Chapter 122 Oh Mom
At 9 AM, a large crowd had already gathered outside DM Entertainment.
As DM Entertainment increased the number of artists under its wing, the number of fans waiting outside the company also gradually grew.
Since DM Entertainment is located in Samsong-dong, which is not the same area as Cheongdam-dong where most entertainment companies are, the number of fans at DM Entertainment was not as high as in Cheongdam-dong.
Fans in Cheongdam-dong could move between several companies, while in Samsong-dong, DM Entertainment was the only entertainment company; the others were film, television, and technology companies.
With IU and IVE's album release events as a precedent, although the Red Velvet debut album release event still limited attendees to the first one hundred, many people came to the site, in addition to numerous media reporters.
Actually, a girl's most beautiful age is after twenty; while girls in their teens are pretty, they exude more of a youthful charm. The members of Red Velvet are currently in the transitional period from fresh-faced girls to mature women. During this period, as long as the makeup and styling are appropriate, the impact on fans who appreciate visuals is very effective.
The design of their private clothes was decided jointly by the artists and stylists. When the five members of Red Velvet appeared, the shutters of fans and reporters immediately clicked away.
A sense of cool detachment is Bae Joo-hyun's most striking quality. Unlike the coldness of an ice queen, this cool detachment emphasizes visual impact, and combined with Bae Joo-hyun's superior facial features, it creates a stunning visual sensation.
As Red Velvet's visual center, Bae Joo-hyun's appearance did not disappoint the public. In fact, after the MV was released, she had already trended on hot searches just because of her face. DM Entertainment’s prepared marketing plan hadn't even begun, and organic buzz had already pushed her onto the hot search.
Facts prove that in the idol industry, 'face determines everything' is indeed viable.
Bae Joo-hyun stood beside Jiang Shu, greeting each fan who came on stage to receive an album. Most fans would take an extra look at her; compared to the other members whose information had been public for some time, her details were revealed for the first time, and many people wanted to see her in person up close.
Beauty was the first impression she gave everyone present.
Then came understanding.
They understood why DM Entertainment chose to debut Bae Joo-hyun despite her twenty-seven years of age.
This is what you call approval!
Question, understand, approve!
Jiang Shu, standing nearby, smiled slightly as he watched every fan stop to look at Bae Joo-hyun for a moment.
The first stage hasn't even begun. After the first stage, that will be the moment when divine beauty unleashes its ultimate appeal to visual fanatics.
It won't be long, it's just this afternoon.
Jiang Shu was somewhat looking forward to the situation after the music show broadcast.
Waking up this morning and seeing the Red Velvet related search terms trending, the 'five-cent blood pudding' effect was already kicking in, at least generating third-tier popularity.
And the activation condition for Bae Joo-hyun's 'divine beauty' bond was to reach third-tier popularity.
Bae Joo-hyun was undoubtedly the most suitable member for the 'five-cent blood pudding' strategy.
The album release event in the morning quickly concluded, but the buzz surrounding it had only just begun.
The marketing for 'divine beauty' hadn't officially started yet, but "Irene's visuals" remained high on the entertainment charts.
In a flash, it was afternoon. IVE's comeback period hadn't ended, but their promotional period had finished early, so this month there were no in-house groups making comebacks concurrently with Red Velvet. And the current girl group market was full of a bunch of 'crooked melons and cracked dates', not worth mentioning.
Given that Red Velvet couldn't win first place, would a boy group probably take it instead?
Music Bank, IVE's waiting room backstage.
Yes, Red Velvet also arrived.
As DM Entertainment's senior group, IVE's waiting room was moved wherever needed. First IU, then Red Velvet, and when ITZY debuts, they might even need to use IVE's waiting room.
IU is a solo artist, and a solo singer's waiting room obviously couldn't accommodate a five-member group like Red Velvet, while a six-member group like IVE was a perfect fit.
Jiang Shu was like an NPC, constantly refreshing near his new girl group.
He had been busy with marketing arrangements related to 'divine beauty' and the main vocalist at noon and hadn't managed to take a nap. Now, sitting on the sofa, Jiang Shu was yawning, looking very sleepy.
"How much longer until we go on stage?" Jiang Shu asked, rubbing his eyes.
"Rehearsal hasn't started yet, it should be a while," Red Velvet's manager replied respectfully.
"Then I'll lie down for a bit. Call me when it's time to go on stage," Jiang Shu said, directly lying down on the long sofa.
"Yes!"
As Jiang Shu closed his eyes, everyone in the waiting room tacitly lowered their voices, trying not to speak if possible.
Bae Joo-hyun stood up after finishing her makeup, making way for Sun Shengwan. As soon as she stood up, she saw Jiang Shu lying on the sofa.
She paused, then looked down at her high heels, tiptoed over, took off her fur coat, and carefully draped it over Jiang Shu.
"Ouni is so thoughtful~~" A hushed teasing voice sounded in her ear.
Bae Joo-hyun looked in the direction of the voice; Kim Ye-rim, who had just finished her hairstyle, was smiling at her.
Bae Joo-hyun smiled helplessly. She had gone from being embarrassed by this maknae's teasing to being numb to it.
Then she pointed to her neck.
Kim Ye-rim reached up and touched the choker on her neck, looking at Bae Joo-hyun in confusion.
"The pendant is stuck." Bae Joo-hyun stepped forward to help Kim Ye-rim adjust the choker's pendant, then bent down to pull up the fishnet stockings on Kim Ye-rim's legs. "We're going on stage soon, get ready."
Kim Ye-rim grinned.
"Okay, thank you, Ouni."
"She's really a mom," Park Soo-young remarked with a sigh from the side.
"Don't call me mom, Joy," Bae Joo-hyun said without looking up.
Park Soo-young pouted and made a face that said, "I'll call you that anyway," but she didn't say it aloud, knowing she'd get scolded.
Kim Ye-rim raised an eyebrow at Park Soo-young and made a funny face.
Park Soo-young rolled her eyes and shook her fist in Kim Ye-rim's direction.
Bae Joo-hyun, who had just finished helping Kim Ye-rim with her clothes, happened to see these two elementary school students interacting. She shook her head with a chuckle, then went to Park Soo-young to check her makeup and clothes.
Her busy demeanor was noticed by the manager, who couldn't help but sigh.
She was doing all of his work.
"Oh Mom, are you cold?" Kim Ye-rim asked, smiling as she leaned in.
"Don't... uh." Bae Joo-hyun's words were cut short as she saw the blanket Kim Ye-rim offered.
In November, even with the air conditioning on in the waiting room, she felt a slight chill after draping her coat over Jiang Shu.
"Thank you," Bae Joo-hyun said to Kim Ye-rim as she took the blanket.
"You're welcome!" Kim Ye-rim's face was filled with a satisfied smile, like a child who had been praised.
Bae Joo-hyun's mouth twitched as she watched this scene.
At this moment, she felt like she had truly become a mother without the pain of childbirth.