Chapter 18: My Girl Is Acting Strange
About half an hour later, IVE was called back onto the stage. Without any surprises, they took home the Music Bank first-place trophy today.
Although there isn't a rule yet that prevents groups from winning first place immediately after debut/comeback, debuting and winning first place is still an unprecedented achievement.
In other words, today, May 29th, on IVE's debut day, they set an unparalleled record—debuting with a first-place win!
Cheers and celebrations, accompanied by the encore stage of "I AM," echoed throughout the entire studio.
Search engine and platform keywords related to IVE's debut first-place win soared onto trending topics, with some even directly hitting number one.
People who were already paying attention to IVE due to the online promotions and their debut song "I AM" completely remembered this group, IVE, after hearing this news, following S.M.'s Rainbow Girls.
It was truly a case of achieving fame overnight!
In the company car, Jiang Shu looked at the constant stream of news about IVE on various platforms with much emotion.
Is this reasonable?
This is not reasonable.
How could a rookie group achieve such overwhelming popularity without spending money?
But the Bond is such an unreasonable thing; once activated, the Bond effect becomes the iron rule of this world, the core of how the world operates.
"Chairman!" Zhang Yuanying's voice pulled Jiang Shu's attention back from his daze. He turned to look at Zhang Yuanying in the back row.
"What's wrong, Xiao Yuan?"
Jiang Shu preferred to call her Xiao Yuan rather than Yuan Ying.
"Chairman, we have a first-place promise, you know!" Zhang Yuanying said to Jiang Shu, extending a slender finger.
"Don't worry, I won't forget." Jiang Shu chuckled, "Tomorrow, I'll take you to see the surprise I've prepared."
"Can you tell us what kind it is?" Zhang Yuanying asked curiously.
"No." Jiang Shu smiled slightly, refusing.
"So mysterious." Liu Zhimin, who was looking down and sending messages nearby, grumbled without lifting her head.
"How can it be a surprise if it's not mysterious?" Jiang Shu smiled.
"The ending shot is out." Lily, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, drawing everyone's attention.
Jiang Shu also refreshed his Instagram and indeed saw the Music Bank's official ending shot for today's stage.
Among them, Liu Zhimin and Zhang Yuanying's double ending shot had significantly more likes and comments, completely outshining all other groups.
This made Jiang Shu realize the terrifying power of the Center Bond.
If it says top-tier popularity, then it truly is top-tier.
Of course, the side effects were also quite obvious.
Jiang Shu could scroll through ten posts and not even one would be about the other four members of IVE; all the attention was on Liu Zhimin and Zhang Yuanying.
Wait!
Compared to Liu Zhimin, who only had two group Bonds, Zhang Yuanying had a Bond that could be activated by a single person.
Thinking of this, Jiang Shu turned to look at Zhang Yuanying.
Her baby-fat cheeks were dusted with pink blush, and her round face, combined with delicate features, outlined Zhang Yuanying's harmonious facial structure. She looked beautiful and cute, while also possessing a gradually blossoming idol aura.
The charming and cute Xiao Yuan was evolving towards Yuan Shen.
But in Jiang Shu's mind, Zhang Yuanying in her 'greasy aunt' state appeared, and he shivered.
No, no! Absolutely not!
The negative status of the 'Greasy Aunt Association' must never be activated!
"Chairman, what's wrong?" Zhang Yuanying looked at Jiang Shu in confusion, noticing he was staring at her, and couldn't help but ask.
"Nothing." Jiang Shu shook his head, looking at IVE's manager, "From now on, Xiao Yuan's makeup and styling must be approved by me. No makeup artist is allowed to design her makeup and styling privately."
The manager was startled by this, but with the experience of "Jiang Shu's discerning eye and clever use of double centers" fresh in his mind, he didn't react much and readily agreed.
But someone wasn't happy.
"Why?"
Jiang Shu turned to look at Liu Zhimin, finding the girl frowning at him.
"We're both 'royalty,' and I was here first, so why does she get special treatment?"
Jiang Shu: "???"
"Ro... Royalty?"
"Yeah!" Liu Zhimin nodded.
Jiang Shu: "..."
He looked at Zhang Yuanying next to her and saw that Xiao Yuan also had a look of approval.
Oh no, these two kids are acting strange!
Is 'royalty' something good? Why do you two look so proud?
"Then... you too?" Jiang Shu tentatively suggested.
Liu Zhimin actually nodded in satisfaction.
"That's more like it."
Jiang Shu: "..."
Is there something wrong with a certain part of this child? Is she that easy to fool?
At this moment, Zhang Yuanying shot Jiang Shu a look.
Jiang Shu: "?"
Zhang Yuanying cupped her hands around her mouth, and Jiang Shu stared at her small lips.
【Karina~ unnie~ is~ a~ little~ silly~】
Jiang Shu: "..."
He turned back to Liu Zhimin.
Noticing Jiang Shu's gaze, Liu Zhimin looked at him in confusion.
"What?"
Jiang Shu withdrew his gaze, met Zhang Yuanying's eyes, and silently nodded.
She is a little.
Zhang Yuanying covered her mouth and snickered.
Looking at Zhang Yuanying, who seemed to have successfully pulled off a prank, Jiang Shu's lips also curved into a smile.
The current Zhang Yuanying was quite consistent with his impression of the 'Dwarf Ball Yuan'; the IVE Zhang Yuanying, on the other hand, felt more like a stranger with the same face.
Thinking of this, Jiang Shu's eyes flickered slightly.
The existence of the Bonds was basically confirmed, which meant that the IZONE Bond also existed.
Thinking of the effect of that exclusive Bond, Jiang Shu couldn't help but feel envious. If he could activate IZONE's exclusive Bond, he could ride on Yang Hyun-suk's chrysanthemum-face head and take a dump!
Unfortunately, the activation difficulty of this Bond was too high.
Jiang Shu couldn't help but sigh at this thought.
IVE's success was just the first step in DM Entertainment's rise. To truly become a transcendent giant above all entertainment companies, there was still a long way to go.
...
YG Entertainment, Chairman's Office.
Yang Hyun-suk was writing and drawing on a trainee file.
S.M. had already launched their second-generation girl group first; they at YG couldn't fall behind. One step slow, every step slow!
JYP was currently busy with their American plan, so they didn't need to worry about them.
Rainbow Girls was a large seven-member group, so they at YG would form a small group, four people would be enough, and then...
Knock knock knock.
A sudden knock on the door interrupted Yang Hyun-suk's thoughts. He frowned and looked up.
"Enter."
Secretary Li pushed open the door and walked in quickly.
"Chairman, something has happened!" Secretary Li, suppressing the shock in his heart, ran to Yang Hyun-suk with a document in his hand and said.
"Panicking, without any composure." Yang Hyun-suk frowned deeply, looking at him with displeasure.
"I apologize, Chairman, I lost my composure." Secretary Li bowed and apologized.
Yang Hyun-suk waved his hand at this.
"Speak, what happened?"
"IVE is popular!"