very supportive, all wholeheartedly cheering them on, waving their arms constantly, looking like they loved the performance of their junior group very much. 。Victoria and Chung Soo-jung will be perf...Chi Jingyuan's interview lasted about ten minutes. After it ended, he went to the display next to pd and took a look at the footage he had shot. After confirming that the amount shot was sufficient, he walked aside and changed to another member for an interview.
>>>>
Not everyone in the group was interviewed. The organizers chose five members, including Ji Jingyuan, who were more popular and fashionable for interviews. The others only had a group VCR and promotional videos shot.
This promotional video shoot lasted from noon to evening before finally wrapping up. After bidding farewell to the organizers' staff, the famished XO members hopped into their van and quickly grabbed a bite to eat before rushing off to their next appointment.
When we got back to the dormitory, it was past eleven o'clock, almost midnight. After queuing up for a wash, the members started their own evening activities. Some watched TV, some chatted, some made phone calls, and some ate late-night snacks and played video games.
Because of their work schedule, they are always most energetic at this time. Over time, this has become a habit. Unless their schedule is too packed and they are exhausted, they will usually come back and go to sleep immediately.
After chatting with Park Chan-hanyeol and a few others in the living room, Ji Jingyuan returned to bed and started playing video games. Just a few minutes later, he suddenly remembered what Jung Soojung had said before about their comeback.
Fx already performed their comeback stage on July 3rd, today, in 《》. During the 《!c》 live stream this afternoon, Ji-sung was busy, so I didn't see what was going on.
I heard someone say that their main song, "redht", stage performance this time is pretty good.
He just had time, so he put away his game console and began watching tonight's video of "!c" on his phone.
It's amazing how many artists have been making a comeback lately. I haven't heard of most of the idol groups who performed earlier. Judging by their makeup, stage set design, and songs, they don't seem to be from any major companies. Their music and choreography are average and lack any standout features. I guess they'll only promote for a song or two before fading into obscurity.
However, being able to appear on television is already pretty good. At least it means they have formal TV broadcast experience from singing shows, which is better than groups who can't even get on singing programs.
There are just too many idol groups out there. Every day, there are tons of new rookies debuting, and every day, a bunch of debuted idols fade away and go back to being normal people. Pool Kyung-won doesn't really keep up with them so he wouldn't even recognize them.
He kept scrolling until he finally saw the first group of idols he recognized, a familiar K-pop girl group, AOAs.
Since last October, aoa has been going for a sexier style. Following the release of "Short Skirt" at the beginning of the year, they released a mini album last month with the title song "Short Hair," which performed well.
This time, "Short Hair" doesn't feel like the previous two comebacks with a purely sensual and borderline style. This time, it's more of an improvement, with a vibe that leans towards both sensuality and vitality.
Since entering 2014, the overall trend of female groups in the K-pop scene has been very clear. The second-generation girl groups that were hugely popular and reached their peak in previous years have all entered a period of decline. Girls' Generation, with their highly publicized dating scandals, need not be mentioned. Kara suffered from member departures, 2ne1, which had just regained some popularity, was hit by unexpected setbacks, and it remains uncertain if they will continue to perform as a full group in the future.
Beyond the overall decline of second-generation groups, there are slowly gaining market share and surging in popularity, third-generation girl groups. Among them, several combinations like NK have been performing very well.
Besides, all of them have become popular this year.
After changing their style, aoa quickly rose to fame as a popular group among the third-generation girl groups.
Next, another familiar face appears. Following Tara's Park Ji-yeon, member Park Hyo-min also embarked on her solo journey.
T-ara's members, from their subgroups to solo artists, have been putting in a lot of effort to make a comeback. However, their overall image has been affected and it will be difficult to achieve their desired success if they can't change public perception.
As he was watching, Ji Jingyuan suddenly saw an unfamiliar girl group performing on stage. He found it quite interesting. Their performance and stage presence were good, and one of the members had a very unique look that didn't seem typical of an idol. He couldn't help himself and searched for more information about them.
They are called a rookie girl group that debuted last month. They can actually perform this well, so their debut results should be doing okay.
After watching the stages of both Sun and Beast, who have been competing for first place recently, it was finally time for f(x)'s turn at the end.
The ending performance was quite impressive, to say the least.
But when he saw Zheng Xiujing's gold-shoulder length hair paired with the black eye mask, Ji Jingyuan was truly taken aback.
This makeup look is really unique, but he doesn't quite get it. He just thinks it's weird.
Wearing headphones, he bobbed his head as he watched their main song "redht" stage performance. The choreography and stage presence were great, the rhythm was strong, and it had a very unique FX style.
It's just this lyric...
Chi Jingyuan checked the lyrics online and confirmed his opinion.
The lyrics of 《redht》 seem to allude to a certain event that happened before.
Whether it was intentional by the lyricist or arranged by s, there's a clear intention behind this.
Doing this might attract some attention, but it could easily cause unnecessary trouble. If the official response is too extreme, they could even forcibly stop the performance.
Never mind, it's none of my business.
Excluding the music itself, he thought the main song "redht" was pretty good. The style is very strong and the chorus is also catchy.
Ji Jingyuan only feels that the style of this song might not be to the taste of people on the peninsula, and it's hard to predict the specific results. However, it's estimated that it probably won't become a big hit.
I just hope everything goes smoothly, and I hope fx can make a comeback and rise in this overall declining environment for the second generation. Don't end up like Girls' Generation.
…………
After many discussions, the company has officially decided that our EXO's official fan name will be 'EXO-L'.
“The company has already begun setting up the official website for ‘exo-l’, and has cooperated with relevant enterprises to develop a mobile application that allows fans worldwide to register and log in. This app is currently in its preliminary testing phase, and if everything goes smoothly, it will be launched this month.”
In the meeting room, agency head Lee Seung Hwan and relevant staff members were introducing EXO's members to their newly confirmed official fan name. At the same time, the logo design for the fan club was displayed on the projector screen at the front. It was an EXO logo with a small "L" in the upper right corner.
Both teams' logos are similar to the usual ones, with only the English letters in the upper right corner being different.
"Exo-L What does that mean, oppa It sounds weird."
After listening, the members looked at each other with some confusion. Park Chan-wook asked first.
About EXO's official fan name, the company had been considering it for a long time and even assigned a task to the members to brainstorm and contribute their ideas.
...I just don't know if it's because I'm lacking in knowledge or imagination. After much deliberation and discussion, the twelve members couldn't come up with a name that they thought was good enough. In the end, we had to give up and leave it to the company to handle.
I didn't expect the official fan name to be announced today, and even the website and app are almost ready.
"'l' is the abbreviation of 'love', and 'l' happens to be between 'k' and 'm' in the English alphabet, connecting exo-k and exo."
Li Cheng Huan, who clearly had already learned about it thoroughly, explained to them with familiarity: “Therefore, ‘exo-l’ symbolizes not only all the fans who love EXO, but also represents EXO-K as a whole. This aligns with our slogan ‘we,’ and simultaneously embodies the mutual connection between EXO and its fans.”
"Wow, the meaning is really great, whoever came up with it." Hearing this explanation, several members' eyes lit up. Kim Junmyeon said happily.
Chi Jingyuan also nodded in agreement. He thought the fan name was great, both in format and meaning.
As long as it doesn't involve artist management, the supporting infrastructure in other areas, and the level of various design teams are really strong. EXO's every album has a different yet distinctive logo, and even this new fandom name is proof of that.
“Everyone thinks it's pretty good, right Haha…” Lee Seong-hwan smiled and nodded. His manager also thought it was great, and after laughing, he continued, “The official website will probably be officially launched at the end of the month or early August. Before that, the company will take a picture of us doing the 'l hand gesture' for promotion. By then, you guys will all need to post photos of yourselves doing the hand gesture on your SNS to help promote it.”
He spoke as he extended his right hand, with all but his index and thumb fingers closed together. His index and thumb formed a large 'L' shape. He added, "This is the gesture, from now on this will be our fans' symbol."
Seeing this, the other members also followed suit and made the same hand gesture, like they had encountered a fun toy. It felt very interesting.
“Exo-L, Exo-L, Exo-L…” Kim Jun Myeon repeated the fan name several times quickly, smacked his lips to savor it, and said to Lee Seung Hyun, “Brother, this name has a good meaning and vision, but it doesn’t feel very close when you say it. Should we consider giving our fans a more intimate nickname besides the official name”
"Nickname" Lee Seong-hwan glanced at the person beside him, then looked over after a mutual nod: "This doesn't matter much, but you guys should come up with your own nicknames yourselves. The company won't interfere."
"How is lone doing"
"Aren't you arguing with sone Wasn't xone the one you brought up last time"
"What about calling it 'lo' Reading 'o-l' backwards sounds quite close and friendly."
"Just call it 'l', it's convenient and straightforward."
"It's so straightforward... Anihaseyo, we... hahaha."
Several members put forward their own suggestions, but just like when they first came up with the fandom name, they were all names that made people feel helpless and want to complain. Some were imitations of others, while others were stiff and awkward.
Chi Jingyuan also began to think, pursing his lips and raising his eyes to look at the top for a while. After that, he took out his mobile phone and gestured on it a few times, then tentatively said:
When addressing someone intimately, many people like to add "兒" after their name, such as Chanyeol-ah, Sehun-ah, and Kyungsoo-ah. So why not just add "兒" after EXO-L's 'l', making it 'l-ah' In Korean pronunciation, ‘l-ah’...
"Alice."
…………
Pool Kyung-won's proposed nickname "AiLi" was widely accepted, especially by Bian Bo-xian who loved the term. Several department heads from Lee Seung-hwan's company also expressed their approval. The EXO fan nickname "AiLi" is basically set.
However, we can't say it yet. We have to wait until the 'EXO-L' fan club app and official website are officially launched before making a public announcement. The specific time should be around late July or early August.
After the meeting, EXO quickly tidied up and headed to the airport. They boarded a flight to Xia Guo's Rong City during dinner time.
Having held so many concerts, all the members are very familiar with the flow and stage performance, and no longer need to rehearse at the venue days in advance as they did at first.
Unless there are other schedules to attend locally, Exo only needs to fly to the destination the day before the concert now. Then, they go to the venue on the day of the concert for two rehearsals to practice their movements and general steps, basically just a run-through.
The EXO's July 5th concert in Chengdu came to a perfect close in front of 17,000 fans at the Chengdu Sports Center after 9 p.m.
After the end, at the recommendations of several friends like Xia Guo and Chi Jingyuan, a group of people went to another restaurant for a hot pot meal before returning to the hotel.
After these two concerts in Shanshang and Rongcheng, the food activities really satisfied Chi Jingyuan's craving for spicy food. These authentic flavors are completely unavailable on the Peninsula normally.
After that, they didn't stay any longer and flew back to the peninsula the next morning.
…………
What about the others
Just now, after finishing his personal errands, Ji Jingyuan returned to the company's practice room. It's already past four o'clock in the afternoon and it's almost time for dinner.
Today he remembered that there was no group schedule for this time, the members should be in the practice room at this time, but when he went in, only Kim Jong-dae and Kim Gyu-seok were left chatting inside. After greeting them, Ji Kyeong-won asked in surprise.
"There wasn't much going on this afternoon, Han and the other three went to eat first, Baekhyun, Chanyeol, and Kyungsoo have their own schedules and haven't come back yet, the rest of them went to see the new girl group from the company."
Kim Jong-dae smiled and nodded at Ji-seung, explaining, "The new girl group's practice room moved to our same floor, right by the northeast corner."
"Oh, so... didn't you guys go" Chi Jingyuan placed his bag on the sofa, took a bottle of water from the mini-fridge and drank two mouthfuls, asking casually.
"I just went to take a look, said hello and came back." Kim Jin-seok seemed to have seen Ji Byung-yuan's actions and realized he was thirsty himself. He put down his phone and walked over to grab a bottle of water and drink it. A few seconds later, he put it down and added:
They still don't know when they're debuting, they moved to the practice room this early... I heard it's not for a few months yet. I remember when we, xo, also moved to the third floor right before our debut, we were always practicing somewhere else before that.
"Maybe I'm a bit early... I'll just take a look." Chi Jingyuan greeted the two people, left the practice room and walked towards the north corner.
Being on the same floor was very convenient and close, just a few steps to the door, which wasn't closed. There was constant talking coming from inside.
I walked in and took a quick look. This practice room was very similar to the one EXO used, with the same light blue and white cloud wallpaper, the same bright white lights, and the same sofa arrangement. It just looked a little smaller.
Several members of XO, including Kim Jun-myeon and Oh Se-hun, are currently chatting with a few members of this new girl group. Primarily, Kang Seul-gi and Park Soo-young are engaging in conversation, while Bae Joo-hyun and Son Seung-wan are giggling alongside them, it seems quite lively.
Apart from Sun Seungwan who came later and might not be very familiar with the others, the other three members of this new girl group basically knew the EXO members before their debut, and some even had close relationships. For example, Kang Seolgi was introduced to Park Chanyeol by Oh Sehun.
"Jǐngyuán ah." As soon as he walked in, he was spotted by Sun Shengwan. She smiled and waved her hand, calling out to him.
"Jǐngyuán is back, so early"
Just grab some food together later.
Several members also laughed and greeted each other. Ji Kyung-won walked to Sun Seon-wan, who was waving at him, and glanced at her and Bae Joo-hyeon, who was looking at him from beside her. He asked, "Why are you already in the practice room Wasn't it planned to debut at the end of the year"
"I don't know either, since the day before yesterday, our practice progress has suddenly accelerated. We'll be preparing for the debut song V soon."
Pei Zhuhyun shook her head and was a little puzzled, but she didn't care much, instead, her eyes were full of anticipation: "It's possible that the debut time will be moved up."
"It's best to get started early! I can hardly wait to perform on stage tomorrow..." With a happy smile, Son Seong-wan twisted in place to express his excitement and anticipation.
"Can you even do it, have you practiced the debut song" Ji Jingyuan glanced at her with a dismissive air.
Sun Seungwan joined s company in 2012. After two years of practice, she was able to enter the debut group. Her talent and the company's emphasis on her are self-evident. However, she mainly entered as a vocal. In terms of dance foundation, she obviously lacked compared to other members who had practiced for longer.
Similar to Xiumin and Baekhyun from EXO.
"Since we've been practicing for so long, of course I know how. Ah Jingyuan, what are you looking at me with those eyes for Do you want me to sing it for you right now" Feeling like her professional abilities were being questioned, Sun Shengwan frowned and glared at him.
"Ani, no need. I know p;'s abilities very well," Qi Jingyuan hurriedly waved his hand, after complimenting her he glanced around and suddenly his eyes fell on two stools placed back-to-back not far away. He curiously took a look.
"That was the prop we just practiced our dance with."
Noticing Ji-won's gaze, Joo-hyeon pursed her lips and explained, "The company arranged for me and Seqi to perform a cover of the s.e.s. seniors' song 'Beural,' using a one-shot filming technique. It will be uploaded to the network in a few days under the skies identity."
" 'Beural' A jazz-style song The two of you" Ji Jingyuan glanced at Jiang Sheqi, then at Pei Zhuhyuk, a little puzzled.
Of course, he had heard of this company's senior female group's song. The song wasn't very popular, and the style was rather unique, not quite suiting these two individuals.
“The teacher choreographed a new version, making the dance more sensual. It also utilizes chairs as props to fully showcase the dancers' leg lines and…”
As she spoke, Bae Joo-hyun fell silent and took a slight step back. She keenly sensed that Park Ji-won's gaze was like a spotlight, taking in her legs that were exposed due to the shorts she was wearing. At the same time, the subtle expressions on his face and twitching corners of his mouth made her feel an urge to kick him.
Height has always been one of her pain points, along with her body proportions. Like age, it's something that Park Soo-hyun cares about deeply and considers a taboo.
Feeling the mix of humiliation and murderous intent in Bae Joo-hyeon's eyes, Ji Kyeong hurriedly retracted his gaze. His expression transformed instantly, replaced by a bright, sunny smile as he nodded sincerely and looked at her, saying:
"That sounds really fitting for you..."
"You...go to hell!"
………………
On July 10th, EXO flew to Taipei. From the 11th, they held two concerts consecutively at Taipei Arena, including a special performance on the 12th which was added due to overwhelming demand and fan dissatisfaction from tickets selling out quickly beforehand.
The fact that EXO utilizes a subunit system, and almost all of their songs have both Korean and Chinese versions, has made them incredibly popular in the Chinese-speaking regions. Concerts held in these areas sometimes have an atmosphere even more intense than those held on the Korean peninsula itself.
Because these overseas fans don't have as many opportunities to see their idols regularly like domestic fans do, they can only unrestrainedly express their support for their idols during the once-a-year tour.
EXO returned to the peninsula after their number 13 comeback, and their schedule for the next few days has been reduced. More than half of the members have received personal resources from the company. For example, Han received a filming opportunity for a mainland Chinese movie, and Y frequently travels between two places because they received a hosting job.
Chi Jingyuan is also busy with his own advertising case. In order to cooperate with LG and other endorsements, he often flies to Xia Guo for brand promotion and interviews.
...until July 16th, EXO's twelve members reunited again, participating in the P;P;E fashion show. The next day, they flew to Shanghai with their team for another two consecutive concerts.
After the second concert on the 19th, the members who were both tired and excited sat on the bus back to the hotel. The manager briefly held a meeting, reminding them not to run around and that they had to be back at the hotel before midnight. After that, he dismissed everyone.
Qi Jingyuan came to Shanghai frequently these days because of advertising promotion, and he also ate a lot of delicious food. Today, he wasn't very interested in eating here anymore. After thinking about it, he felt too lazy to go out and decided to return to his room to play some games. Just happened that the official launched an event recently.
Just as he was leaving the small meeting room and preparing to return to his room, he was suddenly called back.
Han called out to him and walked over, patting him on the shoulder with a smile: "Jingyuan, why don't we go out for something to eat"
Chi Jingyuan felt a little surprised. He turned his head to look at him, and their eyes met. After a few seconds, he also smiled.
Okay.
This novel is first published on the Traditional Chinese Novels Website.ven though he finds it somewhat difficult to read Traditional Chinese, if he has time, he will reply and occasionally retort a few things back.For some reason, he recalled Zhou Tzuyu's photo. Though b...