Chapter 26: The Crazy Woman
Li Xiuman smiled after hanging up the phone.
Kim Young-min demanded that Li Xiuman hand over the other half of Rainbow Girls' operational rights to him, which was impossible, and Li Xiuman naturally wouldn't agree.
But S.M. Entertainment was built by him, and he wouldn't just sit by and watch Rainbow Girls continue to be trampled by IVE.
After an unpleasant conversation with Kim Young-min, Li Xiuman began to study the group IVE.
Honestly, it was quite outrageous.
As the recognized godfather of the K-Pop industry, Li Xiuman was not only acutely aware of future market trends but also very insightful in his analysis of idol groups.
But this IVE…
First, they were bold.
Although DM Entertainment hadn't publicly stated that IVE operated on a two-plus-four model, it was clear from their few promotional stages that the other four members of IVE served only to fill gaps and act as accessories.
The true core of IVE had always been just two people: Liu Zhimin and Zhang Yuanying.
The other four members were interchangeable accessories; a lead vocalist of member Lily's caliber was completely overshadowed by these two.
Who knew Li Xiuman was a bit speechless when he saw Lily?
S.M. Entertainment was famously fond of lead vocalists, even going so far as to tailor a group specifically for a lead vocalist; if they could reach the level of a main vocalist, they would be S.M. Entertainment's prized possession.
Lily was still very young and couldn't be considered a main vocalist yet, but the singing ability she had displayed so far already made Li Xiuman quite envious.
But!
But!
That damn DM Entertainment! They actually! Treated such a lead vocalist! As! An! Accessory!
What a waste!!!
How could they be so wasteful?
If it were Li Xiuman, he would definitely build Lily as a core member, and then…
Uh, Liu Zhimin and Zhang Yuanying couldn't be sub-Cs; he would split the three of them and debut them as three separate groups.
Putting all three together was too extravagant.
Although he valued Lily, he wasn't blind enough to ignore the astonishing stage presence of IVE's two Cs.
These two were born for the stage, especially Zhang Yuanying, who was only fourteen!
She was only fourteen!
This meant her prime could last at least ten years.
What did ten years signify?
A stable cash cow!
IVE's dual-C concept also made Li Xiuman's eyes light up.
Current groups were still in the single-C era; while he found the dual-C model novel, he also discovered a business opportunity.
The advantage of dual-C over traditional single-C was having more C positions, which attracted more fans; the more fans, the more money the company earned.
As for disadvantages, Li Xiuman felt it mostly led to team instability.
A single-C group had only one leader; members, even if they disagreed, could only hold it in. But dual-C was different: 'You're the C, I'm the C, why should I defer to you?'
Li Xiuman guessed there must be quite a story between Liu Zhimin and Zhang Yuanying.
Besides the IVE members themselves, their debut song was also very interesting.
The structure of this song was completely different from currently popular songs; could the market really accept such a fast-paced rhythm?
It had to be said that a rookie girl group launched by such an obscure small company had indeed taught Li Xiuman many things.
Originally, Li Xiuman had intended to acquire this group that was overshadowing Rainbow Girls, but now he had changed his mind.
If he was going to acquire them, he might as well buy the entire DM Entertainment.
The Chairman of DM Entertainment was also a talented individual.
“Jiang Shu… a Chinese person.” Li Xiuman thought of Jiang Shu’s nationality; he had always had ideas about the vast market of that great Eastern country, but unfortunately, every group that went there hadn't made much of a splash. Perhaps this would be an opportunity?
…
“It’s really dilapidated.”
Jiang Shu stood below S.M. Entertainment’s shabby building, looking up at this “star-making dream factory” that wasn't even as grand as his high school teaching building, and complained.
No matter how many times he had seen it in photos and videos, it was difficult to put into words the feeling of speechlessness when seeing this “star-making dream factory” in person.
It really was very dilapidated…
“Hello, are you Chairman Jiang Shu of DM Entertainment?”
Just as Jiang Shu was complaining about the dilapidated S.M. Entertainment office building, a voice sounded in his ear.
He turned his head and saw a beautiful woman in a professional suit with a graceful figure.
“And you are?”
“Hello, I am Chairman Li Xiuman’s Secretary, my surname is Park, and I am here specifically to welcome Chairman Jiang.” Secretary Park bowed and greeted Jiang Shu.
“The Chairman is tied up with some matters, so I am welcoming you on his behalf. Please forgive us, Chairman Jiang.” Secretary Park said apologetically.
Look! Look! Look at them!
Damn Yang Hyunsuk, look at S.M. Entertainment! The industry leader is truly the leader!
Li Xiuman probably felt that Jiang Shu wasn’t important enough for him to personally receive, but at least the courtesy was acceptable, and he provided a reason.
“Let’s go up.” Jiang Shu nodded to Secretary Park and said.
“Alright, Chairman Jiang, this way please.” Secretary Park bowed and gestured for him to follow.
Jiang Shu followed Secretary Park into S.M. Entertainment’s shabby building.
As soon as he entered the S.M. Entertainment building, Jiang Shu’s eyes immediately fell on a figure in front of the reception desk in the lobby on the first floor.
Noticing Jiang Shu’s gaze, Secretary Park also looked over, and after recognizing the figure, she spoke.
“Chairman Jiang, do you know our Director Min?”
“I’ve heard a little.” Jiang Shu said with a straight face.
Oh, he knew her too well!
“Fish die, nets break; I’m leaving tonight.”
“If you provoke me, I’ll hold a press conference and expose you!”
Concept Queen, Two-Family Servant, Press Conference Master, Top Seller…
This woman had too many titles to count.
The off-stage antics came one after another; one could say she was a crazy woman who couldn't be described with just a few simple words.
Just as Jiang Shu was pondering, Min Xizhen, who was at the reception desk, turned around and happened to see Jiang Shu and Secretary Park.
Min Xizhen first frowned, then her eyes lit up when she looked at Jiang Shu, and she actually started walking towards the two of them.
“Director Min.” Secretary Park bowed and greeted Min Xizhen as she approached.
Min Xizhen waved her hand, not even looking at Secretary Park, her gaze fixed on Jiang Shu, making him feel uncomfortable.
Auntie, what do you want?
“Are you IVE’s producer? The Chairman of DM Entertainment?”
Jiang Shu was stunned. Had his little IVE already become so popular?
“That’s me.”
“I am S.M. Entertainment’s Visual Art Director. I have some questions about IVE’s concept that I’d like to ask you. Does Chairman Jiang have time?” Min Xizhen asked excitedly.
Jiang Shu: “…?”
IVE… has a concept?
He didn’t remember messing with any of that stuff?
Seeing Jiang Shu’s bewildered expression, Min Xizhen was about to speak again but was interrupted by Secretary Park.
“Director Min, I apologize for interrupting, but the Chairman is waiting to discuss matters with Chairman Jiang.”
Min Xizhen frowned upon hearing this and looked at Secretary Park for the first time.
“What does the Chairman want with him?”
Secretary Park didn’t speak, merely offered a polite smile.