Chapter 257: The Trajectory of Return
In mid-June, "Yuan Ying's Travel," a popular travel variety show on Korean web, came to an end. The location for the final episode was set in Zhangjiajie, considered the Jerusalem in the hearts of Koreans.
The selection of this location was a result of careful consideration by the production team.
Originally, the choices were the four most advanced international cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. However, after discussion, it was decided that the show's broadcast would ultimately be for Korean audiences, and where in China were Koreans most interested?
Zhangjiajie.
And so, the finale was set there.
The three-month-long "Yuan Ying's Travel" reached its highest ratings since its premiere when Zhang Yuanying stood on Tianmen Mountain and shouted, "Goodbye, Zhangjiajie! Goodbye, China!"
Because of Zhang Yuanying's shout, the "holy land" that Koreans already longed for became even more popular.
Many people chose to embark on spontaneous trips, increasing the number of Korean tourists to Zhangjiajie by 30% through their own efforts.
Shortly after the show aired, Zhangjiajie's cultural and tourism department issued a statement thanking Zhang Yuanying, the production team, and DM Entertainment, and expressed a warm welcome for Zhang Yuanying and her team to visit again in the future if they had the opportunity.
In response, DM Entertainment released a company statement, expressing gratitude to the cultural and tourism department. Zhang Yuanying also took time out of her busy schedule to record a video response, stating that she would bring her members and family to visit Zhangjiajie again when she had time.
Both parties achieved what they wanted and were very happy about it.
Win-win cooperation is the most comfortable way to collaborate.
...
Samsung Golf Course, Seoul suburbs.
Wholly owned by Samsung Sports, a subsidiary of Samsung Group, this membership-based golf course covers an area of 6 kilometers, making it the second largest in Seoul, second only to the course under Jack Nicklaus Golf Club.
The latter is one of Korea's designated golf courses for competitions, with all standards reaching world-class levels, and its inner course is only open to Korea's true upper class and professional golfers.
Although Samsung Golf Course is slightly inferior in hardware facilities compared to Jack Nicklaus Golf Course, its entry threshold is relatively lower. One only needs to have a net worth of over 100 billion korean won to register as a member and enjoy all services.
Most wealthy individuals can also become members of Jack Nicklaus Golf Course, but to enjoy all services, one must belong to the Korean upper class, commonly known as...
Chaebols.
Clearly, Jiang Shu is just wealthy; he is nowhere near being a chaebol.
Inside the golf course, a caddie held a parasol for Jiang Shu, who, dressed in golf attire, was holding a golf club and gesturing at the golf ball at his feet.
He found his stance, then swung the club forcefully.
With a 'thwack,' the golf ball turned into a white line and disappeared from sight.
Looking down at the perfectly intact lawn, Jiang Shu let out a slight sigh of relief.
"Saved 500,000 (korean won)," Jiang Shu said with a smile to the person in front of him.
Min Xizhen was standing with her arms crossed, looking into the distance for the golf ball's landing spot. Hearing Jiang Shu's words, she couldn't help but laugh.
"What do you mean? Chairman Jiang, were you penalized before?"
"Yes, I didn't listen to the coach," Jiang Shu said with a helpless smile. "The coach told me to get familiar with the angles before going onto the course. I didn't understand what he meant, so I didn't pay attention. Only when I got to the course did I realize that the turf here is chargeable."
Jiang Shu stepped on the grass beneath his feet.
"With my strength, digging a hole with one swing would cost about 500,000 in compensation."
Although members receive preferential treatment, if Jiang Shu "hoed the ground" too much, it still wouldn't be allowed; what needed to be paid still had to be paid.
Thus, the saying of 500,000 korean won per swing came about.
"That's not cheap," Min Xizhen said with a smile. "No wonder I can't meet the membership threshold; I can't accept such compensation."
Min Xizhen's net worth had not yet reached the 100 billion korean won level, so she naturally did not qualify for entry.
In the entire K-pop industry, those who could meet the entry threshold were basically chairmen and CEOs of major companies. Even directors lower than that, even an Art Director like Min Xizhen, who had been at S.M for many years, was still not enough.
Jiang Shu smiled wryly and shook his head.
"Is there something you came for this time?"
Min Xizhen had suddenly sought him out after a long time. Seeing her watch him play golf for a long time without bringing up her business, and seeing no sign of her doing so, Jiang Shu took the initiative to ask.
Min Xizhen glanced at the caddie and did not speak.
Jiang Shu was momentarily stunned, then waved his hand.
The caddie bowed to the two, brought the parasol over, planted it in the ground, and then retreated to wait at the side.
"I'm going to Big Hit," Min Xizhen blurted out a big piece of news.
Jiang Shu raised his eyebrows upon hearing this.
"Didn't you not want to go before?"
"Isn't it because of you?" Min Xizhen crossed her arms over her chest, staring at Jiang Shu with a pair of deadpan eyes.
"Because of me?" Jiang Shu looked at her blankly. What did it have to do with him?
"Yes," Min Xizhen nodded helplessly. "Originally, I was managing Red Velvet just fine. You inserted aespa, and it was aespa with Karina. Everyone in the company, except for me, unanimously decided to give the resources originally belonging to Red Velvet to aespa. Plus, aespa's operational rights are in the hands of Li Xiuman and you, so my power is getting less and less."
"Fang Shihe's offer was very generous, so I decided to go."
Jiang Shu's mouth twitched.
It sounded like it really was his fault?
Any decision from the upper echelons would affect the interests of a group of people. His cooperation with Li Xiuman also affected people like Min Xizhen.
"Then you can come to our DM Entertainment," Jiang Shu immediately said. "You know, I've always welcomed you to DM Entertainment."
"No," Min Xizhen said very directly.
"Why?"
"I can go to Big Hit, this new company, and create a new era with Fang Shihe, but I don't want to go to DM Entertainment and fight for power with a bunch of people."
Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix.
"Understood," Jiang Shu nodded.
DM Entertainment was no longer what it was when he first arrived. Now, the company had many talented individuals internally. There were two talents with the same ability as Min Xizhen: Kim Hye-soo and Li Xianzhu. How high a position could she achieve if she went there?
Min Xizhen's desire for power was not low. She didn't want to waste time on these struggles. What she wanted was to be second only to one, or even...
Jiang Shu looked at the hidden fire in Min Xizhen's eyes and couldn't help but sigh.
It seemed Min Xizhen was still going to take the old path of competing with Fang Shihe for company power.
Jiang Shu originally thought that even if Min Xizhen left S.M, she would prioritize their DM Entertainment. But who would have thought that DM Entertainment's development was too rapid, so much so that it had now become a source of concern for Min Xizhen when considering a job change.
It's fine if she doesn't come. The senior management of DM Entertainment is indeed already quite formidable.