Chapter Seventy-Five: The Cruel Competition Format

During the days of waiting, aside from practicing his prepared performance, Lin Qihua and Shen Manni also began to study the competition format of "The Vocalist." The rules of "The Vocalist" were brutally unforgiving, with an exceptionally high elimination rate. In the first and second episodes, eliminations were determined by the combined lowest rankings across both shows. From the third episode onward, however, each subsequent episode would see a single contestant eliminated, continuing until the revival round in the eleventh episode and culminating in the grand finale in the twelfth.

From the third episode, every week welcomed both a replacement singer and a challenger. The replacement singer entered as a regular competitor and faced no risk of elimination as long as they avoided last place. The challenger, however, faced immediate expulsion if they failed to rank in the top four. If the challenger did make it into the top four, then the last-placed contestant would be eliminated instead.

Such a harsh format meant that, aside from the first two episodes, each subsequent round was a battle decided by a single song—one performance determined whether you stayed or left. Even for seasoned veterans of the music industry, this was a merciless contest; after all, everyone had their pride, and elimination was an admission of inferiority, a blow to one's reputation.

This was especially true for top-tier singers and respected veterans, whose positions in the music world were otherwise unshakable. Participation in the show meant risking a misstep—a single poor performance could see them unceremoniously bested by a newcomer, a humiliation hard to bear.

That was why many of the industry's leading singers refused to participate in the program. Of course, there were also those who relished the challenge, seeking excitement and breakthroughs, each with their own motivations.

Such a ruthless format inevitably placed immense psychological pressure on contestants, forcing them to present their very best work and maintain an optimal state. Those who could withstand the pressure would deliver a dazzling performance and claim victory; those who could not, even to the point of collapse, were doomed to failure.

This was a stage for the strong, where only true talent spoke; the weak could only depart. "The Vocalist" derived its unique allure from this very quality, earning it nationwide acclaim as the premier stage for competition.

This format had been refined over the past few seasons. Originally, the show eliminated one contestant every two episodes, or sometimes introduced a challenger in the third episode. Each variation had its advantages and drawbacks, but in recent seasons, the rule of weekly eliminations starting from the third episode had become standard. This allowed no room for adjustment—contestants had to bring their best work and best state to every episode if they wished to remain.

There was no longer the luxury of performing a favorite style one week and saving their "trump card" for the next to secure their position. This provided the audience with constant surprises and excitement, as singers shed all pretenses of gentleness and strove fiercely for victory, embodying the very essence of competition. Paired with the live broadcast format, this maximized the show's charm.

In the earlier iterations, "The Vocalist" only allowed contestants to perform their own songs in the first episode; every other round required covers of others' works. This approach had given audiences countless classic renditions. However, in an era of ubiquitous covers, this model became saturated—almost every classic had been reinterpreted, making originality and innovation increasingly difficult.

Therefore, from two years ago, "The Vocalist" began to adapt with the times, encouraging singers to innovate. Any song not previously performed on another stage could be presented, with a particular emphasis on unperformed original works. This policy, in effect, encouraged contestants to create new material specifically for the competition. The reform also led to more composers being invited onto the contestants’ teams, becoming essential contributors whose talents brought ever more brilliant performances to the stage. Objectively, it spurred the development of original music as well.

"This format is truly ruthless," Shen Manni exclaimed. Variety shows in Huaxia rarely embraced such naked competition and drama as their foreign counterparts, instead emphasizing harmonious coexistence. Even if some competitive elements were introduced for effect, things usually ended amicably.

Against this backdrop, the rules of "The Vocalist" seemed all the more severe—direct elimination, regardless of whether one was an established star or a newcomer, veteran or youth. Everything was left to the stage, and the weak were simply sent home. Many found this hard to accept.

"But that's the allure of 'The Vocalist,'" Lin Qihua deliberated. "It's authentic, intense competition, expressed through music, measured by ability. Sing well and you stay; fail and you leave. It's only fair. If you come, you must accept these rules." He paused, "It also means contestants must take great care of their health and their voices during the competition—a bout of illness could spell disaster."

"Yes, so we have to be careful," Shen Manni replied, glancing at Ma Xiaoqian with a playful smile. "But with Xiaoqian here, there's nothing to worry about."

Ma Xiaoqian lowered her head, feigning shyness. She had already learned how to handle Shen Manni's occasional teasing: simply ignore her.

"One competition each week, and with New Year's Eve approaching, we'll likely have to participate in the New Year's Gala. Whether working on an original or an adaptation, there’s a lot of pressure."

Such was the nature of participating in a variety show. Involvement meant more than just the competition itself—it encompassed a comprehensive system, requiring cooperation with the network for a series of promotional events and shoots, such as appearing on required variety talk shows, filming "Our Vocalists," and participating in post-competition interviews—a full suite of activities.

As the premier singing competition, popular contestants on "The Vocalist" were typically invited to perform at the network's New Year's Gala, and sometimes even at the Spring Festival Gala, which was a win-win for both the network and the singers themselves.

Time slipped by in anticipation. During this period, Deputy Director Han Jialin and orchestra leader Gao Rui from the production team paid a visit to discuss preparations for Lin Qihua’s first performance. Han Jialin inquired about stage design and visual needs, while Gao Rui discussed musical arrangements and accompaniment—matters of utmost importance.

The reason "The Vocalist" could claim its status as the top competition stage owed much to the orchestra led by Gao Rui. He brought to the show a full symphony orchestra—previously only seen in classical performances—blending it with piano, drums, and a host of other instruments, creating a formidable accompaniment lineup. Combined with the highest caliber backing vocalists, this resulted in an extraordinary auditory experience.

Contestants had to submit their sheet music to the orchestra in advance to allow for adequate preparation. They could not simply walk on stage and sing; the orchestra also needed time to rehearse and synchronize. Otherwise, the effect on stage could not be guaranteed.

October 10th arrived—the long-awaited premiere of "The Vocalist" was finally at hand.