Chapter 174: Second Debut
Just as Li Xiuman had anticipated, YG and JYP, who had been paying attention to Kim Tae-yeon’s debut stage, were now in a bit of a bind.
This was clearly aimed at them.
While Lee Ji-eun had gained some popularity, she seemed rather unremarkable, just at the normal Three Greats level. Even though DM Entertainment was currently suffering significant losses due to IVE's disbandment, the Three Greats had long considered them an opponent of equal standing.
Lee Ji-eun’s achievements were considered excellent by small to medium-sized companies, but in the eyes of the Three Greats, it was just DM Entertainment's normal level.
But Taeyeon was different!
Her debut stage was too dazzling; in fact, purely from a stage presence perspective, she was the best among all of DM Entertainment's current artists, even surpassing IVE!
What did this mean?
DM Entertainment might have produced a solo singer on the level of the two major female solo artists.
This was clearly aimed at JYP's Lee Sun-mi and YG's Hyuna!
The subsequent buzz and reaction following Taeyeon’s debut stage further confirmed this point.
Regarding this, JYP, busy with the newly acquired NMIXX, had not yet reacted, while YG directly announced that Hyuna would be making a comeback in September.
Taeyeon had only debuted a couple of days when Hyuna announced her comeback; everyone understood the intention behind this, but to everyone's surprise, DM Entertainment responded, and the response was…
Lee Ji-eun would be making a comeback in September.
?
This was the question in everyone’s mind who saw this news.
Lee Ji-eun? Copying Hyuna?
Are you crazy, buddy?
A new female solo singer who gained a little popularity with “cherry blossom ending” going head-to-head with Hyuna, one of the two major female solo artists?
Others were trying to avoid her, and you're eagerly rushing towards her?
I've never seen anyone so eager to seek death.
Not only did the public and Hyuna's fans think DM Entertainment's move was a suicide mission, but even Lee Ji-eun herself and her fans were bewildered.
“Me, fighting against Hyuna senior?”
In the President’s office, Lee Ji-eun pointed at herself, looking at Jiang Shu with an incredulous expression.
She knew the company would arrange her comeback, but she never expected such an arrangement.
This was a bit absurd, wasn't it?
“You need to have confidence in yourself,” Jiang Shu said with a smile.
This was the first time Lee Ji-eun had actively sought him out since the 'slip-of-the-hand' incident. It seemed that clashing with Hyuna had truly panicked her.
“This isn’t a matter of confidence,” Lee Ji-eun said, on the verge of tears. She had confidence in herself, but who goes straight from the beginner’s village to fighting a Boss?
Alright, you’ve successfully become a professional player, now go defeat the Faker you’re up against!
“Relax, don’t I have you?” Jiang Shu said cheerfully, looking at Lee Ji-eun, who was about to cry from anxiety.
“But I don’t have confidence in myself,” Lee Ji-eun said with a long face.
“The announcement has already been made. Even if you don’t have confidence, you must,” Jiang Shu said calmly, looking at Lee Ji-eun. “Anyway, you can’t escape this battle. Instead of thinking about how to avoid it, it’s better to take it seriously and adjust yourself to your best state.”
Upon hearing Jiang Shu’s words, Lee Ji-eun knew she couldn't escape. The President was determined to make her throw herself against a rock.
Since she couldn’t resist…
What if she won?
With the undeniable fact before her, Lee Ji-eun couldn't help but consider another possibility.
Everyone said it was a guaranteed loss, but there’s nothing absolute in this world. What if she won?
Although Lee Ji-eun herself thought it was impossible, there was still that tiny glimmer of possibility. Otherwise, why would her own President be so confident?
Lee Ji-eun tried to convince herself in this manner.
There was no other way if she couldn't convince herself; the President had given the order, what could she do?
Knock knock knock.
A knock on the door interrupted Lee Ji-eun’s thoughts of self-persuasion.
“Come in.”
Then Jiang Shu’s office door was pushed open, revealing the figures of Bae Joo-hyun and Soo-jin.
Upon entering, they also saw Jiang Shu leaning against the desk and Lee Ji-eun standing opposite him.
Soo-jin and Bae Joo-hyun did not make eye contact, but the 'slip-of-the-hand' incident simultaneously came to mind for both of them.
Outsiders were half-skeptical, and fans didn’t believe it, but those within the company knew about Jiang Shu and Lee Ji-eun’s urgent re-filming of the MV at the time.
What did this indicate?
These two had something going on.
However, as it concerned the President, although they were gossiping internally, neither of them showed it, respectfully bowing to Jiang Shu in greeting.
“President nim, Lee Ji-eun xi (senior).”
“Susu Oni, Bae Joo-hyun xi.” Lee Ji-eun also returned the greeting.
Although IVE had disbanded, Soo-jin had not retired from the industry; she was still Lee Ji-eun's senior.
“What are you two here for?” Jiang Shu leaned against the desk, arms crossed over his chest, raising an eyebrow as he asked them.
“A travel variety show invited me to participate, and I want to go on the show with Susu. My manager oppa said he couldn’t decide, so I came to you, President,” Bae Joo-hyun explained her purpose.
Jiang Shu raised an eyebrow, glanced at Soo-jin, who was standing to the side, visibly a bit nervous, and then looked back at Bae Joo-hyun.
“What did the production team say?”
“I’ll try to convince them!” Bae Joo-hyun, seeing that Jiang Shu didn’t scold her, believed there was a possibility of convincing him, and quickly said.
“Are you worried that Soo-jin will be put on hiatus, or do you simply want to go on the show with her?” Jiang Shu asked curiously.
Upon hearing this, Lee Ji-eun, without waiting for Bae Joo-hyun to speak, spoke first.
“Um… President, I’ll go back to practice singing now?”
She didn't want to hear about this at all!
Jiang Shu looked at the cautious Lee Ji-eun with amusement; after the 'slip-of-the-hand' incident, this person had also become very careful.
“You may go.” Jiang Shu nodded in assent.
Lee Ji-eun nodded to Bae Joo-hyun and Soo-jin, then quickly exited the office.
After Lee Ji-eun left, Jiang Shu finally spoke.
“You know, I don’t like insincere pleasantries.”
Bae Joo-hyun nodded and said, “I’m worried that Susu Oni won’t have exposure for a while and will be forgotten by the public.”
She didn't say 'put on hiatus,' but used a different phrasing.
“You should know that a period of silence before a second debut can actually make the next debut’s popularity even higher,” Jiang Shu said with a smile.
“Ah?” Bae Joo-hyun and Soo-jin looked at Jiang Shu in surprise.
Second debut?
Jiang Shu’s frankness caught Bae Joo-hyun and Soo-jin off guard. They had only come to try and get Soo-jin a variety show to maintain some popularity, but who would have thought they would hear such big news from Jiang Shu?
“Instead of giving her one or two useless variety shows to maintain popularity now, it’s better to let her be silent for a while and then reawaken the public’s memory and regain popularity when she makes her second debut.”
Bae Joo-hyun pondered for a moment, then turned to look at Soo-jin.
She wouldn’t make this decision for Soo-jin.
Soo-jin also noticed Bae Joo-hyun’s gaze, looked up at Jiang Shu, and after a few seconds of silence, said:
“I trust the President!”
“A wise decision.”