Chapter 101: Burning IU (1522)
On September 25th, DM Entertainment announced the list of the first one hundred purchasers of solo singer IU's debut album, "good day," which was set to be released soon. They also stated that singer IU and Chairman Jiang Shu would personally distribute the albums to these one hundred pre-order purchasers on October 10th at 9 AM on the first floor of DM Entertainment.
As soon as this news broke, it caused a huge stir in the K-pop industry.
There had been no precedent in the industry for an artist personally distributing pre-ordered albums, let alone a company Chairman and an artist doing it together?
Both industry insiders and fans had long been accustomed to the high-and-mighty attitude of entertainment company management, but Jiang Shu repeatedly broke this habit, bringing the Chairman, who floated in the sky, down to earth with the fans.
The one hundred lucky fans were also stunned. Was there such a good thing as buying an album?
Most of those who purchased IU's debut album were IVE fans and some K-pop fans who liked to watch new artists. After seeing DM Entertainment's announcement of IU's debut information and album preview, they chose to purchase. Most of them were Koreans, and most were in Seoul. For this album distribution event, which was similar to a fan sign, they could mostly attend, and being able to see DM Entertainment's Chairman in person was a great experience!
The industry was also very confused by DM Entertainment's announcement. Didn't this Jiang Shu care about his image? Recording vlogs all day and sharing company daily life was one thing, but frequently interacting with fans? What about his identity as a Chairman?
Regarding Jiang Shu's actions, some said he was down-to-earth, while others thought he was messing around, resulting in mixed reviews.
After a few days of discussion, on October 1st, the Three Greats television stations (MBC, SBS, KBS) jointly released an announcement, publicizing new rules for music shows, which immediately overshadowed the stir caused by Jiang Shu and DM Entertainment.
Compared to the rule changes for music shows, DM Entertainment's official announcement of a new solo singer personally distributing an album seemed less noteworthy, even with DM Entertainment's Chairman involved.
However, on October 5th, DM Entertainment announced again that IVE's first mini-album, "Love Dive," which would be returning on the fifteenth, would also be distributed by Chairman Jiang Shu and the members of IVE.
Public attention was once again drawn back. Compared to Lee Ji-eun, who had not yet officially debuted, IVE's popularity was much higher, and they had many more fans. This also led to many people paying attention to IU's album distribution event, wanting to see the operational model, considering it a preview for IVE's album distribution event.
October 10th arrived as scheduled.
At 9 AM Seoul time, as the music was released, the album distribution event on the first floor of DM Entertainment officially began.
Photographers and invited media held cameras, taking pictures of Jiang Shu, Lee Ji-eun, and the first pre-order album purchaser in the venue.
After more than a month of exposure, Jiang Shu was already able to remain composed in front of the camera. Looking at the first fan, he smiled, took IU's debut album and a specially made commemorative small card from a staff member beside him, and handed them to the fan with both hands.
"Thank you, Chairman Jiang!" The fan was a male university student in his twenties. Seeing Chairman Jiang personally hand him the album, he was somewhat overwhelmed and quickly reached out to take the album and the small card.
"Come, let's take a photo," Jiang Shu said to the young man.
"Yes!" The young man held the album in one hand and the small card in the other, standing beside Jiang Shu and looking at the camera. However, Jiang Shu stepped aside, leaving the center position for the young man, and stood with Lee Ji-eun on either side of him.
They looked at DM Entertainment's camera.
Click.
"Thank you, Chairman Jiang! IU xi!" The young man bowed again to thank them both. Jiang Shu smiled and bowed slightly in return.
Distributing albums to one hundred purchasers was not a simple task. Handing out albums and commemorative small cards, then taking a photo, could only accommodate a maximum of two people per minute, and often only one.
The process, which started at 9 AM, didn't finish until close to 11 AM.
Amidst everyone's applause, the first album distribution event concluded successfully.
Chairman's office.
"Music show performance this afternoon, right?" Jiang Shu took a sip of water, moistening his dry throat, and said to Lee Ji-eun.
"Yes," Lee Ji-eun nodded in response, "Chairman, are you going?"
Jiang Shu nodded.
"Yes, I need to record for my vlog."
Lee Ji-eun nodded upon hearing this. She subscribed to Jiang Shu's videos, which were mostly about IVE, and IVE members often appeared in them. Now that she had debuted, the channel would naturally feature videos related to IU.
"Did you look at the demo I gave you last time?"
Lee Ji-eun nodded.
"I finished looking at it."
"Can you complete it?"
"Yes, but I don't think I can do it to your level, Chairman," Lee Ji-eun said awkwardly.
The song demo Jiang Shu gave her was incomplete, only the first verse. It wasn't hard to complete the second verse, but she felt she couldn't do it as well as Jiang Shu.
"Then don't worry about it," Jiang Shu waved his hand, "You complete it and give it to me; I'll revise it."
"Yes."
Lee Ji-eun looked at Jiang Shu gratefully. The Chairman was clearly teaching her how to produce songs. Although she had systematically studied song production, mass-produced learning could never compare to a genuine genius producer teaching her hand-in-hand how to revise. This was the grace of imparting knowledge and skills!
"But don't work on this recently. Your schedule is very tight after your debut. This matter is not urgent, so don't get distracted," Jiang Shu cautioned.
He only asked Lee Ji-eun to complete the song to activate the Star Producer bond; he didn't care what Lee Ji-eun thought.
"Yes, I've noted that," Lee Ji-eun nodded heavily.
At this moment, the phone on the desk rang.
Jiang Shu put down the iced cola in his hand and picked up the phone.
"Hello."
"Chairman, the first-floor reception desk says you have about ten packages. Do you need me to bring them up?" Choi Ji-yeon's voice came through.
Jiang Shu's eyes lit up. The second batch of uniforms he bought had arrived!
The first batch of uniforms he bought last time had been returned or used, and now the new ones had arrived.
"Bring them to my office."
"Yes."
Putting down the phone, Jiang Shu looked at Lee Ji-eun, and suddenly his eyes flashed. He turned to face Lee Ji-eun directly.
Lee Ji-eun was a little puzzled by Jiang Shu's gaze, but she still stood obediently, letting Jiang Shu examine her.
"Something's missing," Jiang Shu muttered.
The twenty-five-year-old Lee Ji-eun was already extremely close to the IU in Jiang Shu's impression in terms of appearance, but she still lacked a certain quality in temperament, that pure-seductive aura. Compared to the IU in his memory, the current Lee Ji-eun was more "pure" than "seductive."
In layman's terms, she lacked a bit of a burning feeling.
"How tall are you?"
"161," Lee Ji-eun replied, though she was puzzled.
"Then it should work," Jiang Shu mumbled, then a meaningful smile appeared on his face, "Help me with a favor, how about it?"