Chapter 440: Putting on an Act
President's Office.
After knocking on the door, Jiang Shu pushed it open and entered Park Jin-young's office.
Compared to Zheng Xu's office, this one seemed less business-like.
Rather than an office, it was more like a private music studio.
Various musical instruments were scattered everywhere, along with equipment for audio production, and although the walls were covered with wallpaper, soundproofing cotton could still be seen beneath it.
“You must be Jiang Shu.” A voice sounded, and Jiang Shu turned to see Park Jin-young looking at him from behind the desk.
“PD-nim.” Jiang Shu bowed to Park Jin-young.
“You look energetic.” Park Jin-young observed Jiang Shu and said, “You made a military pledge to President Jung that this year’s comeback will turn ITZY around?”
“Yes, PD-nim.” Jiang Shu nodded.
“Tell me how you plan to do it.”
Jiang Shu repeated to Park Jin-young the same words he had told Zheng Xu.
“It sounds good, but how do you guarantee that the songs you produce will definitely suit the market’s taste?” Park Jin-young asked the most crucial point in the plan.
“I believe the market isn't rejecting ITZY, but rather ITZY’s current 'neither one thing nor another' style. In fact, from the current perspective, the transformation you spearheaded was a success in terms of results.”
“It’s just that the tone set at the time was too high, and the expectations didn't match the actual response, which led to you being questioned by fans.”
“And now ITZY has fallen to rock bottom; any sign of improvement will be a lifeline in the eyes of the fans.”
Although ITZY is struggling now, their fan loyalty is still very high. After so many absurd comebacks, those who haven't unfollowed them are super loyal fans, and this is the foundation for ITZY's future comeback.
“Let’s not talk about the past.” Park Jin-young shook his head, not wanting to discuss that issue further.
“I heard about your argument with ITZY’s former head producer. Your disagreement was over the choice of center.”
“Yes.” Jiang Shu nodded, “You established Youzhen as ITZY’s core, which I see as the soul of this group. Changing it to Yeji now is not a wise decision.”
“The former head producer single-handedly promoted Yeji. For me to now change the center is undoubtedly a provocation to her, and a negation of her past work. As a senior in the industry, she naturally wouldn't tolerate a newcomer like me giving orders. Her anger is understandable, but I don't accept it,” Jiang Shu said calmly.
“You certainly have a lot of personality.” Park Jin-young looked at Jiang Shu in surprise.
“A stagnant group won’t go far. Innovation is the only way forward.”
“Reinstating Youzhen, it seems you already have some ideas.” Park Jin-young asked.
“I’m working with Youzhen. Due to some issues, she has lost her confidence, and I’m trying to help her regain it.” Jiang Shu didn't hide anything from Park Jin-young, explaining his current plan.
“Stage performances with and without confidence are indeed different.” Park Jin-young, being a celebrity himself, quite agreed with this point.
Unlike Zheng Xu, Park Jin-young is not only a company executive but also an artist, so he could understand some of the things Jiang Shu was saying.
“How long until we see results?” Park Jin-young inquired.
“I plan to arrange ITZY’s comeback in the second half of the year. The current tasks are to first build up hype on the marketing front, and to address Youzhen’s state of mind,” Jiang Shu said after some thought.
“I looked at your songs, and there’s a good one among them that I’d like to give to NMIXX,” Park Jin-young said, changing the subject.
Jiang Shu was stunned. The three songs he had presented for “audition” were all written by Tian Xiaojuan for ITZY; none of them could be given to NMIXX.
“Sorry, PD-nim.” Jiang Shu refused bluntly, “These three songs are my reserve tracks for ITZY. If I fail my mission and leave the company, I will sell these songs to the company for them to dispose of as they see fit. But for now, no.”
Park Jin-young raised an eyebrow.
“I am the President.”
“Still no, even for the President.” Jiang Shu said with a calm expression.
“No wonder Zheng Xu likes you.” Park Jin-young suddenly smiled, “I also like subordinates who dare to say no, but the premise is that they truly have enough ability.”
Park Jin-young’s words surprised Jiang Shu.
Was this gorilla… testing him?
“From your attitude, I can see that you genuinely want ITZY to get better. Since that’s the case, I’m relieved to entrust ITZY to you.” Park Jin-young finished, then sighed.
“I didn’t expect that after I stopped managing ITZY, the subsequent producers would be so… sigh.”
What a load of crap.
Jiang Shu watched Park Jin-young put on his act with a calm gaze.
If you really cared about ITZY that much, you wouldn’t have stood by and watched them get messed up into this sorry state.
With his eyes full of TWICE, ITZY and NMIXX were, at best, two illegitimate children in Park Jin-young’s eyes—not worth much, but a shame to discard.
If Park Jin-young was Zhu Yuanzhang, then TWICE was Zhu Biao, a legitimate son, the eldest son, and the crown prince.
As for ITZY and NMIXX?
They weren't even considered the second, third, or fourth brothers; at most, they were princes born to palace maids, whom he couldn't be bothered with.
In this situation, Park Jin-young probably didn't even know how many comebacks ITZY had since their debut, and now he was playing the good guy?
Of course, if ITZY could truly regain popularity under Jiang Shu, judging by his current attitude, Park Jin-young would be very happy.
The reason was unclear, but it certainly wasn't guilt.
That guy had no such emotion.
TWICE were his children; ITZY and NMIXX were merely tools for making money.
However, Park Jin-young’s actions were understandable, as TWICE was one of the groups that brought JYP back from the brink of delisting. He had personally overseen the members’ debut, and the group had proven themselves, bringing honor to him as a PD.
This was a mutually beneficial process, where both parties could gain sufficient benefits, whether it be fame, money, or other things.
In short, from any angle, Park Jin-young’s choice to prioritize TWICE was well-justified.
But his strong reasons did not mean that abandoning the other two groups was appropriate.
At least, from the company's perspective, Jiang Shu found this behavior foolish.
Either don't debut them at all, save costs, and don't waste time, money, and effort.
Or, if you debut them, operate them seriously and don't treat them merely as tools for making money.
However, Jiang Shu's way of thinking was very different from most K-pop entertainment companies, which meant his ideas could only be implemented within his own company.
“PD-nim, rest assured, I will do my best for every upcoming ITZY comeback.” Jiang Shu collected his thoughts and smiled at Park Jin-young.
“Very good, I have high hopes for you, young man.”
