Chapter 142: Getting Ready to Freeze, Getting Ready to Freeze
Jiang Shu looked at Tian Xiaojuan and Shin Ryujin, who were bowing their heads in front of him, with a very strange expression.
When Tian Xiaojuan called him saying something had happened, he thought Juan Zong had created some big news. Only after calling them over and asking did he realize that they had accidentally appeared in Lee Ji-eun’s live broadcast and coincidentally revealed the chorus of “DALLA DALLA.”
To be fair, this was indeed a mistake, but to call it a big mistake… that wasn’t quite the case.
“Didn’t you two see Lee Ji-eun was live streaming?”
“We were chatting and didn’t notice,” Tian Xiaojuan said quietly, head still bowed.
“What about Youzhen?”
“I didn’t either…” Shin Ryujin also said quietly, her head down.
This made Jiang Shu chuckle.
“She’s such a big person live streaming, and neither of you saw her?”
Tian Xiaojuan and Shin Ryujin kept their heads down, timidly not daring to speak.
“You guys…”
“Because we were~~~”
His phone rang again.
He glanced at the caller ID.
“Go explain the situation to President Li yourselves. Accept whatever punishment you’re given,” Jiang Shu said, waving his hand.
Although he didn't think it was a big deal, he couldn't just let it slide. At the very least, he needed them to learn a lesson.
“Yes.” The two bowed to Jiang Shu, then exited the office.
Jiang Shu shook his head helplessly, then answered the call.
“Hello, Father.”
“What day are you coming back?”
“I’ll be back before the fourth.”
The fourth was Lunar New Year’s Eve; flying back on that day would be a bit late.
“Du Zong from Yuehua called again asking when you’d be back. She’s planning to visit our home,” Jiang’s Father said.
“She wants to see me that badly?” Jiang Shu raised an eyebrow. What was this person up to?
She couldn’t possibly think he had anything she coveted, could she?
But with her being so eager to see him, perhaps she could bring him a surprise, and it wasn’t ideal to keep having her contact his father.
“The 2nd, perhaps. The new group debuts on the 1st, and I need to be at the company. I’ll go back on the 2nd. Tell her to come on the 2nd, but don’t arrange it at home.”
“Alright.”
There wasn’t much for the father and son to say, so they hung up as soon as the matter was discussed.
…
The trouble caused by Shin Ryujin and Tian Xiaojuan quickly spread online. Although Lee Ji-eun reacted quickly and changed the topic, the video clip was still captured.
With senior groups like IVE and Red Velvet, both of whom had explosive debut songs, ITZY's debut album “DALLA DALLA” was highly anticipated by many. This sudden partial leak still garnered significant attention.
The public relations office took advantage of this opportunity to promote ITZY’s debut on February 1st once more.
Under much anticipation, at 9 AM on February 1, 2019, DM Entertainment’s third girl group ITZY officially debuted with their mini-album “DALLA DALLA”!
S.M. Entertainment, Chairman’s Office.
“I understand what President Yang, said, but…” Li Xiuman’s voice trailed off, and Yang Hyun-suk’s heart sank.
“We at S.M. have a very pleasant cooperation with DM Entertainment. For President Yang, to move against DM Entertainment, we at S.M. truly cannot bear to.”
Yang Hyun-suk looked at Li Xiuman and frowned.
“It’s just the two of us here, Chairman Li. There’s no need to speak so obscurely, is there?”
Li Xiuman smiled slightly, without answering.
Seeing this old man act so unyielding, Yang Hyun-suk felt a surge of anger.
He knew that Li Xiuman wanted to wait for them to make a move, observe DM Entertainment’s reaction, and then decide. ITZY’s debut buzz seemed good, but it was only on par with Red Velvet. This level wasn’t enough to make S.M. feel apprehensive and take action.
“I look forward to the day Chairman Li joins us,” Yang Hyun-suk said, standing up directly.
“I’ll see President Yang, out.”
“No need!”
Yang Hyun-suk turned and left without looking back.
Li Xiuman watched Yang Hyun-suk’s departing back with a smile.
ITZY’s debut buzz wasn’t enough for him to act now. If ITZY had the unreasonable buzz of IVE right from their debut, he would tear up his agreement with Jiang Shu without hesitation. One IVE was tolerable, but two IVEs were absolutely not.
But ITZY’s debut buzz was only like Red Velvet’s. Although an eyesore, it was within acceptable limits. He would wait and see.
“You should be making your move by now, shouldn’t you?” Li Xiuman said with a smile.
Yang Hyun-suk walked out of S.M.’s shabby building, looked back at it, and Li Xiuman’s irritating smile seemed to appear before his eyes.
“Damn you, Li Xiuman!” Yang Hyun-suk cursed, then got into his car.
“President, the major companies are still waiting for your news,” the secretary respectfully said to Yang Hyun-suk.
Yang Hyun-suk ignored him, instead taking out his iPad and starting a group chat.
The heads of various entertainment companies, who had been waiting for his reply, quickly joined the video group chat.
Seeing that most people had arrived, Yang Hyun-suk finally spoke.
“JYP and S.M. both refused.”
This time, Yang Hyun-suk personally visited, but the result remained unchanged. JYP was busy making sacrifices in Europe and America, while S.M. watched from the sidelines.
“Then, are we to wait, or…?”
“We can’t wait any longer,” Yang Hyun-suk said, shaking his head. “ITZY’s debut momentum is very unsettling. This girl group gives me a strange feeling. If we continue to wait, our cards will lose their effectiveness.”
Yang Hyun-suk couldn't quite pinpoint what was wrong, but ITZY gave him a different feeling from Red Velvet, and even IVE.
IVE showed an invincible stance from their debut, making people realize at a glance that this girl group was terrifyingly strong.
Red Velvet, on the other hand, mostly won through marketing, and then achieved great success with their debut song “Bad Boy” through its super high quality.
But this ITZY.
If you say their songs are good, they are clearly inferior to “Bad Boy” and “I AM,” but they are still above standard.
If you say their members are worth attention, they aren’t. The five of them combined don’t have the same level of buzz Bae Joo-hyun had back then.
Yet, this seemingly unremarkable group has a debut buzz almost on par with Red Velvet. Is this reasonable?
DM Entertainment’s groups are all quite unreasonable.
“You mean… act now?”
Yang Hyun-suk’s eyes sharpened.
“Contact Seo Shin-ae, Kim Garam, Choi Yunjin. Prepare to act!”
“Yes!”
After hanging up the video conference, Yang Hyun-suk thought of DM Entertainment’s current situation and felt some regret.
Not regret for having slighted Jiang Shu back then, but regret that a large company like YG, with so many talents, failed to see Zhang Yuanying’s potential.
As for Heo Yunjin and Lee Chae-young (Isa), whom Jiang Shu didn’t take, he had observed them for over half a year, and it seemed… they were just so-so?
Damn it!
How can someone be so lucky?
Yang Hyun-suk shook his head. Once the plan succeeded, their new YG girl group should also debut.
Thinking of his new girl group, Yang Hyun-suk’s expression softened slightly.
Let their girl group step on IVE’s corpse and become the only one of this era!
This wave of advantage is mine. It’s a guaranteed win!
