A building in Gangnam, where V TV’s Korean branch was located. The conference hall was crowded with numerous people. There were so many people that they couldn’t close the conference room door.
It was almost time for KK’s press conference to start.
The point of KK’s press conference was to talk about V TV’s ‘COME HERE’ broadcast, which aired last night American time and would air this morning Korean time.
KK had even received a death threat on the day of their first concert. This was the first time they returned to Korea since the incident, so of course the Korean fans and public were very interested.
Interest would have been high even without an incident happening. KK was, in name and in reality, the best export produced by the Korean music world.
Furthermore, it was rare for KK to hold a press conference in Korea.
Honestly, KK’s ‘Continue’ activities went far beyond the framework of the current singers’ activities. It was true, from completely refusing to appear on music broadcasts, to streaming their comeback on the new medium meApp, even doing guerilla performances all over.
They did performances in various cities in America immediately after.
They connected with offline fans and the public directly by performing in various places, and even when they were in America, they interacted with fans enough through social media.
However, they didn’t have separate appearances or interviews on Korean broadcasts, so from the perspectives of public broadcasts or media companies, it might not feel like enough communication with KK.
That was why HIT Entertainment was holding something as grand as a press conference. Today’s press conference was an opportunity to quench the thirst of the media outlets in Korea.
It was also a gesture from HIT Entertainment to show that they weren’t neglecting the domestic media.
“In 5 minutes…we’ll get started on time. Please get the area ready.”
Anyways, this was technically a promotional event for ‘COME HERE’ and the press conference was hosted by V TV.
The assistant manager of the V TV Korea branch’s public relations team silenced the hall, which was noisy like a street market. The KK members were already preparing for a press conference in the conference room next door.
It was the V TV representatives, not the members, who were nervous about the large-scale press conference so it wasn’t a big deal.
It had been a while since they had appeared in front of domestic media so there was definitely going to be a barrage of questions, but the KK members were already very used to the spotlight.
However, that wasn’t the case for the V TV representatives.
V TV’s headquarters in America was a huge broadcasting station with branches all over the world and broadcasts aired internationally, but the Korean branch was only in charge of adjusting the time zone of programs sent from America and editing and broadcasting them according to Korea’s taste.
They had never launched their own program before, so it was their first time organizing such a big event.
“We used to be a branch that HQ didn’t even pay attention to, thanks to KK we’re getting special treatment…”
“I think the aftermath of promoting the channel in Korea is significant too.”
“It also makes me happy seeing a program with Korean people as the main characters after only seeing foreigners on our shows.”
Contrary to how nervous they are feeling, the V TV representatives were in a very good mood.
They felt like they finally made it to Seoul after working in the outskirts.
5 minutes went by as the representatives chatted. The V TV PR Assistant Manager opened the conference room’s back door exactly on time and called the KK members over.
The members, who were sharply dressed, started coming in through the door one by one.
“Urrrggh.”
The PR Assistant Manager, for whom it was the first time doing this kind of event, frowned without realizing it and let out a small groan.
So many flashes poured out at once. The hall, which had briefly gotten quiet, started buzzing again.
The KK members went to their seats, waving their hands very skillfully. They said ‘hello!’, not forgetting to energetically greet the people who came to report on them.
Even though the KK members were seated, the requests from all around asking the members to smile and wave didn’t end.
The PR assistant manager quickly went over to the host’s area and said into the microphone,
“Ummm…the scheduled time today is about one hour. Don’t be too much in a rush, and…”
At some point the assistant manager’s tone became a soothing tone. Despite that, there was a rude reporter holding a camera who yelled, “Look this way”.
Yelling like that was rude, but instead of frowning the KK members smiled a little.
“Ok, sirs and ma’ams! We’ll start with questions first. Later, once we’re done, we’ll have photo time before we leave!”
Ahn Hyung Seo said in a playfully childish voice. Following Ahn Hyung Seo’s witty response, the V TV Assistant Manager quickly added.
“Ok. Umm…we’ll go in the predetermined order.”
The first person to ask a question was the reporter from KiMin Daily.
“First, I’d like to ask how you feel about the first broadcast of ‘COME HERE’ which aired in America last night.”
Jung Yoon Ki grabbed the microphone and started chattering.
“It still hasn’t been broadcast in Korea, but we heard that the first broadcast in America was very good. The viewers welcomed us so warmly when we went to V TV…haha. It felt nice. It feels very nice. Just the fact that our program is in America is an honor and also a bit of a pressure, but…it’s only the beginning, but since the results were good…umm, it feels like a burden has been lifted a bit and that I might fly away. That’s how it feels.”
The KK members were all smiles at Jung Yoon Ki’s answer.
Even the KK members only found out that they got a 9% on the American local real time viewer rating from the V TV representatives when they arrived at the press conference.
Considering that viewership for America’s most influential and popular audition entertainment programs was in the low 10 percent range, it was a huge record.
Taking into account not only America but also the broadcast that would be aired simultaneously around the world today and tomorrow on the V TV channel, there were even higher expectations for the broadcast.
Continuing on, the reporters asked things like what difficulty they had while performing for ‘COME HERE’, about the episodes, and how they felt about the death threat.
The KK members took turns answering questions. It was a friendly atmosphere.
As the atmosphere reached a peak, there was a new question from a reporter from the entertainment department.
“What are your plans for future activities? Many fans are looking forward to your next activities.”
“We’re thinking of releasing a full-length album either at the end of this year or early next year. However, we plan to vigorously continue doing individual activities. Tae Hyung, as you know, is appearing on Dancing Dancing and…you’ll be able to see our Kim Won act as MC on V TV America.”
Ahn Hyung Seo’s smoothly flowing answer made the reporters’ hands start moving faster.
Kim Won being an MC was new information. Flashes went off towards Kim Won and Kim Won smiled wide as he made a V-shape with his fingers.
Ahn Hyung Seo continued speaking,
“We also plan on releasing a solo or unit sound file soon. Really soon! Also, there’s activities planned for Ji Hoon and I, Ahn Hyung Seo, so please look forward to it!”
Ahn Hyung Seo’s words made the people in the press box burst into laughter.
They were taking a brief break from group activities, but he talked cheerily about how there weren’t any plans to take a break from individual activities.
“Also, we will have a fan meeting next month. It’s a fan meeting for the fans in Korea. Hyung Seo didn’t say the most important thing.”
Ahn Hyung Seo glared at Suk Ji Hoon for the reveal/diss. The fan meeting was one of the things the fans would be the most happy about.
Nodding his head, the reporter who had asked the question asked again. It seemed like activity plans weren’t what he really wanted to ask about.
“By the way, will future activities exclude domestic broadcast activities too? Besides certain broadcast stations, you haven’t been making appearances at all…there’s a lot of talk saying that maybe there’s some conflict…”
It was a very sensitive question.
Instantly, there was tension in the press conference hall.
However, it was also an expected question so Do Wook grabbed the microphone.
“That’s not the case at all. Due to promotional strategies and schedules…it’s true that during ‘Continue’ activities we weren’t able to do as many broadcast activities as we did in the past, but conflict…there’s nothing like that at all. We’re always grateful to all the places that invite us.”
There wasn’t a single person there who didn’t know that KK had boycotted broadcast stations because they did not treat KK properly due to the pressure from large agencies.
However, because the meApp performances were already a big success, the broadcast stations had already raised the white flag.
Director of Production Kwon Heung Jo’s ears were bleeding from constantly listening to broadcast stations say that they would always give it their all for KK’s performances during their next cycle of activities. For a while, they would have guest appearances every day.
Broadcast stations were now not only walking on eggshells around Ara Entertainment but also trying hard to join hands with HIT Entertainment.
Therefore, KK let it go now too. They couldn’t be at odds with broadcast stations forever anyways.
In response to Do Wook’s answer, a reporter from a specialty entertainment program raised their hand and asked,
“Are you going to appear on our live broadcast too?!”
Do Wook smiled and replied to the reporter’s bright voice.
“Of course. Please invite us any time.”
After that, the easy questions continued.
The journalists didn’t attack KK or ask untoward questions in an attempt to write provocative articles. KK was basically heroes who made Korea shine, along the same lines as sports stars. In such an atmosphere, if they were to write an unflattering article, it’d be them who would get cussed out.
The KK members, who successfully wrapped up the question portion, had a photo time with the reporters as promised.
They seemed at ease, but actually, even the members had been a little nervous that they would say something wrong.
Do Wook thought while he stood in front of the camera and, with a face straight out of a painting, struck different poses.
When the press conference that he had briefly been focused on ended, the thoughts that had constantly been bombarding Do Wook’s mind since yesterday came back.
‘In one fell swoop…I have to get it done in one fell swoop. I can’t let this opportunity pass me by.’
He was racking his brain about how he could effectively destroy Director Seo Joong Won instantly so that he would never show his face again.
Then, along with the flashes going off in front of him, possible methods quickly went through his head.
***
The ace up his sleeve that Director Seo Joong Won used for Valentine’s sake was M2M’s Chae Eun Ho.
The plan to release Chae Eun Ho’s solo album now, when M2M’s stock price was at its highest, and for Chae Eun Ho who was the most popular among them, was part of Ara Entertainment’s plan for the year.
Of course, Valentine being a part of Chae Eun Ho’s solo album activities was also part of Ara Entertainment’s fundamental ‘lump in the newbies and sell them’ strategy that they typically use for rookies.
Originally, they had planned to do this when Valentine released their 2nd single. However, there was no time. If this kept up, Valentine would get completely swallowed up by Young Women.
If that happened, Director Seo Joong Won could be reduced to an incompetent human being who lost twice to a small- to medium-sized agency, with M2M and then Valentine.
Therefore, Director Seo Joong Won accelerated the release of Chae Eun Ho’s solo album.
Valentine was also allowed to be listed as guests in many music broadcasts and entertainment programs that Chae Eun Ho would appear on.
He planned to get their recognizability as high as possible before Valentine even released their 2nd single.
He came to the conclusion that if they released their second single under those conditions, they would be able to overturn their track record with Young Women.
The day of Chae Eun Ho’s accelerated album release.
Chae Eun Ho’s comeback show, which would be broadcast live on meApp, also had a performance by Valentine prepared.
Do Wook had already realized their plans. Team Leader Lee Dae Hyung, who had acquaintances in Ara Entertainment, quickly figured out the plans.
Inside KK’s dormitory, Do Wook’s room.
Do Wook, who visited the music chart site, checked the music chart rankings.
1 – L.U.V, Chae Eun Ho
2 – Our Time, Young Women
.
.
.
Chae Eun Ho’s solo album topped the music chart as soon as it was released.
Do Wook checked the time. It was almost time for < Dancing Dancing > that Park Tae Hyung was on to air.
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