Peninsula Asteroid

Just after replying to the text message, after a while, Li Xiuman and several directors walked in, followed by the door of the meeting room being closed, and Chi Jingyuan took the opportunity to put away the mobile phone that had already been muted.

The timing of Zhou Ziyu's message was just right, if it was later, he would not have time to reply, and the next time he saw it would probably be a few hours later.

But maybe he won't even bother to return by then.

Today's news not only caused great repercussions and sensations in the outside world, but also for SM and EXO itself. As soon as the news came out early in the morning, Chi Jingyuan immediately received congratulatory text messages from many friends. After running for half a day, the next ones were moved and pushed away, and several people were called to the company for a meeting.

It would be strange not to have a meeting to study such a hot matter.

He can also roughly foresee the content, it is nothing more than some analysis on this time's ranking on the B list and EXO's popularity in Europe and America, and maybe discuss whether it is necessary to change the expected plan, try to break into the US market, etc. of.

Chi Jingyuan raised his head and glanced at the various department heads and staff who were sitting in a circle opposite him. Although everyone didn't have too many obvious expressions, they could feel every moment through occasional eye contact and the obviously hot atmosphere in the room. Personal mood seems to be quite hot.

That’s right, even though they were summoned for a meeting temporarily, the topic of discussion was something that everyone was looking forward to and yearning for. The development of the US market is already a big deal for SM. How envious it would be.

After Li Xiuman and several directors praised the recent achievements of EXO with a smile, the head of the department who got the news and made a lot of preparations began to report:

"... Regarding the situation of XO's airborne single top 100 this time, although it is very worth celebrating to be on the B chart this time unexpectedly, but after calming down, through the SNS popularity, search index, album sales, We conducted a series of analyzes together with the data provided by our Aramco branch, and found that EXO’s ability to be on the list is mainly due to strong downloads and surging album sales..."

“…and the evolution of streaming, including this record-breaking surge in YouTube hits.”

"...To put it simply, in fact, it mainly relies on the rapid development in the past two years, and has gradually formed a size and group of European and American fans. They are very enthusiastic about supporting XO, including supporting, buying specials, and making rankings. Not at all inferior to local Aili, especially compared to fans in Asia, they are very, very keen on spontaneously promoting EXO. Without any income, you can often see celebrity accounts on their twitter or ins The higher-ups take the initiative to promote and carry out Amway, and often spontaneously hold some offline activities..."

"...In short, XO can only be said to be very popular in the small circle now, with this group of fixed and crazy fans, but it is actually not high when it comes to popularity in the mainstream market and public awareness. We are very clear about the circle of some things... No, XO is already the highest peninsula artist besides PSY in the category of Kpop. The name has opened up a huge distance, it can be said that it is completely faulted."

"Of course, the quality of the title song "boy with luv" is also one of the important factors. According to our statistics, quite a few ordinary listeners expressed their appreciation for this song, saying that they were attracted by the melody or the unique charm of the dance. Hold on, relying on this song and this week's ranking, XO's popularity should increase significantly, and according to this curve, the ranking in the next week should increase..."

Although I am quite surprised by today's news, in fact, I have been paying attention to it since 2013. The various data and market analysis obtained in the past two years can allow them to quickly figure out the approximate reason for this time, and their advantages and disadvantages.

Don't listen to those exaggerated rainbow farts blown by the local media, such nonsense as 'writing new history' and 'defining a new mainstream' are all false, and the aura of excitement and vanity will fade away. They will soon find out that this time they are on the list The reasons are mainly a few points, because the local fans in the United States are loyal and hardworking, because the popularity of Kpop has gradually increased in the past few years, and the audience has faded, and the song's unexpected appetite for the song this time.

The former and the latter should be the most critical factors.

"Hmm..." Han Shimin, the representative director of the company, nodded, glanced around and then at Li Xiuman next to him: "Then do you want to adjust XO's development strategy? Take advantage of this limelight to try to break into the American market." ?”

SM has always prayed for the US market. After all, it is the largest entertainment center in the world. When it comes to influence, especially the revenue far exceeds that of the peninsula, many people's eyes lit up as soon as the words came out.

"The debut of Neon has already been decided, and the lease of the Tokyo Dome has already been negotiated, and it is definitely not possible to change it now."

However, although this proposal is very attractive, if you can come in for a meeting, of course no one will be fooled by the propaganda of the domestic media. Facing the established plan and risks, some people will soon put forward different opinions. Li Zhongren shook his head after thinking about it.

"I don't think so. Even if we start the official preparations now, we need to contact companies in the United States to cooperate with the collection of songs, song selection and practice. No matter how we rush to the official release, we will have to wait a few months. At that time This enthusiasm has long passed, and I think it is difficult for the album made in a hurry to have too high quality... Now that EXO has such a good foundation, it already has a good fan base as a foundation, and its popularity and popularity are both high. Far surpassing other combinations in the company, I think they are really promising to succeed, so you must be cautious when trying to break into the United States for the first time, let’s wait and see the follow-up reaction.”

"At the same time, I think that even if you release an album, you should not release English singles exclusively, and you should not cater too much to the market. You must maintain Kpop's own unique characteristics and attractiveness."

"Besides, XO also has a big language problem now, and it will take a long time just to learn English."

Hearing this, Chi Jingyuan looked up at the representative who spoke.

If an SM company attaches great importance to a country's market and wants to enter it, it will make a lot of preparations, which is manifested in many aspects, the most important of which is that it will strictly emphasize many times internally that it is absolutely forbidden to discuss anything about this country. Sensitive topics, and secondly, let all the artists learn the language of the country.

It's not that it's okay to have someone who is fluent in a foreign language be the main spokesperson, but let everyone in the group study hard.

Although there were three members of Xia Guo in the M team, the other two still worked overtime to learn Chinese for the activities in the mainland, even though they were not very practical.

It's the same now. For Neon's debut in the second half of the year, the company has already arranged for teachers to teach all employees before the plan is fully determined. If you want to break into the United States, you probably have to hurry up and learn English again.

It doesn't matter how well you learn, but this attitude is definitely very rare in Peninsula Entertainment.

In addition to the directors, the heads of many departments have also expressed their own suggestions. Some are in favor and some are against. Generally speaking, it is half and half. Many people do not want to change the established plan, but there are also many people who covet the United States. It's a huge market, even if you don't release a special, you can make a lot of money on a tour.

However, the important decision to decide the development of EXO, the company's largest cash cow, is not something that can be discussed in one meeting. After that, it will definitely take a long time to discuss, and the company should look at "boy with luv" again in the follow-up How is the development in the United States? There is still a big difference between flying the rankings in a week and continuing to climb.

"Jing Yuan, when you composed the music, did you already consider the market on Amei's side?"

After the meeting ended, Li Xiuman took Chi Jingyuan to chat in the corridor.

He got a new pair of eyes, and the oval black frame is also inlaid with conspicuous gold rims, revealing luxury in a low-key way, and it looks expensive.

At the same time, Li Xiuman smiled happily, looking in a good mood.

"There are no words that specifically cater to the market, but some elements of the arrangement and MV are used there."

Chi Jingyuan walked beside and shook his head.

When the song was released, they didn't think about the US market at all. To be honest, he was actually quite surprised by the results this time.

However, compared to other people's expectation of expanding the market and earning more income, Chi Jingyuan's excitement was a little weaker, and he was more focused on the song being recognized.

"Okay, I get it... Although it hasn't been decided yet, I don't think there will be any changes in XO's activities in the near future. In the United States, it will take a while."

Li Xiuman didn't ask too much, and after a few words of pleasantries, he was about to get on the elevator and leave. After a special reminder, he seemed to be thinking of something, and turned around to explain:

"By the way, Taeyeon's solo album has already started to be produced. You can listen to some alternatives for the title song, but Taeyeon doesn't seem to like it very much... Time is already tight. If you have your own If you have an idea, remember to record a demo for me, and the rights will be handed over to you."

"I see."

…………

Because of the hype in the media these two days, and the follow-up reports of other marketing accounts, the news that EXO has been on the Top 100 single has been widely circulated in the peninsula. Although it is not known to all women and children, at least they know it. There should be more people than people who don't know.

But to put it bluntly, it was just a one-time list, and it didn't really succeed in breaking into the US market and didn't hold a European and American tour. The real benefits, such as income, were actually not much, and more were actually reflected in the Some hidden aspects.

In addition to the obvious and subtly improved compulsion, the biggest gain should be that their nationality has suddenly become much higher, and many people's impressions and opinions have also improved a lot.

However, this is actually very important for a group that aspires to become a top group.

At the same time, it really made Chi Jingyuan and the others a lot busy, temporarily adding several itineraries and interviews that were not there before.

"Jing Yuan, the radio station behind you isn't participating anymore, is it?"

"Well, brother, I have something to do later."

On the night of the 10th, just after an interview, when Chi Jingyuan was packing his things, Li Chenghuan handed over a bottle of water and confirmed a sentence.

Originally, Chi Jingyuan had made an appointment with someone else for dinner today, but because of the B-list time this time, EXO had a few more cases today and delayed the time, so I had no choice but to cancel the previous dinner with Zhou Ziyu Meal agreement.

He was so busy until now that he took a breather. Originally, there was a group pre-recorded radio variety show later, but in the afternoon, looking at the schedule and time, after thinking about it, he directly asked his agent for an excuse and asked for a leave of absence.

After finishing this case, it will probably be twelve o'clock, but it doesn't matter to him. A trainee like Zhou Ziyu shouldn't even think about going out.

It would be fine if he didn't make an agreement with someone before, or if he changed to someone who was not so important, but since he had already made an appointment, he didn't want to let people go.

After getting the answer, Lee Seung-hwan didn't say much, seeing Chi Jingyuan told the members to pack his bags on his back and prepare to leave, he nodded and reminded: "Come back early, there is still a flight to Wanwan tomorrow morning. "

"Don't worry bro." After making an OK gesture, Chi Jingyuan walked out quickly.

First, I went back to the dormitory in the nanny car to wash my face and remove the makeup, then changed my clothes and made some disguises, then drove to the JB area, the side of the road near the "sixteen" dormitory, stopped and sent a text message to go out .

JYP is really discounted enough. The location of this dormitory is not a high-end apartment.

But SM is almost enough, and their EXO has just escaped poverty.

After a while, I saw a tall but not thin figure come into sight, wearing a baseball cap with his head down, bumping towards this side with a thump.

"boom."

The gull-wing door was pulled open and then quickly closed. Zhou Ziyu, who had used it many times, was no longer as green and ignorant as she was at the beginning. She sat up with a flick of her long legs, took off her hat, shook her head and began to tidy up hair.

His brown hair shone white under the lighting inside the car, and his long-armed and long-legged figure was still very good-looking even if he wasn't slender. When he put his body there, the entire seat was filled up. As soon as the car door was closed, A fresh shampoo mixed with a faint fragrance began to spread around.

White short sleeves paired with denim shorts and sneakers is nothing special except to highlight a youthful and girlish style. Under the rendering of white lights, a pair of exposed round thighs look a lot whiter. It looks deceptive. The pattern of a cartoon golden retriever on the chest of the jacket looks naive, adding a helpless childishness to the original provocative innocence.

"I run so fast every time..." Chi Jingyuan turned his head and looked at Zhou Ziyu, who was sitting in the co-pilot with his legs together and neatly stroking his hair, and heard her panting slightly because she was running in a hurry The voice suddenly stopped after habitually making a strange sentence.

Because he found that every time Zhou Ziyu got in the car, he had to say this sentence.

Because, every time she ran over.

Finally, after shaking his hair, Zhou Ziyu raised his head, turned his mouth sideways and smiled, and at the same time took a careful look at Chi Jingyuan beside him.

Black hair in primary colors, loose white short-sleeved shirt and black casual cropped trousers, as casual as if you came out for a walk after dinner, but the minimalist color matching creates a harmonious and refreshing feeling and handsome.

Seeing the familiar figure close at hand, Zhou Ziyu couldn't help blinking, feeling a little ups and downs in his heart.

I feel that every time I meet, no matter what he wears, it suits my taste.

"If you're so busy..."

After taking a look, he looked away, and then couldn't help taking another look. Zhou Ziyu paused for a moment and then said something in a low voice.

EXO will leave Seoul tomorrow, so a few days ago we made an appointment to have a meal together tonight to celebrate my birthday in advance, but because of the sudden increase in the schedule, I had to cancel it. It was said that it would be later, but there has been no news.

Just now she thought that Chi Jingyuan would not come out, although she would definitely be a little disappointed, but Zhou Ziyu actually didn't want to cause him such trouble.

Until just received the text message.

"I've already agreed on things, and I just don't have a schedule yet... You're not thirsty, are you? You just came here in a hurry and didn't buy a drink... Are you going back to the dormitory so early?"

It was nearly nine o'clock when we drove out of the EXO dormitory. Chi Jingyuan was going to pick her up from JYP, but he didn't expect them to have already returned to the dormitory by this time. Chi Jingyuan let out a sigh of relief. He waved his hand to indicate that it was okay, and asked casually.

"Well... the practice ended early today."

"What about the rest?"

"Our group is all in the dormitory, probably waiting to watch the evening broadcast..."

When she said this, Chi Jingyuan remembered that today is the sixth episode of "sixteen". This program has been broadcast since the beginning of May, and it has already been aired for more than half of it before he knew it.

But he paid more attention to it in the first few episodes, because besides he participated in the recording at that time, it was also because Zhou Ziyu was not going well at the time, and he lacked self-confidence and often asked him for his opinion.

In the next few episodes, he didn't watch much because his schedule was too busy and he wasn't very interested in other people.

However, the voting has been going on. Although there are not many votes, Zhou Ziyu and Mingjing Nan have the current ranking, and he also contributed a lot.

But after hearing the girl's voice and tone at this time, Chi Jingyuan didn't ask about the show, but focused on her, turned around and looked at Zhou Ziyu's face, and saw the pursed lips With a look of exhaustion between his eyebrows and eyes, he asked with some concern: "Why, are you in a bad mood?"

After just two conversations, he realized that the girl's state was not right.

"kindness……"

Slowly nodded, Zhou Ziyu glanced at him quietly, then quickly withdrew his gaze, hesitated for a second, and began to say in a soft tone: "I feel quite tired recently, and I feel that time has passed well Hurry up, more than half of this show is coming to an end..."

"Half of the people will be eliminated, and I don't know if I will be able to debut at that time. Every time I think about this, I feel bad and worried. I feel a little panicked... Recently, everyone has obviously worked hard in practice. I feel, I feel..."

She obviously hadn't prepared her words before, her words were not organized, and she got stuck while talking, as if she was thinking about what words to use to express her feelings.

"I feel a lot of pressure, worried that I won't be selected, and will I stay?"

Chi Jingyuan added it for her.

"..."

Glancing at him, Zhou Ziyu pursed his lips and nodded, and responded with a low nasal cavity: "Yes."

There seemed to be an obvious sense of restlessness and anxiety around her. As the program got deeper and closer, and the selection of the final spot for debut was getting closer, the girl began to feel more and more pressure.

Also, the pressure of debut is unbearable for any trainee. Under the pressure, these little girls become extremely sentimental and it is easy to understand. It is normal to wipe tears every day in private.

Although Chi Jingyuan may not be able to experience the feeling of empathy, he knows the little girl and Zhou Ziyu.

He had watched two episodes of "sixteen" before, and also read some comments about Zhou Ziyu on the Internet. Most of them were about this girl who didn't have a lot of scenes, but every time she appeared in the scene, she was very eye-catching, and her non-competitive appearance was very cute.

But that's what I said, but in fact, there are no trainees who really want to debut, how can they really not fight or grab it, if they really don't fight or grab it, they will be some kind of idol.

So Chi Jingyuan is very clear that Zhou Ziyu actually has a competitive heart, and also has his own small thoughts, especially for his debut, and he is not weaker than other colleagues.

As for why it feels that way to act in front of the camera...

But now, when the final stage of the show is really about to decide the winner, she will inevitably become anxious about gains and losses.

Zhou Ziyu may be in a bad mood, or he may be a little embarrassed and bow his head in silence, and soon the car fell into silence.

"Let's go..."

After being silent for a minute, Chi Jingyuan ignited the car and started the car. He turned the steering wheel and said something while turning around.

"Where are you going?" Zhou Ziyu raised his head and asked curiously.

"Turn around casually. Aren't you in a bad mood... You can open the window a little and blow some air. It might be better. I like it every time I encounter this kind of situation."

"profound."

After fastening the seat belt, the girl straightened her body, sat there very upright, and obediently responded.

After the car started and drove for a certain distance, Chi Jingyuan felt something was wrong when he was thinking about where to go for a drive. He glanced at the co-driver out of the corner of his eye and reminded him: "Open the windows, it's not considered open if you don't open the windows." What a ride."

"profound."

"..." After a rustle, there was no movement.

"What are you doing here? The window is open."

"..."

A few seconds later, Zhou Ziyu's sad face with wrinkled nose appeared in his sight. His face was short and such an expression made people laugh. The previous frustration seemed to be covered up a lot:

"How to open it?"