Chapter 106 - It’s Not Going to Be a Hassle, Right?
Japan is the market that consus K-POP the most in the world.
Although demand in Western regions like the US has grown now, the Japanese market is still the largest.
According to the Korea Customs Service's export and import trade statistics, Japan ranks first in album exports, with a significant gap from the US in second place.
“Albums sell well in Japan, but the performance infrastructure is also well-equipped.”
Director Choi Tae-hyeong explained based on his own experience in targeting overseas markets.
“If a Korean singer wants to perform in the US, there are many mountains to cross, but in Japan, you can perform relatively easily. So K-POP idols often enter Japan first to build a track record and challenge the US later.”
Just as a significant number of idol singers in Korea earn revenue through events, concert revenue is the most important factor when advancing overseas.
Top-class singers who make it onto global charts can earn huge profits from music streaming, but generally, the revenue earned from concerts is much larger.
Therefore, they often pioneered the Japanese concert market first, given its close proximity and well-equipped system.
“So, taking three steps is the most efficient way to enter Japan.”
Step 1: Release a Japanese edition album containing songs in Japanese.
Step 2: Build awareness through TV appearances and the like.
Step 3: Hold concerts with the fans gathered that way.
After writing that on the whiteboard... Choi Tae-hyeong turned his head to look at Kanade.
“In that respect, having Kanade, who is half-Korean and half-Japanese, is a huge advantage for Newstarz. Not only can she sing naturally in Japanese, but she can also converse on broadcasts without an interpreter.”
“Ah...”
Kanade, who was sitting on the chair, wore a nervous expression.
“Wasn't that point considered when you were originally selected as a mber?”
“Yes, that’s right...”
Until now, there had been no opportunity to utilize such advantages of Kanade.
Because they were not in a position to attempt overseas expansion.
But with the current Newstarz... pioneering the Japanese market should be possible.
“If you are planning to enter Japan, you need to start preparing now. Since you have to prepare Japanese versions of the songs, too.”
“Japanese versions...”
Seeing Kanade fall into thought, Choi Tae-hyeong turned his head.
And he snapped at Baek Hyeon-woo, who was listening quietly.
“And why is Team Leader Baek asking this? You should talk to the CEO-nim, who is the producer.”
“I thought I needed to study to so extent before I could make a proposal to the CEO-nim.”
“Tsk, am I your private tutor, Team Leader Baek?”
Even while grumbling, Choi Tae-hyeong explained it well based on his experience.
Thanks to that, Baek Hyeon-woo could also get a rough grasp of advancing into Japan.
‘We aren't going to launch Newstarz in the Japanese market right imdiately anyway, but we need to prepare in advance.’
Releasing a Japanese album or entering Japanese broadcasting aren't things that can be done just because one wants to do them right now.
It will require at least half a year, so he needed to do the groundwork starting now.
“Kanade.”
On the way out after receiving Choi Tae-hyeong's private lesson, Baek Hyeon-woo spoke to Kanade.
Because a trump card for entering Japan ca to mind.
“I have an idea.”
“……”
At Baek Hyeon-woo's words, Kanade wore a nervous expression.
“It’s not sothing that’s going to be a hassle for , right?”
To Kanade, who asked anxiously, Baek Hyeon-woo answered with a smile.
“It’s a job where you’ll have to suffer the most, Kanade.”
“I hate thaaat!”
Kanade made a crying face.
……
Baek Yeon-ah was so busy making Newstarz's next album that she didn't have a mont to spare.
She had to communicate frequently with the composers, lyricists, and the A&R team to check their work, and she herself had to stay up all night working on composition and arrangent.
Working this hard was a first since she produced Newstarz's debut album.
‘I want to raise the completeness of the title track as much as possible. This song has potential.’
In Baek Yeon-ah's view, Laura's self-composed song had the potential to be a big hit.
Honestly, the other parts couldn't escape the amateur level, but the charm of the top line was exceptionally outstanding.
If she highlighted that charm as much as possible and fixed up the rest, it seed she could make a truly great song.
‘I feel sorry for Kanade, though.’
Kanade's self-composed song is also a decent song.
However, it is a bit lacking to be used as a title track.
Furthermore, there is a limit to how much Baek Yeon-ah can raise the completeness by touching it up.
Since it is a hook song that competes with addictive simplicity, if she touches it too much, the charm of that simplicity will be lost.
Therefore, it was difficult to overhaul it one by one with heart and soul like she was doing with Laura's self-composed song.
‘Kanade, I'm not trying to discriminate against you, so don't be too upset.’
Work on Kanade's self-composed song, such as arrangent, was already finished.
Currently, preparations for recording were underway.
“CEO-nim, do you have a mont?”
When Baek Yeon-ah was lost in thought, Baek Hyeon-woo opened the CEO's office door and entered.
He was with Kanade.
“You said you two are going on a business trip to Japan together starting tomorrow, right?”
“Yes, we depart tomorrow morning.”
This ti, Baek Hyeon-woo ca to participate in TVX's variety program ‘Correspondent Wherever’ with Kanade.
‘Correspondent Wherever’ is a program that sends correspondents all over the world to convey the vivid local scenes, and they said they plan to do a special feature on Japan’s community-based idols, ‘Local Idols,’ next.
That was why they cast Kanade, a Korean-Japanese mixed idol, and her manager, Baek Hyeon-woo.
And apart from the broadcast, being introduced to industry insiders and building connections was also what Baek Hyeon-woo had to do on this business trip.
This was the carrot PD Seo Dong-cheol offered to recruit Baek Hyeon-woo.
“I’ve contacted people I used to know, so make sure to greet them well.”
Since Baek Yeon-ah also promoted in Japan during her active days, she had her own connections.
Before pushing for entry into Japan in earnest, they planned to proceed with preliminary preparations utilizing those connections.
“CEO-nim, by the way...”
Baek Hyeon-woo spoke cautiously.
“May I let you hear one song?”
“A song?”
“It’s Kanade’s song.”
“……?”
Hearing the unexpected words, Baek Yeon-ah blinked.
“Don't tell Kanade also made a new song?”
Seeing Laura bring a new song, did Kanade get stimulated and make a new one too?
She’s not the type to do such a botherso thing, though?
“Work on the last song has already progressed a lot, too…”
“It's not a new song, but the previous song sung by Kanade.”
“Ah, really? A Kanade solo version?”
Did she want to make a version sung by herself?
Considering Kanade's personality, this was also unexpected.
“Kanade, then I'll play it.”
“Yes...”
After confirming with Kanade, who was wearing a nervous expression next to him, Baek Hyeon-woo operated his phone to play the song.
First, the intro, arranged to be as cheerful as possible, flowed out and...
“Huh?”
The mont Kanade's cute singing voice was heard, Baek Yeon-ah opened her eyes wide.
Not only had the vocal assignnt changed... but the lyrics had also changed.
“Japanese?”
The song itself was exactly as Baek Yeon-ah had arranged it.
But harmonizing with Kanade's voice singing in Japanese, a new charm was being created.
……
Watching Baek Yeon-ah focus on the Japanese version of the song, Baek Hyeon-woo fell into thought.
‘Since she learned Japanese when she entered Japan in the past, she should be able to roughly understand the Japanese lyrics.’
The Japanese lyrics flowing out now were translated directly by Kanade from the existing lyrics.
Since it wasn't the work of a professional translator, it might not be very smooth, but the feeling would still be conveyed.
‘Kanade's self-composed song beca quite plausible after Aunt finished arranging it... but there were still regrettable parts.’
————
[Good days]
Mass Appeal: A
Lyricality: E
Addictiveness: S
Completeness: B
– Affinity with Newstarz (Main Vocal: Yoo Jeong-ah) is 80%.
————
Kanade's self-composed song ‘Good days’ beca a song that would work sufficiently in the comrcial market after going through arrangent.
It’s a song worth gaining popularity as an addictive hook song that sticks right in the ears.
However, it was regrettable that the affinity was only 80% when Yoo Jeong-ah was the main vocal.
It wasn't bad enough to call it terrible, but it was insufficient to push as a title track.
‘However... if I have Kanade sing it in the Japanese version, the feeling changes.’
Baek Hyeon-woo persuaded Kanade well to create Japanese lyrics and sing them.
When he did that, the result ca out exactly as Baek Hyeon-woo had expected.
————
[Good days (Japanese version)]
Mass Appeal: A
Lyricality: E
Addictiveness: S
Completeness: B
– Affinity with Newstarz (Main Vocal: Kanade) is 95%.
————
According to the music information window, if Kanade sings the Japanese version as the main vocal, the affinity reaches 95%.
‘Kanade’s vocal skills are much lacking compared to Yoo Jeong-ah... but Kanade is the one who can sing Japanese lyrics naturally, and since the affinity cos out this well, it's right to put Kanade at the forefront.’
When the song ended, Baek Yeon-ah, who had been focusing with her eyes closed, sighed and opened her mouth.
“Who suggested doing this? You did, right, Hyeon-woo?”
Baek Yeon-ah shot a glance at Baek Hyeon-woo.
“That was quite an interesting attempt.”
“How does it sound to you, CEO-nim?”
“Due to linguistic differences, the feel of the song is bound to change significantly when the lyrics beco Japanese.”
For example, Japanese has few final consonants and uses a lot of long vowels.
Because of that, even with the sa aning, changes occur in the rhythm felt in the song when the lyrics are in Japanese.
“Those changes harmonized with Kanade's voice to create a positive synergy. It beca a very cute and fun song.”
Kanade has a voice that feels cute and youthful.
Combined with the addictive lody of ‘Good days’ and harmonizing with the Japanese lyrics, it created a cute and fun atmosphere different from the original track.
“This feels like it will work in the Japanese market. There are many people over there who prefer this kind of cute vibe.”
“Yes, that’s why I prepared it.”
Compared to the version sung by Yoo Jeong-ah as the main vocal, it would inevitably feel quite lacking in terms of singing ability.
However, in the music industry, it is common for songs to beco huge hits even without exceptional singing ability.
“CEO-nim, how about we use this as the title track when we release the Japanese album?”
Putting forward ‘Good days’ with Kanade as the main vocal as the title track.
This was the strategy Baek Hyeon-woo had prepared to target the Japanese market.
“Yeah, that’s a very good idea.”
Baek Yeon-ah smiled and showed a welcoming attitude.
“Hyeon-woo, don't you have a talent for producing too? You could be the producer next ti.”
“How can I be a producer when I can't even compose?”
“There are plenty of people who make a na for themselves as producers without composing, you know? Besides, you have the sense to judge songs. That’s enough.”
Praising her nephew like that, Baek Yeon-ah bead.
“Let's refine the lyrics for the Japanese version of ‘Good days’, distribute the parts, and record it officially. If we record Japanese versions of a few other decent songs, we should be able to make a Japanese album.”
“Yes, please do.”
Baek Hyeon-woo also smiled and said.
“If we build a loyal fanbase in Japan that way... later on, we’ll be able to get a great response even if we release the Korean albums as they are.”
……
The next day.
Baek Hyeon-woo headed to the airport with Kanade.
He was scheduled to join the TVX staff there and depart for Japan.
“To think my song will really be included as the title track of the Japanese album... it still doesn't feel real.”
Kanade, dressed in a cute hoodie, murmured.
“Honestly, I feel a bit of pressure.”
“Weren't you disappointed that only Laura’s song beca a title track?”
They both made their first self-composed songs, but only Laura claid the album title track, while Kanade’s beca just one of the B-sides.
Depending on the perspective, this could feel like discriminatory treatnt and potentially beco a controversy among fans.
However, if Kanade takes charge of the Japanese album’s title track, there will be no such controversy.
“You were fretting that only Laura would rake in a lot of copyright royalties.”
“Well, that’s...”
“Kanade, this is a good opportunity for you, too.”
Baek Hyeon-woo said with a smile.
“If it hits the jackpot in Japan, you’ll be able to play and eat for the rest of your life on copyright royalties like a pension, just as you wanted.”
“R-Really?”
“Japan is the second-largest music market in the world. If it really catches on there, you could be sitting on a massive pile of cash.”
“A pile of cash……!”
Kanade’s eyes sparkled.
“So Kanade, let’s work even harder from now on.”
“O-Okay! I’ll work hard!”
Kanade answered while clenching her fist tight... but she imdiately tilted her head.
“Huh? I started composing because I wanted to play and eat, so why did it turn out like this……?”
“Co on, let’s go inside.”
Without replying to Kanade’s question, Baek Hyeon-woo entered the airport.
However, there were an enormous number of people at the airport.
They weren't just travelers... they were reporters and fans waiting for soone.
“Huh? D-Don't tell they’re waiting for us? This is bad, I should have dressed up more stylishly...”
“That can’t be true.”
Although Newstarz’s popularity has risen a lot recently, there’s no way a crowd of this size would gather.
“Kanade, do you think you alone could draw a crowd of this size?”
“Th-Then are you saying you drew them in, Manager-nim? You’re getting too full of yourself just because you’ve gained so popularity lately, aren't you?”
“No, that’s not what I ant...”
Just then, people suddenly started screaming.
Baek Hyeon-woo and Kanade turned their heads toward where everyone was looking.
“……!”
Limp, limp.
A woman using crutches was entering the airport surrounded by bodyguards.
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