Chapter 162: The Gods Return
S.M. Entertainment, vocal classroom.
The soothing music gradually faded, and Jung Seung-won looked at Kim Tae-yeon, who slowly lowered the microphone, with eyes full of admiration, giving her his applause immediately after her performance ended.
Hearing the applause, Kim Tae-yeon also snapped out of that profound and wondrous state she had been in, bowing respectfully to Jung Seung-won.
"Teacher."
"Taeyeon, you've graduated," Jung Seung-won said with a smile.
"Ah?" Kim Tae-yeon's first reaction wasn't surprise, but panic. "Teacher, did I do something wrong?"
"No," Jung Seung-won said, shaking his head with a smile. "You are the most talented student I have ever taught. In just four months, or six months if you count the two months Wendy taught you, you've transformed from a novice who knew nothing about music into your current self. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would truly find it hard to imagine such a talented singer exists in the world."
Kim Tae-yeon blushed slightly from Jung Seung-won's unreserved praise.
"Chairman Jiang's instruction to me was to train you into an excellent solo singer with strong vocal skills. Now it seems you already meet those conditions and can graduate to prepare for your debut," Jung Seung-won said with emotion.
"Can I… really do it?" Kim Tae-yeon looked at Jung Seung-won hesitantly, not very confident in herself.
"You must have confidence in yourself, Taeyeon," Jung Seung-won said earnestly. "This era has seen the emergence of too many excellent female solo singers: Sunmi, Hyuna, Eunji, Ailee…"
"Some of them have already reached the pinnacle of female solo artists, while others are still climbing. Although you haven't debuted yet, your musicality and vocal talent are not inferior to any of them. There will definitely be a place for you among South Korea's female solo artists in the future!"
Jung Seung-won's evaluation of Kim Tae-yeon was remarkably high. He wasn't a teacher who liked to praise his disciples much, but when it came to Kim Tae-yeon, he genuinely couldn't find any fault.
In half a year, she had transformed from an ordinary person into a grand vocalist. Such a fantastical thing had truly appeared before him, and he couldn't help but believe it.
Perhaps the future achievements of this student of his would exceed his imagination?
Kim Tae-yeon's heart also swelled with emotion as she heard the names from her teacher's mouth.
Lee Sun-mi and Kim Hyun-a were the female solo artists launched by JYP and YG, respectively, and were currently the two most dazzling new stars in the Korean music scene, known as the two great female soloists.
So, in her teacher's eyes, she would also have the chance to stand shoulder to shoulder with them in the future?
Suddenly, a figure appeared in Kim Tae-yeon's mind.
"Teacher, what do you think of our company's senior, IU?"
Hearing the name IU, Jung Seung-won paused, but then immediately thought of the female artist who had recently made a comeback.
"She…" Jung Seung-won frowned. "Her vocal skills are decent, but her musicality is far inferior to yours, and she doesn't have many unique characteristics. It's more that her songs are of good quality, and she seems to be involved in song production, possessing talent as a producer."
"From my perspective, she will achieve a certain level of success, but it will be difficult for her to reach the level of the two great female soloists. Currently, she won't be your opponent," Jung Seung-won said.
Kim Tae-yeon quietly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed this senior just debuted earlier.
"Alright, pack up. We're going to see your Chairman."
"Yes."
...
Jiang Shu raised an eyebrow, glanced at Kim Tae-yeon behind Jung Seung-won, then looked at Jung Seung-won.
"Already graduated?"
The effect of the Main Vocalist Bond was even stronger than he had imagined. In just half a year, she had transformed from a novice into a proper main vocalist?
Even without hearing Kim Tae-yeon sing himself, Jung Seung-won's personal acknowledgment of Kim Tae-yeon's graduation meant she was a certified product.
Since that was the case…
"I've already prepared Taeyeon's debut song," Jiang Shu said with a smile, taking out a file labeled 'Taeyeon' from his folder and handing it to Jung Seung-won.
Jung Seung-won didn't look at it but handed it to Kim Tae-yeon.
Kim Tae-yeon looked at the file name, which was clearly a stage name, and opened it to read.
The debut song Jiang Shu prepared for Kim Tae-yeon was naturally "I Am The King." There was no other song more suitable for Kim Tae-yeon.
Looking at Kim Tae-yeon, who was engrossed in the song, Jiang Shu's eyes flickered slightly.
Lee Sun-mi of JYP and Kim Hyun-a of YG had carved up most of the female solo market, while others like Ailee and Jung Eunji had also gained their own fanbases. IU was still in the development stage, and now Kim Tae-yeon was about to debut. This was truly the return of the gods.
The two great female soloists?
Jiang Shu's lips curved upwards.
The top two of the Four Greats hadn't even emerged yet.
Moreover, don't look at how IU is still developing now, quietly, without a name among female soloists. But this was intentional on Jiang Shu's part.
Lee Ji-eun's Unique Star Bond was a special attack against female soloists. As long as he wanted, he could arrange for Lee Ji-eun to clash with a well-known female soloist.
But he hadn't done so.
The stronger the stepping stone, the better, and…
The final Stairway to Godhood hadn't debuted yet.
Jiang Shu's gaze fell on Kim Tae-yeon.
The transformation of Unique Star into its complete form depended on Kim Tae-yeon.
However, since Kim Tae-yeon was already preparing for her debut, the Godhood Plan could also begin to be prepared.
The Sound Source Queen IU?
Hehe.
"Then, Chairman Jiang, my task is complete, so I'll take my leave," Jung Seung-won said, seeing Jiang Shu silent, and offered his resignation.
"Good," Jiang Shu replied, regaining his composure, and nodded to Jung Seung-won. "You've worked hard."
Jung Seung-won smiled, bowed to Jiang Shu, and then left the office.
Soon after, Kim Tae-yeon also finished reading her debut song.
It was a strange feeling, a sense of déjà vu, like a collision of souls with the song.
This feeling made Kim Tae-yeon's gaze towards Jiang Shu change as well.
"How is it?" Jiang Shu asked with a chuckle.
"I love it!"
"That's good," Jiang Shu nodded. "Get ready. You'll debut on July 1st."
Kim Tae-yeon was a little surprised. Two and a half months? That fast?
"What, you don't want to?" Jiang Shu asked with a smile.
Kim Tae-yeon quickly shook her head.
"No, I'm just surprised it's so soon."
Jiang Shu chuckled softly and waved his hand.
"You may go."
Kim Tae-yeon placed the file on the desk, then bowed to Jiang Shu and left the office with a joyful expression.
Jiang Shu watched Kim Tae-yeon's figure disappear outside the office door, then his gaze fell on the name "Taeyeon."
"Sunmi, Hyuna, the two great female soloists?"
Jiang Shu chuckled softly.
He picked up the file and placed it on top of the folder, and next to that file was a name written in Chinese…
Godhood.