Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 554



Only Noblemtl

Episode 554

In the conference room of Garo Enter, silence fell among the executives sitting around.

It was a performance review meeting conducted in the form of reporting to Hong Gyu-heon. The executives briefly reported the collected data to Hong Gyu-heon, and the current silence was created.

“we…….”

After a long silence, Hong Gyu-heon opened his mouth.

“Can’t you go?”

“Where?”

“New building!”

Hong Gyu-heon slammed the documents containing the music and album sales figures and the resulting profits on the table. An indescribable joy appeared on her face.

“Are you crazy?! I, I’ve never seen this much money made from music!”

Girls’ Generation recorded their lowest performance ever on the Korean music charts.

But Girls’ League’s real success was overseas, where they raked in massive music revenue by virtually dominating global streaming platforms.

In just over two weeks since its release.

“Does this make sense? Has this how big a company has made money so far? Is music something that can make money on this scale?!”

“what…….”

Hangu-in was equally flustered. He cleared his throat and barely managed to speak in a normal voice.

“It’s been quite some time since the music market size surpassed the album market. Of course, that’s the size of the entire music market, so it’s very difficult for a single song to surpass the album sales revenue. Even though the number of streams for the song ‘Automata’ is high, it doesn’t reach the album sales revenue. But this is… … .”

Han Gu-in burst into laughter.

“This is a record that is truly beyond expectations. If you include the songs, the total number of streams exceeds 100 million.”

Overseas streaming performance is good.

This is better news for Girls’ League members than for Garo Enter. The revenue structure of overseas streaming platforms is completely different from that of Korea.

Domestic streaming platforms give singers about 5% of music revenue. However, overseas streaming platforms give singers anywhere from 16% to as much as 45%.

It is almost the same as the profits of the planning company, Garo Enter.

The Soviets ended up sitting on a pile of money.

“What is the cause?”

Hong Gyu-heon asked urgently.

It couldn’t be helped but be urgent.

This was an unexpected and incomprehensible event. It was natural to want to know the cause.

“Is this a problem that can be dismissed by simply saying, ‘Our kids have grown up a lot’?”

“We think… … .”

Seongpil opened his mouth.

He also needed time to calm down as he was a little excited while reporting to Hong Gyu-heon.

“I think it went viral.”

“Word of mouth has spread, that’s it?”

“The main channel is Twitter, then iTube and Clark. The most important element is dance.”

Dance.

The PR team spent several days trying to figure out what made the Girls’ League successful, and they found a convincing answer.

All success is in dancing.

“The most fundamental reason was that it was fun to watch. Because it was fun to watch, I combined it with some content, and it was a reaction video.”

Reaction video.

Among them, K-pop music video reactions drove the success of ‘Automata’.

A reaction video is, simply put, a video of a person watching something. The selling point is seeing the person reacting.

“They’re coming up like mushrooms.”

The fields where reaction videos are most active are movies and animation.

Movies and animation are very deep hobbies when you get down to the level of enthusiasts. To put it bluntly, there are otakus.

And I don’t know if it’s a trait that these people share, but they like to share the culture they enjoy with others.

‘This is fun. Look at it. It’s fun, right?’

This is the mindset.

Critics and scholars say that their mindset stems from a desire for recognition. They want the culture they enjoy to be so fun, so they want it acknowledged and not ignored.

Another theory is that empathy is the desire to share the emotions you felt when watching something with others, which creates the content called reaction videos.

For example, when watching a horror movie with someone else, you tend to focus more on their reactions than on the movie itself.

‘There’s a scary scene here, how will he react?’

And reaction videos are a pretty major content among K-pop fans.

There are many different types of people reacting, including people who are interested in K-pop, people who don’t know anything about it, and people who know about it but aren’t interested.

In the mid-2010s, when K-pop reactions became a hot topic, some people criticized them for being patriotic.

However, since most of the creators and viewers of reaction videos are foreigners, if I had to describe it, I would say it is K-pop fanaticism rather than national fanaticism.

“But what are the requirements for a reaction video? This is just my opinion.”

“If you think about it, Director Park, it’s worth it. Speak frankly.”

“It has to give intuitive pleasure.”

The video that becomes the subject of the reaction needs to be immediate and intuitively enjoyable.

Visual videos that focus on worldview explanations, face shots (screens tightly filled with faces), or individual idol acting are not good reaction material.

“That kind of thing is not only fun for those who know it, but for those who don’t know it… … .”

So what is this, you nerd?

“It becomes like this. Of course, you can listen to the song and say, ‘That’s good,’ but usually the people who film the reaction videos are foreigners… … .”

“It’s not as fun because you don’t understand.”

“Yes.”

Conditions for reaction videos.

Immediate and intuitive fun.

There is one thing that satisfies this.

“Dance.”

It is a dance that is so amazing, dynamic, and beautiful that even just watching it will make you exclaim, “Wow, that’s amazing!”

The fact that WTP became popular in the early days of their debut was also due to their intense dancing. One of the reasons they were able to captivate overseas K-pop fans was their dancing.

“Automata.”

Seongpil declared with confidence.

“It’s fun just to look at.”

When a ballerina flies almost as high as herself.

When a street dancer moves as if each joint is separate.

When B-boys show off their flashy and splendid movements.

People can admire it without even realizing it, even if they don’t know what kind of dance it is or have no experience dancing before.

“If you exaggerate a little, you can watch the ‘Automata’ music video for 6 hours straight.”

Others thought it was not an exaggeration.

Seongpil is the kind of person who wouldn’t get tired of watching just one music video for 6 hours.

“In the past two weeks, we’ve seen over 200 reaction videos. If you add up all the views, it’s close to the number of views for the ‘Automata’ music video. If you add up the ‘Clock’ and the short clips that were uploaded to Twitter, the number of views easily exceeds 100 million.”

This is what Seongpil meant when he first said, ‘It went viral.’

“’Automata’ will definitely get 100 million views within a month. It’s much faster than ‘Apple Crush’.”

“Hey, over there.”

Jung Ji-eum raised her hand timidly.

“Brother, then the musical element… … didn’t play a role in your success?”

Seongpil smiled kindly, as if to say, ‘Why wouldn’t it be like that?’

“Complextro. It was a genre that was popular in the West to begin with, but it wasn’t really known in Korea. If it works, it will definitely work overseas.”

Even though it may be out of style now, it’s important to note that it was once a popular genre.

Because ‘Automata’ was once popular, it had a completely different status overseas than in Korea.

“Education expenses.”

Son Hye-bin said.

“There is no need to spend money on education to spread ‘automata’ in the West.”

Education expenses is a term used in business.

It refers to the cost incurred when introducing a new product to the market that people have not encountered before.

People have never been exposed to the new product, so they don’t buy it even if they see a lot of advertisements. So the company has to take a loss for the next few years to establish the item in the market.

Lower the price, promote it, hold events, and wait until the market becomes familiar with the product.

Personal computers were like that, smartphones were like that, and electric cars were like that.

This is called education cost. It is the cost of educating the public about the product.

“We paid for the training for Complextro this time. Usually, this is something that big agencies do.”

“That’s right. Because big agencies have strong fandoms, they’ll listen to new stuff.”

So small and medium-sized companies can’t do anything new. They don’t have the money to pay for education, and they don’t have the power to create something new.

This is why major entertainment companies can continue to make innovative attempts and become cultural leaders.

“So, the success of ‘Automata’ was centered around overseas. We can also expect that its popularity will be exported back to Korea.”

“why?”

Hong Gyu-heon laughed.

“Because we’re going to promote it to every corner of the town so that all Koreans know about it?”

“of course!”

Seongpil shouted excitedly.

“We’re going to make it so that there’s no Korean who doesn’t know that our kids went to Billboard! Like this, like this, like this, like this… … .”

“Director Park, calm down.”

It was difficult to calm down.

In the future Sungpil remembers, it will no longer be unusual for a K-pop group to make it onto the Billboard 200 or Global 200.

It has become a world where it is taken for granted that a top-tier group will be listed on the Billboard 200.

Whether it’s 200th, 100th, 50th, or 10th, it’ll all come naturally in the end.

What happened after a significant K-pop fandom settled in the US… … .

‘So, in this situation, the fact that a girl group is ranked 14th on the Billboard album chart is… ‘

This is truly an unbelievable record!

Except for a few boy groups, it is difficult to even find examples, and among girl groups, there is only one record above the Girls’ League.

“How do you calm down!”

The Girls’ League is a star that transcends the times.

Seongpil was confident.

He didn’t bring the future.

The Girls’ League has taken the first step toward the future.

“If this happens, then like this!”

Seongpil was so moved that his eyes welled up with tears.

“I have no choice!”

“what?”

Seongpil shouted in a desperate voice.

“America Tour!”

US tour.

Everyone laughed at that. It wasn’t a mockery.

It’s laughing because you’re happy.

“so?”

Seongpil turned his gaze to one side, his tears still flowing. There was Jo Ara, who had been sitting there as if she had died a while ago.

“Producer, are you feeling a little better now?”

Jo Ara froze stiffly when she heard Seongpil’s question.

“lol.”

I just scratched my head in embarrassment.

“Well, well, I’m just, well, I’m happy.”

“Hey, you can scream and shout ‘Who am I?’ You cried and …

“If only you hadn’t said that, sir, I would have been really happy.”

Only then did Joara start laughing so hard that it seemed hilarious.

“Araya, tell the kids to get ready to go.”

“Doctor, please discipline him for sexual harassment.”

“I’ll look into it right away, sir?”

“Oh, I’ll authorize the disciplinary action.”

“No, that’s not what I meant!”

“Well, where are you going to send it?”

Seongpil put his index finger to his lips. Everyone was silent and looked at him.

He spread his palms wide, meaning not to be surprised, no, to be surprised to your heart’s content.

“The US tour, we had 4 cities with 2,500 people each, right? This time, we’re having a tour with a total of 40,000 people!”

Others were more surprised than happy.

“Are you talking about 40,000 people?”

“Brother, can we decide that right now?”

“And you haven’t even finished your market research?”

“It’s so sudden.”

“I understand you’re happy, sir, but deciding on that right away… … .”

Everyone was confused.

Sungpil is a person who does what he has to do. Previously, when Girls’ League had not even debuted for a year, he declared that he would do a ‘world tour’ and he actually did it.

If he were to do a US tour with 50,000 people, Sungpil would really do it.

“Yes. With 40,000 people.”

Seongpil was resolute.

Other people’s reactions are natural.

Even if the response is good in the US, will the seats for a tour concert with a capacity of 40,000 people be filled?

Unless there are many examples of other girl groups, it’s hard to find anything to point to as an example. This is especially true for a group with 40,000 members.

“It’s unexplored territory where no one has ever set foot.”

It is not unexplored territory for Seongpil.

He doesn’t know the future.

We all know how many concerts future girl groups will have in the US.

It gives an idea of ​​how far the Girls’ League can take it.

This is an advantage that only Sungpil can enjoy at present. It is a privilege that can be used to know the future, which is something that has been used for a really long time.

“The Girls League is planting its flag in the United States first.”

Of course, even if it was a tour, 40,000 people felt a bit burdensome. However, Seongpil wanted to be greedy.

‘A record that no one can break for the next year or two.’

The Girls’ League achieves.

The Girls’ League will become a legend.

We will make full use of that proven track record to conquer the market.

“… … .”

The conference room was plunged into a heavy silence. It was broken, as before, by

“If this is the case, I really have no choice but to go… … .”

It was Hong Gyu-heon.

“We’re moving to a new building! The company’s size has expanded tenfold! We’re becoming a major planning company!”

The executives cheered.

Looking at that, Joara’s heart fluttered. Thinking that she, the entire Girls’ League, and all of Garo Enter had created this scenery together, she couldn’t help but feel elated.

“ah…….”

It’s to the point where moans of pleasure just escape from between my lips.

“haha…….”

Joara was present when her cousin was born. The whole family was delighted to see her cousin in her aunt’s arms.

At that time, Joara’s mother said this.

‘It was like this when you were born too.’

Everyone was so happy.

Joara thought that if she could see the day she was born, this would be what it would feel like.

Feeling loved by the world.

‘Thank you all.’

If I hadn’t been with them, I would never have felt this happy in my entire life.

Joara felt her eyes turn red and closed them to savor the happiness.

‘thank you…….’

but.

“You talk as if everything is over.”

Joara banged the table curiously.

Son Hye-bin and Min Kyung-seop, who were dancing on the table, were startled.

Joara smiled brightly.

“Is it over if I just sort things out overseas?”

“Uh, yeah?”

“My uncle used to say that in the past. Korea is called the EPL (English Premier League). Doing well overseas? That’s great. But, if you can’t take care of your own country, don’t you feel bad?”

“Araya, but ‘Automata’ is going to be destroyed like a dog in Korea… … .”

After a while, Min Kyung-seop quietly laid his head on the table as if he had fainted.

“Whether it’s the move to a new building, a US tour or a world tour, I’m happy after the EPL ends.”

As the name suggests, the EPL of K-pop is, of course, Korea.

Joara wanted to finish it in Korea first.

“This HPT Music Awards.”

The place is Hong Kong.

This year’s HPT Music Awards is bigger than any other Korean pop music awards show, as expected from an award show hosted by a subsidiary of a media conglomerate.

“We will aim for the place that first brought us the glory of the main prize.”

Album of the Year, Music of the Year, and Grand Prize. Of course, these can be called the main trophies.

If it were a normal awards ceremony, that is.

However, performance is so important in K-pop that it is also called performance pop.

So the Performance of the Year award has the same status as the main trophy. It is an award that can be won by the group that showed the best performance throughout the year among all K-pop idols.

“I’m going to win one of the main trophies, the Performance of the Year award.”

That was the goal this time.

And then the next ones will get it.

Album of the Year, Music of the Year, and finally the Grand Prize.

The year after next, maybe next year.

This is one of the steps leading up to the target, to the top.

“Let’s plant the flag in Korea first.”

“okay.”

Seongpil’s expression also glowed with excitement, just like Joara’s.

“That’s right. That’s how we can be Araji.”

The Girls’ League is gradually advancing towards the top.

* * *

The awards ceremony is coming up soon.

Erica of Kaius has become an ambassador for a precious metal brand.

She accessorized her ears, hands, and neck with a variety of colorful jewelry provided by the brand, but without being over-the-top.

After finishing the photo shoot for the brand advertisement, we went into the interview.

Personal stories, group stories, and current stories.

“The year will soon come to an end, and when it comes to ending the year for idols, it has to be an award ceremony, right?”

All idols compete with their own unique stage performances. It’s not a contest, but it is a competition.

All idol fans watch the award ceremonies.

Some call it ‘an opportunity to legally rip off other people’s fans.’

As it is an event that attracts the attention of K-pop fans around the world, the attention it receives is different from that of other broadcasts.

“Is there an award that you say you absolutely want to receive?”

Erica answered with a confident, if not arrogant, smile.

“It’s the target.”

Grand Prize.

The most prestigious trophy awarded to the top.

“What… what is the target?”

The interviewer was momentarily taken aback. He had expected Erica to humbly reply, “I would gratefully accept any award.”

Top tier seniors are active and their eyes are wide open, and they are called the target?

Erica continued her story, oblivious to the interviewer’s embarrassment.

“Isn’t that obvious?”

Erica raised her index finger.

“Is Caius now number one in every way?”

Caius.

Highest album sales among all girl groups.

Music chart performance, #1 on major monthly charts for 3 months.

“I think you are qualified to be the target.”

no.

Erica shook her head.

“I’m sure.”

“What about WTP?”

“Let me correct this. Among girl groups.”

Caius, aiming for the top this year.