Chapter 103: The Mighty MC Yuan Shen! (1722)
SBS, Inkigayo studio.
Jiang Shu didn't hold the camera himself this time. Instead, he brought a cameraman and followed Lee Ji-eun to the waiting room.
IVE's waiting room.
"New artists usually use the public lounge, but IVE is about to make a comeback, and all the music shows have prepared IVE's waiting room. It's perfect for IU to borrow it, so she doesn't have to squeeze into the public lounge," Jiang Shu said, looking at the camera and introducing their current location.
Lee Ji-eun sat in front of the dressing table, as a makeup artist applied her stage makeup.
Knock knock knock.
A knock sounded, and Jiang Shu looked up. What greeted his eyes was Zhang Yuanying, wearing an MC skirt.
"Xiao Yuan?" Jiang Shu looked at Zhang Yuanying in surprise.
"President oppa!" Zhang Yuanying happily approached him.
"I'm filming a vlog. Say hello to everyone," Jiang Shu said, pointing to the camera behind him.
"Hello everyone, I'm Yuan Ying from IVE," Zhang Yuanying said with a smile, bowing to the camera.
DM Entertainment's camera training wasn't the perfect artist template of Starship. It focused more on showcasing one's personality, provided that the personality was likable and not unpleasant.
"Hello, Yuan Ying Senior," Lee Ji-eun greeted from the side, looking at her reflection. "I'm sorry I can't get up."
"Oh, it's fine," Zhang Yuanying said with a beaming smile, waving her hand. Then she looked at Jiang Shu, "I've watched all of President oppa's videos, but I have a question."
"What question?" Jiang Shu asked curiously.
"Why don't you take me with you for your daily vlogs!" Zhang Yuanying pouted.
Jiang Shu didn't have many daily vlogs. Only one out of ten company videos would be a daily vlog, and the people featured in them were mostly Kim Minju. Only when Kim Minju wasn't available would he feature others.
"You're a debuted artist, and you're still fighting with junior trainees for exposure?" Jiang Shu raised his hand and gave her a light tap on the head.
"Ouch! I just wanted to go out and have fun with President oppa."
"There will be opportunities in the future," Jiang Shu said, shaking his head. "How is it? Being an MC?"
"It's quite interesting, a fantastic experience!" Zhang Yuanying said happily.
It was clear she really enjoyed being an MC.
"As long as it's interesting," Jiang Shu nodded. "Have you heard Ji-eun's debut song?"
Lee Ji-eun was a year older than Jiang Shu, but since he was the President, he would never call her Noona.
"I've heard it, it's already in my playlist," Zhang Yuanying said, shaking her head and even humming the song.
Jiang Shu looked at her in surprise. Although he didn't speak, his eyes were saying, "You actually listened to it."
On the other side, Lee Ji-eun had also finished her makeup and stood up, bowing to Zhang Yuanying.
"Yuan Ying Senior."
"IU Unnie is too polite," Zhang Yuanying said with a beaming smile. Lee Ji-eun was eleven years older than Zhang Yuanying, but she was still a senior, and all due courtesies had to be observed.
"What's Ji-eun's performance slot today?" Jiang Shu asked.
"Mid-segment. I forgot which number, but it's in the middle, anyway," Zhang Yuanying thought for a moment and said.
"What's the use of you?" Jiang Shu said, feigning disappointment.
Zhang Yuanying made a face at Jiang Shu.
"I can make money for the company!"
"Alright, you win," Jiang Shu said, throwing his hands up in surrender.
Zhang Yuanying lifted her head, hummed twice, glanced at the smiling Lee Ji-eun, and then her eyes darted around.
"Will President oppa come when we make our comeback on the fifteenth?"
"Yes, I'll also attend your album release event," Jiang Shu said casually.
"Then it's settled. I'll apply to the production team to interview President oppa then," Zhang Yuanying said enthusiastically.
"No thanks," Jiang Shu waved his hand. "I don't want to be interviewed, so don't bother applying."
"Alright then," Zhang Yuanying nodded regretfully.
Knock knock knock.
The door to the waiting room was pushed open, and a staff member appeared.
"Won-young xi... Uh, Chairman Jiang?" The staff member then noticed Jiang Shu standing beside Zhang Yuanying and quickly bowed to Jiang Shu.
With IVE's continued rise in popularity, DM Entertainment's standing in the industry also soared.
The entertainment industry is an extremely realistic business; whoever is popular is right.
Jiang Shu, who controlled DM Entertainment, was also approaching the status of the Three Greats' leaders in the industry.
"Hello," Jiang Shu said with a gentle smile and a nod. "Xiao Yuan, they're looking for you."
"Yes," Zhang Yuanying looked at the staff member.
"Zhang Yuanying, the show is about to start recording."
"Oh, oh," Zhang Yuanying responded belatedly, turning to look at Jiang Shu and Lee Ji-eun.
"President oppa, IU Unnie, I'll be busy now."
"Go ahead," Jiang Shu said with a smile, nodding.
"Yuan Ying Senior, take care," Lee Ji-eun said, bowing meticulously.
After Zhang Yuanying left with the staff member, Lee Ji-eun finally looked up at Jiang Shu.
"Does President nim like Yuan Ying Senior very much?"
"She's such a cute little girl. You'll like her too if you spend enough time with her," Jiang Shu said with a smile.
"Is that so?" Lee Ji-eun smiled. Zhang Yuanying was indeed cute, but she was far more thoughtful than the other twin star.
She hadn't interacted much with IVE's twin stars, but even from a few simple interactions, she could tell that Zhang Yuanying was much more astute than the other twin star, who was a bit clueless.
And...
Lee Ji-eun recalled the way Zhang Yuanying had looked at Jiang Shu just now and couldn't help but glance at him.
It must be a misconception, right?
"Don't just stand there. Rest up, and then you'll need to prepare to go on stage. You can't embarrass the company with your first appearance," Jiang Shu said with a smile.
IVE was not associated with being a powerhouse. Even though Liu Zhimin and Zhang Yuanying were improving rapidly, they still couldn't be called powerhouses.
Lee Ji-eun's singing ability wasn't a highlight in general, but at DM Entertainment, it was. Lily had talent, but she was currently an accessory to IVE, so in terms of skill, Lee Ji-eun had to be the first to represent them.
This was also why he didn't immediately pull out 'Celebrity.' Compared to 'Celebrity,' 'good day' could better demonstrate Lee Ji-eun's vocal prowess.
It was a pity that Lily couldn't handle a solo, and without a strong bond, Jiang Shu didn't want to take the risk.
"Okay," Lee Ji-eun didn't know what Jiang Shu was thinking, only assuming he was concerned about her debut stage.
She sat on the sofa and closed her eyes to rest.
Jiang Shu glanced at Lee Ji-eun, who was adjusting her state, then turned to the cameraman and said,
"Let's go, let's walk around and see backstage."
Since they were at Inkigayo, they might as well film a bit. They had already informed SBS before coming, so as long as they didn't go to other parts of the broadcasting station, Jiang Shu was free to roam around the Inkigayo studio.
Jiang Shu pulled open the door and walked out. The cameraman followed with his camera.
After Jiang Shu left, Lee Ji-eun opened her eyes, looked at the slightly ajar door, and her eyes flickered slightly.