Chapter 226 Yuan Ying, the Scallions from Home are Ripe
"The Chinese mainland market does not allow Korean artists to enter and conduct entertainment activities, but it does not prohibit Korean artists from coming to China to film Korean variety shows."
"My idea is to publicize your Chinese bloodline, market it a bit, and then supplement it with travel videos you record in major Chinese cities as blueprints, which can better help you seize the Chinese market." Jiang Shu explained the strategic goal.
Zhang Yuanying tilted her head, seemingly understanding but not quite.
"So my variety show is about travel?"
"Yes, public-funded travel." Jiang Shu smiled and nodded.
"Not only do I not have to spend money, but I can also earn money!" Zhang Yuanying's eyes lit up. "I completely agree!"
"But... can my family's information not be disclosed?" Zhang Yuanying asked, excited but also a little worried.
"We won't disclose specific information, only mention that you have Chinese bloodline, which makes it easier for the company to market you in China."
Although China doesn't really care about ancestry—it's the 21st century, only pets care about bloodlines—if Zhang Yuanying, a popular Korean idol, were revealed to have a quarter Chinese ancestry, with a little promotion, it could become a powerful tool for attracting fans.
Not caring much doesn't mean not caring at all; there's still a group of people who identify with it, and it attracts potential fans among these identifiers.
The larger the fan base, the more fans there are, which is a positive feedback loop.
Just like Zhang Yuanying's first breakthrough, it wasn't due to anything K-pop-related, but rather the seemingly unrelated ultraman.
Even now, a significant portion of Zhang Yuanying's vast fan base consists of ultraman fans.
Her line, "Zhun Ge is a true man," is still used in the ultraman community, and every time it's mentioned, many people think of Jiang Shu and Zhang Yuanying.
Don't always be confined by the idea that different circles are independent; appropriate cross-circle methods are entirely feasible.
Of course, you have to find the right method, you can't force it.
Like Cheng Xiao's drama "Falling Into Your Smile," it directly shattered the goodwill she had accumulated in the esports circle from her previous esports girl persona, and she even became infamous in the esports circle.
"So where's my first stop?" Zhang Yuanying asked excitedly.
"I haven't even told Director Kim Hye-soo yet, and you're already so eager," Jiang Shu said with a chuckle.
"It's okay, let's confirm it first," Zhang Yuanying said with a giggle.
"Qingdao, then." Jiang Shu thought for a moment and gave a place name.
"Qingdao... the world's beer capital?" Zhang Yuanying tilted her head and thought for a moment before speaking.
"You know?" Now it was Jiang Shu's turn to be surprised; Zhang Yuanying actually knew Qingdao?
"I went to Qingdao for a fan signing when I was in IVE," Zhang Yuanying explained.
Only after she said that did Jiang Shu remember that IVE often held fan signings in China, and Qingdao, being the cheapest place to travel to and from Seoul, was their first choice.
A round trip between Qingdao and Seoul only costs eight hundred yuan; it's simply incredibly cheap.
Many Koreans in China have settled in Qingdao and are engaged in reselling.
"Since you've been there, then let's change places?" Jiang Shu asked.
As long as the starting point is in Shandong, he is determined to create the 'Shandong Yuan Ying' meme.
As for whether it's Qingdao, Jinan, or Zibo, it doesn't matter.
"It's okay, we only went to Qingdao for a fan signing before, we didn't go sightseeing. This time we're specifically going for sightseeing, it's different," Zhang Yuanying explained.
"I see." Jiang Shu nodded. "Alright, then Qingdao it is."
"Are you coming with me?" Zhang Yuanying blinked and asked, looking at Jiang Shu.
"I'm not going. I've been to Qingdao. When you go to some places I haven't been, I can consider coming as a guest to check them out," Jiang Shu said with a smile.
Public-funded travel, who wouldn't want to go?
Although he is the boss of the company, public accounts are public accounts, and travel expenses come from public accounts, so he doesn't have to pay out of his own pocket. This feeling is completely different, isn't it?
"Okay." Zhang Yuanying happily agreed. Although he wasn't coming at first, it didn't mean he wouldn't come later.
Since Jiang Shu said he would come, it meant he would come later. Jiang Shu had never broken a promise so far, so Zhang Yuanying trusted Jiang Shu's promises quite a bit.
"Alright, that's settled." Jiang Shu stood up, issuing a dismissal.
Zhang Yuanying also stood up upon seeing this, but looked at Jiang Shu with some confusion.
"Are you going out?"
"No, I mean, you can go do whatever you need to do." Jiang Shu pointed to the office door and said.
"Oh, oh." Zhang Yuanying finally reacted. "Do I need to go back and prepare anything?"
"No."
Zhang Yuanying let out an "Oh," bowed to Jiang Shu, and turned to leave the office.
Looking at Zhang Yuanying's back, Jiang Shu's mind suddenly conjured up an image of Zhang Yuanying holding a pancake wrapped around a scallion.
"Pfft!"
He couldn't help but laugh.
Now, Shandong Yuan Ying is really going home to eat scallions.
"Yuan Ying, the scallions at home are ripe!"
Jiang Shu happily picked up the phone on the desk.
"Come to my office."
...
On the other side, after Zhang Yuanying left Jiang Shu's office, she immediately took out her phone and shared the news about her new travel variety show in the group chat.
"Xiao Yuan?" A familiar voice suddenly sounded. Zhang Yuanying knew who it was without even looking up.
Following the sound, Liu Zhimin's figure came into view.
"Ouni." Zhang Yuanying smiled, put away her phone, and waved at Liu Zhimin.
"Are you looking for the Chairman?" Liu Zhimin walked over and asked.
"Yes, Chairman Oppa just prepared a exclusive solo variety show for me!" Zhang Yuanying boasted.
"The Chinese one?"
"Yes." Zhang Yuanying nodded delightedly.
"You learned Chinese, which is so difficult?" Liu Zhimin's eyes widened instantly.
"So easy!" Zhang Yuanying hummed two smug sounds.
"Amazing!" Liu Zhimin gave a thumbs up with an expression of genuine admiration.
Seeing her sincere admiration, Zhang Yuanying immediately lost her desire to show off.
It's always like this; sincerity conquers everything.
"Ouni, what are you here for?" Zhang Yuanying changed the subject and asked.
"Me?" Liu Zhimin pointed to herself. "We're having a comeback in May, and I came to summarize the problems we've encountered recently and discuss them with the Chairman."
This is one of the tasks of the leaders of various artist groups, to liaise with the producers.
This time, she came as aespa's leader to see aespa's producer.
"I see." Zhang Yuanying nodded in understanding. aespa had not participated in the concentrated comeback in January.
"Then Ouni, you go ahead, I'm leaving first."
She looked at Zhang Yuanying, then nodded.
"I'll go first."
Zhang Yuanying waved at Liu Zhimin.
As Liu Zhimin passed by her, she glanced down, and after Liu Zhimin walked past, she looked down at her own chest.
"Tsk!"