wavenovel Chapter 1446 New Job
Chapter 1446 New Job
Chapter 1446 New Job
"Arrangement?"
Park Jin-young quickly explained his purpose, and Ji Kyung-won, upon hearing this, asked with some curiosity, "Is it your new song, hyung?"
He and Park Jin-young kept in touch quite frequently. Apart from occasionally chatting, they often discussed work and music-related matters.
"Yes, it was written a while ago, and it's a song that was originally intended to be the title track of Twice's new album."
"Twice's new title track? Did hyung write it himself?"
Before Park Jin-young could finish speaking, Ji Kyung-won couldn't help but interrupt and ask.
"Yes, it's a song I wrote last year, and it's already confirmed that it will be included as the title track of the new album. It was already confirmed in the previous planning. Twice's recent albums are part of a series project."
Park Jin-young seemed to sense Ji Kyung-won's interest from his tone and explained with a smile.
"so……"
Ji Kyung-won did have this idea. If it were just an ordinary song, his enthusiasm would be limited to work, but if it were Tzuyu's title track, he would be quite interested.
“It’s quite interesting, the inspiration for this song is because… well, it’s really special.” Park Jin-young’s voice sounded strangely warm on the phone.
After a pause, he continued, "I have high hopes for this song. Everything else is pretty much done, but I always feel that the lyrics and arrangement, especially the arrangement, are lacking. You know Jingyuan from our company..."
He paused briefly, giving Chi Jingyuan time to consider: "So I'd like you to give it a try... I'm one of the people who knows your skill level best."
"..."
Park Jin-young is a very talented music producer in K-pop, and his straightforward praise was something that even Ji Kyung-won appreciated.
But before he could even feel a little smug, he heard the guy add, "And... Kyungwon, you know Twice very well too."
"..."
These words instantly extinguished the pleasure Chi Jingyuan had just felt.
It feels like the second reason is the real one.
"..."
After a brief silence, Chi Jingyuan's interest was piqued: "Then bro, send me the song, I'll take a look... I happen to have some free time these two days, I don't have to film."
"Okay, I'll send it to you right away."
Park Jin-young could tell from Ji Kyung-won's tone that he was interested, and immediately chuckled: "Haha, that's why I asked you for help, since I found out about this."
"Although arranging is the main job, it's not just about arranging. You can also tell me about other things, including lyrics, and even good ideas."
After saying that, Park Jin-young added another sentence.
The reason he brought Ji Kyung-won into the project this time is not like the collaboration on "Cheer Up," where he wanted to leverage Ji Kyung-won's popularity and hype... Twice doesn't need that anymore.
This time it's because Park Jin-young really values this song, and he truly recognizes Ji Kyung-won's talent.
In Park Jin-young's eyes, Ji Kyung-won's abilities in songwriting and production are outstanding. What he admires and respects most is Ji Kyung-won's grasp of the market and popular trends. This can be seen from the fact that Ji Kyung-won has almost monopolized the annual songs in recent years. Just looking at the digital sales of his hit songs, Ji Kyung-won is the best K-pop artist in recent years.
So after feeling that the song was always a little lacking, he wanted to collaborate with Ji Kyung-won to make the song even more exciting.
"..."
Ji Jingyuan and Park Jin-young chatted for a while about the general style and requirements, exchanged a few pleasantries with smiles, and finally asked, "So when will it be completed?"
"It depends on your schedule, Jingyuan. It would be best if it were before February... The kids' new album is expected to be released in April, so we need to allow enough time for production."
"Okay, I see."
After hanging up the phone, Chi Jingyuan looked at the lit-up phone screen and, thinking about the new job he had just received, a long-lost sense of motivation and enthusiasm for work rekindled within him.
He didn't have this feeling when they collaborated on "Cheer Up" last time; back then, Tzuyu and her group were just a relatively unknown new girl group.
Twice is really something now. Last year, they even managed to compete with him for Song of the Year with a funny song like "Signal".
Although he hadn't heard the melody yet, a sudden thought and inspiration popped into Chi Jingyuan's mind.
However, I still need to wait for Park Jin-young to send me the song, and then I'll look at the sheet music and listen to the demo before I watch it.
Back in Byun Baekhyun's dressing room, Park Chanyeol and Oh Sehun were still chatting away around Byun Baekhyun as he was getting his makeup done.
"What's wrong? Why are you on the phone for so long? Your girlfriend?"
Upon seeing Ji Kyung-won return, Oh Se-hun asked curiously.
"I got a new job."
Ji Jingyuan gave a perfunctory answer, then, remembering what Park Jin-young had just said about the timing, casually asked, "By the way, after Baekhyun hyung's solo, is XO's album coming out soon too?"
EXO's new album was originally scheduled for release at the end of last year, but it was postponed due to the Kim Jong-hyun incident, and there is still no definite release date.
"I guess it's... probably around February or March. I heard Cheng Yuan mention it last time."
"I see... What a pity~"
Chi Jingyuan nodded slightly upon hearing this.
At this point, EXO probably won't run into Twice head-on.
Why does he feel it's a pity?
Without discussing it further, Ji Jingyuan walked behind Byun Baekhyun and watched the stylist diligently styling and applying makeup. He joked, "Tsk, Baekhyun hyung's look for this solo stage is amazing. He could totally be the visual center of a major group."
"Really? Hahaha~"
Upon hearing this, Byun Baekhyun couldn't help but laugh out loud, clearly quite satisfied with the result.
"By the way, who's the visual in our group again?" After laughing for a while, Byun Baekhyun looked in the mirror and suddenly asked with some doubt, "Is it Kyungwon?"
"..." Chi Jingyuan smiled with narrowed eyes and chuckled without replying.
"How could it be him?"
Before Chi Jingyuan could speak, Wu Shixun interrupted, "I remember... it definitely wasn't him, um, it was Luhan, wasn't it?"
"Is it Luhan?" Byun Baekhyun also recalled.
"I think so." Wu Sehun nodded. He was a little unsure at first, but as the conversation went on, he became more and more convinced that he was right: "I am actually the face of the group."
"Actually... it was me."
At this moment, Park Chanyeol, who was standing next to him, finally spoke up quietly.
The two men, who were just having a lively discussion a moment ago, suddenly fell silent, while Ji Kyung-won couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Hahaha……"
Park Chanyeol felt embarrassed, so he grabbed Oh Sehun, who was laughing uncontrollably after realizing what had happened, and the group started fooling around.
At this moment, Baekhyun's manager walked in from outside. He couldn't help but laugh a couple of times when he saw these people, and then said, "A new boy group will be coming to visit later. It's from JYP. Baekhyun, you guys get ready."
When junior artists visit senior artists backstage during music shows and events, they usually need to communicate with the senior artist's manager in advance to avoid inconveniencing the senior artist.
"Okay, hyung," Byun Baekhyun replied.
"JYP's new boy group?"
Upon hearing this, Chi Jingyuan looked over.
A few minutes later, while Chi Kyung-won and a few others were chatting on the sofa next to them, there was a knock on the door of the dressing room, and soon a group of male idols dressed in unique styles walked in.
"Senior, anihaseyo, we are Stray Kids~"
Nine people stood in a row, led by the member who appeared to be the captain, and loudly introduced themselves, bowing at a ninety-degree angle.
Sure enough, that's JYP's style.
Upon seeing this, Chi Jingyuan couldn't help but mentally complain.
Although he had never met them, he knew about this boy group... He had heard Tzuyu and Nayeon mention them.
Last year, due to strategic adjustments, EXO expanded into overseas markets, but lost a large number of fans in their home country. Their previously dominant market share also declined significantly, and even new groups like Wanna One emerged and launched a challenge.
JYP Entertainment has clearly set its sights on the lucrative boy group market. Drawing on the successful experience of Twice's debut, they created a survival show for boy groups in the latter half of last year, which resulted in the boy group they formed.
This is Stray Kids right in front of you.
When the show was being produced and aired, he often heard Lim Nayeon and the others mention it. It was a pity that Ji Kyungwon hadn't watched a single episode. Now, sitting on the sofa, he was observing these newly debuted rookies with great interest.
In terms of appearance, they were all rather green and not particularly handsome at first glance. On the contrary, he found a few who were rather average... very average.
Their clothing and makeup also have a JYP style, and overall they look somewhat similar to EXO when they first debuted.
It has a flashy yet undeniably tacky style... unique to JYP. I also gave Ji Kyung-won this feeling when Twice debuted.
Everyone seemed very nervous... but that's what newcomers are like.
Occasionally, eye contact would occur during the observation, but Chi Jingyuan also noticed that several people inside were not paying attention to their master, Byun Baekhyun, but instead seemed to be secretly observing him.
The look in her eyes clearly showed that she recognized him.
"Hello everyone~"
As the host of the lounge and a senior member of the boy group, Byun Baekhyun responded politely and warmly, chatting with the leader who introduced himself as Bang Chan.
"Ah, seeing the younger generation now, I feel old."
“Ani, XO has always been our idol. We have practiced almost all of their songs.”
"Senior, this is our album."
"This is... an album?"
"Yes, we debuted as a group through the boy group survival show 'Stray Kids'... It's a show similar to 'Sixteen' which Kyungwon senior participated in."
As they were talking, the topic suddenly turned to Chi Jingyuan.
"Oh? You've seen 'Sixteen'?"
Hearing this, Chi Jingyuan, who had been silent, glanced at him and asked with a light laugh.
He felt that Fang Can was specifically mentioning him... because he had just noticed that several members of Stray Kids were paying close attention to him, especially the leader, who had glanced at him several times.
"Yes, we've watched all the variety shows that Twice debuted on, and Yuan has always been my idol, and..."
Upon hearing this, Fang Can immediately replied honestly, his tone tinged with nervousness.
He paused for a moment, seemingly a little embarrassed: "Besides, I know Nayeon and Jeongyeon. I was originally planning to ask them to introduce me, but I didn't expect to meet Yuan today. I'm really honored and excited."
As he spoke, he scratched his head and gave a silly-looking smile.
“JYP is really a big family. Nayeon and Jeongyeon already have juniors.”
Chi Jingyuan chuckled.
He knew this person was right. He had known Lim Nayeon and the others since their trainee days, and they had a good relationship. Ji Kyungwon had heard Yoo Jeongyeon and the others mention it a few times.
And this captain is actually quite smart.
"...Are you here to promote your music today? Is this your official debut?"
“Ani, we have only released a pre-release album so far. We will officially debut in March.”
"Fighting!"
Seemingly because of the relationship between Lim Nayeon and Yoo Jeongyeon, Ji Kyungwon gestured with his fist to encourage them.
…………
After spending some time in Byun Baekhyun's dressing room, the Stray Kids members bowed respectfully to say goodbye.
"Is this XO?"
"I never thought much of it when I saw it on TV, but seeing it up close really..."
On their way back, Stray Kids gathered together and chatted. Liang Jingyin immediately sighed.
"Indeed, he's quite handsome." Han Zhicheng nodded, seemingly a little envious.
The EXO members I just met—Ji Kyung-won, Park Chan-yeol, and Oh Se-hun—are recognized as being among the top visuals in EXO. Having close contact with the newly debuted Stray Kids members, putting aside everything else, their visuals alone provided a stark and almost bullying comparison.
The male idols who are able to debut are all considered to be good-looking, confident, and even narcissistic, but after just one meeting, their confidence was instantly shaken.
"This senior Yuan is really cool, isn't he? He just sat there without moving, but I couldn't help but keep looking at him," Han Zhicheng couldn't help but say again.
"You've fallen in love with him?"
"I've fallen in love with you."
"Actually, I've been watching Yuan too... even though I was visiting BAEKHYUN."
"Otherwise what? We hear about him every day at the company. Our manager has repeatedly emphasized that we must be polite when we encounter him." Hwang Hyun-jin curled his lip.
"Exactly, they're clearly idols from SM Entertainment, but there are so many rumors about them within our company."
"Ignoring everything else, what I hear most about is his rumored relationship with Twice."
Several people spoke up one after another, and as soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the group of people immediately changed subtly.
Because... Ji Kyung-won is indeed a very famous person at JYP.
"Did he really date some of the members of Twice?"
"Yes, Mina is a definite no-no. Everyone knows that. It's an open secret within Twice."
"But I heard they've already broken up~" Han Zhicheng lowered his voice: "I heard he was... dumped."
"And there's Tzuyu-senpai, who I heard has been dating for many years."
"How old is Tzuyu-senpai this year? Ugh..."
"Tzuyu is so beautiful now, she's absolutely gorgeous, and her figure is amazing too."
"Tsk tsk, this is Tzuyu, it's Mina, it's Twice..."
"Ah, that's... awesome."
The tone of the few people's voices clearly showed amazement, envy, and jealousy.
It would be a lie to say that they had no thoughts about their senior girl group from the same company, which is now Twice, one of the top girl groups in the K-pop scene.
"Chan, aren't you being too reserved?"
Huang Xuanchen, whose tone had already been rather unpleasant and who seemed somewhat resentful at being suppressed, suddenly spoke up, looking at Fang Can: "Even if it's XO, even if it's Yuan... you don't have to be so obsequious, do you? Look at the way you were just now?"
Clearly, he was annoyed by the way Captain Fang Can had been trying to curry favor with him and practically fawning over him.
As soon as he spoke, the surrounding area fell silent, and several members looked over.
But Captain Fang Can glanced at him and curled his lip in disdain:
"As a top-tier boy group idol, isn't it normal for him to build a good relationship with such a talented senior?"
"Besides, if I don't try to please him, why would I try to please you?"