Peninsula: I'm the Top Streamer

Chapter 617 Everything Goes Well (6.6k)

As Liu Zhimin's biological clock awoke, her eyelashes fluttered open.

Before my vision cleared, I felt a warm breath brush against my forehead.

Quan Xuanhe was lying on his side gazing at her, his fingertips idly twirling the ends of her loose hair.

"Awake?" Quan Xuanhe gently rubbed the back of her neck with his palm.

Liu Zhimin remained silent, nestled closer to his neck, wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, and made a languid sound.

"Get up, it's time to get going."

Quan Xuanhe's hand slid across Liu Zhimin's smooth back, the delicate feel flowing between his palms.

"Sleep a little longer."

Liu Zhimin shook her head, buried her face in his arms, and spoke weakly and listlessly.

As the black sedan drove away from the hotel, Liu Zhimin rolled down the window, and the salty sea breeze rushed in, ruffling the hair she had tucked behind her ears.

I pressed the accelerator harder, the sound of the Busan waves faded into the distance, and I drove away from Seoul, embarking on my journey home.

The black sedan drove smoothly into Seoul and eventually stopped quietly in a secluded corner a block away from the aespa dormitory.

Kwon Hyun-hyuk pulled the handbrake but didn't turn off the engine immediately. Instead, he turned to look at Yoo Ji-min.

After several hours of travel, Yoo Jimin was lively and cheerful in the car, sometimes chatting and laughing and sometimes sleeping. When she finally arrived back in Seoul, she was inevitably tired from the long journey.

"arrive."

"Arasso, of course I know I've arrived."

Liu Zhimin gave a slow, reluctant "hmm," but did not get out of the car immediately.

Her fingers unconsciously twisted the seatbelt, her large eyes filled with deep reluctance and dependence.

It was obvious that after getting off the bus, the two of them didn't know when they would have such a good opportunity to come out again.

Liu Zhimin sighed meekly, but then she saw Quan Xuanhe's hand come into view and grasp her hand.

"It's okay, don't act like it's a matter of life and death just because you're so unhappy," Quan Xuanhe comforted him.

"That's right, who knows when we'll see each other again."

Liu Zhimin glared at Quan Xuanhe slightly, her words tinged with resentment.

"Oppa didn't even say he'd take responsibility for me, isn't that like a life-or-death separation?"

What was even more fatal was that sentence, which left Kwon Hyun-hyuk speechless.

He has a girlfriend in name only, but he also has many female friends. So, if he wants to become his girlfriend, he'll have to ask the others for their consent first.

Liu Zhimin was a mistress who knew the situation but still went against the grain. After successfully getting what she wanted, she started thinking about taking over the position.

This is something any girl who loves Kwon Hyeon-hyuk would think about. If she is in such a situation and remains indifferent or even unperturbed, it can only mean that she doesn't like him enough.

Liking and loving naturally bring about possessiveness.

"Tch, oppa always shuts up at times like this."

Liu Zhimin raised an eyebrow and glanced at him, only to see him staring at her without saying a word. She suddenly became annoyed and was about to get out of the car aggressively.

Seeing this, Quan Xuanhe immediately reached out and grabbed Liu Zhimin.

Liu Zhimin had anticipated that he would try to keep her, and she immediately sat up straight again.

“Oppa, you say it.”

She glanced at Quan Xuanhe and coughed lightly.

"I said."

"When you can make Miyeon and Tzuyu admit defeat in front of them with dignity, that will be your turn."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhimin didn't fall for it; instead, she rolled her eyes at him.

"Can't oppa choose me on his own initiative?"

"It's not impossible, if you can handle the attacks from those two and who knows how many others are secretly attacking you, then it's possible."

The principle of balance exists among all things.

The issue now is no longer who Kwon Heonhyuk will choose, but whether these girls will leave him alone.

You think you can just take advantage of me and run away?!

Liu Zhimin clicked her tongue, then gasped, unable to hold back her anger upon hearing those words.

"I'm not afraid of any of that!"

She immediately straightened her back and raised her head, the magnificent landscape before her eyes particularly striking, and she spurred herself on with her neck stiff.

"Qinjia? You're already in a sorry state facing Minjun, what else are you talking about?"

Quan Xuanhe managed to break Liu Zhimin's defenses with just one sentence.

The truth is the swiftest blow. Just Jin Dongtian's various petty actions that annoyed her were already making it difficult for Liu Zhimin to cope, let alone facing the other female warriors who would follow in her footsteps after she truly took power.

"Dating is not the same thing!"

Liu Zhimin gritted her teeth and said this without much confidence.

"Anyway, I'll give oppa some time to think about it. Think about it some more."

Before Quan Xuanhe could speak again, Liu Zhimin hurriedly cut him off with a remark, looking at Quan Xuanhe with displeasure.

Liu Zhimin's voice, tinged with a hint of temper yet also filled with expectation, fell, the last syllable stubbornly lingering in mid-air.

Her gaze drifted to the window, seemingly drawn to the crowds of people hurrying home from work on the sidewalk, but in reality, she reluctantly agreed with what Quan Xuanhe had said.

I also need to carefully consider what to do next and give myself some time to think.

But they'll definitely argue back.

Quan Xuanhe completely enveloped her slightly cool fingertips in his warm palm, his gaze falling on her delicate profile.

"I understand. I will think things through carefully from now on and be a Xuanhe that Zhimin can trust."

Quan Xuanhe said something that suddenly came to mind, and then he used it.

A few stray strands of hair brushed against her fair neck. Quan Xuanhe raised his other hand and, with remarkable ease, reached out and gently tucked them behind her ear.

His fingertips inevitably brushed against her sensitive earlobe, and Liu Zhimin's body tensed up almost imperceptibly for a moment.

"Just give it a try."

Liu Zhimin, with a hint of coquettishness that had just surfaced but was quickly suppressed, kept her gaze fixed on the window, but her neck tilted slightly toward his hand.

That subtle movement betrayed the fact that she wasn't entirely resistant.

Kwon Hyun-hyuk patted her arm reassuringly through her thin clothes.

"Go back and get some rest today. If Minjun asks... just say we had a great time."

When Jin Dongtian was mentioned, Liu Zhimin paused in her snuggling motion in his arms.

She remembered the phone call she received yesterday morning, and her boastful declaration.

She was hoping that Jin Dongtian would call again later, but unexpectedly, he never called again.

It seems like Kim Minjun has given up after being given the challenge!
"Tch, I can't be bothered to talk to her."

Liu Zhimin muttered under her breath, but her tone lacked the sharp edge of a drawn sword.

"Okay, it's up to you."

"Alright... I really should go now."

Her voice had regained some of its usual clarity, but it was still soft and sweet.

Liu Zhimin raised her hand to tidy up her hair and collar, which he had messed up, her movements carrying a deliberate attempt to maintain composure.

"Well, pay attention to safety on the road."

Liu Zhimin unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the car door.

The cool air of Seoul immediately filled the train car.

She got out of the car, and before closing the door, she turned back to look at Quan Xuanhe inside.

"I'm leaving now, goodbye oppa."

Liu Zhimin waved to him and then closed the car door.

The car door closed gently, cutting off the view. Quan Xuanhe watched the slender figure carrying a bag and pulling a suitcase walk step by step towards the dormitory.

He didn't start the car and leave immediately. Instead, he watched Liu Zhimin's figure disappear from his sight for a while before slowly driving away from the area.

During Kwon Heon-hyuk and Yoo Jimin's trip to Busan, Gidle's comeback was in full swing, exceeding everyone's expectations and becoming an unstoppable phenomenon.

The song achieved a "perfect All Kill," ranking first on the real-time charts and Top 100 of four music streaming sites: Melon, Genie, Bugs, and Flow, and also reaching number two on Naver Vibe.

The music video became a huge hit on YouTube, quickly ranking number one after its release and surpassing 40 million views in just 5 days, demonstrating its powerful appeal.

In addition to Melon in South Korea, it also topped the digital album sales chart on NetEase Cloud Music, as well as the weekly and daily charts.

The song has garnered over 10,000 comments, with users expressing their attraction to its "addictive" melody, saying things like "I've been listening to it on repeat for days" and "This song is really addictive."

On the Korean forum Pann, the related discussion thread became the number one trending thread in real time.

Some netizens believe that the album is of high quality, the band's style surpasses that of typical female idols, the members' individual performances are all outstanding, the songs have both popular appeal and the group's own unique characteristics, the lyrics are also thought-provoking, and the styling is very capable and beautiful.

The comeback was surprisingly successful, becoming a huge hit not only in South Korea but also in China, expanding its reach beyond its original niche.

This was completely unexpected, even more so than in the days immediately following its release.

They thought it was good enough and could be given another boost, but unexpectedly it was launched straight into the sky like a rocket, becoming a phenomenal hit song.

It goes without saying that the company is paying more attention to Gidle, and the members' specific plans also need to be revised from scratch.

Cho Mi-yeon's return in April took on a different meaning.

The initial prediction was that Gidle's comeback would be mediocre, but at least this popularity would continue to support the members individually, allowing them to try different things, since the members' individual development paths started in 2021.

But the unexpected popularity of this comeback has changed the course of Cho Mi-yeon's solo performance.

With the group's popularity skyrocketing, their solo projects will undoubtedly ride on that wave of popularity, attracting significantly more attention.

This is a huge benefit for Zhao Meiyan; her solo performance may improve significantly.

During the days that Kwon Hyun-hyuk was away from Seoul, he made progress in his communication with MCD director Shin Dong-ho.

Kwon Hyun-hyuk's phone screen flashed the name of MCD's chief director, Shin Dong-ho. When he answered the phone, Shin PD's voice, which sounded slightly excited and a little boastful, came through the receiver.

"Xuanhe-xi, Cube has responded!" Shen Donghao said bluntly.

"I made two phone calls to the office of the head of Cube, as we had agreed, and we also met to discuss it later."

He paused, seemingly reflecting on the communication process: "To be honest, their initial reaction was somewhat reserved. After all, Zhao Meiyan's status is different now, and it's a solo stage. The group's popularity has exploded so dramatically, so the company has many concerns. They're worried about the fans' reaction..."

PD Shin's tone carried a tacit understanding, like "I understand."

“However,” Shen Donghao changed the subject, his tone becoming much more relaxed.

"When I specifically mentioned the widespread reach of this TOMBOY collaboration challenge... their attitude softened considerably."

Quan Xuanhe listened quietly, not surprised by the result.

Cube is essentially a businessman. Faced with huge exposure and the benefits of generating buzz, as long as the risks are manageable, there is no reason to refuse.

The so-called "protection of artists" can be compromised in the face of popularity.

The challenge I filmed this time has received very positive feedback online; it's even the most widely circulated challenge this year.

The well-known marketing account, Korean me2day, used this title.

Excerpt from popular comments on "Kwon Heonhyuk x Jo Miyeon's 'TOMBOY' Challenge Revealed! The Devastating Power of Their Reunion After a Two-Year Hiatus":
"Wow... these two are so chemistry during the chorus! The moment Miyeon turned around and her hair brushed against Hyunhyuk's face, I was instantly transported back to our farewell stage hug! (5023 likes)"

Attached are comparison GIFs: 2020 farewell stage with hair flowing across face VS this challenge with eyes closed.
Microscope detail enthusiasts:

"The angle at which Miyeon leans on his shoulder at the end is exactly the same as in the group photo from the MC era! Muscle memory doesn't lie! Hyunhyuk closing his eyes isn't about dislike, it's clearly a buffer for his racing heart! (3811 likes)"

Screenshot caption: Close-up of Kwon Heonhyuk closing his eyes for 0.5 seconds when touched by a strand of hair.

There were also scenes of toxic fans breaking down:

"...Kwon Heonhyuk's dancing is more eye-catching than the lead singer's; he's just trying to ride on the coattails of the lead singer's popularity."

Then, I refuted the original poster:

"Wake up! The video broke 10 million views in 24 hours, setting a new record for idol collaborations, proving it's a win-win situation!"

(Attached image: Melon search trend tortogram)
Domestic marketing account copywriting (Weibo repost style)
Viral copywriting:

[Breaking News] Kwon Hyun-hyuk and Jo Mi-yeon's duet challenge is amazing! Song Yuqi's behind-the-scenes auntie smile goes viral.

Appendix: 9-square grid

A GIF of the two people leaning on each other in an ending pose (#ExpiredCandyRevived#).

Song Yuqi covering her mouth and laughing emoji (with caption: The whole internet is shipping us as a couple)

Data chart: Videos that have surpassed 10 million views in 24 hours, challenging other idols.

It was supposed to be a three-person challenge video filmed with Minnie, but after it came out, she was completely relegated to the background. The dead couple was resurrected and started working again after many days, generating a lot of buzz.

Times have changed. Kwon Heonhyuk is now a top star in the Korean entertainment industry, and Jo Miyeon is a hugely popular Tomboy. Putting the two of them together, how could their popularity not skyrocket?

"So, the result is?" Quan Xuanhe asked the crucial question directly.

"A preliminary cooperation agreement has been reached."

“We had extensive discussions with Cube, and considering that this was Miyeon’s first solo performance, we did need to be more careful in assessing audience acceptance. In the end, both sides agreed to make a compromise.”

Kwon Hyun-hyuk waited for him to continue.

"The collaboration stage couldn't be finalized," Shin Dong-ho said with a hint of regret that was barely perceptible, but it was quickly replaced by another kind of eagerness.

"However! We all agree that Kwon Heonhyuk's participation is crucial to increasing the attention on his comeback stage!"

"Therefore, we invited Hyunhyuk to be the special MC for Miyeon's comeback stage!"

Cube wanted to have both, but was afraid of huge controversy, so it came up with a middle ground idea.

But that's fine too. The format doesn't matter. What's important is that I appeared at her first solo performance.

"Special MC?"

“Yes!” Shen Donghao explained.

"A special introduction to the stage for the return of Miyeonxi."

"Xuanhe-xi, you can introduce the concept behind the song 'Drive,' you can briefly interview Miyeon-xi about her feelings about this solo, and you can even design something like... um, interactive elements?"

Shin Dong-ho's voice was laced with encouragement: "Based on your past collaboration and current popularity, all you have to do is show up on that stage, introduce her, and give her an encouraging look or a word of blessing before she starts performing... tsk tsk, the effect would be amazing!"

"It's just as good as the buzz and romantic atmosphere that comes from rehearsing a complete collaborative stage, and the key is that it's much safer and more controllable."

Quan Xuanhe quickly weighed the options in his mind; this was indeed a compromise and a pragmatic solution.

The pressure was much less since I didn't go on stage directly, but the core objective was basically achieved.

From Cube's perspective, this is the option with the lowest risk and the highest return.

"Thank you for your trouble, PD Shin," Kwon Heonhyuk said with a smile.

“That’s definitely a good idea. It’s not easy to get this far.” He expressed his recognition of PD Shin’s abilities at the right time.

"Well, it's all for the sake of the show's quality!" Shin Dong-ho said modestly, but his tone was clearly very happy.

"There are still about two weeks left. The production team will take care of the lines and transitions. Just let the agent handle the coordination."

“Okay, I understand,” Kwon Hyun-hyuk replied. “Then I’ll trouble PD Shin to follow up on it.”

"No problem, I've got it covered!" Shen Donghao readily agreed.

By facilitating this collaboration, Shin Dong-ho has added another achievement to his resume. Having held this position for several years, he still wants to move up a notch.

While there's nothing wrong with being a music show PD, the future holds even greater possibilities for him.

In the end, this matter was not difficult at all. Once Shin Dong-ho and Cube Entertainment made their decision, the matter was settled.

Zhao Meiyan learned the news one evening after a music show performance ended, when her manager called her aside.

"Miyeon, about the stage arrangements for your solo comeback..."

When the agent spoke, his tone was hesitant, which immediately made Zhao Meiyan's heart jump, thinking that something had changed.

The manager couldn't help but laugh when she saw Zhao Meiyan suddenly become nervous.

"The PD has communicated with us. The previous suggestion... about Kwon Heonhyuk featuring... the company has considered the risks, and also... um, the buzz,"

She paused, seemingly searching for a more suitable word, "I think having Xuanhexi as a 'special MC' to introduce you and give you an opening introduction on the first stage would be a better solution."

"Special MC?" Zhao Meiyan didn't quite understand at first and repeated it in a daze.

The agent nodded slightly.

“The week you return, Hyunhyuk will be making a special MC comeback, and he will introduce you and give you an opening introduction. This is a better plan.”

Zhao Meiyan was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. This was a good thing, how could it not be a good thing?

"Yes, I understand."

She flashed a big, bright smile, nodded to her agent, and her tone became lively.

"Special MC..."

Zhao Meiyan didn't wait long and immediately called Quan Xuanhe.

With a light touch of the dial button, a brief waiting tone followed, and the call was connected almost immediately.

"Hello?" Quan Xuanhe's voice came through the receiver, as composed as ever.

“Xuanhe,” Zhao Meiyan said, her voice still carrying a hint of lightness as she cleared her throat.

“My manager just told me.”

Kwon Hyun-hyuk chuckled on the other end: "Ah, PD Shin's side is pretty efficient. Looks like they've already communicated with you?"

"Mmm," Zhao Meiyan responded, gently twirling the ends of her hair with her fingers, her tone quite cheerful.

"They said it was a... special MC."

She didn't say many things like "I'm so happy" or "That's great," but you could tell from her tone even without her saying it.

"It's fine." Quan Xuanhe's voice naturally became cheerful.

"This arrangement is indeed easier for your company to accept than the previous idea, so there's no need to worry about your company being so nervous that you're sweating bullets," he joked.

"Pfft..." Zhao Meiyan couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"So... you'll get the script in advance, right?"

Her voice returned to its usual clear tone, with a hint of inquiry and confirmation, which made her feel more at ease.

"What needs to be introduced, and the opening introductions... the production team should have prepared everything, right?"

“Of course,” Quan Xuanhe replied readily.

“PD Shin will handle everything, and your manager will communicate with me about the process in advance. Just focus on preparing your performance. And when the time comes… well, just be natural in front of the camera.”

The last sentence carried a subtle hint of encouragement.

“Yes, Arasso.” Zhao Meiyan’s tone became more relaxed and confident. She looked lively and silly, always smiling foolishly, even more silly than E.

"Yes, I know," Zhao Meiyan replied cheerfully.

"it is good."

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Meiyan held it to her chest for a few seconds, a gentle, sparkling trace of joy still lingering in her eyes and brows.

"What are you doing, laughing so happily?"

Seeing that she was all smiles and looked very happy, Song Yuqi casually asked her a question.

"Xuanhe is coming to be my special MC."

Zhao Meiyan smiled broadly, even waving her hand, looking like she was in a great mood.

Song Yuqi clicked her tongue in amazement: "Oh my, you're showing off again. You're laughing so happily."

"Hey! Why can't I be happy that my boyfriend came to visit me?"

Zhao Meiyan waved her small fists, closed her eyes, and shouted at her, feeling both angry and ashamed.

After Kwon Hyun-hyuk hung up the phone, he got out of the van. At the press conference held at a hotel in Gangnam District, the flashes of cameras went off like a tidal wave.

Kwon Hyun-hyuk arrived backstage at the press conference wearing a dark-patterned suit.

The familiar faces he saw after so long brought a smile to his face, and he spotted Lee Byung-hun immediately.

"Brother!" Quan Xuanhe stepped forward to greet him and quickly gave him a hug.

"Hyuk-ah." Lee Byung-hun smiled slightly and patted him on the back as a greeting.

"Long time no see. You look great. Did you just wrap up filming for 'Twentieth Century'?"

"It's just finished, so I definitely need to catch my breath before I can keep going."

Kwon Hyun-hyuk responded with a smile, then turned his gaze to director Kim Kyu-tae and screenwriter Noh Hee-kyung beside him.

"Director, screenwriter Lu, it's been a long time."

Director Kim Kyu-tae waved his hand with his usual cheerful smile, and screenwriter Noh Hee-kyung nodded gently.

At that moment, Kwon Hyun-hyuk felt a gentle gaze, subtly warm, fall upon him. He turned his head and met Han Ji-min's eyes.

After some time apart, this mature and elegant woman had a perfectly timed smile on her face, but the light in her eyes carried a closeness that only they understood.

“Jiminunna”.

"Xuanhe is here." Han Zhimin took a step closer and naturally reached out to gently pat his arm.

Shin Min-ah, standing not far away, took in this scene and nodded slightly as a greeting, clearly not intending to have a deeper conversation.

Quan Xuanhe understood.

The two have always had a very ordinary relationship, at most they are nodding acquaintances, and they might be friendly in front of the camera.

After all, he took the role from Kim Woo-bin, so they had a grudge from the beginning and never intended to get to know each other better.

He remained silent on the matter, simply nodding in response before looking away.

The backstage greetings took place in a subtle and harmonious atmosphere.

The main actors gathered around, sharing their recent updates. The conversation revolved around the unprecedented popularity of "The Squid Game" and the upcoming premiere of "Blues," creating a lively atmosphere with a touch of noisy reunion.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the press conference will officially begin in five minutes. Please prepare to enter." The voice of the on-site coordinator rang out clearly through the microphone, interrupting the brief exchange among the group.

The atmosphere in the lounge changed instantly, and everyone's expressions became serious.

Director Kim Kyu-tae clapped his hands and laughed, "Let's go, it's our turn to go on stage, everyone, good luck!"

The door leading to the press conference venue was opened by staff.

The group walked out one after another, passed through the corridor to the area below the stage, and then took the stage one by one after being introduced by the host.

Together with the cast and crew, led by the director and screenwriter, he calmly stepped onto the stage of the press conference amidst a flood of flashing lights and attentive gazes.

(End of this chapter)