Chapter 137: Sakura Blooms in Full Splendor, Blooming When It's Time
Li Duohui was highly efficient; good news arrived just two days after she went to Japan.
The Japanese companies hadn't given a definitive answer, but they agreed to let Miyawaki Sakura and Li Duohui return to Seoul together to meet Jiang Shu.
On the morning of December 2nd, Jiang Shu met the long-awaited Miyawaki Sakura.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Please come in.”
Li Duohui entered the office with a young girl.
“Chairman.”
Jiang Shu nodded at Li Duohui, then looked at Sakura behind her.
She was almost identical to the Miyawaki Sakura in his memories, not the HKT48 Sakura, but the AKB48 Sakura who had faded with time.
Looking at Miyawaki Sakura’s natural-looking nose, Jiang Shu couldn’t help but feel a little emotional. HYBE really should have given Miyawaki Sakura worker’s compensation; how could such a beautiful nose be messed up like that?
“Hello, I am Jiang Shu, the Chairman of DM Entertainment.”
Li Duohui didn’t leave; she needed to act as a translator, as Jiang Shu didn’t speak Japanese, and Miyawaki Sakura didn’t speak Korean.
“Hello, Chairman Jiang, I am Sakura Miyawaki Sakura!” Miyawaki Sakura bowed 90 degrees respectfully to Jiang Shu.
Looking at the Miyawaki Sakura in front of him, the bonds related to her flashed through his mind.
Miyawaki Sakura (S)
Bonds: Center (2), Seraphim (5/6), Buffalo (5), fantasy fairy tale (12), Ambitious Person (1).
Ambitious Person: Miyawaki Sakura’s exclusive bond.
When facing career choices as an idol, her mindset towards being an idol is judged.
If her mindset is firm, it’s judged as an upright position; her popularity increases by one tier based on her original level, with no upper limit to this effect.
If her mindset wavers, it’s judged as a reversed position; her popularity decreases by one tier based on her original level, and a negative news event of an all-internet black level is guaranteed to occur.
If her mindset becomes unbalanced, this bond is removed.
Jiang Shu had played with this Sakura card a lot, whether in IZ*ONE or LE SSERAFIM, and the Ambitious Person bond had been triggered countless times.
As long as the player didn’t seek death, Sakura’s Ambitious Person bond was always judged as an upright position.
Miyawaki Sakura’s life was like a hot-blooded shoujo manga; all three debut judgments being upright positions were the best blessing for a girl who always moved forward with determination.
Perhaps this was the game designer’s gentle touch for this card?
The only time it was judged as a reversed position was when Jiang Shu deliberately manipulated it; he wanted to see what would happen to Sakura when it was judged as a reversed position.
Her popularity did plummet, but what Jiang Shu didn't expect was that after experiencing an all-internet black level negative news event, Sakura’s next judgment was actually an upright position?
What an outrageous ability to adjust her mindset!
To not lose her balance when her mindset was wavering and facing an all-internet black was already strong enough, but she could also firm up her mindset in the next judgment. Are you really a numerical monster?
With this mindset adjustment ability, it’s no wonder she could break out of a monster house like AKB.
For an artist like Miyawaki Sakura, whose resolve is so firm it doesn’t seem like she’s a young person, the judgment of Ambitious Person is always an upright position, but she can’t mindlessly re-debut. Realistic circumstances must be considered.
The main point is that Miyawaki Sakura’s popularity increased, but what about her teammates?
Unlimited re-debuts and then debuting, fundamentally, is sacrificing teammates to support one person.
There’s no need for that.
Three consecutive jumps are already enough.
Currently, Miyawaki Sakura should have already had one upright judgment, and the second will be when IZ*ONE debuts.
Thoughts flashed through his mind, and Jiang Shu looked at Miyawaki Sakura opposite him and spoke.
“Kura, I can call you that, right?”
“Of course!”
“Regarding you, I am actually determined to have you. Negotiations shouldn’t reveal one’s bottom line to the other party, but sometimes sincerity is the ultimate move. Frankly, the moment I saw you appear on the big list, everyone else became irrelevant. The only trainee I wanted was you.” Jiang Shu began his persuasion.
Miyawaki Sakura’s face showed emotion and apprehension, but there was no change in the depths of her eyes.
Having struggled in the Japanese entertainment industry for seven years, any negotiation depends on the conditions offered by the other party, not just believing a grand promise.
“Our DM Entertainment is a new force company, not comparable to the Three Greats, established large companies. But we also have our strengths, for example…”
“Investing in new artists.”
“This year, we successively launched two girl groups, IVE and Red Velvet, and will launch a third new girl group, ITZY, early next year. With our speed in launching new girl groups and frequency of debuts, if you come to us, you won’t have to worry about debuting.”
“As for resource allocation, we always adhere to the principle of prioritizing new artists. New groups get priority access to resources within six months of debut; after six months, it’s every person for themselves.”
“Essentially, it’s still competition?” Sakura spoke for the first time, looking at Jiang Shu with a puzzled expression.
“This industry is like that; competition is the main theme.” Jiang Shu chuckled as he looked at Miyawaki Sakura, “Besides, your journey so far, hasn’t it all been competition?”
Miyawaki Sakura was stunned. The fact that he could say that proved that he was truly paying attention to her.
“The time I’ve been paying attention to you might be much earlier than you imagine. Actually, compared to your popularity, what I value more is your mindset.”
“Mindset?” Sakura looked at Jiang Shu, puzzled.
“It’s not difficult for me to make an artist famous, but whether the artist themselves can maintain that popularity depends not on the company, but on the artist themselves.”
“Artists are in a world of fame and fortune; while accepting much praise, they must also accept much criticism. An excellent mindset and a great personality are the secret treasures to go further.”
Jiang Shu spoke, looking at Sakura opposite him.
“Someone once said this: there’s a 2:6:2 rule in the entertainment industry. 20% of people like you no matter what you do, 60% of people will evaluate you after seeing the results, and 20% of people dislike you no matter what you do.”
Upon hearing this, Sakura trembled, looking up at Jiang Shu opposite her with an incredulous gaze.
“No matter what, don’t care about what those who hate you say. Just show your efforts to those who evaluate you. Although you can’t change what’s already done, if you give your all in your position, their gaze will also change to support. That’s the future I want to show.”
After translating, Li Duohui noticed that Miyawaki Sakura’s entire demeanor had changed.
This statement sounded quite good. Was it something Miyawaki Sakura’s idol said?
“You… you actually remember what I said before.” Miyawaki Sakura said to Jiang Shu, her voice trembling slightly.
Li Duohui: “?”
Miyawaki Sakura said that?!
Li Duohui jolted, quickly translating it to Jiang Shu.
Jiang Shu smiled slightly at the news.
“That’s why I’ve always been paying attention to you.”
“I watched you transform step by step from Miyawaki Sakura of Kagoshima to Sakura of the New Kami 7. The cherry blossoms from Kagoshima are splendid, and I believe she should also bloom in the world of K-pop when the time is right.”
“What do you think?”