Chapter 76: Draft Assembly
After eating a meal that could have been breakfast or lunch, Jiang Shu did not go to the company but instead headed to Samsong-dong in Gangnam District.
The new address for DM Entertainment was located there, and Jiang Shu's purpose in coming was to check on the situation.
Gangnam District, situated in the core area south of the Han River, is renowned for its modern urban landscape, high-end commercial clusters, and concentrated educational resources, making it arguably the most prosperous district in Seoul.
Within the district are famous commercial areas such as Apgujeong, Cheongdam-dong, and Samsong-dong, serving as Seoul's economic, fashion, and high-end residential hub. Apgujeong and Cheongdam-dong, in particular, are well-known to K-pop fans, with most famous K-pop entertainment companies located in these two areas.
Additionally, Gangnam District is also a well-known affluent area in Korea, attracting a large portion of the country's elite, including lawyers, doctors, and entrepreneurs. It is also referred to by the Korean public as a 'gathering place for the privileged class.'
Samsong-dong, where DM Entertainment chose to locate, does not have many entertainment companies, but most multinational corporations are concentrated here, while film companies are in a different neighborhood.
When Jiang Shu drove to the new DM Entertainment building, he already saw the DM Entertainment logo and company name displayed above the five-story building.
From the exterior, the building appeared to be ready for use.
He parked his car in a first-floor parking space and entered the building.
Many workers were busy, moving office equipment up and down, and there were also DM Entertainment staff members doing something.
The five-story design of the DM Entertainment building allocated the first floor for the reception hall, with the company cafeteria and gym also located there.
The second floor was dedicated to trainee practice, with the Director of Trainees' staff also working there.
The third floor was the artist floor, where the company's debuting artists were located. Additionally, recording studios and music equipment were also placed here.
The fourth floor housed the office areas for various departments.
The fifth floor, as the top floor, was naturally the office area for the company's executives, including the chairman, Vice President, directors, and meeting rooms.
Jiang Shu wandered around, but no one paid him any attention. The workers did not recognize him, and the staff avoided him. After touring all five floors, no one came to ask him what he was doing.
Just as Jiang Shu was about to leave, he encountered a familiar face.
'Chairman?' Director Jiang (Administration Department) was surprised to see Jiang Shu there. 'Why are you here?'
'I came to check on the arrangements.'
'It's mostly finished, just the soundproofing needs to be installed,' Director Jiang said.
As an entertainment company, you at least cannot disturb your colleagues, let alone others. So, soundproofing is very necessary.
'So, we can move in now,' Jiang Shu nodded and said.
'Yes, we can move in tomorrow,' Director Jiang nodded and said.
'Then let's move tomorrow.'
'Okay.'
'Did S.M. Entertainment talk to you about the Draft Assembly?' Jiang Shu asked.
'We've already coordinated. The Draft Assembly will be held on September 5th in Cheongdam-dong, and we will participate as scheduled. Minister Kim will go then,' Director Jiang replied.
'I'll go in person then,' Jiang Shu waved his hand and said.
'Ah?' Director Jiang was stunned. 'Regardless of scale, all major companies send their Director of Trainees. For you to go in person…'
'DM Entertainment isn't a major company. What's the value of face?' Jiang Shu smiled and patted Director Jiang's shoulder. 'We don't have the capital for arrogance.'
'Yes! Chairman is right!' Director Jiang bowed his head and replied.
'Send me the Draft Assembly information later.'
'Yes,' Director Jiang replied.
Jiang Shu nodded to him, then moved past and left.
He was going to spend money.
...
Around 3 PM, in the VIP lounge of a Mercedes-Benz 4S store in Samsong-dong, Jiang Shu received the Draft Assembly information from Director Jiang.
'President Jiang, here is your bank card. Please keep it safe.' The male salesperson, dressed in a formal suit, respectfully presented the bank card to Jiang Shu.
Jiang Shu glanced at it and casually took the card.
'You can go now.'
'Yes! Please contact me anytime if you need anything.' The male salesperson bowed respectfully to Jiang Shu, then exited the lounge, leaving the space to Jiang Shu.
He was there to buy a car. He originally wanted to buy a Maybach GLS but then realized that car wasn't available in 2018, so he ultimately chose a Mercedes-Benz GLS500.
In terms of comfort among luxury brands, excluding Rolls-Royce, which Jiang Shu could only afford by going bankrupt, Maybach was next.
But Jiang Shu wanted an SUV, and since Maybach didn't have a GLS at that time, he could only settle for the Mercedes-Benz GLS.
Lying on the sofa, he began browsing the Draft Assembly information that Director Jiang had just sent him.
The Draft Assembly is a gathering where various entertainment companies select trainees, held twice a year, in March and September.
The Draft Assembly is not only for selecting idol trainees but also actor trainees and solo trainees. However, compared to idol trainees, fewer individuals are selected for the latter two categories.
The entertainment companies attending the Draft Assembly are all involved in the idol industry; film companies generally do not attend, as they have their own system for training actor trainees.
Few companies specifically cultivate solo trainees. Instead, they are usually discovered as potential solo singers while training idol trainees, and then developed in that direction.
For the selection of idol trainees, the Three Greats, as organizers, have priority in selection, but this is based on the trainees being open to joining any company.
If a trainee independently chooses a company, then there is naturally nothing more to say. The Three Greats would not contend over a few trainees unless an exceptionally brilliant trainee emerged.
However, such a situation rarely occurs, perhaps once every few years.
The Draft Assembly lasts for three days, preceded by preliminary auditions. After applicants register, specialized personnel conduct an initial screening, not based on skill or talent, but solely on appearance.
In essence, it's about filtering out those who are not visually appealing.
The idol profession itself is highly discriminatory based on appearance; if you don't look good, you won't attract fans, and you won't make money. Only if you are good-looking do you have a chance to become an idol with a fanbase.
At the very least, female contestants are selected this way. Director Jiang did not send the male contestant selection data, and Jiang Shu did not ask for it.
He had stated long ago that DM Entertainment would not form male groups, and Director Jiang and the others were aware of Jiang Shu's philosophy, so they naturally remembered it.
It was still the registration phase, so Jiang Shu was unsure how many people had registered. In any case, a three-day Draft Assembly would likely involve a considerable amount of work.
But it did not matter; Jiang Shu had his own selection method.