Peninsula Platinum Era

Chapter 165 The Approaching Year-End Stage (Please Subscribe)
With the release of their debut song, controversies surrounding the other members began to ease the pressure on the snake. Kim Minjung was relatively mysterious with little information available, but Gisele, who had connections, suffered the consequences.

Zhimin even suspected that Chen Shijun had bought information to shield her from criticism, but wouldn't it be inappropriate since they were in the same group? Actually, it was just fans' dissatisfaction with the rumors of favoritism.

Among the trainees who failed to be selected at the same time was Hina, who was of mixed Japanese and Korean descent. She was a veteran trainee who had been with SM for ten years and had been publicly known for five years, but unexpectedly, she couldn't compete with the sudden arrival of someone else a few months later.

The main issue is that Hina's niche is too similar to Gisele's, so the competition boils down to who is prettier and stronger. Many people immediately see Hina as the winner, but the fans' dissatisfaction is futile and only intensifies the discussion about nepotism.

This debut was undoubtedly a success. No matter how overwhelming the controversy was, the number of views on YouTube and the music charts both showed phenomenal popularity.

Chen Shijun remarked that SM's prestigious brand alone deserved the success, but the results were far better than expected. Not only did it gain a place on several major music charts, but it also topped the iTunes singles chart in many regions around the world.

The song "Black Mamba" not only brought them impressive statistics, but also gave them an incredibly smooth start to their careers. This sophisticated "futuristic" feel also gave them more confidence in their subsequent activities.

The little snake has actually started receiving support letters from fans, and she's very happy about it. This single and music video successfully showcase her unique style.

She is now a rising star, a promising talent with a halo of potential. Perhaps in this busy year-end, she will amass a large number of fans like a land grabber.

"Oppa! Did you watch my music video? Some fans said I was overshadowed by Jang Yoon-joo, are these people blind?"

Chen Shijun felt that this phrase had become Xiao She's catchphrase. In any case, as long as there were comments attacking her, Zhi Min's consensus was that the other party was blind, had no eyes, or had their eyes in their crotch.

The female lead for "Black Mamba" is model Jang Yoon-joo. Chen Shih-chun just doesn't get her looks. Maybe models have to have some unique features.

However, Jimin in the MV doesn't look as good as she does in real life. Perhaps to highlight the core concept of the group's real and virtual worlds intertwining, the styling team designed a visually striking style for her.

Sharp eye makeup, metallic accessories, exaggerated clothing, and a hairstyle that made Chen Shijun's eyes go black.

Actually, I prefer her personal style. Her everyday outfits tend to be casual, which is very much in line with the aesthetics of ordinary people. She doesn't have much of an aggressive vibe; instead, she exudes a more youthful charm.

She's as real as a female college student. Although she's never been a college student, her vibrant and adorable side is truly captivating.

Even so, it's still much better than Xiaoyuan's casual outfits. I always want to throw away all of Xiaoyuan's gray athletic jogger pants, but she still buys them with great enthusiasm, and now she's upgraded to capri jogger pants.

"The music video doesn't prove anything. You need to showcase yourself well in the various activities that follow. You need to follow the company's arrangements and show your most attractive side."

Chen Shijun, who comes from a fintech background, believes that there aren't many tricks to idol marketing. It's all about selling a persona. The key is how the company creates a persona based on the idol's own characteristics, and whether the idol can digest and perform these personas well.

If the persona created by the company's concept team is unappealing, even the most perfect interpretation by the idol will have no effect. Conversely, even the best concept will not win over fans if it is poorly executed.

In this respect, they are actually the same as actors. The script and character settings are polished by the director and screenwriter, and idols, just like actors, portray the image that fans like.

Chen Shijun wasn't a serious fan; he mostly interacted with the other person in private and habitually disregarded their idol image.

"What's the most attractive thing about me to oppa? What do you like most about me?"

The little snake liked to ask Chen Shijun this question, and because her older sister Zhihui often scared her, saying that a young and promising high-achieving student like Chen Shijun would easily get tired of women who were ignorant, good-natured, and brainless.

Although she kept arguing with him, she actually felt that Zhihui's words made a lot of sense. Moreover, their debut careers would involve a lot of separation, and even normal couples would have problems because of this, let alone Chen Shijun, who wasn't an honest person. "I like Zhimin. She has a cheerful and lively personality, is beautiful, and has a kind heart."

Chen Shijun was just talking nonsense with his eyes closed. This little snake wasn't exactly a bad person, but it wasn't kind either.

In this respect, they are similar to me. They are probably just ordinary people, without much compassion, and relatively more concerned about their own feelings.

"I'm so nice, I'm almost embarrassed. Will oppa look down on me because I have a low level of education and limited experience? After all, I'm just a high school dropout."

There is a widespread stereotype in society that low education level is associated with low quality and simple thinking, especially in South Korea, where the average education level is among the lowest in the world.

Young people who don't go to university are a minority and anomalies in society, and the entertainment industry, which is under the spotlight, gives the public the impression of being uneducated and ignorant.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Most college students don't have your kind of life experience. Life is a process of continuous learning and improvement."

After all, not all college students have their own opportunities. Many people learn things that they feel are very useful in school, and then repeat the same kind of work day after day in society.

Although having knowledge can bring many opportunities to change one's life, most people will only waste their time in the daily grind.

In addition, the difference between manual and mental labor in South Korea has been largely eliminated, and the income of ordinary white-collar workers is not as high as that of manual laborers.

I don't believe these young oxen and horses can attain enlightenment in the midst of tedious and repetitive work; at most, they'll be better at basic knowledge.

But you can't say that to Xiaoyuan. That girl is determined to go to university no matter what, and Zhimin can't do anything about it now that it's a done deal.

At the very least, one should be like Kwon Eun-bi, pass the exam first, then take a break from school, and resume studying after finishing the busy schedule.

Even if it doesn't work out, you should still become a college dropout. In the words of President Hiroko, college dropouts are much better at finding jobs than high school graduates.

"Did someone say something to you? Why would you have such a question? Oppa isn't that old-fashioned."

Chen Shijun felt that he was just a bit traditional, and more so because of his family values. He was an open-minded man to a certain extent, and definitely not the kind of old-fashioned scholar.

“My sister said I’m not good enough for oppa. I’m just a trainee, and even now that I’ve debuted, I’m just a small idol.”

Zhimin's voice was somewhat low, her fingers constantly stroking the pendant on the necklace at her chest. What her sister said actually made a lot of sense.

It took the man a long time to coax the girl back to her senses. He never expected that even the arrogant and conceited Zhimin could have moments of anxiety and insecurity.

Chen Shijun naturally possessed the instincts of a hunter; this little snake was already in his grasp, and he could take it at will.

Just counting the days, the end of the year is almost here. I wonder if this girl will be on any stage shows at the end of the year? I'm most worried about Meiyan. That girl is so useless, I'm afraid she'll be bullied.

(End of this chapter)