Chapter 105: Miscommunication (1922)
"Are you here for an internship or...?" Chairman Jiang asked Zhao Meiyan.
"My senior is an intern at Inkigayo, and I came along to gain some experience," Zhao Meiyan replied.
Chairman Jiang nodded.
"Do you know where our DM Entertainment is located?"
"Yes, I do!"
Chairman Jiang pulled a business card from his pocket and handed it to Zhao Meiyan.
"Take this card to the company; someone will be there to assist you."
"Yes!" Zhao Meiyan excitedly took the business card, glanced at the Chairman's card in her hand, and then bowed to Chairman Jiang.
"Thank you, Chairman Jiang!"
Chairman Jiang waved his hand.
"I hope to see you on the debut list in the near future."
"Huh?" Zhao Meiyan looked at Chairman Jiang in shock, pointing at herself, "Can I debut?"
Chairman Jiang: "..."
Photographer: "..."
So, you never even considered debuting?
Then why are you a trainee?
Chairman Jiang glanced at the camera. He had already accumulated quite a few videos, and they weren't released as soon as they were filmed. Currently, the latest update was the video of him taking Kim Minju to the LV Flagship Store.
After more than a month of releases, Chairman Jiang had accumulated a significant number of video followers. Each video garnered many viewers. Kim Minju, not yet professionally packaged by the company, was simply seen by viewers as beautiful and pretty, but they hadn't discovered her unique qualities.
Many artists don't have that stunning celebrity aura before their debut, especially Korean stars. For Korean stars, makeup and styling are incredibly important.
A female artist with exceptionally high visual appeal = distinctive makeup and styling + beautiful face + cultivation of temperament.
Even an artist like Bae Joo-hyun relies on appropriate makeup, styling, and the cultivation of her temperament. Relying solely on a face not developed by an entertainment company to make a name for herself in the competitive entertainment industry, filled with beauties, is too dependent on luck.
Chairman Jiang intentionally didn't let the company do her makeup; he let her do it herself. Although some people in the video would certainly notice that Kim Minju's type of beauty hadn't appeared in K-pop before, most people wouldn't have that awareness.
Of course, if Kim Minju appeared multiple times in Chairman Jiang's videos, even the most oblivious viewers would gradually become aware of Kim Minju's unique qualities. At that point, the 'Yu-style beauty' would become 'Zhou-style beauty.'
Huh?
Zhou?
What the heck?
Chairman Jiang was stunned.
He hadn't realized it before, but there didn't seem to be much difference between 'Yu-style beauty' and 'Zhou-style beauty.'
It's all 'Zhou' anyway.
Tsk.
"Let's go," Chairman Jiang said to Zhao Meiyan, turning and leaving.
Zhao Meiyan watched Chairman Jiang's retreating figure, tilting her head in confusion, but then she looked away and went off to play happily.
Fools have more fun, perhaps that's it?
...
Chairman Jiang returned to IVE's waiting room, but Lee Ji-eun was nowhere to be found. He asked around and learned that she had gone for rehearsal.
Music shows are rehearsed and broadcast on the same day. Each singer, in principle, only gets one rehearsal opportunity, but popular groups are the principle themselves.
Lee Ji-eun currently doesn't belong to the 'principle' category, so she only had this one chance. After the rehearsal, preparations for recording would begin, and she wouldn't return to the waiting room until after the recording was finished.
Chairman Jiang had just sat down on the sofa and hadn't even had a chance to drink water when his phone rang in his pocket.
Caller: Min Xizhen.
Chairman Jiang couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the sight.
Ever since President Li brought Yin Huilin to handle the collaboration with S.M.'s Red Velvet, Director Min had rarely contacted him directly. Anything important was discussed with President Li or Yin Huilin.
Now, a sudden call...
Chairman Jiang answered the phone.
"Hello, Director Min."
"Chairman Jiang, why didn't you inform us of your marketing plan in advance?" Director Min immediately questioned, leaving Chairman Jiang bewildered.
"What marketing plan?" Chairman Jiang asked blankly.
"The plan to announce Red Velvet members this afternoon, where Irene's information would be revealed but not her photos and videos—wasn't that your team's doing?" Director Min's tone softened slightly upon hearing Chairman Jiang's confused voice.
"I was not aware of this plan. All matters concerning Red Velvet are handled by our DM Entertainment's Vice President, President Li," Chairman Jiang explained.
"Alright," Director Min responded. "I'm not questioning the marketing plan; in fact, our marketing department highly approves of it. But you should have informed us about this matter."
"I will inquire with President Li about this matter."
They were indeed in the wrong on this matter. How could a marketing plan for a group launched in collaboration between two companies not be communicated to the collaborating company?
"Mm, public opinion online has already started. I've asked our company's PR department to coordinate with your marketing team. Let us know if you need anything at any time."
"Okay."
"That's all for now. I'm hanging up."
Director Min had called to inquire, and Chairman Jiang's attitude was good, so she had nothing further to add. It was just a minor issue during the collaboration, and clarifying it was sufficient.
After hanging up, Chairman Jiang frowned. He found President Li's number and dialed it.
"President nim."
"Why wasn't the Red Velvet marketing plan coordinated with S.M.?" Chairman Jiang asked, suppressing his anger.
He had been in a good mood, but being questioned by Director Min had made him very annoyed, especially since it truly was their fault, which annoyed Chairman Jiang even more.
"I did coordinate with them," President Li's confused voice came through.
Chairman Jiang was stunned.
"Then why would Director Min come to question me?"
"How could that be? I personally coordinated with their PR Director. It's impossible for Director Min not to know about this," President Li said, puzzled.
"Who is S.M.'s PR Director?" Chairman Jiang asked, confused.
"Lee Sung-soo."
Upon hearing that name, Chairman Jiang couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, and his expression softened.
"Then I understand."
"Is there a problem with this person?" President Li wasn't stupid; with Chairman Jiang saying that much, she immediately thought of something.
"He is Li Xiuman's nephew."
"So that's it!" President Li realized. "He didn't tell Director Min. The reason for this isn't us; it's Lee Sung-soo!"
"No, it's still us."
"Why didn't you coordinate with Director Min directly?"
President Li paused. She was right. Knowing that S.M. had internal factions, yet still coordinating with the PR Director—although logically, it was the most efficient way—they also had to consider the company's actual situation.
This was indeed their work oversight.
"I apologize, President; this was my mistake. I will make a self-reflection," President Li took a deep breath and apologized.
"Call Director Min, apologize to her, and then tell her about this matter."
First, express an attitude of admitting fault, and then tell Director Min, 'I was wrong, but you were also wrong. Your company's internal struggles led to this.' Director Min will understand.
"Okay."
"Mm."