Chapter 120: Enemies of the World
“Once we schedule IVE and ITZY to return more than twice, it means there will be less time left for them.”
A comeback period is one to two months. IVE currently has no rivals; S.M.'s ambitious project, Rainbow Girls, was crushed by IVE. If ITZY becomes popular too, then DM Entertainment will truly become the target of all.
The good news is that Red Velvet is collaborating with S.M. Compared to the 'wild monster' DM Entertainment with no backing, S.M. has connections in high places, and Red Velvet, who collaborates with them, will most likely not be counted.
But there's also bad news.
If Jiang Shu were S.M., he would also kick DM Entertainment while it's down when it's universally reviled. If DM Entertainment dies, Red Velvet would be theirs.
What the hell?
Thinking about it, letting ITZY debut so early was indeed a wrong move; it might lead to being an enemy of the world in the future.
“Do you have a solution?” Jiang Shu thought for a while but couldn't find an answer, so he looked at President Li and asked.
“I have two ideas. One is to delay ITZY’s debut.”
“That won't work.” Jiang Shu shook his head. Things had already been arranged, and the ITZY project had already started. He wouldn't cancel it.
“The other method is, if it truly comes to that, we choose one over the other.” President Li said helplessly, “If things really happen as I predicted, then their demand will be to step aside. IVE and ITZY must disband one.”
“At that time, we must choose between the two, sacrificing one group to make other companies stop targeting us.”
You can grow big, but you can't prevent everyone else from making a living.
This is the basic logic of this circle.
Jiang Shu's eyes lit up.
That's right, why didn't he think of that?
Other companies don't necessarily want to destroy DM Entertainment. Once they unite, their goal must be to destroy IVE or the popular ITZY.
If it were other companies, they would be unwilling to cut their losses, but DM Entertainment is different.
The 'heretical' version of IVE was originally a temporary group in Jiang Shu's plan. Even if no one touched her, Jiang Shu would have to disband her.
He couldn't not disband her. On one side, there's twelve stars. fantasy fairy tale and Four-Second Watch, and on the other, there's the 'heretical' version of IVE with only double C's. It's obvious which one to choose.
“I understand this matter. ITZY will debut as normal.” Jiang Shu said with a smile.
President Li: “_”
What did her Chairman think of? Why did he suddenly become so energetic?
Forget it, the Chairman is like this. Don't mind him.
“There's one more thing. When the public relations department conducted background checks on a batch of new employees, they found people from YG and S.M.” President Li said with a serious expression.
Jiang Shu was stunned but quickly reacted.
“Commercial spies?”
President Li nodded.
YG and S.M wouldn't have anticipated that DM Entertainment's public relations department also hid a hacker. This guy, when idle, would retrieve DM Entertainment's employee information, and indeed, Liu Qi found two spies.
“Our company doesn't have anything worth stealing, does it?” Jiang Shu asked, puzzled.
“Many companies want to know your exclusive trainee selection patterns. The examples of Karina and Yuan Ying are right in front of them.” President Li said.
Jiang Shu's undisguised way of finding people was fine once or twice, but after many times, people aren't fools and naturally noticed Jiang Shu's unusual behavior.
“So that's why.” Jiang Shu said helplessly.
This was within his expectations.
Suddenly, Jiang Shu's eyes lit up.
Since they like to keep an eye on him, he won't be polite either.
“President Li, go find a trainee.”
“Ye Shuhua, she should be born after 2000, from Taiwan.”
President Li was stunned, then quickly reacted.
“Is there something wrong with this girl?”
Jiang Shu's lips curled up.
How could there be a problem?
No problem, let's brush!
“Just do as I say, but be careful not to let her actually come to us.”
President Li nodded, showing an expression that understood his meaning.
“I will arrange it.”
“By the way, why are there only people from YG and S.M.? Where is JYP?”
“They're busy entering the European and American markets. They haven't been very concerned about domestic matters recently.”
“Haven't they died in Europe and America yet?” Jiang Shu said in surprise, “Are they that resilient?”
“Not yet, but they're close.” President Li smiled, “They should be able to last a few more months.”
Jiang Shu nodded.
“I thought they were just stingy and didn't want to hire commercial spies.”
President Li: “…”
Do the Three Greats have anything to do with being stingy?
She really couldn't keep up with the Chairman's thought process.
“Do we have any collaborating agencies in Japan?” Jiang Shu asked.
“No.” President Li shook her head, “But it's easy to find one. Idol culture originated in Japan, and their trainee system is also very good.”
It just isn't as assembly-line as Korea.
“Then there's no hurry.” Jiang Shu waved his hand. Too many eyes were on him now, so it wasn't convenient for him to personally recruit trainees. Anyway, with more than half of IZONE, he wasn't afraid of not finding the remaining members.
“Put these things aside and focus on arranging Red Velvet and ITZY's matters.”
“Okay.” President Li nodded.
“Jeon Soyeon is still young. She isn't sensitive to many things. When I'm not at the company, remember to help her more. She will be the pillar of the company in the future.”
A pillar?
President Li raised an eyebrow, but thinking of Jeon Soyeon's confident demeanor when discussing ITZY's song production direction at the meeting just now, she somehow agreed with Jiang Shu's statement.
“I understand.” President Li responded with a smile. Since the Chairman personally called her the company's pillar, she would observe Jeon Soyeon's ability next.
Just talking isn't enough; she also needs to achieve results.
Now President Li also realized that ITZY was the stage Jiang Shu meticulously built for Jeon Soyeon.
To build a stage for Jeon Soyeon, he even risked the company's new girl group as a gamble.
Is it extravagant?
Is it willful?
But this is the charm of a new company.
Young and ambitious, not confined by conventional thinking.
President Li smiled at this thought; she was also a beneficiary.
If it weren't for such a new company, she wouldn't have risen so quickly to become the Vice President of DM Entertainment.
“Enemies of the world?” Jiang Shu muttered. Being an entertainment company allows him to experience the treatment of a protagonist in a fantasy novel. It's really good.
Jiang Shu couldn't help but smile.
This is what makes it challenging.
Starting with a group of insects, ending with the entire world.
Doesn't that sound exciting?
However, he still needs to find a backer. When you're out in the world, you need connections. DM Entertainment can be grassroots, but it can't always be grassroots.
As for who to find as a backer, Jiang Shu already had a rough idea. Isn't there a ready-made one?
Jiang Shu looked at President Li with a chuckle.
“President Li, can you give me Director Choi's contact information?”
“Which Director Choi?” President Li asked blankly.
“SK Group's Venture Capital Director.”
(Does not involve this type of plot, at most, a brief mention.)