Peninsula Asteroid

Walking into the conference room with the materials, I greeted several musicians I knew and talked quietly. After a while, Lee Soo-man led the team, including representatives and heads of several related departments such as planning, records, and publicity.

"...Since everyone is here, let's get started.

Lee Soo-man sat in the main seat, adjusted his glasses and looked around, and without much delay, he got straight to the point: "Jingyuan's solo plan has been proposed since the beginning of the year, and the preliminary work has been prepared very early. Today's production meeting is to supplement and improve the last important parts of the solo plan that have not been determined."

"The most important part is the album plan. I will personally serve as the producer and coordinate the work of this solo album currently named "Yuan". Jingyuan will serve as the main producer, mainly responsible for all work in music, themes and concepts. Others including PDOGG and Kenzie will participate in the production of related songs. ”

As the first member of EXO to debut solo, coupled with Ji Jingyuan's unique resources and popularity, his solo project is one of the most important projects of SM in the first half of next year, and the company attaches great importance to it.

Ji Jingyuan can pick and choose from the music library where most other idols have no say, and even Lee Soo-man personally came out to coordinate various aspects.

After talking about today's theme, Lee Soo-man looked at Ji Jingyuan, his expression slightly serious under his narrowed eyes: "Next... Jingyuan, talk about the part related to the album songs."

"Okay."

Ji Jingyuan did not have the usual smile on his face, his expression was very serious, and he opened the materials he brought with him: "This album is based on youth and growth. The concept is mainly to show and recall the love and self-emotional years in the growing life. The song selection is mainly fresh, light, romantic, and songs with both emotional and nostalgic styles. At the same time, it will not focus too much on dancing, but pay more attention to melody and appeal. ”

The theme style and concept were actually determined a long time ago, and everyone knows that all related preparations are based on this.

After briefly describing the theme of the album, Ji Jingyuan went on to talk about the key point: "This album will be in the form of a mini album, and the title song will be "Love Scenario" which I composed myself..."

Hearing this name, the eyes of the staff around, including music producers such as Lee Soo-man and Jiang Xiaoxin, lit up slightly.

They have all listened to the demo of "Love Scenario" many times. Whether from the perspective of musicians or from the perspective of the market, they all think that this is a very outstanding song in all aspects. It is a song that throws away any concepts and decorations, and it is very catchy even if you only listen to the melody. This song is also one of the important reasons why they are full of expectations and confidence in Ji Jingyuan's album.

"In addition to the title song, the album will also have five songs, namely "Music Box", "Save Me", "I'm Fine", "DARARI"..."

"A total of six songs. ”

This is the result of Chi Jingyuan’s careful selection…

Because the company’s music library is open to him, and he has a lot of stock, he has a lot of song choices, and many of them fit the theme style, and he has been hesitating about which one to choose and which one not to choose.

In the beginning, when the title song was not determined, Chi Jingyuan was still hesitant about how to choose songs, thinking about choosing more so that the whole album is high-quality songs, so at first he picked out more than a dozen or twenty songs that he liked, which could not fit in a regular album, let alone a mini album.

But since the breakup that day, "Love As soon as the song "Love Scenario" came out, he immediately abandoned the idea of ​​a big pot meal and decided to focus on this song...

An album does not need to be full of hits, and there are not so many good songs that have not been released but feel like they will become popular. The songs in the album must always be prioritized. After the release, the main promotional resources are all given to the title song, and most passers-by basically only listen to the title song. If the included songs are too good, it is actually a waste, and it will also distract from the popularity of the title song.

Both Chi Jingyuan and the company are very concerned about "Love Scenario" is the title song and I am very satisfied with it. I have high expectations. This is definitely a song that can support the whole album.

And these songs are carefully selected by Chi Jingyuan. They are in line with the theme style and of high quality. They also have their own characteristics and can perfectly fulfill their task of collecting songs.

After talking about the songs, Chi Jingyuan paused and looked at the marketing department: "There are other songs that have been proposed before, "you=I", "answer" and "Rooftop". These three songs have been released or performed in concerts. These three songs will be included in different versions as gift songs."

These three songs, "you=I" is a song that Chi Jingyuan wrote for fans at his first concert, "answer" is his solo song for the third tour this year, and "Rooftop" is one of the hit songs in 2015. It has a deep meaning for him and his fans.

At first, he was thinking about including these songs in the album, but then he was ready to give up when he saw that there were too many songs included... But at this time, the company's marketing department gave a suggestion to divide the album into several versions with different covers, and then re-record these three songs, and include one song as a gift song in each version, which is the so-called (CD only), without releasing the sound source. Only those who bought the album can hear the songs from it, which is a surprise and gift to fans.

...Similar to Twice's mini album "I'm gonna be a star"

This way, there is no waste of songs, it helps album sales, and it can also make fans happy... This is also a trick SM often uses to promote sales.

After taking a look at the notes on his profile, Chi Jingyuan specifically added: "Among them, "Rooftop" will be re-arranged, and it will be made into a remix version and a lyrical version, and included in the same album."

"Then there is the matter of the album version..."

Then he continued to talk in detail.

Listening to what Chi Jingyuan said about the songs, the staff around him also took notes seriously. When they saw that he had said almost everything in this regard, they began to ask about some key points.

"According to the original plan, this album will continue EXO's tradition and release both Korean and Chinese versions. The title song will be rewritten in Chinese... Will we continue to look for the mainland lyricist we worked with before?"

Faced with the inquiry of a director, Chi Jingyuan thought for a moment, shook his head and said: "As for the Chinese lyrics of the title song... I will do it myself this time."

He has a high level of Chinese, not just knowing how to speak but also has a certain cultural background, so there is no problem with writing lyrics... And he attaches great importance to the song "Love Scenario" and has many ideas.

"According to the plan you gave us before, and the plan we made after discussion, there are a total of four songs in this album that need to shoot MVs..."

A representative of the record department also looked over: "In "I'm Fine" and "Save Me", you appear on your own with some dancers, but the MV settings of the title songs "Love Scenario" and "Music Box" both have shots of interaction with women, and they need to find a co-star... Jingyuanxi, do you have a favorite target? Are you going to invite an artist or..."

A total of six songs, four of which are going to shoot MVs. This resource tilt makes other idols jealous.

"Hmm...what do you think?" Chi Jingyuan pondered for a moment after hearing this. Although the MV was mainly conceived by him, he really hadn't thought about this issue.

"Our idea is to select from the trainees in the company... This is more convenient to operate, and it is also a very good exposure opportunity for some children in future plans."

"Then just select the trainees directly. There are only ten seconds of screen time. It is not good to select debut artists..."

Chi Jingyuan also followed suit, but he thought about it and added: "You don't have to limit it to trainees from our own company. If there are more suitable ones who fit the set image and are more outstanding, trainees from other companies can also be selected... Remember to show me after you choose."

"Okay."

"Have you confirmed the exact time for solo debut?"

"The current plan is to record and prepare for dance in December, and go to the United States to shoot MV and personal variety shows in January next year, so the solo debut time is temporarily set in February. ……It depends on the album preparation progress. ”

“Will you release a Japanese version in addition to the Korean and Chinese versions this time?”

“We will not release a Japanese version for the time being. The market aesthetics in Japan are very different from other places. We will wait until the album is released to investigate the preferences of Japanese fans and the popularity of the songs, and then select songs to write lyrics in Japanese to make an album… But we may also release a single first, so we’ll see when the time comes.”

“Then…”

Then the staff of each department stood up one after another to report on their work, from logo design, to pre-heating, whether there is a publicity plan for gossip hype, live broadcast arrangements and debut showcases, all the way to the shooting plan for the debut single variety show, inviting guests and cooperating TV stations, and even the preparations for the personal concert, including song selection and venue rental.

It can be said that SM really regards Chi Jingyuan’s solo debut this time as the company’s top priority, and all aspects have been considered. It is even better than Kim Taeyeon’s solo debut in 2015, and all aspects are more powerful.

"Let's go, let's go have a meal together."

The production meeting lasted for nearly an entire afternoon, and it was almost time for dinner. After the meeting, Lee Soo Man took Chi Jingyuan out of the meeting room and asked as they walked: "... Jingyuan, your TV series will be broadcast on the 2nd of next month, right?"

"Yes."

Chi Jingyuan nodded... Lee Soo Man had just taken the initiative to ask him to have a meal together and talk about solo matters, and of course he would not refuse, but he had to go to the music room to put his things down first.

"It's the same day as MAMA... After the broadcast, the filming work should be very heavy. Your album will officially start production next month, plus various activities at the end of the year. Even if the company will coordinate the time with your crew, your task will probably be very arduous by then."

"A little bit~ but it's okay."

Hearing him say this, Chi Jingyuan also smiled bitterly, but soon his expression was restrained, and he shrugged as if he didn't care much.

"So motivated?"

"Everyone is so serious, of course I can't fall behind... and recording should not be difficult for me. If I'm too busy with other work, I can postpone it to January next year. The MV will also be filmed in January, so there should be no problem."

In December, there are TV dramas, winter albums, solo albums, and year-end activities. All kinds of schedules are gathered together, and facing the heavy workload that is about to be reached, Chi Jingyuan is very enthusiastic.

He just finished his solo debut production meeting, and his heart was really excited. The significance of a solo debut was extraordinary. Even though it was still in the preparation stage, he still felt the intense excitement and nervousness he had felt before EXO's debut.

Before the group debuted, the old days of practicing hard, making various preparations, and worrying about the future seemed to have returned.

"I'm actually looking forward to what Jingyuan will look like standing on the stage alone..."

Li Xiuman laughed, squinted his eyes, and seemed to recall the past with a flickering look in his eyes: "When I first met you in the company, I actually imagined this scene?"

"Qingjia, teacher, do you think so far?"

"Of course, I knew you were born to do this when I saw you... My vision will never be wrong!" Li Xiuman adjusted his glasses modestly, and suddenly remembered something, and talked about a topic that had not been discussed in the meeting just now: "By the way, Jingyuan, what is the name of your solo album?"

"Huh?"

Chi Jingyuan blinked when he heard it: "No... Does the company have any suggestions?"

His album is temporarily named "Yuan", but it is a bit too ordinary, and it will definitely be changed in the future... But Chi Jingyuan hasn't thought about it yet, and he doesn't have any inspiration.

"The record department gave me some suggestions, and I also thought of some..." Lee Soo Man opened his briefcase and took out a document and handed it over: "I was going to talk about it at the meeting tomorrow, but it doesn't matter now."

"Hmm..."

Chi Jingyuan took the information and immediately glanced at it curiously.

"Light" "Light" "24" "Source" "soul of the light" "City Lights" "EmP.athy" "love senario" "senario" "In the Mood for Love" "Y:9.uan4"...

The company gave a lot of suggestions, in Korean, English and even Chinese, with various symbols in between, which made him dizzy.

"I'll go back and take a closer look and think about it." After a rough glance, Chi Jingyuan put it in his bag without looking at it more.

There is no need to rush about the album name now, and it is not the key... If it doesn't work, just use the same name as the title song.

"Then, Mr. Lee Soo Man, I'll go put my things away first."

The elevator arrived, and Chi Jingyuan said hello to the smiling Lee Soo Man, then left for the time being and took the elevator to the floor where his music room was.

After putting away all kinds of information and documents, Chi Jingyuan just locked the door and was about to go to Lee Soo Man for dinner, when his mobile phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket and a call came in.

He took it out and saw that it was Ming Jingnan calling.

"Missed me?"

"Yeah, hehe, I miss you!...Yuan-chan, what are you doing?" The receiver came with the familiar soft tone of his girlfriend.

"I just finished the meeting, the album production meeting, which has been going on since noon, and I'm exhausted..." Chi Jingyuan answered the call directly, and walked towards the elevator while talking on the phone. There was no one around, so he couldn't help but complain casually.

"So you're in a meeting, I thought..."

"Huh? You just called me?" Hearing this, Chi Jingyuan was stunned. He took off his phone and took a look. Then he saw several missed calls, two of which were from Ming Jingnan in the afternoon, and there was also a text message asking for information.

Chi Jingyuan asked curiously, "What's wrong? What's the matter?"

"...Nothing." Ming Jingnan paused for a second on the phone, brushed it off a little unnaturally, and then asked something else: "Were you in a meeting about solo just now?"

"Yes."

"Then are you going to the crew to film tomorrow?"

"No, the crew is now filming the scenes of Dongxu and others. I will return to the crew after the concert on the 28th."

At this time, Chi Jingyuan seemed to have realized what his girlfriend meant, "Are you okay tomorrow?"

"Well...we will go to the company for a meeting tomorrow morning, and then practice the year-end stage. There will be nothing to do after the afternoon..."

Mina spoke of tomorrow's schedule in a timid voice, and there seemed to be a little hint in her words. After she finished speaking, she was silent for a second, suppressing her anxiety and holding the last expectation and asked: "Well, Yuan-chan, are you free tomorrow?"

"Not necessarily. Although I don't have to go to the crew, I still have several production meetings to attend and I have to prepare for the concert."

Chi Jingyuan said the truth... The solo album is not something that can be done in one afternoon. There are several more production meetings to attend, and the concert on the 25th also needs to be rehearsed.

Although... he deliberately omitted a part.

"Is that so..." Mina's voice in the receiver tried to remain calm, but Chi Jingyuan still keenly felt the deep loss contained in it.

"Well... OK, I won't tell you now that I'm in the elevator. Teacher Lee Soo Man is still waiting for me downstairs to have dinner together."

"Okay, then Yuan Jiang, go quickly. Don't let Teacher Lee Soo Man... wait too long... Mua~ Bye."

After hanging up the phone, Chi Jingyuan faced the slowly opening elevator door and the empty elevator but did not go in directly. He stood in front of the door, and his girlfriend's voice on the phone, which was obviously gloomy and lost but forced to be gentle, echoed in his ears. He couldn't help but shake his head slightly.

Letting the elevator door in front of him slowly close without going in, he thought about it, stood aside, and called Park Jin Young.

It doesn't matter if Teacher Lee Soo Man waits a little longer... It's better to confirm it again.