Crossing the Sea to Japan
"Nice to meet you. I am Jung Yuyoung of Label Echo Sound, who previously reached out to you via email."
Dressed in a sharp, clean suit—a style completely unlike her usual look—Section Chief Jung folded her hands in front of her and bowed at a precise thirty-degree angle without bending her waist. Watching her, Suyun awkwardly followed suit.
"Nice to meet you. I am Ha Suyun, the guitarist of Group Sound under Label Echo Sound."
"Nice to meet you. I am Takeshita Hideki of Crown Entertainment."
The man facing them had rather sparse hair on the crown of his head. Section Chief Jung carefully pulled out her business card, holding it by both corners with both hands, and offered it to him.
"Your business card is very clean!"
"Ms. Jung Yuyoung, there is a title written on your card. How do I read this?"
"It is gwajang—Section Chief!"
Watching this unfold, Suyun wondered if this was a business card exchange or some sacred ritual. Seeing how they treated the cards like precious family heirlooms, placing them carefully on top of their wallets instead of just slipping them into a pocket or cardholder, only reinforced that thought. If they were in Korea, they would have just shoved them into their pockets and been done with it.
"This is Miss Ha Suyun... the artist from our company whom I mentioned before!"
"Ah, is that so? Your artist is truly beautiful."
"Thank you."
"Shall we get down to business then...?"
At those words, Section Chief Jung Yuyoung pulled a massive stack of documents out of her bag with a loud thud. The man flinched slightly. The materials were packed with fan meeting photos and all kinds of data.
So that's what she was typing away so furiously on her laptop in the hotel room all night, Suyun thought, staring blankly at the desk. She really wished she had a cup of coffee.
"Hmm... This is not a decision we can make easily on our end."
"Of course, we understand that, but we would deeply appreciate it if you could look upon this favorably..."
"It's difficult... I don't think I can give you a definitive answer right away."
Takeshita adjusted his glasses slightly and looked at the two women in front of him. He could see the effort, but the businesswoman seemed young and somewhat naive. And the artist just sat there with a blank expression, looking thoroughly bored.
What did they call themselves? Label Echo Sound? It was true he didn't know much about the Korean music market, but even so, he had never heard of this agency. The same went for the band's name, Group Sound.
Of course, the materials they brought were impressive. They were artists capable of packing a small live house with a surprise guerrilla fan meeting. Their album sales were also excellent, considering they were in Korea. Even so...
Maybe I should tell them we'll review it positively, and then actually listen to their music later.
Normally, he would have just given them some polite platitudes like "We will look into it" and sent them on their way. But the materials they brought, even upon a brief glance, were surprisingly solid. It made him wish he had reviewed them beforehand. However, the other party seemed to want an immediate decision, as was typical in Korean business. Or at least an explicit statement that they would review it positively. Since he couldn't give them that, it was a rather awkward situation.
"Ah, excuse me."
"Is this about the matter you mentioned yesterday, Chief?"
"Yes. It's quite troublesome..."
"You said it didn't seem like a big deal."
"But the materials are actually quite good. Their track record and everything aren't bad. The problem is, I've never heard of them..."
"That's why I told you to listen to their music beforehand."
"How was I supposed to know it would turn out like this?"
Grumbling, Section Chief Takeshita tapped the documents in his hand. He wished he had some reference or opinion to go on.
"Ah. Yamaguchi-kun, didn't you say you've been listening to some Korean music lately?"
"Yes. It's my my-boom lately."
"Then that young, pretty girl over there. Have you seen her before?"
Takeshita pointed toward the meeting room. Following his gesture, Yamaguchi discreetly peeked inside. Then, as if remembering something, he lightly clapped his hands.
"I think I've seen her somewhere..."
"Where?"
"...Ah! That's her! The one from that YouTube Short a while ago."
Saying so, Yamaguchi pulled out his phone and showed him a video.
It was a girl playing an acoustic guitar and singing in what appeared to be Shinjuku. She was performing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" by The Beatles, a song Takeshita also loved. Her performance went beyond mere skill; she sang with a level of perfection rarely seen these days. Takeshita's eyes widened.
"...Wait, looking at this... No, I think I've seen her somewhere else too."
"Where else?"
Ignoring his question, Assistant Manager Yamaguchi fell into deep thought. Then, a moment later, he gasped.
"Ah! That's it!"
Yamaguchi immediately began searching on his phone. What he showed Takeshita was an article about the band-style new song, "Meteor", by the famous K-Pop idol group Aurora—a song that even Takeshita had thought was quite good.
"Her! Her name was Ha Suyun, right? And her band is Group Sound."
"How did you know?"
"She's incredibly famous in Korea. She and her band made this song too."
"What?"
Takeshita looked at the phone screen again. The composer's name... Ha Suyun ( ). The name he had heard earlier was indeed Ha Suyun.
While Takeshita stared at the article, Yamaguchi snatched the documents from his hands and quickly flipped through them.
"It's written right here. Composed Aurora's 'Meteor'. Sold out a 5,000-seat concert (Jangchung Arena). What were you doing, not reading this?"
"Well, I just skimmed it..."
Takeshita scratched his head. Since he had intended to reject them from the start, he hadn't seen any reason to review the materials thoroughly. He also hadn't wanted to hurt his pride by reading the documents in front of the negotiating party.
But looking at what Yamaguchi was telling him and the data in front of him... Although it would eventually have to go up to upper management, this was clearly a contract they had to sign. It made him wonder why other companies hadn't snatched them up already.
"This is awkward. I just went out there saying it would be difficult. If I go back in now and say we'll review it positively so please don't go to other companies, I'll lose face."
"Chief. They are absolutely guaranteed to succeed. And isn't the current offer for an import release? If we test the waters with imports and then transition to a formal album release, it's a guaranteed hit. It's better to swallow your pride and bend a little."
"I suppose..."
He stared at the documents a few more times, then at the article Yamaguchi showed him. After thinking for a moment, he decided to do as Yamaguchi suggested. What did a little lost pride matter? Besides, judging by the attitude they had shown earlier, they didn't seem like the type to realize what was happening and try to take advantage of the negotiation.
Takeshita walked back into the meeting room and sat down.
"Ahem! My apologies. There was an urgent matter I had to attend to. Thank you for your patience."
"Not at all!"
"I've reviewed the materials again. While it's difficult to give a definitive answer right this second... we've decided to move forward with a highly positive review."
"Yes?! Thank you so much!"
The other party immediately expressed her gratitude. Takeshita, feeling his worries were unfounded, continued.
"And since we are in discussions, if you could refrain from talking to other labels... In Japan, this kind of exclusivity is quite important. I hope you understand."
"Ah..."
However, Takeshita's assumptions were instantly shattered. The moment those words left his mouth, the other party, realizing the scales of power had tipped, immediately went on the offensive.
"That might be a bit difficult... We have to return to Korea soon, and we'd like to achieve some concrete business results before we go."
"Hmm. We will review this as quickly and actively as possible. I cannot make a unilateral decision, so I ask for your understanding..."
"Be that as it may... our stay here is quite short. And we already have meetings scheduled with other labels..."
Where had the energetic but naive businesswoman gone? Jung Yuyoung immediately bared her fangs, steering the negotiation to her advantage. Takeshita broke out in a cold sweat as he tried to respond.
The meeting room had transformed into a silent battlefield.
Only Suyun, who was simply thinking, Can we go back to the hotel now? felt utterly miserable...
After returning to Korea.
"Oh~ is that the super-kawaii Korean high school girl guitarist?"
"As expected, the super-kawaii Korean high school girl guitarist even makes a kawaii entrance."
"Super-kawaii... whatever... hello..."
"Do you all want to die?"
She had no idea when, where, or how that Short had spread. It was the very video that had blindsided Suyun, who had let her guard down after being told it wouldn't be broadcast.
It was filled with tacky Japanese fonts and titles like:
People had taken that video and turned it into "national pride" YouTube content to suck up views and make money. How they made their money was none of Suyun's business. In a way, they were promoting her and Group Sound, so even if she couldn't thank them, she had no reason to stop them.
But what was she supposed to do about the sheer embarrassment she had to endure in the process?
Even right now, looking at the trio teasing her with modifiers like "super-kawaii" that they had dug up from Lord knows where, her blood pressure was rising.
"Whatever, let's just get to the meeting."
"Understood, super-kawaii Korean high school girl guitarist..."
Iseor refused to stop. Suyun quickly stepped forward and smacked Iseor's mouth. But even after getting hit, Iseor kept making a smug, annoying face.
"Stop it."
"Stooop iit."
"I said stop. Huh? Stop it. Cut it out. Are my words a joke to you?"
"I can't hear you~"
Fuming with rage, Suyun grabbed Iseor's hair.
Even as she screamed "Aaargh!", Iseor kept trying to run away and tease her. Suyun tried to catch and beat her, but she was overpowered and ended up being swung around instead. Hyun-ah and Seoha giggled in the background.
"The meeting is starting. Please come in~"
While this scene was being captured by a staff member's camera, Section Chief Jung Yuyoung poked her head out of the meeting room door. What was happening outside was a daily occurrence, so it didn't phase her in the slightest.
"...And that concludes the results of our business trip to Japan! Thank you!"
Confirming the scale of the Japanese fandom through the guerrilla fan meeting. And signing a formal import contract with Crown Entertainment (in progress).
There were a few other minor matters, but those were the two major ones worth discussing in the meeting. And Section Chief Jung Yuyoung had successfully accomplished them all. Of course, the negotiations with Crown Entertainment were still ongoing.
"This is a magnificent achievement. Section Chief Jung, you can look forward to a nice bonus..."
"Thank you!"
At Hye-in's words, Section Chief Jung Yuyoung pumped her fist in joy. Next up was Team Leader Ko Kyungmin.
"Thanks to Section Chief Jung, Group Sound's entry into the Japanese market will proceed under highly favorable conditions. However..."
The materials he pulled up on the PPT were about the next concert. Specifically, a presentation listing potential concert venues.
The name stamped at the very top of the slide was "KSPO DOME."
"There is something we must not forget. Our next concert."
Maximum capacity of 15,000. Practical capacity of around 10,000. Excluding Gocheok Sky Dome or stadiums, it was practically the largest indoor arena in Korea.
"Last time, we sold out Jangchung Arena. If we fail to completely fill the KSPO DOME... even though it would still be an incredible feat, people will think: 'Ah, I see. Even for Group Sound, filling a venue like the KSPO DOME is too much.'"
After saying that, Kyungmin paused for a moment... then shook his head and spoke again.
"We can't let them say that. Look at the path we've walked. Thirty thousand tickets sold. A highly successful concert tour. A sold-out Jangchung Arena. Even our latest EP has sold over twenty thousand copies without any major merchandise inclusions. If so, our next goal is naturally..."
The PPT transitioned to the next slide.
Looking at the words written there, Suyun wondered if this was even a realistic goal, or if they were aiming far too high.
Target: 2-Day Sold-Out Show
Total Capacity: 20,000 Seats
"Selling out ten thousand seats for two consecutive days. A combined total of twenty thousand sold-out seats. That is our goal."