HPDBC Chapter 1310 Collaboration Stage
Chapter 1310 Collaboration Stage
Chapter 1310 Collaboration Stage
"You want to listen to EXO, right?"
Ryan suppressed his sarcasm and asked the question.
"My God!"
However, upon hearing his words, Serena's tone immediately became excited, her voice trembling slightly, clearly a thousand times more sincere than when she had said "I'm excited" earlier. She was extremely happy: "So, Ryan, you like XO too!? My God, I knew it, I knew it..."
She was so excited that her voice was unsteady, and the string of words she mumbled afterward was hard to hear.
"I knew it……"
Encountering this EXO fan again, Ryan felt nothing but rage. Listening to the girl's excited voice on the phone, he suppressed his anger, covered his face, and gritted his teeth: "Dude, did you guys plan this all along?"
"how is this possible?"
Serena seemed to sense the host's off tone and quickly exclaimed in surprise, "They are all so hardworking and handsome. They are all singing their own music, embodying the spirit of the younger generation. They deserve everyone's love. You should try to get to know them..."
"OK! OK OK OK..."
Ryan was already a little dizzy from the fan's earnest tone, which sounded like he was chanting the Bible. Before the other person could finish speaking, he looked defeated, his tone and whole being filled with exhaustion: "You won, YES, you won!"
"Now, let's listen to EXO! Let's listen to the new song from this boy group from the peninsula that so many people have requested, it's called 'ON,' right?"
Ryan waved quickly to his assistant to play the song; all he wanted now was to finish playing it and say goodbye to them forever.
"That's right, it's 'ON'."
Serena's voice came through the phone, confirming, then she paused for a second, and muttered a reminder: "The 'E' is silent..."
"..."
Ryan didn't want to reply, and since the song had already started playing, he temporarily put aside his frustration and started listening.
"is just goin'on & on & on & on..."
Three minutes later, the song ended. Feeling the lingering melody still in his ears, Ryan had a look on his face that said, "Just as I thought, this song is exactly what I expected."
"Alright, we've listened to this new song from the Peninsula Boys choir. Well, what do I have to say..."
After listening, Ryan offered his own critique: "It's a bit noisy, the sound quality is just average, I don't think it's very suitable for radio playback..."
He bluntly listed a bunch of shortcomings, and with each one he mentioned, he felt a bit of his previous frustration dissipate.
However, after speaking, he paused, and then, maintaining his 'objectivity,' mentioned a few advantages: "Overall, it has a good impact, and the arrangement is also very distinctive. I heard it's a dance track, so it should feel even better when viewed in conjunction with dance... Okay, thank you very much for this listener's request. Now let's move on to the next caller."
Ryan took a satisfied sip of water. Finally, "ON" had been played once. There shouldn't be a bunch of random people popping up from nowhere and desperately requesting this lousy song anymore. Even if there were, he had a reason to refuse. He felt that the rest of the program should go smoothly.
"OK, welcome listener... What song would you like to request?"
"I'm so excited... I want to listen to EXO's 'ON'!"
"I'm so sorry, this song has already been requested. Do you have any other songs you'd like to hear?"
"Then I'll request EXO's 'Boy with LUV'."
"I... okay, next one."
"I want to listen to EXO."
"Sorry... next one."
"I want to listen to EXO."
"I want to listen to EXO."
"..."
"Ah ah ah ah..."
As Ryan hysterically threw down his headphones, his assistants and producers rushed in.
They stopped him, preventing his impulsive behavior, but even when they grabbed him around the waist, the seemingly provoked host continued to kick his legs, as if trying to crush the headphones on the ground into pieces.
"F**K! F**K XO!"
"You're all insane! Insane!"
…………
"That DJ seemed to have gone mad. I heard him making sounds like he was slaughtering a cow, like someone was tying him up and pouring boiling water over his head... I hope he's alright."
That evening, Serena was typing rapidly on her keyboard in front of her computer, entering conversations in a Telegram group called "North American Alice Data Attack Team 7".
"I was the one making the request, and I was just following the script. It was just a normal request for a song. I don't know why he suddenly had a seizure. It was so scary."
"Boycott XO, this is what people with no musical taste think."
"This kind of person shouldn't be a DJ. Not only does he lack musical taste, but I think he's also racist!"
The group chat was going very well, and many people immediately joined in after her.
But as the time approached 11 p.m., the group notification sounds suddenly started ringing out frequently.
[Administrator @ILoveYuan and all members] Emergency mobilization order!
The recent promotional campaign has been very effective, and we must keep pushing ON's ranking higher! Billboard Hot 100 tracking week ends tomorrow morning! Now is our last window of opportunity to boost streaming and download numbers!
The entire process has already been issued and is in the discussion group's files. You can refer to them anytime if you don't understand, or ask me or any of the administrators.
This isn't a request, this is war! For XO, charge!
As soon as the group admin issued the announcement, the relaxed and leisurely chat atmosphere suddenly became tense, and members began to post comments one after another, charging forward while posting their own achievements.
@sehunYuanLife: Received! Just bought 5 more digital downloads! Link posted on Twitter! #EXOON
@Moon: My credit card is crying... but it's worth it for the kids! I topped it up 10 more times!
Download group: Prioritize iTunes; you can make multiple purchases. Apple Music subscribers should also ensure the downloads are made locally!
Streaming Team: Spotify ladies! Repeating a single song doesn't count as valid data usage! Remember to insert other artists' songs between tracks on "ON" to simulate real listening behavior! Clear your cookies and switch accounts!
Tutorial Team: [Shared File] "Billboard Chart Manipulation from Beginner to Expert: US Account Registration & Safe Loop Playback Guide V3.1.pdf"
One message after another was sent out, some containing useful tutorials, some offering emotional encouragement, some providing feedback on results, and others encouraging each other. Everyone was united, working enthusiastically and full of energy, just like a well-trained army preparing for battle.
Meanwhile, Serena, who had previously requested the song on the radio, had opened her computer screen, which displayed six different Spotify free account pages from different regions, all with the song "ON" on their playlists.
...............
In the first two to three weeks after EXO's album was released, because K-pop was too niche and not accepted by the mainstream market, it received zero radio airplay, did not appear on any TV programs, and ranked low on the Billboard charts. Overall, the response and data were mediocre, and could even be described as a failure.
However, after Ji Kyung-won returned to LA from Milan Fashion Week, EXO9, under the management and operation of their agency, continued their previously established promotional strategy and started anew.
First and foremost was the crucial three-part television debut.
They would conduct interviews and performances on "The Ellen Show," designing cute or fun interactive segments to showcase their personalities, introduce their group's information, and get to know people.
He participated in fun segments and performed on stage on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," demonstrating his approachability and humor.
The "Good Morning America" episode, filmed in Central Park, has a large audience and is geared towards mainstream families. EXO performed an outdoor, live-streamed performance of "ON," which they had practiced countless times before. With the help of their backup dancers, they showcased their powerful stage presence and delivered a stunning performance.
After the three shows aired, the previously icy situation where mainstream audiences were completely ignored was broken open.
At the same time, under the company's operation and arrangement, they also used their most fundamental and most powerful weapon... mobilizing their fans.
The company secretly launched a 'fan recruitment drive' directly among EXO-Ls in North America through bribing influential fans and various forms of advertising and guidance.
Through those influential fans, a "Billboard Charting Guide" was officially released, providing detailed instructions to American fans on how to buy iTunes digital albums and physical CDs, as well as how to efficiently boost Spotify and YouTube views.
They created the #ONBeatChallenge dance challenge on Twitter, and in addition to engaging their fans, they also spent real money collaborating with a large number of internet celebrities and even third-tier singers to promote the event.
Then, create hashtags like #ONBillboard, update the chart rankings in real time, and foster a sense of community and urgency.
Radio programs that were previously very resistant to K-pop became a key target. EXO-Ls launched an astonishing 'collective request campaign,' tirelessly active in every corner, relentlessly requesting XO's songs.
With such support from the fans, the EXO members certainly wouldn't be idle either.
They kept giving brief interviews, and even though many members weren't fluent in English, their sincerity and hard work won them favor.
They held small fan meet-and-greets, gave fun interviews to BuzzFeed, and did quick Q&A sessions with MTV News to maximize their online exposure.
They participated in all sorts of company-organized activities day and night, even the smallest promotions and the most embarrassing street variety shows.
During this time, Ji Kyung-won, along with all the EXO members, once again experienced the feeling of when they first debuted.
At this time, they really did treat themselves as newcomers. Even those who had become a little arrogant in the peninsula and even in Japan because of the group's previous success had calmed down and relaxed their mindset. They were very honest and worked very hard to keep up.
Fans spontaneously promoted the brand → it spread virally → mainstream media were forced to pay attention. EXO has developed a fan-driven, non-traditional, and reverse-conquering publicity method.
In just over half a month, this army-like, day-and-night fan frenzy of promotion and chart-topping has shown the entire North American music scene the awe-inspiring power of fans from a top K-pop group.
While the title track "ON" didn't perform exceptionally well on the Billboard charts, it still made a significant leap into the top 20. Mainstream TV programs, media outlets, and magazines began sending them invitations, and many radio stations stopped rejecting EXO's songs.
At the same time, due to its targeted advertising, which specifically targeted the student community, XO's reputation spread extremely rapidly among young people.
More importantly, their online popularity is ridiculously high. Although some chart data still only rank them as third-tier artists, their online popularity and discussion level are unmatched by many top singers. This is what makes local companies and artists take notice.
Thanks to the combined efforts of fans and idols, EXO has finally taken a successful step in the US market.
If all the K-pop groups that went to the US before, whether from SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, or any other artist, had the goal of 'breaking into the American market'...
EXO can now be considered a success, albeit barely.
…………
Late October 20th.
On a street in Los Angeles, the weather was lovely today. The warm sunshine felt especially gentle. Pedestrians came and went at the intersection, with bursts of laughter and chatter occasionally breaking the silence. The number of cars passing by was just right, and both people and vehicles moved at a leisurely pace, creating a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Ji Kyung-won, along with the EXO members and many staff members, were hidden in the surrounding crowd. He sat on the railing, holding a bottle of mineral water as if drinking water, but in reality, his ears were perked up, waiting for a signal.
It was just a red light, and all the cars stopped. Several drivers leaned out of their driver's side windows, casually looking around.
Just then, in the area where street performers usually hang out, the notes on the guitars of the people who were playing country music suddenly changed!
Several powerful electronic drum beats exploded through the portable speaker! It was the incredibly familiar and highly recognizable opening melody of "ON"!
"Yeah, come on!"
At that very moment, an amazing scene unfolded.
As if receiving an invisible command, at least fifty "tourists" who were taking photos, chatting, and resting suddenly sprang into action!
They abruptly ripped off their jackets, revealing matching black T-shirts with the prominent EXO logo on the back. They took out hats from their backpacks, put them on, and rushed in unison to the open space in the middle of the street, quickly assuming their pre-arranged formation.
Ji Kyung-won and the EXO members quickly took their places at the very front and center.
The iconic snare drum of "ON" resounded throughout the street with its powerful rhythm! Thirty dancers, along with the nine members of EXO, formed a massive square formation and began a synchronized and energetic dance performance!
The sound of footsteps, arms waving, and music blended perfectly; everyone's smiles were incredibly infectious; and every signature wave was performed with tremendous power.
The tourists on the road, the pedestrians on the street, and the drivers waiting for the bus were all stunned when they saw this group of people suddenly appear. Many people stood there, and their phones were raised instinctively.
"Oh shit, what is this? An outing from the mental hospital?"
"Oh my god! Is that EXO?"
"Ahhhh, it's XO!!! This is an XO pop-up event!"
"It's 'ON', I love this song so much!"
Many people immediately recognized the dancing EXO, and screams and cheers erupted. More and more people rushed out of the surrounding shops, and the crowd quickly formed several layers deep, almost causing a traffic jam. Everyone held their phones high, recording this incredible scene.
Of course, many people didn't recognize them. They stared blankly at the group of boys who suddenly appeared on the street dancing, their faces showing expressions of 'Where am I? Who are they? What am I going to do?'
In particular, many drivers waiting at red lights had their heads popping out of the windows, their eyes glazed over, and some even looked a little irritable.
However, the fact that so many people could recognize EXO, a K-pop group from the Korean Peninsula, in such a short time is a perfect testament to the results of their activities over the past month.
For those who didn't know them, this flash mob was bound to leave a very deep impression, even if it wasn't a good one...
…………
"call."
After the flash mob event, Ji Kyung-won got into his van, drinking water and wiping away sweat with tissues... The dance to "ON" is really physically demanding, and I feel very tired every time I finish it.
“I feel like this kind of ‘flash mob’ event is so stupid. The way a lot of people looked at me just now made me feel like a clown.”
"I think so too. I felt like the driver in front of me was about to floor the gas and crash into me... By the way, won't the police come if we suddenly block the road and dance here?"
The group of people next to Kim Jongdae were still whispering among themselves. Even though many members were already very thick-skinned, they were still somewhat resistant to the flash mob event.
"What are you thinking? They must have reported it beforehand. Some of the drivers were probably arranged by the production team to try to make it look real."
"I think it's quite interesting. Anyway, our fans will definitely be surprised, right? And a lot of people already know us—as for others... well, that's it."
However, some members also agreed with this activity, such as Byun Baekhyun, and Ji Kyungwon nodded slightly in agreement.
He felt a little ashamed, but... as long as it worked, that was enough.
"The publicity effect of this kind of flash mob event is very good. We will arrange for you to do it several more times in other major cities next week."
Sitting in the passenger seat, American agent Kevin turned around and said with a smile that with XO now successfully establishing himself here, he was feeling more and more hopeful.
"There's a limited edition album signing event in New York the day after tomorrow. We attract fans, take pictures of long lines of fans, and then create news and generate buzz..."
Kevin continued, outlining the upcoming plans: "Our main fan base is young people, and the company has created a series of projects to attract them. We are currently in talks with streetwear brands, including Supreme, Kith, and Urban Outfitters, to collaborate on pop-up events and release limited-edition merchandise to attract fashion media and young fans..."
He spoke at length and with great enthusiasm, while Chi Jingyuan and the others listened attentively without joking around.
Although they have succeeded in taking the first step, their progress is still somewhat unsteady and they need to continue to work hard.
Kevin rambled on and on, even after finishing his work, still talking about gossip. But his enthusiasm was soon interrupted by a phone call, and he turned around to answer it.
Just as Chi Jingyuan was about to check his phone and send some text messages to his friends, his phone rang. It was his manager, An Chengyuan, calling.
"What's wrong, brother?"
Chi Jingyuan connected directly.
"Jingyuan, how are things over there?"
Ahn Seung-won had come to the US with EXO for activities, but returned to Seoul a couple of days ago to handle some matters and is not here at the moment.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries and inquiring about the situation of Chi Jingyuan and the others, he got straight to the point: "Jingyuan, the company has received the list of awards for this year's MAMA. Putting aside the group for now, guess which awards you were nominated for individually?"
"Oh?"
Chi Jingyuan became interested upon hearing this and asked curiously, "There must be quite a lot, right? Just tell me directly, brother."
It's already late October, which is close to the end of the year. Many year-end award ceremonies have already started preparations, and singers and artists who have achieved good results this year are also at their busiest time of the year, which is also the time to reap the rewards.
Ji Kyung-won's solo album this year has been phenomenal, with physical sales far exceeding any other album and strong digital sales, consistently ranking in the top three of the year-end charts. He is very likely to compete for the number one spot by the end of the year.
"Your album is really amazing..."
An Chengyuan first sighed, then excitedly said, "You've been nominated for Best Male Artist, Best Album, Song of the Year, Best Artist... Basically, you've been nominated for every award you can apply for, including the three Grand Awards."
"And the chances of winning are very high." He spoke with certainty, as if he were the one who awarded the prize.
"Brother, you're so confident? You're making me excited too."
Chi Jingyuan chuckled, then casually asked, "By the way, I heard that this year's MAMA has been revamped, is that right?"
"Oh right, that's what I wanted to tell you."
Upon hearing this, An Chengyuan realized: "This year's MAMA is not like previous years, which were held in only one place. This year, it will be divided into three events: Vietnam, Hong Kong Island, and Tokyo..."
"XO is expected to participate in the Hong Kong Island event, while Jingyuan, you and CBX have received invitations to the Tokyo event. Especially you, the organizers specifically requested that you participate in the Tokyo event, and the company has already agreed... Oh, right!"
At this point, his voice rose slightly:
"You also have another collaboration stage at this Tokyo show, it's 'Uchiage Hanabi'..."