyfriend." "What kind of bullshit is that?" "Maybe you're getting a little too close to that manager of yours." "I have a lot on my mind right now." "You don't understand." "Yes, I do understand." "You don't think..." "I'm good enough for you anymore." "We have to talk later." "I have to go." "It's been a slow week." "Yes." "I noticed." "I need Han Bing working here." "She hasn't been well lately." "Not been well." "Is it because she's working somewhere else?" "I hope I can trust you..." "Is it so?" "I can't afford to loose her." "I guess it's time to show her I'm serious." "I can't believe I'm actually here." "She has been one of my favorite idols for so long." "I wonder what it's like to be so famous?" "Soon that can be you." "Stop kidding." "I'm serious." "If you play your cards right, then you can go all the way." "You really think so?" "Han Bing, I've been in this business for over twenty years." "I know a talentwhen I see one." "Mr. Shen." "I think I have to go home now." "Have a drink with me first." "One glass..." "You're really beautiful tonight." "Thanks." "You already told me that." "I really should go now." "Don't worry about that." "I have a room downstairs." "No." "Please." "Come on." "You wanna make a record or not?" "Go where?" "Uncle!" "What's happened?" "What happened tonight?" "Liu and his goons." "That's what happened." "I'll go talkto him." "This has gotta stop!" "Don't." "He won't be coming back." "He took my last savings." "I'm sorry." "I neverwanted this to happen." "At first I thought I could help you." "What do you mean?" "Liu did this to get back at me." "Because I started working for this record company guy." "And you knew this?" "All the time?" "This is all your fault." "Why did you have to get involved with those people?" "But please." "Please let me stay." "Who is it?" "It's me." "What's wrong?" "Come inside." "I have no where to go now." "No family." "No future." "You're the only one I have left." "Han Bing..." "Four hours ago you told me that we shouldn't see each other." "What are you saying now?" "Du Lei." "I need you tonight." "Bing." "No." "You can't fix it like that." "I don't know who you are anymore." "Do you even know yourself?" "My parents gave me away when I was very young." "They wanted a boy instead." "I'm sorry." "All my life I've felt lost." "Like I don't belong anywhere." "All I wanted was to come here and become a pop star." "To become somebody." "Now it's all gone." "All because of Liu Yikun." "You're the one who got me working in that place..." "So?" "How can you work for a gangster like that?" "It's just a job." "I've also got bills to pay." "Fine." "Then I don't wanna see you again." "One ticket to Beijing, please." "When is the bus to Jiang Zhou?" "Jiang Zhou?" "Not until tonight." "Six o'clock." "OK." "One ticket then." "Uncle..." "I'm so sorry." "I really let you down." "It's OK." "I understand." "No problem." "Du Lei?" "No, It's just me." "Look Bing, I'm sorry for what happened, but let's forget that and move on." "We have a record to make, right?" "I found some new material for you." "No thanks." "I'm not for sale." "Not anymore." "Hey." "How're you doing?" "Fine." "I'm sorry about what happened." "I've got myselfto blame." "If I had supported you more, all this might never had happened." "No, I guess it's like you said." "People like me have to learn things the hard way." "Little Bing..." "Hey." "You're back." "It's yours!" "Mine?" "For sure!" "You give it to me?" "Sure." "You've worked hard." "And I've got some extra money now, since Liu Yikun is off my back." "I'm really happy for you that you can keep the shop." "Yeah, but I didn't leave the village to repair bikes." "What are you saying?" "Dreams..." "Dreams are important when you're young." "Without them things would never change." "I thought this might interest you." "What's this?" "A new contest..." "With a much bigger record company than before." "For me?" "Of course..." "You didn't think I was gonna let you work in my garage forever did you?" "No." "You've done enough for me." "Little Bing..." "I heard you sing..." "I don't want to see a talent like you go to waste." "But I thought you said the entertainment industry was for assholes." "It is..." "But as long as you're true to yourself, they can't harm you." "But I can't enter this." "Why not?" "It's only for professionals." "I need a manager or something." "You've got me." "Thanks." "But I do feel..." "That I will miss you much..." "I can see the first leaves falling'..." "It's all yellow and nice." "It's so cold outside..." "Hi, Du Lei." "I'm sorry for what I said." "I just wish we could start over." "I'm still in Shanghai." "I finally finished my song." "I thought you'd like to hear it." "Please call me." "Hello Han." "I'll go and buy a soda." "How's your head?" "I'll be fine." "I'm more worried about you..." "What do you mean?" "At this place without me..." "You'll never make it." "This is Melinda." "My latest talent." "She's gonna be a star." "Good luck." "How you're doing?" "I don't know if I can do this..." "Why not?" "Mr. Shen is here." "With his new star..." "So?" "How can he do that if he's in the jury?" "Life's not fair." "I justwish Du Lei was here." "Come on." "It's time" "My name is Han Bing." "I'm 20 years old and live in Shanghai." "Quiet please." "The jury has now chosen five of you for the next round." "Please step forward when I call your names." "Wang Shanshan..." "Feng Li..." "Melinda..." "Lee..." "And finally..." "Han Bing." "We will now take a short break..." "Then we will hear you all again before making our final decision." "Congratulations." "You were great." "I don't know." "I feel so nervouswith Mr. Shen there..." "It's like he's just waiting for me to make a mistake..." "Forget about him." "He's not worth it." "I know." "I'll try." "Maybe we should change song for the next round." "What do you mean?" "Why?" "Maybe we need something extra." "Something they haven't heard before." "OK." "But what?" "I'm not sure." "Du Lei..." "Du Lei..." "What are you doing here?" "I came to see you." "I'm so glad you're here." "I'm so nervous." "Don't worry." "Trust yourself." "I'm not sure." "The other girls are really good." "Forget that." "Thanks." "I'm sorry for what I said." "No." "You were right." "That's why I quit." "I have to find another job." "Really?" "So, how's it going?" "Not good." "The others sing so well." "Why don't you sing your own song?" "No, I can't do that." "It's not that good." "Come on." "You gotta believe in yourself." "OK." "I'll try." "I'm gonna sing a song I've written myself." "I can see the first leaves falling." "It's all yellow and nice." "It's so very, cold outside." "Like the way I'm feeling inside." "I'm a big big girl..." "In a big big world." "It's not a big big thing if you leave me." "But I do do feel..." "That I do do will..." "Miss you much." "Miss you much." "Thank you." "I will now collect the votes." "Looks like there's a tie between two ofthe contestants." "Han Bing and Melinda both got 10 points." "This has only happened once before." "Will Melinda Chang and Han Bing please step forward." "We will have a third round of voting with just the two of you." "I'll guess we'll just read the votes out loud." "Shit." "That jerk will never vote for Han Bing..." "Maybe we don't need his vote." "OK..." "Time to vote..." "Please go ahead." "Han Bing!" "Melinda." "Han Bing!" "Han Bing!"