Reboot the heyday

People feel refreshed when happy events occur.

With the function contract secured, the tonic unexpectedly broke the logistics company's predicament.

Following this, XB Entertainment immediately began work on f(x)'s European and American tour. They had been planning this for a while, but the contract had only just been finalized.

Putting aside all personal relationships, Wang Taika actually has a high opinion of f(x)'s influence in Europe and America, and feels that their style is very suitable for making it in the US and Europe.

However, SM Entertainment is very inflexible, ignoring f(x)'s influence in Europe and America. Instead, they are eager to make quick money and promote individual activities.

Ultimately, SM Entertainment is responsible to its shareholders, and its financial statements must look good; otherwise, the positions of the company's top executives will be affected.

This is a problem faced by almost all listed companies: they must produce results within a certain period, or else they will be replaced. As a result, companies are becoming increasingly profit-driven, short-sighted, and lacking in long-term vision.

There are even instances where senior executives, in order to maintain their positions and improve financial statements, directly overdraw the company's potential and quickly liquidate long-term stable assets. This may increase profits in the short term, but leads to severe losses in the long run. However, these executives don't care about this; as long as they make money during their term, that's all that matters.

During an industry's growth phase, these companies are definitely more motivated. However, problems arise when the overall environment changes.

On the contrary, companies like XB Entertainment, which are more private and have a strong leadership mindset, tend to implement policies steadily and are not affected by external factors.

This is both its strength and its biggest weakness. Because it heavily relies on leadership decisions, often the leader makes a sudden, impractical idea on a whim, but the company's inertia forces it to continue. Family businesses frequently encounter this problem, leading to their collapse.

In summary, companies that are responsible to their shareholders are more stable. However, in my personal opinion, financial statements are far more reliable than actual financial statements.

However, XB Entertainment is an exception; their original goal was simply to avoid losing money.

So after acquiring f(x), Wang Taika didn't care about anything else and immediately started organizing f(x)'s concerts. As long as they didn't lose money, he wasn't concerned about making money.

Of course, Wang Taika doesn't deny that he has feelings for the function.

Wang Taika has a complex and indescribable feeling towards both the group and its members. Thinking back on the time they filmed the group's variety show together is still quite interesting.

Moreover, the psychological satisfaction and sense of control brought about by the change from the VJ who used to carry a camera around them to the boss who now controls their careers is far beyond what economic benefits can measure.

This is a different kind of conquest, and the feeling is different from the intimacy of a personal relationship.

Imagine your partner works at a restaurant, and you happen to be dining there. You see her being completely obedient to you because of her job. How satisfying is that? Those who know, know!
When Duck King learned of Wang Taika's plan, he could only laugh helplessly. The greatest pain and the pinnacle of success in that person's life both stemmed from Wang Taika; it was unclear whether they had gained or lost.

But Wang Taika's plan was clearly not so short-sighted; his ambitions were actually much greater.

Wang Taika said, "Function alone is not enough. The Function tour is the prelude, the clarion call announcing XB Entertainment's official entry onto the international stage. But the real show has to be performed domestically. XB Entertainment's family concert has been in preparation for so long, but it has not yet been held, which makes me very unhappy."

Although Wang Taika was indeed nonchalant about the family concert, the lack of substantial progress over such a long period still indicates some issues.

It's not that it can't be held, but rather that the audience for the event is currently uncertain. Various aspects haven't been streamlined, and forcing it would only lead to embarrassment.

Because of this incident, Wang Taika even humbled himself and took the initiative to invite others to participate, such as Son Seung-wan from Red Velvet. Although he eventually agreed, there were still some disputes along the way.

Wang Taika really disliked this feeling of haggling. He'd gotten to where he was by now, and putting aside personal relationships, he was still haggling with a minor idol over serious matters. The more he thought about it, the more uncomfortable he felt. He was holding a grudge. "Sun Chenghuan, you just wait!"

Yes, that's how sensitive she is, that's how easily she gets angry. If it weren't for saving Pei Baicai's face, this matter would have been resolved in a different way long ago.

This time, a new opportunity has emerged: the concert by f(x) can serve as a trial run.

Wang Taika said to Duck King, "If the f(x) concert is successful, then we can skip the family concert and go straight for it. The first one will be the XB Family Concert. It will be exclusively for our own artists. Crown, Apink, AOA, Pandora, and all the actors we just signed—anyone who can sing or act, bring them all on stage. The scale must be the biggest, the stage the most dazzling, and the media coverage must be overwhelming."

The Duck King gasped, "How much will this cost?"

“It’s time to step up and give those old fogies a jolt.” Wang Taika sneered, “The opportunity is perfect. Look at the situation of the major entertainment companies. New groups are struggling to find talent, while older groups are either disbanding or focusing on solo activities. The market is sluggish, and they’re all barely surviving. What about us? Although our own cultivated groups aren’t taking off, T-ara is making a comeback, AOA desperately needs to regain its momentum after the scandal, f(x) is back in form, and we have a group of talented actors. With this shift in fortunes, it’s the perfect time for XB Entertainment to solidify its position in the industry. And this is just the second step; I have a third step in store.”

The Duck King advised, "Is this some kind of forced acquisition? You might as well just kill me."

“No, I’m not that stupid,” Wang Taika said. “Three steps: first, the f(x) concert to test the waters; second, the family concert to establish authority; third, I’m treating everyone.”

"A treat?" The Duck King was a little taken aback by this leap in thought.

“Many groups have been eliminated due to bad luck. So let’s have a K-pop legend reunion, a reunion of eras, and an invitational concert.” Wang Taika spoke each word with a heavy ambition: “It’s not limited to our company. I want to invite all the representative and nationally recognized second-, third-, and even fourth-generation groups, regardless of whether they have disbanded, gone solo, or belong to which company. Girls’ Generation, Wonder Girls, 2NE1, KARA, SISTAR, EXID—any name that once shone brightly for a time, I will send them all invitations.”

Duck King was dumbfounded: "How is this possible? Don't be ridiculous. Let's not even talk about those groups that are still active. How could their companies possibly release their members? Even for those that have already disbanded, how easy is it to reorganize? Contracts, interests, personal relationships—it's all troublesome!"

“In the name of public welfare.” Wang Taika had already devised a plan, his tone chillingly calm: “All proceeds from the concert, after deducting necessary costs, will be donated to a charity foundation. If not for the local area, I’d rather donate to Africa than leave it for the Koreans. The United Nations has charitable organizations; we’ll donate to the United Nations. A charity invitation—isn’t that a prestigious enough name? Isn’t it enough to make those companies hesitant to refuse outright due to public pressure?”

The Duck King breathed a sigh of relief: "Then why don't we set up our own charity and just transfer money from one pocket to another?"

“That’s up to you.” Wang Taika tapped his fingers on the table. “As for those who have left the stage, that’s even easier. Contact those who have left their original companies and are working as individuals. I think their desire for a reunion, performing together, and exposure is definitely greater than we imagine. Even if only a few key figures agree, it’s enough to create buzz. If the company really won’t allow it, we’ll invite them at a high price to perform as special guests, not as a group. We’ll use money, resources, and emotional appeal.”

The Duck King had completely understood Wang Taika's intentions, and a cold sweat broke out on his back. This move was too grand, and too ruthless.

"This isn't charity, this is self-crowned!" Duck King muttered. "You've gathered the essence of K-pop girl groups from the last decade onto your stage. Even if it's only a partial realization, the symbolic significance of this concert is terrifying. It will declare to everyone that the glorious history of K-pop girl groups will be hosted, commemorated, and passed on by XB Entertainment. After that, who will be the authority in this field? Who will still have the right to define classics?"

“More importantly,” Wang Taika added, “when everyone’s attention, including the media’s focus, fans’ nostalgia, and industry discussions, is all concentrated on this legendary event, will anyone still pay attention to the debuts and comebacks of companies that are launching new groups and hoping to open up the market with newcomers?”

"A decisive blow!" Duck King was completely convinced: "Hold an ultimate emotional feast, drain all the market's attention and resources, and directly strike at the emerging forces of all competitors. After the feast, XB Entertainment's status as the rightful successor will be unshakeable."

Wang Taika nodded: "That's exactly what I mean. I've had this idea before, but it was too difficult to realize before. Now, it seems like I'm seeing a little bit of a possibility."

The Duck King was both amused and exasperated: "The key is that only we are willing and able to organize these kinds of concerts that barely make any money, or even lose money, and are purely for showing off. Other companies can't do it because they simply can't explain it to their shareholders!"

"Showing off? Hmm, I like it." Wang Taika smiled, clenched his fist, and spoke with a resounding voice.

"Who can control K-pop? Only I can reignite its golden age!" (End of Chapter)