Chapter 290: Christmas Intentions
S.M. Entertainment, Third Conference Room.
The four members of aespa sat on the left side of the conference table, while opposite them and beside them were the production teams from S.M. and DM Entertainment.
"We've reviewed the song 'Savage,' and as expected of Chairman Jiang's work, we have no issues with it," the S.M. producer said, putting down the documents in his hand and turning to the DM Entertainment producer beside him.
"I have to say, every title track from aespa fits our S.M. style perfectly. Chairman Jiang's musical talent is truly outstanding," another producer exclaimed.
"Jihoon, our Chairman Jiang isn't here. Even if you praise him, he won't hear it," the DM Entertainment producer chuckled, clearly indicating their good relationship.
"You can relay it for me then," Jihoon said with a laugh.
The conversation between the producers did not affect the low-voiced discussions of others in the conference room.
This meeting was to discuss aespa's comeback this year, as many other groups were also planning comebacks.
Due to making way for the century-long battle between IZONE and ITZY, many groups only had one comeback in January last year. This frequency was quite low, so they needed to speed up this year to make up for the missed comebacks.
S.M. currently only has two girl groups, Rainbow Girls and aespa. Since Rainbow Girls is in a semi-hiatus, retirement-like state, focusing wholeheartedly on aespa's development is S.M.'s current goal.
As a group co-managed with DM Entertainment, every comeback by aespa requires discussion between both parties.
This time, the mini-album comeback is centered around the title track "Savage," produced by Jiang Shu, with the remaining tracks filled in by producers from both sides.
Although the S.M. producer might have seemed to be flattering earlier, the song "Savage" itself does indeed align with S.M.'s compositional style.
Jiang Shu's songwriting style has always been unpredictable, earning him the reputation of a K-pop master who can easily handle various styles. Therefore, people only marvel at Jiang Shu's ability, rather than questioning the origin of the musical content.
As the core of this meeting's discussion, the four members of aespa did not participate in the discussion. Everything was arranged by others; they were just there to go through the motions, listen to the process, and ensure they could smoothly follow the upcoming project progress.
Soon, the meeting ended. The S.M. representative took the DM Entertainment producer and other staff to the reception area for further discussion, while the "tool people" aespa returned to their practice room.
"Is this song really good?" Ning Yizhuo, the bullied, leaned over to Kim Minjeong, the bully, and whispered.
Even back in their practice room, Ning Yizhuo subconsciously lowered her voice when mentioning this matter.
After all, besides the four of them, there were other team staff in the practice room.
"I don't think so," Kim Minjeong said, pouting.
"Then you go tell them to change the song?" Ning Yizhuo muttered softly.
Kim Minjeong looked at Ning Yizhuo speechlessly.
"Why don't you go say it?"
"What I say is useless."
"And what I say is useful?"
The two stared at each other, and then Giselle's voice came from beside them.
"Ouni, our leader's words are useful."
Immediately, both of them saw each other's eyes light up simultaneously.
The proactive Kim Minjeong slapped the daydreaming Liu Zhimin on the thigh, startling her.
"Ouni! Your moment has come!"
A large question mark appeared on Liu Zhimin's forehead.
"Ouni, what do you think of this song?" Kim Minjeong asked, guiding the question to Liu Zhimin.
"Hmm... it's okay, I guess?" Liu Zhimin replied, somewhat confused but following Kim Minjeong's lead.
"Is it really okay?" Kim Minjeong asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well... not that okay," Liu Zhimin said, changing her answer, feeling uncomfortable under her gaze.
After getting the answer she wanted, Kim Minjeong immediately smiled.
"Then, Ouni, Christmas is coming soon. Have you prepared a gift?"
Liu Zhimin was a bit bewildered by Kim Minjeong's sudden leap in thought.
"A gift for whom?"
"Chairman Jiang, of course! Prepare a gift for Chairman Jiang and ask him to change our title track, okay?" Kim Minjeong revealed her true intentions, showing her hand.
Liu Zhimin instinctively wanted to refuse.
How could changing the title track be something she could decide? Who was she? Even when she and Jiang Shu hadn't broken up, Jiang Shu wouldn't necessarily listen to her if she asked to change a title track.
But then she thought, this seems like a legitimate reason to meet Jiang Shu on Christmas, doesn't it?
She heard Jiang Shu spent last Christmas alone, and it should be the same this year. She would reluctantly spend Christmas with him, under the name of aespa's leader!
"Okay."
Seeing Liu Zhimin agree, Kim Minjeong and Ning Yizhuo immediately became excited.
Meanwhile, the less noticeable Giselle also showed an expression of watching a good show.
Good to see, love to see!
"But there's a problem," Liu Zhimin suddenly said, frowning at Kim Minjeong, "If I go see him on Christmas, what should I give him?"
Hearing this, everyone became interested and gathered around Liu Zhimin.
"What do men like?" Kim Minjeong turned to Ning Yizhuo and asked.
"My dad likes cars," Ning Yizhuo thought about the man she knew best and gave an answer.
"No, I can't afford it," Liu Zhimin flatly refused.
A cheap car would be worse than no gift, and she couldn't afford an expensive one.
"Hmm... a watch?" Kim Minjeong pondered for a moment and offered an answer.
"He has a whole cabinet full of watches," Liu Zhimin said, shaking her head.
"That many? Then forget it," Kim Minjeong sighed.
"How do you know Chairman Jiang has a whole cabinet of watches?" Giselle's faint voice drifted over.
At her words, Kim Minjeong and Ning Yizhuo, who hadn't noticed anything wrong, immediately realized and their sharp gazes fell on Liu Zhimin.
"Yeah, how do you know?"
Liu Zhimin: "..."
Darn it, I let it slip!
"Uh..."
Think, stupid brain!!!
Ah! I got it!
"I went to his house when I was in IVE and saw them in his walk-in closet."
Phew!
I'm so clever!
Liu Zhimin thought proudly, but the three of them looked at her with a questioning gaze that Liu Zhimin completely missed.
The reason sounded fine, but they didn't believe it!
"Ahem, quickly, what gift should we get?" Liu Zhimin forcefully changed the subject.
The others certainly weren't happy with such a topic change, but since Liu Zhimin refused to admit anything, they couldn't do much.
Rather than dwelling on that gossip, it was better to think about what to give for the upcoming Christmas, after all, whether the title track could be changed still depended on Liu Zhimin.