Chapter 238: High-Spirited Strike
DM Entertainment's clarification came swiftly. The public, who had just finished their gossip session, hadn't even had time to sleep before they saw DM Entertainment's response online.
This lightning-fast clarification was very much in line with DM Entertainment's consistent style.
In addition to the clarification, DM Entertainment also forcefully @ed D Company (Dispatch), demanding an apology, otherwise they would take up legal weapons to protect their legitimate rights and interests.
Facing the strong DM Entertainment, D Company (Dispatch) did not choose to resist, directly sliding on their knees at lightning speed, apologizing and stating that these were all individual actions of reporters trying to gain attention, and the employees involved had already been fired.
In response, many fans of Jiang Shu and Bae Joo-hyun flocked to various forums, spontaneously spreading the news of the clarification.
On May 12th, ITZY's first full-length album comeback release event was held.
This characteristic event for DM Entertainment's artists gradually improved with continuous comebacks, evolving from initial photo and autograph sessions to the current combination of sightseeing, autographs, and photos.
DM Entertainment's first floor was fully opened to fans attending the album release event, allowing them to understand DM Entertainment better and promoting the family concept deeper into the fans' minds.
Cultural work is a process of changing others' perceptions, and subtle changes are always more effective and imperceptible than forced suppression.
At 9:00 AM Seoul time, DM Entertainment's doors opened punctually. The hundred-member fan tour group, who had been waiting for a long time, arrived on the first floor of DM Entertainment under the guidance of security personnel.
Meanwhile, Jiang Shu and the members of ITZY, the protagonists of this album release event, were waiting for the fans at the company's back door, which was also the exit after the tour.
"Chairman, what song did you write for IZONE? Can you reveal a bit?" Shin Yuna, bored, looked at Jiang Shu, who was playing on his phone next to Youzhen, and started a conversation.
Including Jiang Shu, there were six people. Jiang Shu and Youzhen sat in the middle, while the other four were spread out on either side of them. Shin Yuna happened to be on Jiang Shu's other side.
"I haven't started writing yet. What's up? Do you want to scout for information in advance?" Jiang Shu put down his phone and said with a chuckle, looking at Shin Yuna.
"Hehe, nothing can escape you, Chairman." Shin Yuna smiled shyly and said.
"What about you guys? Has the title track for your mini-album five, prepared by Jeon Soyeon, been confirmed?" Jiang Shu asked.
"Chairman, you are IZONE's producer, so I can't tell you that," Shin Yuna quickly shook her head and said.
"But the Chairman is also our general producer," Hwang Yeji said quietly from the side.
Shin Yuna was stunned, then belatedly realized that ITZY's general producer was indeed the Chairman. It was just that Jeon Soyeon had always been producing their songs, so much so that they had almost forgotten about it.
"Jiyeon Ouni hasn't finished producing the song yet, she just gave us some ideas," Youzhen's voice came from beside them.
Jiang Shu turned his head and looked at Youzhen beside him.
"So it's not ready yet?"
"Yes, Ouni said she wants to polish it well. This is our last collaboration, and she wants to make everything the best," Youzhen said calmly, her eyes revealing a hint of sadness.
"How could it be the last time?" Jiang Shu chuckled, "She's just debuting, it's not like she won't be allowed to write songs for you anymore."
Although writing them wouldn't be very useful, once Wangdao Passion starts to decline, it cannot be restarted.
"Can she?" Youzhen was stunned, then asked in surprise.
"Of course," Jiang Shu shook his head with a chuckle, "It's just that her focus will be on her own girl group."
Only then can the bond of a girl group producer be re-bound to (G)I-DLE.
"That's great!" The girls' spirits lifted. "We thought we couldn't collaborate with Jeon Soyeon Ouni anymore."
"No, the company won't restrict Jeon Soyeon from producing songs for anyone, that's her freedom."
"That's great!"
"After all this talk... have you met IZONE?" Jiang Shu asked with interest.
"We occasionally run into them at the broadcasting station, and the atmosphere is full of gunpowder!" Shin Yuna said with an exaggerated expression.
If it were really full of gunpowder, Shin Yuna wouldn't have said it like that.
"How about it? Do you have confidence?" Jiang Shu asked cheerfully.
"Victory!" Shin Yuna clenched her small fist and swung it forcefully in the air, saying with full confidence.
"In anime, it's often the challenger who wins, and it's the same for us," Youzhen also said with a smile.
The other three didn't speak, but when faced with Jiang Shu's gaze, they all showed strong confidence.
This confidence was something he hadn't seen in ITZY back then.
One can only say that popularity truly nurtures people.
The ITZY before the transmigration was watched by the audience as they gradually lost confidence, and the light in their eyes slowly extinguished.
But the current ITZY, Jiang Shu watched them accumulate confidence little by little, step by step, and build their own confidence.
He just didn't know if they could maintain their current confidence if the negative effects of Wangdao Passion were activated?
After reaching the peak, falling into the trough, only a very few people can truly emerge from the shadows.
And...
Can ITZY's final glorious moment truly defeat IZONE?
In anime, the hero challenging the demon king often wins.
But reality is not anime; the reason a demon king is a demon king is because of their invincible strength.
While Jiang Shu was deep in thought, Shin Yuna's eyes darted around, she leaned on the table and exchanged glances with Lee Chaeryeong, then suddenly spoke.
"Hey, Chairman, when will our group reality show produce its second season?"
"We'll see after Xiao Yuan's individual variety show is produced," Jiang Shu was momentarily stunned, then thought for a moment and said.
"Chairman, are you talking about that variety show where Yuan Ying travels all over China?" Lee Chaeryeong asked with interest in her eyes.
"Yes," Jiang Shu replied.
The girls' eyes all showed interest.
Zhang Yuanying's individual variety show, Yuan Ying's Travel, had already aired two episodes, visiting Qingdao and Shanghai respectively. The response was decent, not incredibly popular, but the buzz was quite good.
Two episodes had aired, but Zhang Yuanying had actually visited four places, with the remaining two places yet to be broadcast.
When Lee Chaeryeong mentioned this variety show, Jiang Shu also remembered this matter. He pulled out his phone, rummaged through his email, and found the show's itinerary.
The next filming location was... Suzhou.
One of the Thirteen Guardians, Jiang Shu seemed to have never been there.
Thinking of this, he sent a message to the show's PD, who was also DM Entertainment's go-to PD for related variety shows.
Before the other party could reply, a noisy sound came over.
"The tour is about to end, get ready," Jiang Shu said to the ITZY members beside him.
"Yes!" x5.