novellhall Chapter 79 Li Zhixing, you're really vicious!
Chapter 79 Li Zhixing, you're really vicious!
"T-ara?"
Park Tae-won frowned slightly, and said hesitantly, "Isn't this a new girl group? Is it okay?"
Li Zhixing nodded.
"They are indeed a new girl group. They debuted at the end of July, which is less than two months ago, and they haven't won any music show awards yet."
"But they already have a certain level of popularity, and the overall image of the members is suitable for GG visuals. At least from a visual point of view, they can completely fill the position of f(x)."
"Moreover, their overall style is more suited to a slightly more mature style than f(x), so if more impactful moves are needed in the new MV, they won't be as jarring as they are now."
Park Tae-won didn't speak immediately, but just looked at him.
Lee Ji-hyun continued, "Furthermore, T-ara's new song 'TTL (Time To Love)', released a few days ago, is currently ranking very well on music charts, second only to Taeyeon's 'Don't Forget'."
"Online discussion has also increased as a result."
"More importantly, I am optimistic about the future development of this girl group. They have the necessary skills and image, and they have the resources of Mnet. CCM is also clearly promoting them. Their future development will not be too bad."
As he said this, he glanced at the two agents opposite him out of the corner of his eye.
Cui Zhen's expression had already turned somewhat grim.
Kim Min-soo's gaze toward Lee Ji-hyung also held a hint of panic.
They originally thought that Li Zhixing's statement about changing the spokesperson was just a harsh threat to exert pressure.
But now, as Li Zhixing goes on and on, I realize that he has already thought of a replacement.
This is not just a simple scare tactic.
It sounds like LG really does have other options.
Li Zhixing withdrew his gaze and paused slightly in his speech.
"Judging from their current popularity, they are qualified to take over f(x)'s side."
Park Tae-won nodded thoughtfully.
He did not immediately express his opinion, but instead asked:
"You just said that T-ara would replace f(x), does that mean you're planning to keep Girls' Generation?"
"Of course not."
Li Zhixing shook his head.
"If it's just a matter of choreography and makeup, then of course all we need to do is replace f(x)."
"But since the problem lies with the partner itself, it's not possible to simply replace one team."
"Therefore, all the groups from SM Entertainment will have to leave."
Cui Zhen's expression suddenly changed.
Kim Min-soo also suddenly raised his head, his lips moved, but he didn't dare to speak.
"I also have some initial ideas about a group that could replace Girls' Generation."
Park Tae-won finally showed some curiosity.
"Who is it?"
"Girls' Generation is currently the most popular girl group. Can you find a suitable replacement?"
As he spoke, his tone became more cautious.
"Wonder Girls' popularity in South Korea is actually not as high as Girls' Generation's now."
Li Zhixing smiled.
"That's true."
"So my idea is to replace Girls' Generation with a boy group."
Park Tae-won's eyes flickered, but he quickly fell into thought again.
"The most popular boy groups right now are definitely not BIGBANG, they've already endorsed other phone series from the company."
"Other popular boy bands..."
He suddenly looked at Li Zhixing.
"Are you still planning to use SM Entertainment products?"
Li Zhixing did not deny it.
"It is indeed from SM Entertainment."
"However, SM Entertainment may no longer be able to control them."
"And it has been a hot topic of discussion for the past few months."
Park Tae-won seems to have guessed who it is.
"You mean?"
"Those three members of TVXQ who are currently in a lawsuit with SM Entertainment, trying to terminate their exclusive contracts."
Li Zhixing said calmly, "Judging from the current situation, it is impossible for TVXQ to continue as a complete group. It is basically equivalent to disbanding."
"So, my idea is to invite Kim Jaejoong, Park Yoochun, and Kim Junsu to replace Girls' Generation."
As soon as he finished speaking, the conference room fell silent.
Cui Zhen's face drained of color.
Kim Min-soo's eyes now held a hint of fear as he looked at Lee Ji-hyun.
If we were to mention T-ara earlier, it would only mean that SM lost f(x).
Mentioning Kim Jaejoong, Park Yoochun, and Kim Junsu now is like stabbing SM Entertainment in its most painful wound.
When Park Tae-won first heard about the plan, he thought it was so bold as to be almost absurd.
He glanced at Li Zhixing and asked in a deep voice, "They are still in litigation with SM Entertainment. Given the current contract status, whether they can accept commercial endorsements is a question."
Li Zhixing nodded.
"Therefore, we cannot use the group name TVXQ."
"We'll only be discussing this in the individual names of Kim Jaejoong, Park Yoochun, and Kim Junsu. Whether it can actually be done still needs to be confirmed by their legal department."
"But as long as the legal department confirms there are no problems, the publicity effect of this plan will not be worse than that of Girls' Generation."
He paused briefly after saying this.
"Girls' Generation can bring public recognition and visual appeal to the new phone."
"But Kim Jaejoong, Park Yoochun, and Kim Junsu can bring a lot of buzz, fan mobilization ability, and another level of attention."
"The style of the music video doesn't need to follow the girl group route anymore. It can be changed to a more urban, cool, and story-driven concept."
"The new Chocolate Phone wasn't just about being cute and sweet."
Park Tae-won did not speak immediately.
He leaned back in his chair, tapped his fingers lightly on the table twice, and began to seriously consider the proposal.
TVXQ's popularity goes without saying.
The three members currently arguing about terminating their contracts have garnered considerable sympathy from fans, many of whom believe that SM Entertainment's exploitation led to the split within TVXQ and this contract termination lawsuit.
Moreover, the most discussed event in the past few months has probably been TVXQ's contract termination.
If Girls' Generation and f(x) were to withdraw from the endorsement deal and instead sign Kim Jaejoong, Park Yoochun, and Kim Junsu, it would likely trigger an even greater public outcry.
The fact that Girls' Generation and f(x) withdrew from the endorsement deal is enough to spark a round of discussion.
If Kim Jaejoong and the other two are then given the endorsement, it will further fuel public opinion.
It could even mitigate the backlash from fans caused by Girls' Generation's withdrawal from the endorsement deal.
No matter how strong Girls' Generation's fans are, at least at this point in time, it's difficult for them to suppress the voice of TVXQ's fans.
That's the Cassiopeia who's said to have 800,000 followers.
Moreover, female fans not only have a large following, but their purchasing power is also considerable.
Moreover, if this really happens, it won't just be a simple change of spokesperson.
That's practically LG stepping on SM's most sensitive wound to get maximum attention for their new phone.
Thinking of this, Park Tae-won's gaze towards Lee Ji-hyeong changed.
When exactly did this kid start considering this plan?
He glanced at Choi Jin and Kim Min-soo without making a sound.
Choi Jin pursed his lips tightly, as if he wanted to say something, but after meeting Park Tae-won's gaze, he ultimately didn't dare to speak.
Kim Min-soo's forehead was covered in even more cold sweat.
Park Tae-won then stopped tapping his fingers on the table.
"That's interesting."
"Go straight back to the company later and let the legal and marketing departments evaluate it together."
As he spoke, he looked at Li Zhixing, his tone softening.
"At least this plan is worth taking back to a meeting to discuss."
Choi Jin and Kim Min-soo, who were standing nearby, were already feeling their scalps tingle.
It's no longer a matter of Girls' Generation and f(x) losing endorsements.
If Kim Jaejoong and the other two were to become brand ambassadors, it would be easy for outsiders to interpret this as LG using a business partnership to endorse them.
SM's stock price is likely to experience another round of major fluctuations.
At that time, the media will bring up the contract dispute between TVXQ and SM Entertainment again, and the outside world will also look at the two events together: Girls' Generation and f(x) leaving, and Kim Jaejoong taking over LG.
Someone within SM Entertainment will definitely be held responsible for this incident.
And Cui Zhen, who has pushed things to this point step by step, cannot easily extricate himself.
His original path to climb upwards may very well be blocked.
Whether they can continue to be responsible for their work with Girls' Generation is now a question.
If things really escalate to the point of accountability at the highest levels, he will definitely be the first person pushed out to take responsibility.
Kim Min-soo is determined to bury his head in the sand and remain an ostrich.
He has even started to consider where he can find a job next if he is really fired by SM, and whether he can continue to stay in this industry.
At the same time, he was wailing in his heart.
How could this young man be so ruthless?
Seeing that Lee Ji-haeng was going on and on, even starting to talk about the concept for the music video featuring Kim Jaejoong and the other two, Choi Jin finally couldn't help but step forward and interrupt him:
"Cooperate, f(x) will definitely cooperate."
"The choreography and makeup will be changed soon, so please, Director Park and Director Lee, don't remove them."
"SM will fully cooperate with the upcoming filming and promotional activities, and there will be no further problems."
After he finished speaking, he looked at Li Zhixing.
His tone already carried a pleading quality.
"Zhixing-xi, please reconsider. The children from both groups are innocent, and the Jessica sisters trust you very much."
Li Zhixing looked at him with a cold gaze.
"Now you're considering the feelings of the artists?"
"This doesn't sound like something you, Manager Choi, would say."
Cui Zhen bowed slightly, forcing a smile onto his face.
"Zhixing-xi, it was all my fault before, I apologize to you."
"I handled things too harshly, which affected this GG collaboration."
"Please give us another chance to make amends. Don't let my problem affect them."
Li Zhixing looked at him as if he had heard something absurd.
"The way you're saying that makes it sound like I'm deliberately making things difficult for you."
"When Manager Cui was pressuring them with company arrangements, she didn't mention their feelings or any personal relationships."
"Now that there's a problem, you want me to use my personal connections to clean up the mess for you?"
Park Tae-won was already getting impatient.
He waved his hand: "Why are you two still here?"
"Go out. LG's legal department will contact SM Entertainment afterwards."
Cui Zhen opened his mouth as if to say something.
Park Tae-won slammed his hand on the table and said sharply:
"Get out!"
Cui Zhen's face paled even more.
The two could only lower their heads and leave the meeting room.
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