Chapter 226

With many expectations, KangYoon and In MoonHee arrived at Narita International Airport in j.a.pan and headed to A-Trusts headquarters with Producer Tsukasa, who had come to pick them up .

[I didnt know youd come to pick us up . ]

In the front pa.s.senger seat, KangYoon expressed his apologies to Producer Tsukasa, who was driving .

When he said that, Producer Tsukasa smiled, saying that it was okay .

[Were going to have to meet quite a lot from now on . This much is nothing, so you dont need to mind . ]

Entering Tokyo, Producer Tsukasa asked In MoonHee a lot of questions .

[I heard you used to be a teacher at an elementary school . ]

[Yes, I was . ]

In MoonHee sat upright in nervousness .

[I heard that, like j.a.pan, teachers are quite stable jobs in Korea . To think that youd give up on such a job to become a singer We valued your courage highly . ]

[Not at all . You praise me too much . ]

There should be a reason behind all that flattery .

In MoonHee nervously waited for her next words .

[May we use those facts to promote you?]

Pa.s.sion for singing, a mind that likes to challenge .

It would definitely be practical to use those things in marketing .

However, KangYoon, who was listening to the conversation the whole time, disagreed .

[Its not a bad idea, but why dont we discuss that later on?]

[May I ask about the reason?]

As the j.a.panese population was around 100 million, it had a correspondingly large market, and singers used all sorts of means to get more popular . They were in the same position, and KangYoon wanted to forgo such a good marketing strategy like this?

It was a quiet question, but her expression clearly demanded answers .

KangYoon turned around and looked at her eyes .

[This is a big market, so where can you find a singer without a backstory? The other singers will also try to stimulate their audiences with their backstories, connections, and everything . I dont think we need to walk the same path as they did . ]

Producer Tsukasas eyes narrowed .

She wasnt able to understand what KangYoon was saying right now .

In this era, where numerous celebrities could be seen on TV, new rookies had to use all means possible to get their names known to the public .

[The same path, youre right . However, strictly speaking, Miss MoonHee is no more than a foreigner who came to j.a.pan to sell her music . We need to package her as nicely as possible . ]

[Theres no reason to do that with her backstory, is there?]

[So youre saying you have another method in mind, Sir KangYoon?]

The car that Producer Tsukasa drove slowed down as it entered central Tokyo .

When she stopped in front of the traffic lights, her sharp eyes looked at KangYoon .

[I believe that singers should be promoted using their songs . ]

[Using songs? What do you mean by that?]

[A singer is someone who sings songs . In that case, we need to promote them in such a way that could let the public know their song or their skill, dont you think?]

Hearing KangYoons words, Producer Tsukasa became absent-minded .

[D, dont tell me marketing is like that In Korea?]

[Yes, I have always used this method . ]

She tilted her head .

The priority when it came to marketing singers was to get their name known to the public first using whatever means possible .

Only if they stood out from the rest could they appeal to the general public .

But songs only? In this era where stimulative content was everywhere?

[Uhm, president? Is, is that a provenmethod?]

Seeing Producer Tsukasa get fl.u.s.tered, KangYoon nodded his head with confidence .

[JooAh also succeeded here because she was given a stage to showcase her skills to the fullest . Though, the process of getting there was a little complicated . ]

KangYoon commanded JooAhs j.a.pan project .

A Korean singer appeared in the most prominent music show in j.a.pan where no foreigners had stood on stage there, and the gazes of the people were naturally focused on her . But then, the scene had something unseen before in female music artists they had seen until now .

The lights changed .

She stepped on the accel and thought .

Song, a song-focused promotion, huh .

She was able to get a grasp of their new cooperators style of work .

Their style could be called old fas.h.i.+oned . At least it didnt conform to the typical marketing strategies that big companies used nowadays where they promoted their artists before they even debuted .

However, she also realized .

If its that singer and that producer

Producer Tsukasa erased any plans to market In MoonHee using her backstory from her mind .

Then, she smoothly changed topics .

[Miss MoonHee . Whats your favorite song among enka?]

[Mine? Song of the Beach . the slow guitar sound captivates me . ]

[Oh? Its the same as mine . Ginos songs are quite relaxing .

The sharp atmosphere from before was gone, and it became warm again in the car .

After driving for around an hour, the car arrived in front of A-Trusts office .

In front of the building, KangYoon exclaimed, looking at the trendy building that was around seven stories tall .

[What a beautiful building . Its artistic . ]

[Thanks . This is our presidents preference . ]

They were led inside by a secretary, where President Kojima was waiting inside .

After greeting, In MoonHee left with Producer Tsukasa to get a tour around the office, while KangYoon discussed plans with President Kojima .

[End of July, huh . Thats the beginning of the holidays . ]

President Kojima nodded at KangYoons words .

[Indeed . August will be the showdown . Also, I agree with the stage name Yuri . It sounds friendly . Though the downside is that it looks very common . ]

[I went with this name because it would work well in both Korea and j.a.pan . ]

[Okay then . Lets then talk about how we should package our singer, Yuri . ]

President Kojima offered many plans to KangYoon .

From starring on Todays Enka, a TV show which aired every night at 11 oclock in OLS, to showcases, to drama OSTs .

As he got notified from Producer Tsukasa beforehand, he didnt talk about things like revealing In MoonHees personal history .

KangYoon looked over the many proposals before pointing towards one TV program .

[Whats the viewers.h.i.+p like for Todays Enka?]

[Its hovering around a 7% viewing rate . Its neither high nor low, but it has steady popularity among the 30s and the 40s . ]

[Steady, you say]

[The viewing rate is higher than Love Singers where many idols appear . ]

The most crucial thing after debuting was recognition .

If there was a way to show up to one program steadily, it couldnt be more charming .

[A high viewing rate, huh . That sounds attractive . Whats the method like for Todays Enka?]

[What do you mean by method?]

[Oh, Im referring to their liaisons, rankings, and things like that . ]

Understanding what he meant, President Kojima explained .

[Theres no battle or rankings . However, theres an interview midway . More interview time is allocated to rookies . The questions range from simple things like what did you do yesterday to harsh ones like you look bloated today . It is a little pressuring for rookies . ]

[How about towards rookies from Korea?]

[This industry is more conservative than others, so they should be harsher . We dont welcome rookies that much . ]

[So thats the consequences wed have to undertake, huh . Alright then . So we should prepare for both the song and the interview, to make this successful . ]

[Indeed . Singing skills and wits are the two most important things here . ]

After that, KangYoon went over many other proposals, but nothing seemed better than Todays Enka .

He no longer hesitated and decided on it .

[Why dont we go with Todays Enka?]

[Its her debut stage were talking about youre quick to decide . ]

When President Kojima seemed surprised, KangYoon smiled awkwardly .

[It wont change anything even if we drag things out any further . I believe that this is the best option for MoonHee . If there are drawbacks, then we should try to minimize them as much as possible . ]

[Okay . Im glad that youre so clear cut about everything . Well contact the producer for that program then . Please tell me if you need anything from me . ]

[Oh, the one I talked to you about before]

[Oh, you mean the works.p.a.ce? Its ready . Ill lead you to the room after you unpack your luggage . ]

KangYoon was then guided around the company with In MoonHee before the two went to their residence to unpack their luggage .

Their schedule in j.a.pan began like that .

***

Miss HyunHee, please take this to the directors meeting room .

Manager Jung BeomHo gave some doc.u.ments to a.s.sistant Manager Cha HyunHee .

a.s.sistant Manager Cha HyunHee was known to be meek and obedient in the company, but her face turned blue after hearing the words directors meeting room .

M, manager, isnt there a meeting there right now?

Yes .

Manager, this is about the construction, isnt it?

a.s.sistant Manager Cha HyunHee looked like she didnt want to go to the directors meeting room .

However, she couldnt disobey the instructions from her superior . She headed towards the meeting room, leaving behind the apologetic manager .

When she quietly entered the meeting room, she could see a tense atmosphere in the air .

You want to delay the construction? You want to increase the scale and delay the finish to November?

Director Lee HanSeos sharp remarks could be heard .

However, as always, he didnt have any allies here .

Director Jung HyunTae smirked with a cold expression .

This is all necessary business were doing . Even Euros, the shopping mall that we decided to build pa.s.sages between, has started extension work . Were just raising the scale to match theirs .

The other directors all seemed to agree with Director Jung HyunTae as they were all nodding .

However, Director Lee HanSeo continued his lonely battle .

We are barely keeping up with the money thats being spent on the Star Tower project . And youre trying to up the scale? That means wed go into debt . Whos going to take care of all the risks?

Dont worry about that . Ericton Capital has decided to invest in us .

Hearing that, everyones gazes turned around to the caucasian man sitting next to Director Jung HyunTae, Richard . Richard showed a soft smile and continued where Director Jung HyunTae left off .

We believe that the Star Tower project has potential . The cooperation between Euros, as well as merchandising Korean stars . Although the pressure is big due to the initial investment scale, we believe that it would soon return to us in the form of profits .

The other directors were already overjoyed by Richards words .

Except for President Won JinPyo, who stayed silent the whole time, and Director Lee HanSeo, everyone seemed to agree to increase the projects scale .

Haaah .

In the end, it came down to a vote, and Director Jung HyunTaes proposal was accepted .

Everyones out of their minds .

Director Lee HanSeo said those words for all of them to hear before leaving the meeting room first .

Even President Won JinPyo returned to his office dejected, and only then did the directors start leaving .

Soon, only Richard and Director Jung HyunTae were left in the meeting room .

Thanks for your work .

Richard smiled and shook hands with Director Jung HyunTae .

It was only natural . From now on, we should have more voice in the meetings .

Hahahaha .

Richard laughed and patted his back .

He has his uses .

He made a blunder at the party last time, but he was quite smart when it came to things like this .

The two of them joyfully talked about company matters before switching topics to issues about the industry .

I hear the name Lee HyunAh quite frequently these days .

*Cough* . hm

Director Jung HyunTae frowned at those words .

A man feels envious of his neighbors success, and here the neighbor was practically their enemy, so there was no way he felt good .

I heard she even influenced the viewing rates .

Thats simply not true . Affecting viewing rates through a simple OST? Its just nonsense made by people who like to gossip .

Director Jung HyunTae shook his head, but Richard disagreed with him .

Not at all . Ive seen the drama in question, but it was well-made . Its not being called a high-cla.s.s drama for anything . Moreover, theres something that rings in my heart whenever the song starts playing . Even I, a man, feel like this . What would the ladies be like?

Director Jung HyunTae only made an awkward smile .

As drama watching wasnt one of his hobbies, he didnt understand Richard at all .

Regardless, Richard continued to speak .

I realized again after watching that drama . World is a frightening place .

Is that so?

Director Jung HyunTae didnt show much of a reaction, but Richard grabbed his hand .

At this rate, I believe that World has become on par with MG .

Director, thats

You realize what Im saying, dont you?

Seeing Richards frosty eyes, Director Jung HyunTae wasnt able to say anything .

***

Four songs for In MoonHees mini debut alb.u.m were finished .

KangYoon had Park SoYoung, HeeYoon and the other artists of World take care of the rearrangement for three of the songs, while he took one into his own hands .

In j.a.pan, KangYoon practically lived in his works.p.a.ce and the office at A-Trust working .

In MoonHee also started her last-ditch practices, and people from A-Trust also met the producer for Todays Enka that they talked about last time .

Everything seemed to be a smooth sail .

No wait, the kick source is a little too high

KangYoon sighed while inserting a percussion sound for the rhythm .

He was adjusting the drums kick sounds, but one of the lower peaks went out of range due to the ba.s.s being too echo-y .

Just as it was getting okay too it just goes outside the range . Moreover, its snapping its like an electronic sound .

An electronic sound in enka?

That was the worst combination .

The song he was working on emphasized on acoustic sounds .

However, the instruments he deemed suitable always became chaotic when it was added to the rest .

He tried all sorts of sources that he deemed were suitable, but it wasnt easy to find something that fitted well with enka .

Phew

KangYoon did not stop his work despite being dejected .

He combined many sounds and adjusted the sources so that the graph looked like a wave .

While he was working, he got a call .

[This is Lee KangYoon speaking . ]

-President . Its me, Kojima .

President Kojima sounded urgent .

When KangYoon asked about the reason, he took some deep breaths before talking in a somewhat fl.u.s.tered voice .

You know that MoonHee was going to appear in Todays Enka, right? I think that might not happen .

[What? What do you mean by that?]

Im sorry . Their reason was that the atmosphere between enka artists isnt looking good recently Ill tell you about the specifics at the office .

KangYoon stopped his work and hurriedly headed towards the office .