Chapter 1617 SJ

Zhao Fusheng respects every profession in the world. Even for some indescribable profession, in his eyes, it has a reason to exist.

Existence is reasonable. From a philosophical or sociological perspective, this statement is unproblematic.

Although many people like to hypocritically deny it and portray themselves as upright gentlemen, facts prove that the more one likes to boast of their integrity, the more likely they are to be exposed for various shady histories in the end.

Humans are the most hypocritical species.

The same goes for Koreans. They verbally despise idols, but in reality, the intersection between Korea's political and business circles and the idol industry is not uncommon.

Not to mention the dirty dealings involved.

"These people..."

Glancing at the actors sitting upright, Zhao Fusheng shook his head helplessly but did not continue.

Park Sun-young was startled. She could tell that the chairman seemed not to like the actors' demeanor.

In fact, Zhao Fusheng really disliked their condescending attitude.

Korean idols are not easy either. Among countries with many idols, Japan and Korea have fundamental differences. Take Johnny & Associates, which monopolizes the Japanese male idol market, as an example. Most of its artists debut by releasing records as idol groups, then develop their talents in hosting, TV, film, and other fields to gain recognition. When their popularity reaches a certain level, as members of popular groups, they can even star in prime-time dramas. Notably, almost all popular groups have appeared in Monday 9 PM dramas.

In Korea, this is unimaginable.

When Koreans watch TV dramas, if an idol-turned-actor appears, regardless of the content, they will inevitably criticize first. If the drama's ratings are low, the idol is sure to take the blame, with comments like poor acting dragging down other actors' levels emerging endlessly.

But in fact, acting itself is subjective within objectivity. Often, some actors just lack a good script, good role, good character setting, good director, or even good editing.

Surprisingly, the industry seems to agree with this assessment. Even directors clearly state when casting that they choose idols because of their popularity in overseas markets, not their inherent talent. This is one reason why idols have struggled to break into the acting circle in Korea's entertainment industry.

Companies do package idols' appearances, but in Korea, where trainees fight tooth and nail to debut, those who actually debut and become hugely popular are few and far between.

Of course, the狂热 export of Hallyu also plays a part. Many small planning agencies with no foresight, eager to make quick money, push out trainees without careful selection and packaging, only to be rapidly eliminated by the market. Thus, although dozens of idol groups debut each year, very few survive, and even fewer last more than five years without disbanding. The fast-moving consumer goods sales model is also one reason for idols' low status.

Under these circumstances, it would be strange if Korea's entertainment industry had no scandals.

Of course, this has nothing to do with Zhao Fusheng. He is not a goody-two-shoes and has no interest in saving those idols' fates. Everyone's life belongs to themselves. Since they chose to be idols or trainees, they must bear the consequences of their choices.

Even if the outcome is not good.

Speaking of which, China's tolerance for idol stars is outrageously lenient.

Adultery, tax evasion—if such things happened in Korea or Japan, the artist would basically be finished, with the only option being retirement.

But in China, as long as they hold a press conference and lie low for a while, they can still appear brazenly in media reports.

It can only be said that artists in China's entertainment industry have completely lost their sense of shame.

The girl group's performance on stage was quite good. Although Zhao Fusheng didn't understand what they were singing, five girls full of youthful energy singing and dancing was a pleasing sight.

Rather than watching a group of serious-faced actors, Zhao Fusheng felt he might as well watch these girls.

"Chairman, do you like it?"

Park Sun-young and Hu Donghai exchanged glances, somewhat surprised.

She really hadn't expected Zhao Fusheng to enjoy the girl group's performance.

Zhao Fusheng smiled and said casually, "It's not that I like it. I just feel that compared to the meaningless awkward chat of the two hosts and the seriousness of those actors just now, I prefer to be in this relaxed and pleasant atmosphere."

He paused, then said to Park Sun-young, "Think about it: if during a company meeting, I or Liang Jingyu kept a straight face the whole time, how would you employees feel?"

Ah?

Park Sun-young was taken aback. Imagining that scene, she decisively shook her head.

Are you kidding me!

That President Liang, now far away in Seoul, has the nickname 'Grim Reaper' within the company.

That's right, the Grim Reaper!

Although Liang Jingyu, following Zhao Fusheng's instructions, recruited many Chinese and Koreans within the company, at work he treats everyone without distinction of nationality. He is impartial and, if someone fails to meet his requirements, gives no second chance—he simply dismisses them.

In Liang Jingyu's own words: "As employees, you are responsible to the company's middle management. Middle management is responsible to me, the president. And I, as president, am responsible to the big boss of the parent company. Therefore, from top to bottom, no one in Hanxing Investment is indispensable. If you fail to complete your tasks, then anyone from me down to the most ordinary employee can leave!"

Although this is strict, it has to be admitted that the effect is quite good.

At the very least, within Hanxing Investment, there is none of the slackness found in other Korean companies. Everyone works hard to complete their own tasks.

After all, although the company's head is strict, the benefits are really good.

Between accepting high-intensity management to complete work and receiving high salary and benefits, smart people know what to choose.

Especially when Korea's domestic economy is currently sluggish, what a well-paid job means is self-evident.

Whether in China, Korea, or anywhere else in the world, unless one is a brain-dead petty bourgeois who would choose pride over future, truly practical and sensible people will never give up their future for so-called pride.

Come on, workplace life and being a person are sometimes the same.

A person, one stroke left, one stroke right. The one who is right gets to stand; the one who is wrong lies down!

In Park Sun-young's view, Liang Jingyu was already terrifying, so Zhao Fusheng, the top boss whom Liang Jingyu deeply admired, was even more terrifying.

But fortunately, it seemed the big boss was in a good mood lately, and nothing truly troublesome had happened.

...

...

"Is it over?"

Watching the girls prepare to leave after their performance, Zhao Fusheng asked Park Sun-young.

Park Sun-young nodded: "Generally, at such film festival openings, idol groups only perform one song."

"Oh, I see."

Zhao Fusheng nodded slightly, finally understanding.

But the next group to take the stage surprised him—it was the group that Han Geng belonged to.

"Do you know this group?" Zhao Fusheng asked Park Sun-young.

Park Sun-young glanced and nodded: "It's Super Junior from SM Entertainment. We had a cooperative relationship with SM before, and we hold shares in their company, so I know this group."

Zhao Fusheng then remembered that Hanxing Investment had bought shares in SM Entertainment. He had thought Liang Jingyu had sold them, but it turned out he had kept them until now.

"How is this group doing?" Zhao Fusheng asked with interest.

For some reason, he had become somewhat interested in Han Geng's group.

Park Sun-young thought for a moment and explained: "It's doing okay. Originally, SM launched this group to imitate Japanese groups with a graduation-style system. You might have noticed that this group has many members—up to thirteen—claiming to be the largest group in Korea."

"So many?"

Zhao Fusheng raised an eyebrow, then snorted: "I don't think it's a graduation class. They just stuffed all the trainees of similar age into the group, regardless of success or failure, right?"

Although he didn't understand Korean agency business models, from a businessman's perspective, he didn't think the reason Park Sun-young explained was true.

Of course, that's not to say Park Sun-young dared to deceive him, but rather that SM was playing tricks.

Hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Park Sun-young was first stunned, then nodded gently: "President Liang said the same thing."

"Haha..."

Zhao Fusheng laughed upon hearing this. It seemed there were quite a few smart people.

"Go on."

Glancing at Han Geng and the others performing on stage, Zhao Fusheng said calmly.

"Since their debut, this group has developed fairly well. Although they haven't reached the level of their seniors TVXQ, domestically they are considered a top-tier group, and they have the capacity to enter the Japanese market..." Park Sun-young said seriously. "We all believe this is a very successful attempt by SM."

Zhao Fusheng looked thoughtful, rubbed his chin, blinked, and revealed a strange smile.