Chapter 219: The Core Concept of ITZY
Jeon Soyeon was under immense pressure.
Everyone only knew that ITZY's comebacks were getting stronger with each release. Although they didn't debut at their peak like IVE and IZONE, they were steadily establishing themselves as a top-tier group, step by step, aiming for the super-tier status that only IZONE and IVE had achieved so far.
Even aespa, with Liu Zhimin, was surpassed by ITZY. With IVE already disbanded, the only group standing in ITZY's way was their direct junior group, IZONE.
Once ITZY truly crossed the threshold into the super-tier, they would gain the qualification to compete with IZONE for the top group position.
IVE had once been unrivaled, and now, IZONE seemed to be welcoming its first opponent.
As the mastermind behind all of ITZY's achievements, Jeon Soyeon bore a tremendous amount of pressure.
Initially, the pressure stemmed from the apprehension of being suddenly promoted to ITZY's general producer, but as ITZY succeeded again and again, this pressure gradually transformed into anxiety about their performance.
Jeon Soyeon was the one who slept the least before ITZY's comebacks.
She was terrified that her production this time would become a stumbling block on ITZY's path to ascension, and this pressure and anxiety continuously increased as ITZY gradually approached IZONE.
Now, Jiang Shu told her that she would step down after one more year, which significantly reduced the pressure on Jeon Soyeon's shoulders.
Even if no one mentioned it, Jeon Soyeon had actually thought about challenging the invincible IZONE in her heart.
Everyone said this era belonged to IZONE, but what if we, ITZY… won?
"One more year, huh?" Jeon Soyeon murmured softly.
We will win!
Jiang Shu glanced at Jeon Soyeon, who seemed lost in thought, and sighed inwardly.
Giving up on ITZY was a decision he made reluctantly. Firstly, keeping Jeon Soyeon tied to ITZY was a bit of a waste, and secondly, whether ITZY could truly reach the top was a question mark.
Theoretically, Wangdao Passion could be infinitely stacked, but Jiang Shu had never stacked it to a top-tier level beyond super-tier.
And IZONE genuinely possessed the strength to reach the top.
One was the uncertain ITZY, and the other was the 100% top-tier IZONE. Anyone would choose the latter.
Rationally speaking, that was the case, but Jiang Shu wasn't an unfeeling beast. He saw the efforts of the ITZY members and Jeon Soyeon.
This was a game world to him, but to them, this was the world they lived in.
How could Jiang Shu not be moved by such girls who worked so hard for their passion?
So Jiang Shu gave them a chance.
A chance to prove him wrong.
One year was the last chance he gave to Jeon Soyeon and ITZY. Even after deducting the time Jeon Soyeon spent participating in (G)I-DLE's concept production, they could still have at least two comebacks within a year.
ITZY only needed one more time to reach super-tier popularity, and the second time…
A showdown between a passionate hero and a great demon king.
...
After the meeting, Jeon Soyeon arranged to meet the ITZY members in the evening.
Of course, the ITZY members didn't refuse their producer and private friend. Even if their schedule was busy until late, they still met with Jeon Soyeon.
Late at night, past midnight, at the ITZY dorm.
Jeon Soyeon and the ITZY girls, dressed in thick down jackets, sat on the balcony, enduring the biting cold wind, gazing together at the bright moon in the sky.
In front of them was a heater diligently radiating warmth. None of the six spoke, just looking at the moon in the sky.
"You guys say… how far can we go?" After an unknown amount of time, Jeon Soyeon suddenly spoke.
"That depends on the album Ouni makes for us," Shin Yuna said with a smile, hugging Jeon Soyeon.
"Sigh." Jeon Soyeon sighed, "What we have to face next is IZONE."
Hearing that name, Shin Yuna, who had been smiling, couldn't smile anymore.
Are they popular?
Yes, they are, but far less than IVE, let alone IZONE, who surpassed IVE in everything except awards.
Are their individual popularities high?
Yes, they are. Shin Ryujin, ITZY's core member, has individual fans that can rank in the top ten among second-generation girl groups, but IZONE occupies four of the top five spots.
Now, only IZONE remained in front of ITZY. Going further meant facing the Great Demon King.
"Oh, come on! It's just IZONE. When we first debuted, we couldn't even compare to Rainbow Girls," Shin Yuna said, shaking her head.
"Exactly! We came step by step, and no one expected us to get this far today," Shin Ryujin also said with a smile, easing the somewhat oppressive atmosphere.
"That's right, when IU Unnie directly clashed with Hyuna sunbaenim, no one was optimistic about her, but didn't IU Unnie still win?" Lee Chaeryeong also chimed in.
"But that's IZONE after all," Jeon Soyeon said hesitantly.
Especially since IZONE's producer was her teacher, Jiang Shu.
"Ouni!" Shin Ryujin also reached out and hugged Jeon Soyeon, "We can definitely do it!"
"Exactly, if we can't do it once, we'll try again!" Hwang Yeji also interjected.
"There isn't much 'later.' We only have two chances," Jeon Soyeon said, shaking her head.
Silence.
"What does Ouni mean by two chances?" Lia, who had been silent, was the first to react and asked.
"Next year, I'm scheduled to debut, and at that time, I'll be the producer of my own group. My time as ITZY's producer will only be about half a year left, at most, two comebacks," Jeon Soyeon said, spilling everything she could. She didn't want to tell ITZY about the higher-ups' attitude towards them, but she also had to reveal that their time was running out.
The combination of Jeon Soyeon + ITZY only had two comebacks left.
"So… we only have two more chances to work together?" Shin Yuna's voice trembled as she spoke.
"Mm," Jeon Soyeon responded softly.
"But we promised to beat IZONE!" Shin Yuna's voice suddenly rose.
"Yuna!" Shin Ryujin quickly stopped Shin Yuna, then looked at Jeon Soyeon, "Ouni also wants to debut and stand on stage. We can't restrict Ouni from pursuing her dreams because of ourselves!"
Shin Yuna, hearing Shin Ryujin's slightly stern words, also realized her mistake.
"Ouni, I'm sorry…"
"It's okay." Jeon Soyeon forced a smile and shook her head. She knew Shin Yuna didn't mean it that way.
"Why are you all so down?" Lia suddenly said.
Everyone looked at Lia in unison.
"Do you remember the core concept of ITZY that Ouni mentioned when we first met?"
The girls froze, and the scene of their first meeting flashed in their minds.
In the ITZY practice room, nervous girls waiting to debut met the girl who was taking on the role of producer for the first time.
"Hello, I'm Jeon Soyeon, and I'm also going to be ITZY's chief producer."
The girls looked at the girl in front of them, who wasn't much older than the five of them, with deep confusion in their hearts.
Is she really our producer?
The girl looked at the girls' confused, bewildered, and even skeptical gazes, and spoke her second sentence after they met.
"I have prepared a core concept unique to ITZY for you…"
"Passionate girls who fear no difficulties or challenges!"