Seeing Chi Jingyuan walking into the conference room, many people cast their eyes over, and Chi Jingyuan also squeezed out a smile while walking inside, and saluted the head and representative he knew, and walked to the XO members under their enthusiastic nodding in return, and found a vacant seat in the middle to do it.

It was clear that the members had reserved a place for him in the middle, and he sat on the left with Park Chanyeol and Kim Jun-myon, on the right with Oh Se-hoon, and several others sitting in the row directly behind them.

He wasn't the last one to arrive, and some of the staff didn't come because they were preparing documents, and the company staff in the room were talking about something in whispers at this time.

After Chi Jingyuan sat down, he and the members next to him glanced at each other, exchanged glances but did not speak, and the ten people sat there quietly without making a sound at all, and there was a low pressure visible to the naked eye around them.

With the departure of TAO this time, it is obvious that the members of EXO, including Ji Jingyuan, are not as angry and excited as the time Luhan left before, but everyone seems to be very preoccupied, very silent, and has no desire to communicate.

On the one hand, it is because Tao's popularity and influence in the team are far inferior to Luhan, and the interpersonal relationship and communication are not as popular as Luhan, and the discomfort brought to others is not very sufficient.

On the other hand, in fact, XO people had expected such a day before.

Chi Jingyuan tilted his head slightly, and glanced to the left.

When he entered the door just now, he found that the last member of the Xia Guo line in the group, lay, was sitting on the far left edge of the back row, although the five members were side by side, but he was obviously at a distance from the others, and he was half a meter away from the nearest xiumin sitting next to him.

He sat there silently like the others, silent, with his head down and playing with his fingers, but the focus of his eyes was a little ambiguous, obviously thinking about something.

Although the distance of half a meter is not long, it looks extremely obvious and dazzling, like a horizontal trench that has been cut off.

I don't know if it was the stool he pulled himself, or if Xiumin pulled it.

According to Chi Jingyuan's understanding of xiumin......

In fact, Tao and Lay have been trying to communicate and negotiate with the company since Luhan left, asking for more resources and asking to open their own studio, focusing more on activities in Xia Guo, these things are known to the other members of EXO.

Although these things are very private, and the company has not announced that it has been carried out in private, the members of XO are not stupid, and they have their own news channels after being in the company for so long, even if the specific details are not known, but the general news can still be obtained.

I heard that in order to retain the members of these two Xia Guo lines, SM Company has given a lot of promises, including resources, and has made some concessions on key issues such as Xia Guo opening a personal studio, after all, if you want Xia Guo to continue to develop and activities, these two remaining Xia Guo lines are very important.

Although it is only a verbal concession and promise, and many things have not been implemented, this kind of differential treatment has already been clearly produced.

We can't compare to Chi Jingyuan's royal family, after all, he has a background and he is also very powerful and talented, and we don't want to compete with him for anything, but why can these two people who are not very popular and not very conspicuous have this special treatment? They couldn't have imagined anything like a personal studio before.

This incident made many members very dissatisfied, and the estrangement that had been covered up before was re-estranged.

In addition, because they have been secretly concerned in their hearts, they also know that Luhan has been prosperous in Xia Guozhong after leaving, and has taken over TV series and movies in a short period of time, and has become one of the hottest new generation stars.

Seeing that the previous teammates have developed better after leaving, empathize, what would they choose if they were tao and lay?

After waiting for about ten minutes, everyone arrived, and this hurried meeting finally began, and it was to report and discuss the matter of Tao's lawsuit against the group.

However, he said a big push, and Chi Jingyuan listened to it, and in general, it was still Luhan who left that set of pre-eulogies and rhetoric, asking the members not to express their opinions, and the company was ready to issue a statement, control public opinion, and see how the outside world reacted.

It's almost exactly the same as before, but because of the different impacts, even some aspects are not as strict as last time.

And looking at Li Xiuman, as well as the expressions and tones of these room chiefs, they are not as angry and hurried as they were three months ago, and it is obvious that she, like the members of EXO, seems to have expected this incident for a long time.

Li Xiuman, who hadn't seen him for a long time, didn't say much, just sat there and listened and nodded, seemingly satisfied with the treatment plan given by the staff.

To be honest, SM is more experienced in dealing with such things as members quitting the group, from the farther .t. to TVXQ to SJ, every pillar of the boy group has had this kind of encounter.

The closer ones are EXO's Luhan and Jung so-yeon of Girls' Generation.,Even if SM didn't have a good way at first, it's been a long time since I've been sick and become a good doctor.。

It is nothing more than showing the innocence of the company, putting all the blame on the departing members, and at the same time guiding the direction of the online wind to smear each other, mitigate the negative impact, and so on.

Speaking of the latter, someone mentioned the fact that the company alluded to by Tao's article on Xia Guo's neck is biased towards 'popular members'.

Who this 'popular member' is talking about, whether it is fans, SM or even XO members, they all know in their hearts.

In front of Ji Jingyuan, no one else in EXO dared to say that he was a highly popular member.

In fact, when I saw the content of Tao's article just now, Chi Jingyuan was also a little speechless and didn't know what to say.

Why do you have to say this kind of thing when you leave, can you step on him and hit Chi Jingyuan's image in the hearts of Yuan fans? Or could it make his departure more legitimate?

At this time, Li Xiuman, who had not made a sound, finally spoke:

"Public opinion in this area must be well controlled, and it can't have a worse impact on Jingyuan, other members and the entire exo, you should pay attention to the strength and direction when you guide online, and grasp it yourself."

After seeing the response of several directors of the propaganda department, Li Xiuman nodded and looked at the other side, but no longer said anything about Tao, but talked about the next return of EXO: "XO's return plan should be made quickly, and it should be detailed." This return is very important for both XO and the company, and I'm sure you're all aware of it. ”

"Don't be so mediocre as you did last time."

"Give it to me as soon as possible." He slammed the table hard, looking a little dissatisfied.

"Got it." The more serious attitude made several directors of the subjective matter hurriedly stand up and respond.

After talking for a while, the meeting came to an end, Li Xiuman briefly summarized it and announced the end, he stood up and glanced at the members of EXO, and finally explained: "Lay, your matter will be discussed at the meeting of the artist department, Jingyuan will come with me, and the other members will go back to the practice room first." ”

"......" Lay and Ji Jingyuan stood up and nodded, the other members didn't care much about Li Xiuman calling Ji Jingyuan over, anyway, this kind of thing was too common, they were used to it a long time ago. And just now I also talked about the return, and it is normal for Chi Jingyuan to participate.

Their eyes were all on Lay's side, and they made eye contact with each other, as if wondering what was going on with him.

After nodding goodbye to the staff and other members, Ji Jingyuan followed Li Xiuman as he spoke, and walked into his office.

It's still the luxurious and spacious director's office, and the general decoration hasn't changed much from the last time Chi Jingyuan came.

Li Xiuman has not been to the company for many months because of family matters, and Ji Jingyuan has not been in this office for a long time because the owner is not in the way.

"Sit."

Li Xiuman smiled and pointed to the sofa next to the desk, put the document bag in his hand on the table, and then went to the coffee machine next to him to pick up two cups of coffee, took the cup and walked over slowly and handed Chi Jingyuan a cup, so that he quickly stood up and took it with both hands to thank him.

However, looking at Li Xiuman's appearance, he didn't have any panic or displeasure at all because of the exo members' withdrawal from the group, but instead seemed very determined, as if there was no accident in the drama today.

"How's it going, did you have a familiar feeling when you came in, and suddenly missed this place a little?"

Sitting on the boss's chair, Li Xiuman gently blew down the hot coffee and took a sip of enjoyment, a pair of small eyes under the black-framed glasses were fascinated by the long slit, and the tone was easy-going and natural, chatting with Chi Jingyuan.

"Indeed, I was reminded of the last time I came to your office."

Ji Jingyuan put the coffee on the table and didn't drink it, and replied after looking around.

"yes, so do I." Li Xiuman also took a look at the office he had used for several years, touched the armrest of the chair with a soft touch and sighed: "It's been used here for so long, it's really a little reluctant to move." ”

Ji Jingyuan nodded slightly, this news has already spread within the company, he has long heard that SM Company is about to replace the building, and the new address is not far from here, which is also in Gangnam District, Sanseong-dong.

There are also reasons for exo to change to a new dormitory.

"But the new building and offices will be much better than here, and you will be satisfied." Li Xiuman patted the armrest, the reluctance just now was swept away, and his tone was calm with a hint of rebelliousness: "Just like replacing a new building, everything is developing in a good direction, SM is still SM, and EXO is still EXO." ”

Chi Jingyuan knew that the other party wanted him not to worry about Tao leaving, and let him take a long-term view, so he smiled heartily.

Li Xiuman also hadn't communicated with Chi Jingyuan for a long time because of family matters, and he didn't rush to talk about business for a while, but pulled him to talk about some recent situations, and talked about "Weisheng" while chatting: "The drama you picked is really hot, I couldn't help but watch an episode yesterday." ”

As he spoke, he squinted his eyes and nodded, and gave a thumbs up: "Jingyuan, you acted really well in it, I thought it was great when I watched it, and the companies on the Internet that praised you really didn't participate in the guidance...... And the script is also very discerning, I heard that it was your own idea? ”

"At that time, I thought the script and setting were very attractive to me, and I really wanted to try workplace dramas." Chi Jingyuan nodded and explained.

Li Xiuman laughed when he heard it, and reached out to lift the frame of his glasses: "Haha...... In other words, Jingyuan, you have such a good eye for selecting scripts, do you want to take a position in the SM film and television department, or SMC&C, and help give some opinions? ”

SMC&C is one of SM's subsidiaries, which was renamed from AM Company, which acquired Zhang Dongjian a few years ago, and is mainly based on contracted host MCs, comedy artists and actors.

This subsidiary has many well-known actors, including Jang Dong-jian, Kim Ha-na, Kong Hyung-jin, Kim so-ro and so on.

The lineup of the host is not too much, Kang Ho-dong, Shin Dong-yeol, Kim Byung-wan, who returned after a year of quitting the entertainment industry because of the tax incident, and the MC who served as the EXO group variety before, and Jun Hyun-moo, who has worked with them many times.

Chi Jingyuan didn't refuse, squinting with a smile on his face: "Okay, isn't that senior Zhang Dongjian going to call me Director Chi?" ”

"Hahaha......" was happy when he heard Li Xiuman, and stretched out his hand to laugh out loud at Chi Jingyuan.

Both of them knew that they were joking, SM couldn't let him give any opinions, the company's operation naturally has its own process, and those contracted actors also have their own teams, and they won't be like it because he has a good eye for picking a few fire drama scripts.

And Chi Jingyuan is actually not interested in this.

The two of them squinted and laughed together, and the laughter continued to hover around the office, and the atmosphere suddenly became warm, and the negative emotions that had been caused by the departure of the members seemed to be dispelled all at once.

After chatting about things, Li Xiuman laughed for a while, he took a sip of coffee, and took the initiative to bring up the topic: "The next return of EXO has been put on the agenda, and I have been paying attention to this aspect since I came back. ”

As he spoke, he seemed to feel that his vision was a little foggy, so he took off his glasses and took out the glasses cloth to wipe the lenses, and asked at the same time: "Jingyuan, you should know the company's situation and situation this year, right?" ”

"Inside." Of course, Chi Jingyuan knows that from the beginning of the year to the present, the bad things have not been broken, including when he was young, all the top pillar combinations such as EXO have had accidents, and the new girl group Red Velvet has hit the street to the extreme after its debut, and the company's stock price has plummeted, just like the Internet said that it has encountered a water reversal.

"It's almost the end of the year, and there will definitely be no chance this year...... But next year will be very important for both the company and the EXO. ”

Li Xiuman put on his glasses again and nodded: "The company needs to satisfy shareholders and shareholders and rekindle confidence, and needs to stabilize and raise the stock price again...... However, even if other combinations will return, in my mind, only exo is the best weapon to stimulate the stock price. ”

"And as you surely know, the return of this full-length album is crucial for XO."

Lee so-man is right, the return of the next regular second series is crucial for EXO.

Originally, since the follow-up of last year's regular series of "Roaring Filial Piety", EXO has a momentum to break through the sky, breaking the long-sealed million sales, and the winter special lyrics at the end of the year are selling very well, and this year's mini two "Addiction" is a new high, several songs are all on fire, and it seems that it is about to become a TOP group and officially reach the top.

But since June, the situation has taken a turn for the worse, first Bian Boxian's love was exposed, and then the popular TOP Line member Luhan quit the group, and today's TAO has withdrawn from the group, and a series of blows have made the originally unstoppable EXO suddenly become unclear and a little gloomy.

And in order to make up for this, the next return is really crucial, and he is concerned about whether XO can wash away all the negative effects of this year and stabilize the fan base that has been hit hard by storms now.

Whether or not it can even return to the grand occasion before the members quit the group, or even go further, depends on this return.

The company will definitely attach great importance to the return of EXO and invest a lot of resources, and the members are also looking forward to it for a long time, and countless Ellie are sad after several rounds of blows, but they are also holding their breath fiercely, hoping that EXO will prove that they are not sinking like those sunspots and passers-by in the outside world, and they will definitely open their wallets and support madly.

If this return fails, then EXO may really lose the possibility of reaching the top as many people expected, and can only be reduced to an ordinary top or first-line boy group, but this is definitely not something that the company, members and fans want.

And what will happen in the future is even more uncertain, the idol competition in the Peninsula song industry is so fierce, even if EXO can appear again in the future, the market doesn't want to be so beneficial to them now, who knows if there will be a second 'EXO' in the past two years, like they beat the older generation of boy groups at an unimaginable speed like last year?

So let's focus all our energy on the next return.

"This time the return of EXO I personally look at the overall situation as the chief producer, and the company is also ready to hire professional and well-known European and American musicians to participate in the production, and at the same time, Jingyuan, you also join in as a producer."

Looking at Chi Jingyuan, who nodded and fell into thought, Li Xiuman took the initiative to stand up and lean over and pat him on the shoulder, looking like he valued him very much: "I have listened to some of the songs you put in the music library, and a few of them are very suitable for XO, but the specific situation depends on the style choice after the plan." In the past two days, you have also come up with a plan to plan, including the way to return, the overall style, and the choice of songs, and I will focus on your opinions. ”

"Hurry up."

Feeling the force coming from his shoulder, Ji Jingyuan pursed his mouth and nodded.

Although the amplitude was very light, Li Xiuman could feel the seriousness in his heart.

"In addition, about the winter special in December, the company's original plan for EXO was to have a winter special return in December every year, and last year's "December Miracle" also received very good response and sales."

Immediately afterwards, Li Xiuman said another thing: "But this year's situation is very special, XO has a lot of things to do during this time, and the time is not very right." At the same time, the next return is too important, and all fans will definitely look forward to supporting it, and if a winter special is released, it will weaken or waste the enthusiasm of fans to some extent, which will have a bad impact on the official return next year. ”

Hearing this, Chi Jingyuan also looked at him in agreement, and he also felt that what Li Xiuman said was quite reasonable.

"The current plan is to cancel the winter special this year, and release a winter digital single instead of a physical album, and the song is tentatively scheduled to be "December, 2014", which is expected to be released in the form of a music game produced by "Super Star SMTOWN", and it will also be able to promote the game, what do you think? ”

"I don't think it's very good."

After hearing this, he muttered for a few seconds, and Ji Jingyuan didn't shy away from it, but looked at the other party and said honestly: "Even if it is a single, there should be a supporting MV and more publicity, and it should not be made public for the purpose of promoting the game, which is a bit perfunctory." ”

SM is really a big business, and in addition to his own entertainment industry, he is also involved in many industries, and I don't know why I went to develop games at this time.

Thinking about it is a play.

"There is indeed a point, and I am considering it." Seeing Chi Jingyuan's outspokenness, Li Xiuman also echoed with a smile, and he shook his hand casually: "It's not decided yet, Jingyuan, you can think about what plans you have, or what appropriate songs to offer, if it's beneficial to the company and the group, I will adopt your opinion." However, if it is to be released in December, this thing will be completed within these two days. ”

"By the way, the song "December, 2014", you can find a time to go to the music room and listen to the demo, and I will say hello."

"Knowing Teacher Li Xiuman, I will think about it."

Compared to next year's regular second album, the winter special is not so important, but Ji Jingyuan doesn't want to deal with fans too much.

He was in a very bad mood after seeing all kinds of messages from the Ellies on the Internet, and felt that even if he released a song, he should be solemn, at least to express some of XO's mood and attitude at this time.

"Very good, I really like your next performance ......" Li Xiuman looked at him with a smile, and comforted him very kindly: "Filming must be very tiring, it's really hard for you." ”

"Consanmida." Chi Jingyuan also smiled and thanked him.

At the end of the conversation, it seemed that he had finished talking about business, and after casually chatting about some family matters, Li Xiuman suddenly mentioned the last member of the Xia Kingdom of EXO:

"By the way, what do you think about Lay's matter?"

He pushed down the frame of his glasses again, and looked at Ji Jingyuan with a glint in his small eyes, looking like he wanted to listen to the other party's opinion as a reference.

"Lay's words ......"

At the mention of this, Chi Jingyuan was a little silent.

Now no matter who you are, it's quite clear in their hearts, after Luhan and Tao leave in a row, Lay is only a matter of time or time, and if Tao is also developing better and better like Luhan, maybe this time will be very close.

He thought about it for a long time, and finally sighed in his heart, raised his head and said to Li Xiuman: "I think it's better to come out all of this bad thing at once, even if it may hit us and our fans hard, but at least there will be no hidden dangers in the future." The next time we return, we will be able to close all the holes in the past. But if you run one today, one tomorrow, and another one in two days or the next time you return, then ......"

He spread out his hands and didn't finish, but Li Xiuman obviously understood what he meant, and nodded lightly in agreement, and made a promise: "I will consider it." ”

…………

Ji Jingyuan and Li Xiuman chatted for a long time, put forward a few opinions, and only after receiving several tasks did they leave his office and get into a nanny car and rush to the crew in Seoul Plaza.

Today's things are really one after another, and after tao quits the group, it will be followed by next year's return and the winter special, all of which have to be involved in Chi Jingyuan.

However, whether it is Li Xiuman or SM, he really values him enough, and other members dare not imagine this level of participation at this time.

Therefore, Chi Jingyuan also felt that the task on his shoulders was quite heavy, and he needed to carefully consider what kind of charter it should be.

Although there are a lot of things on the company's side, he must not be delayed in filming as the leading actor, "Unborn" has always had a good momentum, and it is impossible for him to affect the crew and himself because of what happened here.

After rushing back in the afternoon, he was busy until more than ten o'clock in the evening before Chi Jingyuan got off work from the crew and returned to the company.

In the past few days, the shooting progress has been very fast, and the amount of accumulation has gradually increased, and the end time is relatively early.

And Jin Yuanxi may know that Ji Jingyuan has been doing a lot recently, so he specially advanced the actor's role to concentrate on filming, so that Ji Jingyuan can get off work earlier.

He really took care of him, and Chi Jingyuan was quite grateful to him in his heart.

After returning to the company, he went to the music room, and he had made some preparations privately before returning next year, and this time he needed to sort out and improve the materials he had prepared before, and he would work overtime to write a plan and hand it to the company.

Regarding next year's regular second series, he already had some ideas and drafts before.

It was busy until it was close to the early hours of the morning, and Chi Jingyuan stretched his waist to pack up the things in the music room and prepare to go back to the dormitory, and he had to get up early tomorrow to go to the crew to film, and he still had to ensure the rest time for efficiency.

With his bag on his back and closing the door, he got on the elevator and prepared to go downstairs, but the elevator had just descended one floor and stopped on the third floor.

'Ding' The ladder door opened, Chi Jingyuan looked out of the door with some surprise, at this time a familiar figure was standing outside with his head down, and after hearing the sound of the door opening, he also raised his head and looked at him.