Chapter 104: Naive Zhao Meiyan (1822)
"Hello, where is the wardrobe?" Jiang Shu randomly grabbed a lucky person and asked.
The staff member didn't recognize Jiang Shu, but seeing the cameraman filming behind him, he patiently pointed the way for him.
He led the cameraman straight to the Inkigayo wardrobe.
As soon as he opened the door, Jiang Shu saw a room full of dazzling clothes, for both men and women. There were also many stylists in the room choosing clothes; these were all the stylists for the groups performing today.
Not all groups prepare their own stage outfits; they usually borrow these stage outfits from the music show. Accumulating these can save a considerable amount of money.
DM Entertainment is the same; they only spend money to buy their own stage outfits when there are no suitable ones at the music show.
Jiang Shu's action of bringing in the cameraman attracted some people's attention, but they only glanced at him before looking away.
They didn't know him, so they just went about their business.
Jiang Shu was happy with this and leisurely browsed the dazzling array of stage outfits.
"This is the Inkigayo wardrobe. Over ninety percent of the stage outfits worn by artists during their performances come from here. In the adjacent studio, there are also various scene rooms used for filming. I'll show them to you when I get a chance."
Jiang Shu introduced the situation here to the audience, sharing some daily insights from the industry that are difficult for the average audience to access.
“Chairman Jiang?”
At this moment, a surprised voice came from behind Jiang Shu.
Jiang Shu and the cameraman simultaneously turned to look at the source of the sound, and the camera also aimed at the sound source.
After clearly seeing the speaker's appearance, Jiang Shu's eyebrows couldn't help but rise.
"You are?" Jiang Shu asked, pretending to look at the girl.
"Hello, Chairman Jiang!" The girl nervously bowed to Jiang Shu, "My name is Zhao Meiyan!"
(It should be Cho Miyeon, but here I'm using the more widely known Zhao Meiyan.)
Jiang Shu looked at Zhao Meiyan, who was bowing in front of him, and inwardly marveled.
He wasn't sure if encountering Zhao Meiyan here was a genuine coincidence or due to Xu Suizhen.
It wouldn't be a problem to say it was due to the idol aggregation law triggered by Xu Suizhen, after all, (G)I-DLE also has her.
Zhao Meiyan (A)
Bonds: Wa (5/6), Dumb Beauty (1).
Five Wa: (G)I-DLE exclusive bond.
Effect: Once activated, the group adapts to any style of song, but their upper limit will be permanently locked at first-tier.
Six Wa: (G)I-DLE exclusive bond.
Effect One: Once activated, the group adapts to any style of song.
Effect Two: The group has the same recognition as a top-tier K-pop group in the native markets of its members from various countries.
Effect Three: This group cannot become a top-tier group.
Dumb Beauty: Zhao Meiyan exclusive bond
Effect: Once the 'dumb beauty' persona is solidified, this bond activates, significantly enhancing visual impact. However, if the persona collapses, this bond is permanently removed.
The effect of Five Wa is similar to Five Mao Blood Curd, but the boost from Six Wa is much stronger, and the negative effect doesn't have much impact.
Becoming a top-tier group is not that easy. Even without this negative effect, (G)I-DLE as a group would struggle to reach that height, so this negative effect is as good as non-existent.
The effects of the (G)I-DLE group are quite excellent, somewhat similar to the effect of a double-C, but still a bit short of the double-C's unconditional top-tier status. However, when combined with Jeon Soyeon's heaven-defying bond, the resulting effect can achieve a 1+1 > 2 outcome.
And the 'Dumb Beauty' bond, while seemingly having the risk of a persona collapse, is!
Jiang Shu looked at Zhao Meiyan in front of him. He didn't know Zhao Meiyan's actual personality, but judging from his impression of her...
It seems like just being herself would be enough?
"Look up."
"Huh?"
Zhao Meiyan looked up at Jiang Shu blankly.
Jiang Shu circled her. Although he had already decided to take her with him, he still needed to conceal it.
"How old are you?"
"Uh... '97 liner."
"Twenty-one years old." Jiang Shu nodded, "Still studying?"
"Yes..." Zhao Meiyan subconsciously replied, "I'm studying vocal music at Sungmyung Women's University, and I'm a junior this year."
Jiang Shu raised an eyebrow, she's still a university student?
But what kind of school is Sungmyung Women's University? He hadn't heard of it.
The universities Jiang Shu knew were the best ones in Korea. He didn't grow up in Korea, plus he was the original owner when he was studying, which meant Jiang Shu didn't actually know much about Korean universities.
But it didn't matter, he was just asking for fun.
"Interested in becoming a trainee?"
"Mo?" Zhao Meiyan's eyes widened, her clear yet naive eyes looking at Jiang Shu in confusion.
She extended a finger, pointing at herself.
"Me?"
"Yes, you." Jiang Shu nodded, confirming Zhao Meiyan's words.
"Can I?" Once confirmed, Zhao Meiyan's eyes immediately lit up.
"You're not going to ask which company we are?" Jiang Shu asked in confusion.
"I know Chairman Jiang, you're from DM Entertainment!" Zhao Meiyan said happily, "It's an honor to be a direct junior of IVE!"
Jiang Shu: "?"
"You like IVE very much?"
"I'm a fan of Karina!"
You're not a fan of Soo-jin, you've really betrayed the organization, Sister Mian.
"If you become a trainee at our company, you'll often see Xiao Liu," Jiang Shu said with a smile.
"Then when can I start?" Zhao Meiyan asked excitedly.
"You're not asking about the benefits?" Jiang Shu asked in surprise.
"Do trainees even have benefits?" Zhao Meiyan asked, looking at Jiang Shu blankly.
Jiang Shu: "..."
Zhao Meiyan had rendered him speechless.
Dumb beauty?
This persona doesn't need to be created; this sister is just being herself.
"Yes, they do." Jiang Shu told Zhao Meiyan about the benefits for their trainees, but looking at Zhao Meiyan's expression, she didn't seem to care at all.
"Can trainees really often interact with artists?" Zhao Meiyan pressed.
"Yes."
That was the truth.
In normal entertainment companies, debut artists and trainees are two distinct groups with very little interaction. However, at DM Entertainment, debut artists often go to the practice rooms and play with the exclusive trainees.
This was also Jiang Shu's instruction. After all, the exclusive trainees were all brought in by him, and unless something unexpected happened, they would all debut in the future. Building closer relationships would also facilitate the marketing of DM Entertainment's 'family love' concept.
The 'family' concept had already been planned internally within the company, but with only IVE as a group currently, it wasn't possible to market the family concept, so it had been held back. As for other companies, like S.M., they were currently in a state of chaos due to the failure of Rainbow Girls, with intense internal struggles debating whether to continue developing girl groups or cut losses and focus on boy groups.
So, there was no rush for the family concept.
Jiang Shu looked at Zhao Meiyan in front of him, his gaze profound.