[FW: Hello from LIL]
The sender of the email was Fan Marketing Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung.
Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung forwarded an email that was sent to the official HIT Entertainment Fan Marketing Team email address to Do Wook along with a translated version.
‘Why is Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung sending me an email…?’
Wondering, Do Wook opened the email. However, it was difficult to look at the contents immediately. Manager Oh Baek Ho was rushing the members into the car, saying that it was time to leave.
The members, who had gotten into the car, searched online about the domes. They had only had a vague dream of doing a dome tour, they hadn’t thought about the details yet.
“Wow…this is on a different level, starting with venue capacity!”
“It says the Tokyo Dome can accommodate 55,000 people. So big…”
Ahn Hyung Seo said in admiration. Suk Ji Hoon also muttered as he looked at a picture of the Tokyo Dome. Jung Yoon Ki, who was next to him, also read the information about the other domes.
“The Sapporo Dome is 50,000, The Osaka Kyocera Dome is 40,000, The Fukuoka Yahoo Japan Dome is 40,000, the Nagoya Dome is 40,000.”
Of course, the capacity depends on how the auditorium is set up, but the general capacity amount didn’t vary much.
You could tell the prestige of performing at the dome just by capacity alone. Everyone shook their heads, saying it was difficult to even imagine the numbers Jung Yoon Ki had read out.
“We’re going to all of these?”
Manager Oh Baek Ho, who was sitting in the passenger seat, looked in the rear-view mirror and answered Kim Won’s question. Originally, he planned on telling the members once they got back to the office in Korea and the schedule was figured out, but the members were too excited.
Manager Oh Baek Ho replied as he took his cell phone out and checked the information he received from the concert representative,
“Let’s see…Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagoya…and Sapporo. 5.”
“Crazy.”
“Really??”
All the members had a surprised expression. Do Wook was surprised too.
“A 5-city dome tour means…”
Among the singers who had performed at domes, there were only a few singers who had performed at all 5 domes. A dome tour was difficult for even popular Japanese singers.
“Were we that popular in Japan?”
Ahn Hyung Seo muttered, dazed. The other members were dazed too. Understandably, the members had a harder time reading the reactions in real time in Japan than in Korea. The translator, who was accompanying the dazed members, explained,
“You’re very popular. Of course, the 5-dome tour is possible because fans from other Asian countries, such as Korea and China, would come to watch the performance too. And you completed the arena tour in Japan with no issues last year…”
“Oh…is that so?”
“Yes. As you’ve seen at the record studio, the vibe is like that in all record studios. You could even say all K-POP fans in Japan like KK.”
What the translator said, knowing the local situation well, made it hard for the KK members to conceal their pride.
“On top of that, I think the recent activities definitely left an impression on the general Japanese public. Though, I don’t think there’s anyone not interested in idol music.”
Do Wook nodded his head as he listened to what the translator was saying.
‘The TV appearances and performances definitely helped a lot…’
The choice to entrust Nakamoto with all of the Japanese activities was indeed an excellent choice.
“Oh! Ah! We’re definitely a popular group!”
Ahn Hyung Seo pointed outside the window as he yelled. It was a billboard with a photo of KK’s album jacket.
“Rather than being a popular group, that’s just an advertisement…”
Jung Yoon Ki scolded him, but Ahn Hyung Seo didn’t pay it much attention and just said whatever he wanted. He was already on cloud nine about the dome tour.
“I heard the sound facilities are really good…I should practice more for the live performance.”
The other members also nodded their heads at what Ahn Hyung Seo said. Ahn Hyung Seo seemed to think once again that he should use the recent Japanese activities to refine his own unique weapon a little more and make progress.
Honestly, compared to other groups, Ahn Hyung Seo wasn’t behind or lacking. It was just that he had areas he could improve on.
Before their debut, there was a time when he felt inferior to Do Wook over the main vocalist position. But now, Ahn Hyung Seo had become a person who chose to improve himself rather than be discouraged from being told he was a little lacking.
“It’s a relief that we have a lot of time to practice since we don’t have other activities scheduled when we get back to Korea,”
Do Wook said as he thought about the future activities.
KK’s next full-length album was aimed for May. Until then, there were no events scheduled other than regular individual members’ activities or large festivals.
Of course, even now, the album production team was still working hard to prepare for the next album, including Team Leader Shim Joon. Do Wook was also writing songs from time to time, contemplating what would be good for the next album. Even if they got a song from a different composer, Do Wook would make the final decision.
It was the album right after receiving the grand prize, so Do Wook was honestly feeling a little pressured.
‘The only thing that helps relieve the pressure is that I can predict the trends…’
However, knowing the trends is just one big factor that makes good music, it is not an absolute standard.
For example, during the height of techno music, countless songs based on techno came out, but not all songs were loved by the public.
‘Songs that go beyond time don’t even follow trends…’
Do Wook thought. KK’s music had now firmly established itself in the Korean market. It had also been proven to do well in the Japanese market.
‘And for this album, it’s time to tap into a slightly wider market.’
With that in mind, Do Wook opened the cell phone in the car, whose vibe had only just settled down. He properly checked the email Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung had sent.
[FW: Hello from LIL.]
Looking at the title, Do Wook recalled who LIL was.
‘Can it be…’
Do Wook felt his heart pounding as he clicked on the email. Do Wook only knew of one ‘LIL’.
‘A collaboration proposal between KK and LIL…’
Do Wook’s eyes grew wide after reading the sentence in bold text. It was a proposal for collaboration between KK and LIL.
If they were proposing a collaboration, it was most likely the LIL that Do Wook knew. LIL was a global pop star who was No. 2 on the Annual Billboard Chart last year.
He was a legend among legends, topping the Billboard chart with his debut song when he debuted last year. He made his name known worldwide with just one song, and the song he released afterwards was loved even more, making him a globally exalted star in the short span of a year.
Of course, many felt they’d need to keep an eye on his future musical activities, but ‘IN THE DARK’ and ‘SOMEONE’ that LIL released last year were already masterpieces that would remain for a long time.
They were songs that ‘stood the test of time’ and did well in a ‘large market’ like Do Wook was just thinking about.
“Also, he’ll be loved for 10 more years. He’ll release a few more hit songs too…’
LIL had risen to the top as a male solo artist.
Do Wook quickly read the text that was translated to Korean. As expected, it was the LIL that Do Wook thought about. The representative of LIL’s management company had sent the email.
It said that he enjoyed listening to KK’s music, and admired how modern the music for ‘LAST DANCE’ was. It also said that he was a singer who only sings while standing still, so he was really impressed when he watched how KK sings and dances during their performances.
It also stated that LIL had personally watched the ‘Howl’ performance version of the music video several times.
The overall summary was that LIL was currently planning a collaboration album filled with songs that he would collaborate on with other singers, and wanted to do a song with KK.
“My goodness.”
Do Wook, who had read up to there so far, put his cell phone on his lap for a moment and muttered in surprise.
It was an amazing situation even now, but Do Wook, who knew that LIL would become an even bigger star in the future, couldn’t stop his hands from trembling a little.
Of course, it wasn’t a full-length album, but just participating in a special album was thrilling.
LIL was a star that came from the American market. The American market was the largest in the global music market. Honestly, the American market *was* the global market. Participating in LIL’s album meant that they could dip their toe into that global market a little bit.
“How did this happen…”
Of course, it was true that KK was gaining popularity among fans in each country. However, it was concentrated in Asia.
Do Wook became curious, starting with how LIL encountered KK’s music.
“Is something wrong…”
Seeing Do Wook muttering, Park Tae Hyung, who was sitting next to Do Wook and idly looking out the window, asked Do Wook. Do Wook shook his head.
“No, it’s nothing,”
Do Wook replied first then looked at his cell phone again.
Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung had sent the email to Album Production Team Leader Shim Joon. Do Wook was CC’d.
As the album producer for KK, Do Wook received the email.
The actual content of the email was that he wanted to work with the producer who produced the ‘LAST DANCE’ album.
Do Wook clenched his fist tight.
He was recognized by a global artist. His heart was overflowing.
Below the contents of the email, Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung’s comment was added.
[I was also confused when I received the email.
I had sent an email on a whim because I remembered after talking to you, Team Leader Shim Joon. I didn’t know he’d reply back.
I plan to send a reply after discussing it with both of you.
He sent the detailed conditions in an attached file, I think we should review it together.
When Do Wook and the KK members return to Korea, I’d like to schedule a meeting as soon as possible.]
Of course, Do Wook was also eager to schedule it quickly. If he could, he wanted to dash to the office as soon as he lands at Gimpo Airport and have a meeting.
He wanted to shout this news to the members and extend the joy they felt about the dome tour. However, it wasn’t confirmed yet, and they had only just received the proposal. A collaboration project easily collapses if you don’t go about it the right way.
Even if they met all his conditions, if it didn’t produce good music they wouldn’t be able to put it in the album.
So he couldn’t tell the members prematurely. He didn’t want to see the members get their hopes up and then be disappointed.
Do Wook quickly sent a message to Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung that he was fine with any time after he arrived in Korea tonight at 7pm and to schedule it at his own convenience.
Even after receiving a reply from Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung that he understood, Do Wook was struggling to calm down his trembling heart. He opened the window a little because he seemed to be getting hot.
Working with LIL. It felt like a dream. It was a dream he had never even imagined.
“Achoo, Do Wook…it’s the middle of winter right now…”
Suk Ji Hoon, who didn’t know the situation, coughed in the back seat and carefully said something to Do Wook.
“Ah ah. Sorry, sorry.”
Do Wook quickly closed the window again, embarrassed. However, he was still so excited that it felt like he was walking on clouds.
Do Wook, who was ruminating as he reread the email, suddenly had a question about Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung’s response.
‘Did Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung…send an email first?’
—
Next chapter: A meeting is held to discuss the collaboration with LIL