Chapter 387: All Kill
DM Entertainment, President nim's office.
“Red Velvet’s 5th mini-album comeback has achieved a phenomenal response from audiences and media, with its data performance breaking multiple records, which can be categorized into five types.” The head of the Data Statistics Department stood opposite the desk, presenting Jiang Shu with a data report on Red Velvet’s comeback.
Jiang Shu listened to the department head’s narration while flipping through the documents in his hand.
Firstly, their music source performance demonstrated a dominating sweep across all charts, achieving an “All-Kill” on real-time charts.
On the first day of release, October 10th, it debuted at number one on the real-time charts of Korea’s six major music platforms, including Melon, Genie, and Bugs, becoming the only girl group song in 2022 to achieve both Real-time All-Kill (RAK) and Certified All-Kill (CAK).
This was an achievement that IZONE’s final comeback this year did not even reach.
Subsequently, on the year-end charts, it entered the 2022 Melon Year-End Chart in just half a month, ranking tenth.
It topped the Gaon Chart’s 2022 Girl Group Songs Download + Streaming Comprehensive Chart and entered the Billboard World Digital Song Sales Chart at number one (first-week downloads exceeding two thousand copies).
Secondly, its international influence showed record-breaking global popularity.
The 5th mini-album topped the iTunes Album Chart in 42 countries or regions, making Red Velvet the first Korean girl group to have two US iTunes chart-topping albums, an achievement IZONE had also not reached.
Furthermore, the title track “Psycho” entered the Billboard World Digital Song Sales Chart, becoming the first K-pop song to top that chart.
In terms of social media, the album dominated the global Twitter trends TOP5 on the day of its release, with related topics topping hot searches in twenty-six countries.
The MV reached over ten million views within 24 hours, and the Chinese adapted cover version spread explosively on platforms like Bilibili.
The album topped Korea’s Naver and Daum hot searches for over 72 hours in its first week of release, and Melon search volume surged by 300% month-on-month.
International hot searches continued until the day before data collection, with related topics still holding high positions on platforms like Weibo and TikTok.
Regarding promotions, Red Velvet only promoted on the first day of their comeback, subsequently racking up thirteen wins without further promotional activities, including three consecutive weeks at Music Bank and three consecutive weeks at Inkigayo, setting a K-pop record for “zero promotions, thirteen wins.”
The title track “Psycho” received explicit praise from the Asian Pop Music Awards organizing committee, who invited Red Velvet to participate in the judging for this year’s Best Music Video Award. This direct involvement from the committee almost certainly determined the award winner, giving official recognition to the MV’s dark aesthetics, which paid homage to “Black Swan.”
And on the music review front, it was hailed by music critics as “the most artistic single in K-pop of the early 2020s.”
Regarding the stage, Wendy’s tearing high notes and Irene’s Black Swan descent shot became classics, with popular Korean online posts praising them for “redefining the artistic boundaries of girl groups.”
“‘Psycho’ proved with data that artistry and commerciality can coexist.”
“It shattered the assembly-line formula with dark aesthetics, broke the industry’s unwritten rule of ‘stage exposure = success’ with thirteen wins without promotions, and announced K-pop girl groups’ international influence by topping iTunes in 42 countries globally.”
The department head finished reading the data statistics table, closed the document in his hand, and looked at Jiang Shu.
“In summary, Red Velvet’s comeback was a huge success. Furthermore, major awards ceremonies also sent invitations to Red Velvet last week, promising awards at any time.”
“They’re afraid Red Velvet won’t go,” Jiang Shu said with a smile, closing the document.
Red Velvet’s achievements this time were truly gratifying; not only did their popularity reach a phenomenal level on the Korean internet, but they also caused a huge sensation in the international K-pop world.
Now, no one questioned Jiang Shu’s abilities anymore.
“Psycho” proved Jiang Shu’s ability; he was just too lazy to copy... write, not that he couldn’t write.
“Have Red Velvet seen the data?”
“No, neither we nor S.M. have a habit of showing artists data,” the department head shook his head and said.
“Give them a copy. Such a big victory can be quite motivating. With such good results, let them be happy too.”
“Yes,” the department head nodded. “I’ll have Red Velvet’s manager come pick it up shortly.”
“Mm, you can go out first. Let Director Choi come in.”
“Yes.”
Ding-dong.
Jiang Shu picked up his phone and raised an eyebrow when he saw who sent the message.
Zeus: Chairman Jiang nim, I apologize for disturbing you. We have reached the finals of the World Championship, and the match is on November 6th at the Chase Center in San Francisco. I wanted to ask if you have time to attend in person.
Choi Woo-je, huh.
This year, in S12, Choi Woo-je officially secured his position as T1’s starting top laner. He recalled the message he sent him two months ago, saying he had entered the World Championship, and at the time, he had told him to cheer up.
Unconsciously, the ID Zeus also ascended to the world stage.
Runner-up in his debut year...
The beginning of a two-championship, one-runner-up history.
“Chairman,” Choi Ji-yeon’s voice pulled Jiang Shu’s thoughts back. He didn’t rush to reply to Zeus but instead spoke.
“Have Finance approve a bonus for Red Velvet and their team. Their performance is excellent; they should be rewarded.”
“What standard should we use?”
“The second tier, then.”
DM Entertainment has three bonus tiers: year-end bonus, performance bonus, and encouragement bonus. The second tier is naturally the performance bonus, given only when outstanding achievements are made.
Well, Jiang Shu also counts as a member of the Red Velvet team.
The company’s money is the company’s money, and his own is his own; these must be kept separate.
“Yes.”
“Also, check LESSERAFIM’s schedule from November 5th to 7th.”
“Please wait a moment.” Choi Ji-yeon took out her phone in front of Jiang Shu and looked through it.
“There’s an advertisement shoot and a costume fitting shoot, but both can be postponed or brought forward.”
“Then move them forward. Have them go to San Francisco with me. I have someone in the League of Legends World Championship, and it’s a good opportunity to generate some buzz for them before their debut.”
The popularity of League of Legends globally is no lower than K-pop. Zeus reached the finals in his debut year and now invited Jiang Shu to watch the match live. Since LESSERAFIM is about to debut, taking the members to North America to gain some presence and ride the coattails of the hype isn’t a bad idea.
“Okay.” Choi Ji-yeon nodded. “I’ll go inform LESSERAFIM right away.”
“Mm.”
After Choi Ji-yeon left the office, Jiang Shu picked up his phone again and replied to Zeus.
Shu: Okay, I’ll be there to cheer you on.
As soon as Jiang Shu sent the message, Zeus’s reply came.
Zeus: Okay!
Zeus: Do you need me to prepare tickets for you?
Shu: I’m also bringing artists from my company, so I need seven tickets. Please give me the organizer’s contact information, and I’ll contact them myself.
There was a pause of about half a minute before a reply came.
Zeus: Li Lishi said he would reserve seven front-row seats for you. You are welcome to come and watch the match.
Jiang Shu smiled at this.
Shu: Good.
