As soon as he said this, he immediately attracted the attention of most EXO members.
This year, EXO has already been in its fourth year of debut. At the same time, they are at their peak and have almost no opponents among the new generation.
But according to the usual cycle of peninsula boy groups, most groups are followed by a decline after their peak. Even though the current EXO already looks a little different in nature from other boy groups, the future development of this kind of No one can predict things.
Now that the group has reached its peak, the popularity ranking of EXO members should be almost finalized. The ranking of top, upper, middle and lower circles is very clear. Even though they rarely talk about these sensitive topics in the team, online, fans and even black people But they arranged it clearly for them, so in fact, every member knows it in his own mind.
Regardless of what they say on the surface, members whose popularity and resources are relatively average will definitely not be happy in their hearts.
At this time, many people really have to start thinking about more practical issues.
That is the personal development of each person.
Apart from the regular return of the big group, the most direct way to increase popularity is through filming, which is to form a sub-unit or solo. With EXO's current popularity and fan base, it is very easy to have a song quality that is above the standard as long as the planning is good. Success, if the song becomes a hit, the popularity will come quickly, which will immediately change the ranking of the team.
After all, popularity has its seasons!
The members of EXO actually know that the first member to go solo, if there is no accident, will most likely be Chi Jingyuan. His popularity is unparalleled in the team, and he also has the largest number of fans. The craziest and most loyal one. If the news of his solo spreads, not only fans, but even passers-by will feel the anticipation and surprise. As long as his name is posted, he can basically declare success.
It is difficult for others to compete with him in this position.
So many people are targeting the squad position.
"However, the first half of the year will be dominated by the return of the big group. The planning of small groups and solos are scheduled after the return of the group in the second half of the year. At present, the specific candidates for both have not been determined and are still under discussion..."
Unfortunately, the representative’s words indicate that these two plans are still on paper, and it will take at least half a year before they are implemented.
However, it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the members. Many people's expressions did not change, but their eyes flickered slightly.
The fact that there is no confirmed candidate means that anyone is possible.
After talking about some appetizing cakes, the topic returned to the EXO group's regular album. Currently, the planning has begun preparations. It has been confirmed that SM will return to the original + reissue model that SM is best at, the original album The song selection stage has begun, and the overall concept will become stronger. One of the title songs has been almost confirmed, and the selection of other included songs is in progress.
At the same time, because of what I said before, I also assigned a lot of tasks to EXO members and asked them to participate in the creation of some included songs.
Even if you don’t have this level of talent and level, you can just write two rap lines, revise them and then be selected. It’s still good to have a title of 5, 6, 7, or 8. After all, you have participated in the creation, and fans can also brag about it. .
Then the topic turned to the ending of this year's second tour and the planning of the third tour.
The meeting has been going on for a long time. SM is still very important to EXO, the top group of the new generation. They have their own ideas for most of the plans for the group and members, and they are all done long in advance. Basically, the next year will be planned. EXO's overall plan has been discussed at the beginning of the year.
After the meeting, Lee Soo Man called Ji Kyung Won over to have a few words and asked about his recent situation and filming matters. He didn’t say much else, but just made it clear to him that if the individual members of EXO this year If the solo plan comes out, it will be 100% done by him and let him make preparations in advance.
The other members are right. If there is a solo project, whether it is for the success rate, revenue, or even the personal relationship between the members, SM has never thought of letting anyone else come. Chi Jingyuan definitely has no second thoughts. s Choice.
Chi Jingyuan actually knew in his heart that of course he agreed immediately.
Then we chatted a little bit about being the producer of "Cheer Up" for Twice. JYP had already sent out an invitation for this matter, and Chi Kyung-yuan had specifically mentioned it to him before. Li Xiuman didn't seem to care very much. Instead, he nodded with a smile and said there was no problem. The song "Come on" is very good. This is a good opportunity. He also encouraged Chi Jingyuan to use this opportunity to accumulate more experience. After I come back, if I have the inspiration, I can work as a producer for Red Velvet or Girls’ Generation.
But Chi Jingyuan always felt that his shining little eyes had some evil intentions, as if he was waiting for "this is a very good song" to hit the street.
But it doesn't matter, because Chi Jingyuan actually doesn't have much confidence.
After that, we didn’t talk much. The song selection for the regular third album had already been discussed in the meeting... After leaving Lee Soo Man’s place, he went directly to Kenzie’s place, just for this reason.
…
"coming."
Kenzie, who was sitting in front of the computer in his office and working on something, saw Chi Jingyuan knocking on the door and walking in. He said hello casually with a familiar tone. Without saying much, he stood up and took a sheet of music from the side and handed it over.
As the company's signature musician and one of the directors, Kenzie's status is still very high, but Chi Jingyuan has been here many times, and they have collaborated and communicated together on several songs before. Now that she was familiar with it, Chi Jingyuan was not too restrained and walked directly to her side to take the music sheet.
"Monster?"
Chi Jingyuan glanced at the title on the score and blurted out the name of the song.
"Well, one of the title songs of your comeback this time is basically determined to be this one." Kenzie turned his chair around and pouted at Chi Jingyuan: "How do you like it?"
"Did you write that, Nu?"
Chi Jingyuan glanced down at the music score quickly and asked.
This is a very complete song. Even the lyrics have been almost completed. Although they are purely in English... it can be seen that some parts have been revised many times.
"That's about right." The girl stood up and took two glasses of water from the water dispenser next to her, placed them in front of Chi Jingyuan, and then pointed to the stool next to her, signaling him not to stand there.
Chi Jingyuan thanked him and took it, then asked: "Is there a demo?"
"have."
Kenzie nodded and did a few quick operations on the computer, and soon the melody was playing from the speaker next to him.
While listening to the demo, Chi Jingyuan looked at the composition carefully, tapping his fingers gently on the white paper, making various comments in his mind.
The demo clearly has a European and American voice, and the pure English lyrics come from his mouth without any lag. However, if the lyrics are replaced with Korean lyrics, some places will have to be modified.
This song is obviously a dance song, but although there is no dancing at this time, just listening to the demo, the strong rhythmic arrangement and accompaniment makes Chi Jingyuan's body warm up.
"You can call me monster!"
The first part was fine. When he heard the second chorus, he couldn't help but sing along softly. He liked the lyrics that directly raised the key and instantly raised the atmosphere.
Kenzie glanced at him and seemed to be smiling while drinking water.
Overall, it sounds pretty good. The music style is very distinctive, very strong and impactful. It's a bit similar to the song "Overdose" from 2014, which is a charisma-style dance music.
The English lyrics are a bit perfunctory, except for the line 'you can call me monster'. There is not much else. What impressed Chi Jingyuan most, apart from the extremely strong rhythm, was that it was different from ordinary dance music. It sounded a little different. A dark style, very high-end arrangement.
Hearing this really made his eyes light up.
However, Chi Jingyuan could hear that the arrangement seemed a little imperfect in some places, and he always felt that something was missing.
"It's very good. The style of the song is very different from the songs in our second album last year, "Call Me Baby" and "Boy with Luv". It's a bit like "Addicted" in 2014, the style is very strong..."
After listening to it, Chi Jingyuan watched it brew for a while, then looked at his director, nodded and praised seriously: "Especially the arrangement, it is really well done and has many highlights."
"..."
Hearing Chi Jingyuan's praise, Kenzie put down the water glass and said with a reserved smile on his face: "You guys are going to make a certain transformation this time. Whether it's your main song style or your personal image, you must be more mature than before. Some, and at the same time, I also want to try to open up the market in Europe and the United States, so I specifically tried to make songs of this style..."
As she said that, she pointed to the music score: "But you should have heard that this song is not completely finished yet, especially the arrangement. There are many places that need to be refined... I will leave the rest of the work in this aspect to you. You know, this is also the requirement of the company. Although I am the first composer, there is no problem for Jingyuan to have a second composer as the arranger..."
"okay, I get it."
This is what I came here for. This kind of cooperation mode was already familiar to me from the time of "Addicted". Not only did I believe in his arranging ability, but it was also a publicity stunt. Chi Jingyuan nodded directly and agreed to kill two birds with one stone. .
And he surprisingly liked this song.
As he said that, Kenzie looked over and said, "Just follow this style... Do you have any inspiration?"
"……have."
Chi Jingyuan smiled and nodded directly without being modest.
He already had some thoughts in his mind when he listened to it just now. For example, he felt that the intro of the song was a bit too flat and not catchy enough. Before the main song appears, a more intense prelude should be added, which can be produced with musical instruments or electronic music. The style is a bit weirder and darker, so that the intro can cheer up the audience and give rise to goosebumps as soon as it comes out.
He even has some outlines of the specific tone now.
"That's okay, I'm quite looking forward to it. Remember to show it to me after you make it." Seeing Chi Jingyuan's expression, Kenzie laughed and reached out to pat him on the shoulder: "Where are the Korean lyrics? Jingyuan, you Do you want to participate? If you write the lyrics, you can use it as a compilation."
"Forget the lyrics, I don't have any feelings." Chi Jingyuan smiled bitterly and declined, but then he added: "But I think the line 'you can call me monster' is great and is the highlight of the whole song. "
"..." Kenzie adjusted his black-rimmed glasses, glanced at him, and nodded in agreement: "Then leave the lyrics to others... I also like this sentence very much, and I will definitely not change it even if I re-write the lyrics."
The task of this song was determined, and the two then exchanged some arrangements about the arrangement. After the work of "monster" was almost completed, Kenzie took out a piece of music sheet from the side and handed it over: " And this song is also an important candidate for the title song of your album. If the original version cannot be selected, a re-release is very likely..."
When she saw Chi Jingyuan taking the music score and looking at it, she didn't stop talking, and then introduced: "This was not written by the company's musicians, but the company received it from an outside musician... It can be considered that he submitted it on his own initiative. Yeah, and I also stated that I hope EXO will sing it. After we looked at it, we felt that the style of the song is very suitable for your comeback song selection this time..."
"Who is it?" Chi Jingyuan asked casually while watching.
The score of this song is not as complete as that of "Monster". It doesn't even have a title, just a code name, and it only has the tune and no lyrics.
"My name is pdogg, not very famous, but quite capable. I used to work for a small company, but there seemed to be some problems with the operation team... I don't know much about it either."
Kenzie gave a brief introduction, and then talked about the work on this song: "This song has not been completed yet. If you are interested in the arrangement, you can participate, but the first work will definitely be pdogg... The focus is on the lyrics, this time The company is prepared to involve everyone from XO."
"Well, are there any general restrictions on writing lyrics? Is there a theme?" The specific reason was already mentioned in the meeting before, and Chi Jingyuan didn't find it strange, so he just asked.
"According to the style of your return this time and considering the market of Ami, it is best to have some lyrics that reflect your XO or personal growth experience, such as about difficulties, frustrations, temptations, chaos, etc., or some very difficult setbacks. Then things like growth, anyway, the style of the words should be stronger." It was obvious that this company had been discussed, and Kenzie said it directly.
"Difficulties and setbacks? Growth, temptation?"
Chi Jingyuan blinked after hearing this: "But Nu Na, I have no similar experience. I don't know how to express it."
"Yeah, writing lyrics doesn't require real experience. So, you said, you have real experience writing lyrics like "some" and "if you"?"
When Kenzie heard this, she couldn't help but laugh and curse. As she spoke, she seemed to have thought of something. Her expression changed and she became a little suspicious. She looked at Chi Jingyuan: "Isn't it possible? Jingyuan, have you really experienced "if You" lyrics are kind of sad and lovelorn, right?"
"How can it be?"
Chi Jingyuan's eyes widened a little and he immediately denied it righteously, and then he laughed twice, indicating that he was just joking: "Haha..."
"Okay, it's better for more EXO members to participate in the lyrics of this song... There are only so many tasks for the title song, and the other included songs are not my responsibility. However, this album is still in the song selection stage. Jingyuan, if you have any good self-composed music, remember to communicate with the company as soon as possible. This time you should adopt a double-hit model."
Seemingly sensing something, Kenzie glanced at him inexplicably, but instead of continuing, he began to sum up the work matters vigorously and resolutely.
"As for the title song, there is really no suitable one..." Chi Jingyuan recalled the recent collection, pursed his lips and shook his head: "But the included songs... I will take a look."
"Just take care of it yourself." Kenzie nodded, and finally gave a serious warning: "You can take your time writing the lyrics for this song, but you have to hurry up on "monster"."
"Don't worry, I understand."
…
I got two new song assignments from Kenzie. Although he is not himself in any of the works, Chi Jingyuan’s assignment is also quite heavy. He especially likes the song "Monster". After listening to it once, he has a lot of ideas about the song. A lot of ideas and impulses.
After reading the score of another song that the company had received that required them to write lyrics, he found that it was quite good. It was also a song that was very different in style from EXO's previous songs, and was more charming and mature.
This time the album has indeed made great changes in terms of theme style and song selection. It can also be seen that the company did not rest on its laurels after EXO reached the top, but was determined to seek breakthroughs.
I just don’t know what the effect will be when it comes out...
After Chi Jingyuan had lunch, he sat in the nanny car in the afternoon and listened to the demo of "Monster" and looked at the music score. While looking for inspiration, he came to KBS TV station.
Yesterday, Golden Sunday, the 1st, "Music Bank" stopped airing for one episode because of the New Year. It was a holiday for the two MCs, but one of them was still replaced with EXO's "Sing for You"
And in 2016, less than a month before the premiere of "Signal", SM also officially communicated with the "Music Bank" program team about the two regular MCs getting off the job, and it was determined that it would cause a craze and create "Music Bank". "Yinyin" Shinhwa's CP will be officially off the show on the 15th of this month.
Chi Jingyuan came here in the afternoon for this reason.
Of course Bae Joo Hyun is here too.
The atmosphere in the conference room of the "Sound Silver" program group seemed a little depressing. The main creative staff, including PD Han Jinzhe, were present. At this time, Han Jinzhe had a serious expression on his face, while other familiar staff members were obviously a little disappointed.
In the two months since Ji Kyung-won and Bae Joo-hyun took over as MCs, the ratings of "Music Bank" have jumped from the usual 1% to about 7%, and the peak can reach 10%. This is not weaker than The ratings of the TV station's flagship variety show greatly benefited the entire program team, and it attracted more attention from the TV station. It also made other people who work on singing shows feel envious after watching it, which made them sour for more than half a year.
But I didn't expect that the happy days would end so soon.
However, generally speaking, the time to fix the MC partner is usually about a year, some get off a little earlier, some a little later. Chi Jingyuan and Bae Zhuxuan got on the bus in May last year, and it has been eight months since January this year. The time is not too short. Even if they continue to do it, they will not be able to do it for a few months. Sooner or later, they will get off the bus.
Moreover, the program team also knew that Chi Jingyuan was a little busy due to filming, and also knew that it would be difficult for the woman to stay after the man got off the car, so although they were a little dissatisfied and disappointed, they did not do much to stop him.
Han Jinzhe looked at Chi Jingyuan and Bae Zhuxuan sitting next to him and sighed:
"Oh, SM has suddenly given us a difficult problem. After you and Irene leave, Jingyuan, who should we find to replace you?"
