Just replied to the text message, and after a while, as Li Xiuman and several directors walked in, the door of the conference room was closed, and Chi Jingyuan also took the opportunity to put back the mobile phone that had already been muted.

The timing of Zhou Ziyu's message was just right, and he wouldn't have time to reply any later, and then the next time he saw it, it was estimated that it would be a few hours later.

But maybe he won't be too lazy to go back then.

In addition to causing a great repercussions and sensation in the outside world, today's news is also true for SM and EXO itself, as soon as the news came out early in the morning, Chi Jingyuan immediately received congratulatory text messages from many friends, and after running for a long time, the next ones were directly moved back and pushed away, and several people were temporarily called to the company for a meeting.

It would be strange not to hold a meeting to study such a hot matter.

He can also roughly foresee the content, which is nothing more than this analysis of this time on the B list and the popularity of EXO in Europe and the United States, and maybe discuss whether it is necessary to change the expected plan, try to break into the American market and so on.

Chi Jingyuan glanced up at the various room heads and staff who were sitting in a circle opposite, although everyone didn't have too many obvious expressions, just through the occasional eye contact, and from the obviously hot atmosphere in the room, he could feel that everyone's mood seemed to be quite hot.

Yes, although it was called over for a meeting temporarily, the topic of discussion was something that everyone looked forward to and yearned for, and the development of the American market was already a big thing for SM, and if Park Jinyoung saw it, I don't know how envious he would be.

After Li Xiuman and several directors praised the recent achievements of EXO with a smile, the head of the room, who had received the news and made a lot of preparations, began to report:

“…… Regarding XO's 100 hits this time, although it is very worthy of celebration to be on the B chart unexpectedly, after calming down, through a series of analyses on SNS popularity, search index, album sales, and the data provided by our Aramco branch, it was found that EXO was able to make the list mainly due to strong downloads and surging album sales......"

“…… and the development of streaming, including this record-breaking spike in YouTube clicks. ”

“…… To put it simply, in fact, it mainly relies on the rapid development in the past two years, and has gradually formed a volume and group of European and American fans, they are all very enthusiastic about their support for XO, including support, buying specialty, and hitting the list, and they are not lost to the local Avery at all, especially compared to fans in Asia, they are very, very, very keen on spontaneous promotion of EXO, and in the absence of any income, they can often be seen actively promoting and Amway on their Twitter or Instagram celebrity accounts. We will also often hold some activities offline spontaneously......"

“…… All in all, XO can only be said to be very popular in the small circle now, with this group of fixed and crazy fans, but when it comes to popularity in the mainstream market and public awareness, it is actually not high, after all, we are very clear about some things in the circle over there...... No, XO is already the highest Peninsula artist in the category of Kpop except for PSY, although it is still far behind PSY in terms of data and popularity in all aspects, but it is a huge distance from the third place, which can be said to be a complete disconnection. ”

"Of course, the quality of the title song "Boy With Luv" is also one of the important factors, according to our statistics, there are quite a few ordinary listeners who have expressed their appreciation for this song, saying that they are attracted by the melody or unique dance charm......

Although I was surprised by today's news, I have actually been following it since 13 years, and the various data and market analysis obtained in the past two years can allow them to quickly figure out the general reasons for this time, as well as their strengths and weaknesses.

Don't listen to the exaggerated rainbow farts blown by the local media, what nonsense such as 'writing a new history' and 'defining a new mainstream', it's all false, fading the aura of excitement and vanity, they will soon find out that the main reasons for being on the list this time are still so much, because the local fans in the United States are loyal enough and hard enough, because the popularity of kpop is gradually rising, the audience has changed in recent years, and the unexpected appetite for the song this time.

The former and the latter should be the most critical factors.

"Well......" Han Shimin, as the company's representative director, nodded, and after sweeping his gaze, he glanced at Li Xiuman next to him: "Then do you want to adjust XO's development strategy?" Take advantage of this limelight and try to break into the US market? ”

SM has always prayed for the American market, after all, it is the world's largest entertainment center, and when it comes to influence, especially the revenue is far more than that of the peninsula, this word immediately made many people's eyes light up.

"The neon debut has already been decided, and the lease of Tokyo Dome has already been negotiated, so it will definitely not work to change it now."

However, although this proposal was very tempting, but to be able to come in for a meeting, of course, no one would be blown up by the domestic media's propaganda, and in the face of the established plan and risks, some people soon raised different opinions, and Li Zhongren, who is also a director, shook his head after thinking about it.

"I don't think I can do it, even if I start the formal preparations now, collect and select songs, practice and other work, and contact companies in the United States for cooperation, no matter how to rush to the official release, it will be a few months later, and then the heat has long passed, and I think it is difficult to make an album in a hurry to have too high quality...... Now that EXO has such a good foundation, it already has a good fan base as a foundation, and its popularity and popularity far exceed that of other combinations in the company, I think they are really hopeful of success, so you must be cautious when trying to break into the United States for the first time, and let's see the follow-up reaction. ”

"At the same time, I think that even if you release a special, you should not release English singles, you can't cater to the market too much, and you must maintain the unique characteristics and attractiveness of Kpop itself."

"And XO has a big language problem now, and it takes a lot of time just to learn English."

Hearing this, Chi Jingyuan glanced up at the delegate who was speaking.

If SM company attaches great importance to a country's market and wants to break in, it will make a lot of preparations, which is manifested in many aspects, the most important of which is to strictly emphasize internally that it is absolutely not allowed to discuss any sensitive topics about the country, and secondly, it will also let all artists learn the language of the Chinese.

It's not that a person who is fluent in a foreign language is the main speaker, but that everyone in the group will study seriously.

Although there were three Xia Guo members in Team M, the other two still worked overtime to learn Chinese for the activities in the mainland, even if they were not practical.

The same is true now, for the neon debut in the second half of the year, when the plan has not been fully determined, the company has already arranged teachers to teach all the staff, if you want to break into the United States, then it is estimated that you have to hurry up to learn English.

It doesn't matter how well you learn, but this attitude is definitely very rare in Peninsula Entertainment.

In addition to the directors, many department heads have also expressed their own suggestions, some for and against, in general, it is half a point, many people do not want to change the established plan, but there are also many people who covet the super market of the United States, even if they don't send a specialty, they can make a lot of money by moving a tour.

However, the important decision that determines the development of the company's biggest cash cow is not something that can be discussed in a single meeting, and it will definitely take a long time to discuss it after that, and the company should also see how "Boy with Luv" develops in the United States in the future, there is still a big difference between flying on the charts for a week and continuing to climb.

"Jingyuan, when you arranged the music at that time, did you already consider the market on Ami's side?"

After the meeting ended, Li Xiuman pulled Chi Jingyuan to chat in the corridor.

He had a new set of eyes, and the oval black frame was also inlaid with conspicuous gold edges, revealing luxury in a low-key manner, and it looked expensive.

At the same time, Li Xiuman was also smiling happily, looking in a good mood.

"It's not that it caters specifically to the market, but some of the arrangements and music videos use some elements over there."

Ji Jingyuan walked beside him and shook his head.

At that time, they didn't consider the American market at all when they released the song, and to be honest, he was actually quite surprised by the results this time.

However, compared with other people's expectations for developing the market and more income, Chi Jingyuan's excitement is weaker, and he stays more on the recognition of the song.

"Okay, I got it...... Although it has not been decided yet, I don't think there will be any changes in XO's activities in the near future, and in the case of the United States, it will be a while. ”

Li Xiuman didn't ask much, and after a few words of greeting, he was about to leave on the elevator, and after a special reminder, he seemed to think of something, and turned his head to explain:

"By the way, Taeyeon's solo album has already started, and you can listen to a few alternatives to the title song, but Taeyeon doesn't seem to like it very much...... Time is already tight, if you have your own ideas, remember to record a demo for me when the time comes, and the rights will be handed over to you. ”

"I see."

…………

Because of the media hype in the past two days, coupled with the follow-up reports of various other marketing accounts, the news that EXO has been on the single Hot Hundred is also spread on the peninsula, although it is not known to women and children, but at least there should be more people who know than those who don't.

But to put it bluntly, it's just a list, and it's not really successful in breaking into the U.S. market and not holding a European and American tour, and the real substantial, such as income, is actually not much, but more actually reflected in some hidden aspects.

In addition to the obvious and faint improvement of the forced qualification, the biggest gain should be that their national popularity has suddenly become much higher, and many people's impressions and opinions have also improved a lot.

But it's also important for a group that aspires to be the top group.

At the same time, it really made Chi Jingyuan a lot busier, and temporarily added several itineraries and interviews that they didn't have before.

"Jingyuan, you don't participate in the radio station behind you, right?"

"Well, brother, there will be something in a while."

On the evening of the 10th, just after an interview, when Ji Jingyuan was packing up his things, Lee Seung-hwan handed over a bottle of water next to him and confirmed it at the same time.

Originally, today's dinner Chi Jingyuan had made an appointment with someone else before, but because of the time of the B list this time, EXO had several more cases today, and he had no choice but to cancel the previous appointment to have a meal with Zhou Ziyu.

I was busy until now that I could take a breath, and I originally waited for a while and had a collective pre-recorded radio variety show, but in the afternoon, I looked at the schedule and time, and after thinking about it, he directly asked his agent for an excuse to take a leave.

It is estimated that it will be twelve o'clock after this case, but he will not affect it, a little trainee like Zhou Ziyu doesn't want to go out.

If he hadn't told someone before, or if he had changed someone who wasn't so important, it would have been fine, but since he had already made an appointment, he didn't want to release the pigeon.

After getting the reply, Li Chenghuan didn't say much, and saw Ji Jingyuan say to the members that he was about to leave with his bag on his back, so he nodded and reminded: "Come back early, there is a flight to Wanwan tomorrow morning." ”

"Don't worry, brother." After making an OK gesture, Chi Jingyuan walked out quickly.

First, I sat in the nanny car and went back to the dormitory to wash my face and remove my makeup, and then changed my clothes and made some disguises, and then drove to the JB area, the roadside near the "Sixteen" dormitory, and sent a text message after stopping.

JYP is really enough, and the location of this dormitory is not a high-end apartment at a glance.

But SM is almost that, and they have just been lifted out of poverty.

After a while, a tall, but not emaciated figure came into view, wearing a baseball cap with his head down, and slammed into this direction.

"Bang."

After the gullwing door was opened, it closed quickly, and Zhou Ziyu, who had been used many times, was no longer as young and ignorant as he was at the beginning, sat up with a flick of his long legs, and shook his head after taking off his hat and began to arrange his hair.

The brown hair glistened white under the interior lighting, and the figure with long hands and long legs was still very good-looking even if it was not slender, and the whole seat was filled as soon as the body was put there, and as soon as the doors were closed, a fresh shampoo mixed with a surging fragrance began to spread around.

White short sleeves with denim shorts and sneakers in addition to highlighting a youthful girlish style, there is nothing special about it, under the rendering of the white light, a pair of exposed round thighs look a lot whiter, which looks full of deception, that is, a cartoon golden retriever figure on the chest of the jacket looks naïve, which adds a helpless childishness to the original somewhat sultry innocence.

"I run so fast every time...... Chi Jingyuan turned his head, looking at Zhou Ziyu, who was sitting in the co-pilot with his legs together and fiddling with his hair with his head down, and heard her slightly panting sound because she was running in a hurry, and suddenly stopped after habitually saying a strange word.

Because he found that it seemed that every time Zhou Ziyu got in the car, he had to say something like this.

Because, every time she came running.

After shaking his hair in the end, Zhou Ziyu raised his head, and when he heard the words, he turned his mouth sideways and smiled, and at the same time took a careful look at Chi Jingyuan beside him.

The black hair in the primary color, the loose white short-sleeved shirt and the black casual cropped pants are casual as if they came out for a walk after eating, but the minimalist color combination creates a harmonious sense of freshness and handsomeness.

Zhou Ziyu, who was watching the familiar figure close to Chi Qi, couldn't help blinking, and his heart fluctuated slightly.

I feel that every time we meet, no matter what he wears, I have an appetite for myself.

"It's actually ...... if you're so busy."

After taking a look, he withdrew his gaze, and then couldn't help but glance at it again, Zhou Ziyu paused for a moment and whispered.

EXO is leaving Seoul tomorrow, so a few days ago, I had an appointment to have dinner together tonight to celebrate my birthday in advance, but because of the sudden increase in the itinerary, I had to cancel it, saying that it was a little later, but there has been no news.

Just now she thought that Chi Jingyuan would not come out, although she would definitely be a little disappointed, but Zhou Ziyu actually didn't want to make him so troublesome.

Until I received the text message just now.

"It's all been said to be good, and it just happens that there is no itinerary...... You're not thirsty, but you're in a hurry and haven't bought a drink...... Went back to the dorm so early? ”

It was nearly nine o'clock when I drove out of the exo dormitory, and Chi Jingyuan was going to pick her up from JYP, but I didn't think that they would have returned to the dormitory by this time, Ji Jingyuan sighed lightly, waved his hand to show that it didn't matter, and asked casually.

"Hmm...... Today's exercise ended early. ”

"What about the others?"

"Our group is in the dormitory, so I'm waiting to see the evening broadcast......

As soon as she said this, Chi Jingyuan remembered that today is the time for the sixth episode of "Sixteen", which has been broadcast since the beginning of May, and has been broadcast more than half of it unconsciously.

However, he paid more attention to the previous episodes, because in addition to his own participation in the recording at that time, it was also because Zhou Ziyu was very unhappy at that time, and he was very unconfident and often asked for his opinion.

In the later installments, because the schedule was too busy and he wasn't very interested in other people, he didn't read it much.

However, the vote has been casting, although the number of votes is not much, but Zhou Ziyu and Mingjing Nan have the current ranking, and he has also made a contribution.

It's just that after listening to the girl's voice and tone at this time, Chi Jingyuan didn't ask about the show, but focused on her, turned to look at Zhou Ziyu's face, and saw the tiredness between the pursed lips and eyebrows, and asked out with some concern: "What's the matter, in a bad mood?" ”

】

In just two sentences, he sensed that the girl's state was not quite right.

"En......"

Nodding slowly, Zhou Ziyu glanced at him quietly and then quickly withdrew his gaze, and after a brief hesitation for a second, he began to say in a soft tone: "I've been feeling quite tired lately, and I feel like time flies so fast, and more than half of this show is nearing the end of the show all of a sudden......"

"Half of them are going to be eliminated, and I don't know if I'll be able to make my debut by then, but every time I think about this, I'm in a bad mood and worried, and I feel a little panicked...... Lately, everyone has been working a lot harder, and I just think, I just feel ......."

She had obviously not prepared her words before, and she was not speaking in any coherent manner, and she seemed to be thinking about what words to use to express her feelings.

"Feel pressured, worried that I won't be able to choose and stay?"

Ji Jingyuan helped her replenish it.

“……”

Glancing at him, Zhou Ziyu pursed his lips and nodded, and replied in a low tone with his nose: "Hmm." ”

There seemed to be a palpable sense of uneasiness and anxiety around her, and as the show progressed deeper and closer, the girl began to feel more and more pressure.

Also, the pressure of debut is unbearable for any trainee, and it is easy to understand that these little girls become extremely sentimental under pressure, and it is normal to wipe tears and cry every day in private.

Although Chi Jingyuan may not be able to empathize with this feeling, he understands the little girl and Zhou Ziyu.

He watched two episodes of "Sixteen" before, and also read some comments on Zhou Ziyu on the Internet, most of them are what this girl has no shots, but every time she appears on the camera, she is very eye-catching, and her appearance is particularly flattering.

But that's what I said, but in fact, how can a trainee who wants to make his debut really not fight or grab, and really want to be an idol if he doesn't fight or grab.

So Chi Jingyuan knows very well that Zhou Ziyu is actually competitive, and he also has his own careful thoughts, especially for his debut, and he is not weaker than other peers.

As for why it feels like to be in front of the camera......

And now, when the show really has to decide the winners and losers in the later stage, she will inevitably become a loser.

Zhou Ziyu may be in a bad mood, or he may be a little embarrassed to hang his head and not squeak, and soon the car fell into silence.

"Let's go......"

After being silent for a minute, Chi Jingyuan directly ignited the car and turned around while turning the steering wheel.

"Where are you going?" Zhou Ziyu raised his head and asked curiously.

"Just take a spin, aren't you in a bad mood...... You open the window a little bit to blow the air, it might be a little better, I like that every time I have this situation. ”

"Oh."

The girl fastened her seatbelt and sat there very upright, and answered obediently.

After the car started and drove a distance, Chi Jingyuan was thinking about where to go for a ride when he felt something wrong, he glanced at the co-pilot and reminded: "The window is open, what kind of ride is it if you don't open the window." ”

"Oh."

"......" There was no movement after a squirming sound.

"What are you doing in Ao? The windows are open. ”

“……”

A few seconds later, a bitter face with Zhou Ziyu's wrinkled nose appeared in his sight, his face was short, and such an expression made people laugh, and the previous frustration seemed to have been covered a lot:

"How do you open it?"