"Who’s more familiar with Jeju Island?"
In the room, Gu Bai slowly turned around, interrupting their idle chatter.
Although this was their second eting, Zheng Xiujing and Lin Yun’Er couldn’t help but get nervous in front of Gu Bai, even more so than when they faced Lee Boo-jin.
"Mr. Gu."
Both of them hurriedly greeted him respectfully as Gu Bai turned around.
Gu Bai impatiently interrupted and repeated the previous question, "Who’s more familiar with Jeju Island?"
At this ti, Lin Yun’Er stood up and said, "I’m familiar with Jeju Island. Our group often perford there. In fact, a friend invited to a performance there today, but the company turned it down."
"I rember Jeju Island is a tourist area. Does Girls’ Generation often perform there?"
Hearing Gu Bai’s inquiry, Lin Yun’Er answered honestly, "Because it’s a high-end tourist area in Goryeo, and the tourists are generally wealthy, major companies often have their artists perform there to boost local tourism and earn money from the visitors."
Upon hearing this, Gu Bai signaled his understanding with a slight nod.
"So it’s basically taking advantage of the rich, right?"
Zheng Xiujing, Jung Soo-yeon, Lin Yun’Er: "..."
"That’s probably about right..."
After a few seconds of being stunned, Lin Yun’Er could only helplessly go along with Gu Bai’s words.
Actually, Gu Bai wasn’t wrong. This common issue exists in entertainnt circles worldwide: exploiting the wealthy, not the poor, and targeting fans, not strangers.
Isn’t it obvious that many current dostic pop stars don’t care how much they get criticized? Because they don’t mind at all; they don’t rely on ordinary people’s money. They make bank off their crazy fans.
A simple fan-support event can earn them a small fortune.
What’s more ridiculous is so crazy fans buying thousands, if not tens of thousands, of copies when their "idol" releases a digital album just to boost chart positions. This is why it’s almost impossible to find classic songs from the 90s and early 2000s now.
Why bother pursuing song quality when a few minutes of caterwauling paired with a suggestive MV can earn millions?
There’s always a fanbase to pick up the tab.
Even influencers are adopting these tactics now.
But it doesn’t affect ordinary people. After all, idol artists and influencers do have so scruples—they only exploit their fanbase, not outsiders.
Gu Bai didn’t bother thinking about these things anymore and continued, "You have a friend performing today on Jeju Island?"
"Yes, but she’s a solo singer, and since her stage style is relatively simple and we’re on good terms, she invited to join as a guest perforr."
"A solo singer?"
Gu Bai knew that since Dongfang Shenqi and SES beca popular, most of Goryeo’s idol debut models have shifted from solo acts to group debuts. There are so famous older solo singers, like Lee Jeong-hyun and Huang Zhilei, but with group culture taking over the entertainnt scene, few new solo artists rise to fa.
Lin Yun’Er, knowing Gu Bai’s doubts, quickly explained.
"Yes, a solo female singer, and she has quite a reputation in Hua Country. She was even in the top three on Goryeo’s singer artist inco chart last year."
"Oh?"
Gu Bai’s interest was piqued.
"What’s her na?"
"Lee Ji-eun."
"Lee Ji-eun?"
Gu Bai searched his mories of this life and the previous and found no recollection of that na. But Lin Yun’Er ntioned she ranked in the top three of Goryeo’s singer inco chart, so how could he not know at all?
Seeing Gu Bai furrow his brows, Lin Yun’Er promptly clarified, "But in Hua Country, her fans rarely call her by that na; they refer to her as IU."
"IU?"
The ntion of that na finally jogged Gu Bai’s mory.
He often stumbled across her short videos on various social dia platforms. Whenever there were comnts, they invariably included the word "wife."
In terms of popularity, she’s no less influential than Girls’ Generation was in Hua Country.
"Are you saying she’s holding a concert on Jeju Island tonight?"
"Not exactly a concert... It’s more of a comrcial performance."
Gu Bai didn’t care what it was; he simply said, "Let’s head to Jeju Island now. I’d like to see this so-called 90s Goryeo’s first solo female singer in person."
"Huh?"
Lin Yun’Er was stunned.
She realized that her words had perhaps lured the wolf towards Lee Ji-eun.
Nonetheless, she felt a twinge of discontent. While she might not surpass Lee Ji-eun in individual achievent, she’s still regarded as a national goddess, right? Not to ntion the charm of the Zheng sisters. Can’t that satisfy Gu Bai?
At this ti, Gu Bai had already gotten up, and the glass of red wine he left behind could fetch over a thousand dollars, equating to a month’s salary for an ordinary person, but it was casually wasted.
He didn’t notice Lin Yun’Er’s expression or grasp her thoughts.
But even if he knew, he’d probably just shrug.
Though the Zheng sisters each had their allure—Jung Soo-yeon was sexy and fiery, while Zheng Xiujing was cool on the outside but warm inside—Lin Yun’Er, hailed as a national goddess by so many n in Hua Country, could surely suffice.
Reviews
All reviews (0)