Chapter 67: Director Min is a Good Person
After having lunch with Jin Zhongting and sending him back to school, Jiang Shu wasn't in a hurry to leave. He parked his car at the school gate and went to sleep inside it.
At two o'clock, Jiang Shu was woken up by his alarm. He groggily crawled out of the back seat.
“Damn, this is uncomfortable.”
This car was great to drive, but lying or sitting inside was truly uncomfortable.
“No wonder bosses don’t drive Porsches; they’re definitely not as comfortable to sit in as they are to drive,” Jiang Shu said, rubbing his lower back as he got out of the car.
Standing by the car, rubbing his stiff lower back, he decided that once his company grew, he would hire a driver and let someone else drive!
He had been quite excited when he first got the original owner's Panamera, as it was a car he hadn't really touched, but now that he'd driven it for a while, he realized it was a pain.
After a while, feeling less uncomfortable, he got back into the driver's seat and headed straight for S.M. Entertainment.
2:47 PM, S.M. Entertainment.
Jiang Shu drove into S.M. Entertainment's internal parking lot and, after confirming his identity with the security guard, drove in.
Choi Ji-yeon, who had already arrived with Sun Shengwan and the other two, was waiting for Jiang Shu in the parking lot. After meeting up with them, they all went upstairs together, led by Director Min's secretary, who was there to greet the five of them.
Visual Art Director's Office.
Min Xizhen was sizing up Sun Shengwan, then looked at Jiang Shu.
“Is this the main vocalist you found?”
“That’s right.” Jiang Shu smiled confidently. “I guarantee she’ll surprise you.”
Seeing his confident expression, Min Xizhen looked at Sun Shengwan with some suspicion.
She was pretty, but with such a short stature, could she have the explosive power required of a main vocalist?
However, Min Xizhen didn't question it too much. After all, Sun Shengwan's assessment scores were in her hands, and the data showed she was perfectly fine as a main vocalist.
“Since it’s your choice, I won’t interfere.” Min Xizhen didn't dwell on the matter. “Since everyone is here, let’s prepare for the debut.”
She then looked at Jiang Shu.
“I’ve completed the song concept you provided. Next, we can prepare for song recording and MV filming. I’ll have the company’s finance department liaise with your finance department regarding the specific expense allocation.”
“The concept is complete?” Jiang Shu looked at Min Xizhen in surprise. This woman's work efficiency was too high.
“It’s just one song concept. I already had a similar concept prototype before; this time, I just completed it,” Min Xizhen explained.
That's still pretty incredible.
“Our DM Entertainment’s planning department has just been established, so we’ll need your help. You can take the lead,” Jiang Shu said to Min Xizhen.
“Okay.” Min Xizhen nodded.
S.M. Entertainment's planning and production departments were both under her management, so this was a minor matter.
“You three go meet the future members first,” Jiang Shu said, turning to Bae Joo-hyun and the other two.
Director Min's secretary looked at Min Xizhen, and after Min Xizhen nodded, she immediately said, “Please follow me.”
Choi Ji-yeon also followed them out, and soon only Jiang Shu and Min Xizhen were left in the office.
“What is it?” Min Xizhen asked Jiang Shu.
He had even specifically sent everyone else away.
“The trainee audition convention, our DM Entertainment wants to participate,” Jiang Shu said.
“The trainee audition convention… the two times in March and September?” Min Xizhen asked, somewhat unsure.
She only focused on the company's existing trainees. The recruitment of trainees had nothing to do with her job, and Min Xizhen rarely inquired about it.
“Yes.” Jiang Shu nodded. “You also know the situation with our DM Entertainment. Trainees represent the future, and the trainee audition convention is when the most promising talents appear each year. I can’t compete with you, but I can at least get some scraps.”
Min Xizhen looked at Jiang Shu. Based on their interactions and her understanding of him during this period, what he called 'scraps' probably meant taking the meat too.
But what did that have to do with her?
“I can give you this spot, but you need to be Red Velvet’s exclusive producer,” Min Xizhen said to Jiang Shu.
Of the three talented individuals she knew, two were at JYP, and only one was 'wild.' She wouldn't let Jiang Shu run away.
Although Jiang Shu was the CEO of DM Entertainment, in Min Xizhen's eyes, he was indeed 'wild.'
“That won’t work. I have many groups to write songs for. I have to write for IVE, and we’re about to debut a solo singer. If you add Red Velvet, I’ll be too busy.”
This was a lie.
In business negotiations, one should always try to gain as many benefits as possible.
“Then only be responsible for the title track, but you have to be responsible for IVE’s comeback concept,” Jiang Shu demanded, opening his mouth wide.
Min Xizhen rolled her eyes directly at his words.
“Why don’t you just ask me to be the Art Director at your DM Entertainment?”
“You’re most welcome.” Jiang Shu said with a chuckle.
Min Xizhen looked at Jiang Shu amusedly; he really knew how to climb the ladder.
“Change your request. There’s no way I’m doing concepts for IVE.”
She had just gotten her new toy (Red Velvet); she had no time to work on concepts for IVE.
“Our IVE just lacks an excellent concept queen like Director Min, so this is my only request,” Jiang Shu said, shrugging.
Min Xizhen raised an eyebrow. Jiang Shu's compliment of 'concept queen' was very much to her liking.
The 'delighted' Min Xizhen thought for a moment, then spoke.
“I am S.M. Entertainment’s Director, so it’s impossible for me to produce concepts for IVE, but I can introduce a suitable person to you. Although she’s not as good as me, she does have some ability in concept planning.”
Jiang Shu was greatly surprised.
She actually praised someone as capable?
This madwoman had always been arrogant, especially when it came to concepts; she looked down on everyone.
Those she called trash might not actually lack ability, but those she called capable were definitely no less capable than her.
“Director Min, please tell me.”
“Li Xianzhu, Art Director of PONG Entertainment (fictional).”
Jiang Shu: “?!! ”
Damn?
Who?
Li Xianzhu?
There are many people named Li Xianzhu, but an Art Director of an entertainment company who is also recognized by Min Xizhen? You couldn't find a second one in the entire Korean Entertainment industry.
She successively served as Visual Creative Director at Hybe and Pledis (P Nation), and the groups she produced included SEVENTEEN, Fromis9, and TWS.
Li Xianzhu left Hybe in early 2022 to rest, rested for over half a year, and was rehired by P Nation at the end of 2022. Her ability was famously strong in the industry.
Jiang Shu never expected to have such an unexpected gain from this visit.
Yin Huilin and Li Xianzhu were old partners. These two, one responsible for visuals and the other for choreography, along with Kim Young-joo and Min Xizhen, formed the entertainment landscape of Hybe.
And now, Li Duohui was being pursued on Kim Young-joo's side, and now there was news of Li Xianzhu.
Damn?
Bro, am I going to poach Hybe dry?
Oh, and the boss is still secretly agreeing with Park Jin-young, so never mind.