Tokyo: The evil god doesn't want to be the top star

Chapter 380 Induction Meeting
"I have read all your information, so I won't introduce myself. First of all, congratulations on your successful debut and joining the international limited group "ALLFORONE"..."

After taking a look at the people sitting at the conference table, Iijima Yozo began his speech at the "Induction Meeting" straight to the point.

Although it was only the first day of the group, due to the audition system and experience, it could be seen from the seating on both sides of the conference table that AFO had already been clearly divided into two small groups...

An international trainee group of four from Dormitory 501, led by Xia Fan.

As well as the local trainee group consisting of Yuta Hirano, Sho Kishi, Yu Takahashi, Kaito Nagase, and Tatsuya Aganoko.

"Being able to debut in a top idol company like J-company, you have surpassed 80% of underground idols and 10% of small and obscure groups..."

"But what you are facing next is no longer a small-scale competition among a hundred people, a stage, and a show, but an entertainment industry with a surging crowd and fleeting popularity!"

"So, the first thing you need to realize is that... idols are the lowest status in the entertainment industry..."

As a veteran agent, Iijima Yozo intimidated these young people who had just entered the "idol circle" with his aura from the very beginning.

"Although it is true that idols have a low status..."

"But there's no need to emphasize this on the first day."

"Who are you trying to intimidate?"

The trainees, who were still immersed in the excitement of their successful debut, felt as if a bucket of cold water was poured on their heads. Hirano Yuta and Kishi Sho even had stern faces.

However, although Iijima Yozo's words were a bit harsh, they were so true that they could not refute them.

Since when, the "front-stage workers" in the entertainment industry in District 11 have had a contempt chain of "actors-singers-comedians-idols".

Because of the low entry threshold, large number of practitioners, short working life and other factors, idols who are mainly based on affinity and appearance, and do not even need singing and dancing talents, are naturally at the lowest end of the industry...

Even for a boy band like "AFO" that is backed by a big company and was born from a large-scale talent show, the basic salary is only half of that of an ordinary office worker, and the rest depends entirely on performance commission.

However, due to the unique "class culture" of District 11, artists who were originally idols, even if they have made outstanding achievements in other fields later, are at most known as "powerful idols" and it is difficult for them to completely get rid of the label of "idol".

"I knew idols had a low status, but I didn't expect it to be this low?"

After listening to Iijima Yozo's endless "speech" and Martin's additional explanations in his ear, Xia Fan, whose common sense was equivalent to that of an "outsider", finally understood this point.

Now he finally understood why Hoshina Hanami cherished the opportunity to participate in the "Tokyo Newcomer Music Awards" and debut as a new singer...

I also understood the disappointment in Rika Shirakawa's words when she told herself to focus on acting.

"The reason I emphasize this is that I hope you all cherish the opportunity you have now and understand how brutal the competitive pressure is in this industry where the average person retires within six months of debuting..."

"However, I have also had many children who became very popular during their time in the group, and some even made good transitions after retirement..."

"With your qualities, as long as you follow my sister's guidance and rely on J Club's resources, your future will surely be full of flowers..."

After a series of suppressive speeches, Iijima Yozo changed the subject, smiled charmingly, and glanced at Xia Fan vaguely.

"Everyone, these are the company's management regulations. Please read them and be sure to strictly abide by them..."

The agent assistant next to them distributed a stack of information to each member.

These documents probably include some strict and complicated rules for idol boy groups, such as weekly weight checks, no private sales to fans in any form, image rights belong to the company and cannot be disclosed in public media, no relationships of any gender, any unconventional situations must be reported to the company immediately, etc. "Ahem, what I'm going to talk about next is the highlight of my recent work..."

"The company has spent a lot of money to create a debut song for the nine of you, 'The Birth of an Idol'."

After clearing his throat, Iijima Yozo's expression became serious, exuding the professional aura of an ace agent.

"Debut song? Hooray!"

"I'm finally going to have my own work. I'm so excited. Why is that..."

The trainees, who were a little drowsy from reading the rules, suddenly became excited.

The difference between these "above-ground idols" and the "underground idols" in small theaters is not the brokerage companies they sign with or the selection method of the group members, but whether they have formal copyrighted works publicly released on major platforms and charts.

You know, for a debut song like this, the manpower cost of hiring industry veterans to write lyrics, compose music, arrange music, and choreograph is at least 10 million yen, not to mention those songs that have invited master musicians...

For regular idol groups, no matter how obscure they are, "Debut Song" is one of the resources that the company will guarantee to invest in.

"Are you excited already? You are a bunch of fools..."

"The company has already booked you as a guest performer at the Kanda Festival and Tokyo Newcomer Music Awards in half a month, and you will make your debut."

Iijima Yozo smiled charmingly and dropped even more important information.

"The Kanda Festival... the one with the fireworks display?"

"Tokyo Newcomer Music Awards Ceremony...Special Guests..."

"Then... wouldn't that mean... a super-large stage with a live broadcast across the entire network and a huge number of passers-by in the audience?!"

After looking at each other for a moment, all the AFO members showed ecstasy...

The Kanda Festival in Tokyo is known as one of the "three major festivals" in the summer festivals of the eleven wards, along with the Gion Festival in Kyoto and the Tenjin Festival in Osaka.

During the Kanda Festival, in addition to the huge float parade, garden activities, and fireworks display departing from Kanda Shrine, in recent years there have also been music festivals or some large-scale ceremonies held in conjunction with the Kanda Festival in order to attract popularity.

The "Tokyo Newcomer Music Award" is an award with sufficient value. The performers at the award ceremony are mostly young singers. AFO group took this opportunity to release their debut song, which is a perfect match for their status, and they don't have to worry about being overshadowed by other top stars.

J-company has been planning for the group AFO for a long time. As early as last year, they had already prepared a carefully crafted debut song, as well as such a suitable and grand debut opportunity and platform...

But he didn't expect that in the end, Xia Fan, a burning monster, would counterattack and snatch the first debut spot.

"No wonder the Tokyo Newcomer Music Awards has not yet given out any awards. It turns out they are waiting to boost popularity with the Kanda Festival..."

"I never received any certificates or bonuses, and I thought they were all embezzled by Uncle Dongye."

Only Xia Fan was paying attention to something completely different.

If I remember correctly, the first prize winner of the "Tokyo Newcomer Music Award" was his "Sakura".

(End of this chapter)