star of the peninsula

"Thank you for designing my makeup. You deserve a lot of credit for the performance today."

"But it's a good thing you didn't go to MAMA with me. Today, our C headquarters was placed together in a very large room. You must be nervous there."

"I don't think you need to be nervous. They are all people who know you and people you know."

"Even if we don't know each other now, we will get to know each other in the future."

"Oh, forget it. We can talk about it later. There's no need to rush now."

"You know, I was nervous before going on stage today for the first time in a long time. It was like my heart was pounding before going on stage for the first time."

"No, not really. The first time I went on stage I was more excited, but this time I was more nervous."

"I don't know why I was so nervous. Even if I didn't do well, it wouldn't have any negative impact on me now, but I was still nervous."

"Is it because of my sense of responsibility as an artist that makes me want to bring a good performance to everyone? But do I still have that thing now?"

"..."

After Chen Chen returned home, he lay on the sofa and mumbled a lot to his girlfriend. He was somewhat excited as he had just come off the stage.

"I watched the live broadcast, and you performed very well, not much different from the previous artist Chen." Pei Zhuxuan paused and changed her evaluation, "Maybe even better, because you were more calm."

"What is the so-called calmness?" Chen Chen was a nagging questioner. "Do you have to look at the body movements and expressions? But who can be sure that such things are not acted out?"

"It's just a feeling. People who are familiar with the stage can see it." Pei Zhuxuan gave an example, "Look at the evaluation of the mentors in the talent show. Sometimes they judge based on their feelings."

"Talent show" Chen Chen sat up suddenly, "Do you want to be a mentor on a talent show or something?"

"Why do you suddenly have such an idea?" Bae Joo-hyun asked puzzledly.

"It was just something I just talked about. It's just a random idea." Chen Chen lay back down. "With your ability, you can easily be a talent show mentor. You can do it if you want."

"The most recent talent show is BOYS PLANET announced by M-net at MAMA today." Bae Joo Hyun said slowly, "I might be okay in a girl group, but I'm not so good in a boy group. This one is not suitable for me."

"That's right. When a female mentor instructs a boy band, public opinion is always not so favorable." Chen Chen shook his head regretfully. "It's a pity that the regular talent shows in China are now in a cooling-off period. Otherwise, you can see how wealthy the talent shows in the domestic entertainment industry are."

"Ha, you're actually planning to arrange a talent show for me there. You really trust me." Bae Joo Hyun pouted, "But I know how luxurious that place is. I've heard Lisa talk about it."

"Oh, by the way, how did Lisa's talent show in China suddenly get stopped?" Pei Zhuxuan asked, "I remember it didn't seem to end, right?"

"Because the way of cheering led to the waste of food." Chen Chen answered casually: "It's not unfair to blame the production team. Such things have happened before, but they didn't remember them at all."

"It's true that they are not wronged." Bae Joo Hyun nodded in agreement, "Wasting food is unforgivable anywhere."

……

……

"It's amazing! Artist Chen Chen has topped multiple domestic trending searches! We didn't buy any of them this time!"

"The omnipotent Chen is back again!"

"How do you say it? Do you have the urge to continue being an artist?"

"Keep doing it. I think being an artist is great! Singing, dancing, or being an actor, any one of them is easy for you, and any one of them can make you a great career!"

"..."

After returning from MAMA, Sulli kept urging Chen Chen to continue being an artist, and Chen Chen's ears were covered with calluses from hearing her.

"If I go back to be an artist, then C headquarters will have an extra super-invincible killer, right?" Chen Chen said with disdain, "Oh~ I don't even bother to tell you about your little tricks!"

"No, this is great!" Sulli argued, "The company doesn't need you to do anything now, just go back to being an artist and continue to shine! There are many big bosses who can continue to be artists, and you are not the only one!"

"The company still needs me to do something." Chen Chen smiled proudly, "Just before I went on stage yesterday, I had a cordial and friendly conversation with the director of KakaoM's strategic investment department."

"..."

Shirley listened carefully and her mouth opened wider and wider.

"If the proposal from MODHAUS is passed, it won't be an exaggeration to say that our C headquarters has formed a reliable ally with KakaoM!" Shirley's beautiful eyes flickered, "Chen Chen is amazing, he can come up with such a plan just by thinking on the spur of the moment!"

Shirley was very sure that this was not something Chen Chen had planned in advance, so she admired Chen Chen's flexible mind.

"There are only a few things that C headquarters has that KakaoM can't wait to drink up, so it's normal that they chose MODHAUS." Chen Chen reminded: "But even if this really happens, we and KakaoM are not allies in the actual sense, we just have the same interests on this project."

"Once we have the same interests in one project, we may have more projects with the same interests. It is definitely worthwhile to have a good relationship with KakaoM." Sulli is still in an excited state. "In my opinion, the chances of this cooperation being successful are very, very high. KakaoM's reputation in the entertainment industry has been lost after losing Starship. They are the more urgent party."

Starship was poached, and A Pink obviously couldn't become the new face, so they were later exchanged for benefits. It seems that the new girl group Weeekly is better off not being mentioned. KakaoM is indeed a little anxious.

"Ask Zheng Bingji to write a detailed plan for the boy and girl group in the next few days." Chen Chen gave Sulli one thing. "The next conversation with KakaoM will be the key to whether the cooperation can be successful. At that time, whether Zheng Bingji's plan is well written will become something that affects the situation."

"After the plan is completed, the three of us need to sit together and study it in detail, thinking about which part of the collaboration with KakaoM or others will bring the most benefits."

"Cooperation is cooperation, and since we do more, we should take more benefits." Chen Chen raised his eyebrows, implying something, "Unless the other party uses money and resources to buy our concessions."

"And KakaoM is very likely to do this, right?" Shirley covered her mouth and laughed, "At least I feel they will. Your proposal is like sending them a pillow when they are sleepy."

"Yes, the possibility is very high." Chen Chen helped her calm down. "But now it is most important to do the current things well. Integrate must make a strong comeback at the end of the year."

"Don't worry, President Kim of Starship is also working hard to amaze everyone on the first week's stage." Sulli mentioned this as if she had a lot to say, "The song is called "Flowers", right? The girls' puffy skirts are more gorgeous than blooming roses, and the high-end makeup customized by world-class makeup artists is so beautiful that it makes people afraid to get close to them." "The two forms of the clothes are also customized. One is when playing a musical instrument, and the other is when dancing. There is a design that can be switched."

"Not to mention the backdrop, lighting, etc. Well, forget it, you haven't seen the real thing, and you probably won't understand even if I tell you." Shirley changed her approach to make Chen Chen understand more, "The budget for the first three stages of Integrate is enough for an average second-tier idol group to have a complete comeback."

"Okay, that's fine." Chen Chen nodded with satisfaction. "It's true that we didn't spend any money. As long as we don't spend too much, a penny can basically produce a penny's worth of effect. Since we spent so much money this time, it's only natural that the effect will be good."

"There are still five days left. Just wait and see." Shirley stroked her hair and said with a smile, "I heard that they have prepared a special stage for the concert. Young people have plenty of energy and have time to do this."

"Let them have fun. They've worked really hard this year. They've either returned or are preparing to return. When they have some free time, they've also been doing various commercial activities. This concert is a good opportunity for them to relax." Chen Chen asked casually, "Speaking of the concert, has C headquarters, including Starship and Cube Entertainment, completed all the preparations?"

"It's all done. Everyone is very enthusiastic about this kind of thing that benefits everyone." Shirley answered and added, "In addition, I also transferred a large sum of money to each of our crews to avoid tax troubles caused by keeping it in the account."

"Well done." Chen Chen praised, "My share can go directly to A-Lin Canteen. We are planning a branch in Daegu recently."

"At this time?" Shirley frowned. "The epidemic has been relaxed. The prices of the shops that can be bought by Alin Canteen will increase accordingly. We will lose a lot of money."

"It's okay to lose money. On the one hand, I don't need money. On the other hand, I can't expect the epidemic to come back. Would I still be human if I did that?" Chen Chen joked, "Compared to before the epidemic, it's already very low. I can't be greedy anymore."

"You keep making big profits and taking small losses. You're an interesting person in business." Shirley shook her head helplessly. "Okay, I'll do as you say."

"That's it for now." Chen Chen checked the time and stood up. "I'm going to Branch I to have a meeting with Sunny."

……

Yesterday, M-net TV announced the boy group audition "BOYS PLANET" at MAMA. Today, Chen Chen will also announce the selection of trainees to participate in the competition in the I branch, and the selection method will also be made public.

But before making it public, Chen Chen and Lee Sun-kyu still have things to resolve together.

The facilities are complete, the selection system is ready, and there is plenty of time. The only thing missing is the judges, or mentors.

"Look for a male singer among your friends? It would be better to select a male group with mainly male singers."

Chen Chen wanted to pass the problem to Lee Sun-kyu.

"You mean I'm helping you get people, and you're not doing anything, right?!" Lee Sunkyu rolled her eyes in annoyance, "Why is it only a male singer among my friends? Don't you have any male singers among your friends?!"

"Yes, there are several." Chen Chen counted on his fingers calmly, "First is JYP's Park Jin-young, a male singer who sings and dances with amazing skills. He is also a frequent mentor for his own talent shows and has a lot of experience. Unfortunately, he can't be hired."

"Then there's Kim Jong Kook, who is familiar with you and me, and has outstanding abilities, but his singing style is definitely not related to the trainees in our I Division. He was invited here purely to cause trouble."

"HAHA Ha Dong-hoon. Just laugh it off. This won't do."

"I should be able to call Rain, but it's a bit unfair for such a big star to come here to work for us. I can't bring myself to do that."

"Finally, I thought of the male singers from Starship and Cube Entertainment. This is definitely possible." Chen Chen's eyes were a little cold, "But I don't want to use them unless I have no other choice. Do you understand?"

"Well, tell me, who do you like?" Li Shungyu seemed to understand Chen Chen a little bit, "There must be someone around me who has a good relationship and good ability who was chosen by you. You are asking a question with the answer!"

"Hahaha, are those two from TVXQ busy lately? If not, come over and play."

Chen Chen opened his mouth and scared people.

"It would be amazing if C headquarters could come up with a boy band similar to TVXQ. Unfortunately, it's impossible to have such an idol boy band in the current environment." Lee Sunkyu pursed her lips and glanced at Chen Chen. "As far as I know, the brothers are not busy now. If you ask someone to invite them, you might be able to get them."

"Of course I know that the two brothers have been quite idle recently. I am a senior consultant of SMART."

Chen Chen responded with a meaningless remark.

But who is Lee Sun-kyu? She could understand the meaning behind Chen Chen’s words!
"You mean I have to invite them, right?" Lee Sun-kyu's eyes widened with dissatisfaction.

"I have an average relationship with them, and if I go to invite them, it will seem like I am bullying them." Chen Chen added, "You are different. We are a close family, seniors and juniors who have practiced and grown together, and old colleagues who have worked together for more than ten years! Inviting them here won't be a big deal. This matter is tailor-made for you!"

"..."

"How shameless Chen Chen!"

Lee Sunkyu gritted her teeth.

"It's okay." Chen Chen remained motionless, "I think it's just normal."

Lee Sun-kyu was no longer able to speak.

"How about letting Xiaoxian be the female mentor?" Chen Chen continued, "There should be both male and female mentors to balance it out."

"Huh, I thought you would let me be the female mentor!" Lee Sunkyu squinted and said, "Aren't you the best at saving trouble?!"

"I'm not that shameless." Chen Chen spoke in an unusually serious tone, "I already owe you a lot. I can't order you around anymore."

This is Chen Chen's sincere words from the bottom of his heart.

Since Lee Sun-kyu became the head of Division I, she has really helped with a lot of things and put in a lot of effort that was not necessary at all.

The only thing that C headquarters could give her in return was money, so Chen Chen always felt that he owed her a favor.

It’s just a loss, it’s a use. You should cherish it when it should be cherished, and use it vigorously when it should be used.

Just think of it as owing Lee Sun-kyu a very valuable favor.

...(End of chapter)