“Are you suggesting that EXO’s comeback next year should not use the original and reissue double album format used in the regular first album?”

While looking at the stack of printed plans he just got in his hand, and looking up from time to time at Chi Jingyuan sitting opposite, Li Xiuman raised the frame of his glasses and asked with great interest.

After finishing the winter single, Ji Kyung-won finally completed the task assigned to him by Lee Soo-man after working overtime for several days and nights, and compiled all his suggestions and plans for EXO's regular second album comeback next year, including

There are many aspects to the specific method of return and the selection of songs.

It's also thanks to him that he started preparing a few months ago, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to complete it in such a short time alone.

However, Chi Jingyuan didn't write much about many details, including publicity, concepts, specific styles and implementation, and he didn't actually know much about some details. He just expressed his general thoughts.

However, these are Li Xiuman's requirements, and the company will not let him get too involved in various processes and details.

"Yes."

Chi Jingyuan took two sips of hot coffee and felt that his body had warmed up a lot. Lee Soo Man was really good at knowing that he should drink hot drinks in such a cold winter. Of course, it may be that his body cannot bear it because he is older, so he needs to switch to Kim Taeyeon or

Some other young people probably just served two glasses of iced Americano.

I don’t know how she could drink it.

He noticed Lee Soo Man looking at the information, nodded and began to explain seriously: "Returns in the form of original and reissued albums will look good in terms of performance because the two versions will increase cumulatively. The overall sales will look good, and it will also increase the return.

Frequency and exposure can be regarded as two comebacks to a certain extent, but the cost has been reduced a lot, which is one of the return methods often used by the company's portfolio."

"However, because the reissued album basically only replaces the title song and one or two included songs, it is not much different from the original album released before. This will also cause the sales of the reissued album to drop significantly compared to the original album.

, unless the reissued title song is a huge hit, it will be difficult to change this trend.”

To be honest, in Chi Jingyuan's opinion, the so-called 'Repackage version', that is, the 'reissued album', is purely used to cut fans' leeks. Compared with the original version, the cover, title song and individual included songs are changed, and then

Just take it out and continue to sell it, and the price is still the regular price. This kind of deceptive behavior, except the fans who sincerely support and like it, who will pay for this unjust money?

Therefore, the sales volume of reprints are generally much lower than those of the original editions.

The reason why EXO's reissue of last year's regular album sold more than the original version is because the title song "Roar" became a hit and its popularity soared all over the peninsula. Otherwise, it would definitely follow this pattern.

But how can a hit song like "Roar" come out so easily?

Moreover, when the SM group returned to this model, the performance algorithm was also very stupid. They calculated the sales performance by adding the two versions of the album together. In fact, the sales volume of the two albums was better than that of others.

Including XO's regular one, which broke through the sales ceiling of one million last year, is actually a reprint of the original version, as well as the combined results of several Chinese and Korean versions. In terms of singles, in fact, no matter which version is close to one million, it is far away.

There are so many entertainment companies, big and small, in the whole peninsula, that is, SM companies like to do this to harvest the wallets of fans, but many groups are still enjoying the meal.

But most passers-by won't accept the idea of ​​a 'reissue album' unless this version of the title song is really great and becomes a hit.

"Normally, it doesn't matter if you use this method and it won't have much impact, but a lot of things have happened to the group and the company this year, so the return next year is particularly important."

Chi Jingyuan didn't bother to point out SM's intention. I believe that both Lee Soo Man and the company knew it well.

Who made SM so famous and its groups so popular? If you tried this with another group, would you be scolded? Can you sell so many albums?

That’s why SM has the confidence to play original and reprinted versions every day.

"XO needs to recover from the decline after members have left the group or even go further, and the company also needs to effectively stimulate the stock price, so I think this way of having a second album with a high probability of diving is a bit inappropriate, at least because of the impact on the stock price.

It will weaken a lot to a considerable extent.”

Seeing Li Xiuman who was looking at the plan in his hand, he nodded slightly. Chi Jingyuan continued: "I see that the information you gave me before, Mr. Li Xiuman, shows that the planning department had previously proposed a 'original reprint with two main characters'."

"Return to Mode', released a total of four title songs within three months to bombard the music industry, but the company did not adopt this proposal."

"I think this idea is good, but my suggestion is to split all the four title songs in the original plan. This time we will not adopt the 'original re-release' model, but use these four title songs as the core

Produce four single albums, each containing one or two non-title songs in addition to the title song, and release them in four months, with a single album released every month."

“For example, in March, April, May, June or April, May, June or July next year, choose a fixed date for each month, the first of the month, the 15th of the month or the end of the month to release the single album

At the same time, we are conducting song promotion activities, and the title song MV released every month is interspersed with previews and hints of the next song."

"After all four single albums are released, we will merge the four single albums into one and add one or two new songs to officially form our regular second album, which will be released in the fifth month."

"I also had an idea for the album name, and I named it after our XO fans. "EXO-L" is the final regular second album, and the four letters are exactly the four single albums, "E" and "X"

"O" and "L", this is also a kind of thank you to the fans for supporting us, I believe many fans will be very happy after seeing it."

Seeing Li Xiuman jumping up and looking at him with twinkling eyes, Chi Jingyuan smiled at him: "This can increase the expectations of fans and passers-by. The songs are still the same, but the time for return will be longer.

As time goes by, the exposure will also increase. Each of the four hit songs will have a one-month promotion and buffering period, which can largely avoid self-defeating in the double hit model, and win with multiple returns and song quality.

The entire first half of 2015 will be enveloped in EXO’s sound.”

"If the response is good, you can imagine the stimulus to the company's stock price."

Li Xiuman couldn't help but nodded his head with a hint of approval. After listening to Chi Jingyuan's introduction, he lowered his head and couldn't help but want to read it again.

Chi Jingyuan seemed to have thought of something after being stunned for a few seconds, and then said: "In addition, I saw in the information you gave me before that one of the company's original publicity plans was to have ten locations around the world.

The trailer was shot in cities where UFO rumors have occurred, and each member went to a city. Finally, the three letters 'EXO' were connected on the world map by connecting the dots of all the cities."

"This project is really great, and the effort is really big. I feel like as soon as this trailer came out, it immediately separated us from ordinary boy groups."

Chi Jingyuan clapped softly with some admiration. Apparently he also praised the filming plan of this trailer and did not want to be abandoned by the company. Finally, he spread his hands and chuckled:

"Of course, now I may only have to go to 9 cities."

"hehe……"

When Lee Soo Man heard this, he smiled helplessly and shook his head. When we were doing the planning, there were only 10 members of EXO. Who would have thought that it would become 9 members in less than two days.

"This method does sound good and novel, but the four single albums released previously will consume some of the fans' enthusiasm, and the four title songs have been released before. After the formal second album is officially released, the sales volume

There will definitely be some impact.”

He quickly pointed out an obvious problem.

"So I suggest that the sales price of single albums should be lowered. It is best if the price of four albums combined is the same as that of a regular album. After all, the cost of a single album with only two songs is not high, so the overall sales price

In terms of price, it is not much different from the 'original re-release' model. If the publicity is in place and the quality of the songs is up to standard, it should not have a big impact on the sales of Regular 2."

"At the same time, the regular configuration of the second party must be better this time. Whether it is postcards, member photo cards, lyrics books, etc., it is best to bring a little bit of everything, and the gifts must be more exquisite."

Chi Jingyuan took a sip of coffee and moistened his lips: "After all, the return of Regular 2 is really important to us EXO and the company."

"You are right about this, Jingyuan. The company will invest as much resources as possible in XO's return next year. Whether it is Girls' Generation or the combination of other activities of the company, you guys will definitely have an advantage in terms of resources.

"Li Xiuman nodded and made a promise at the same time.

Needless to say, EXO's ability to attract money, and less than three years after their debut is the best period. Various shareholders of the company, including Lee Soo Man, also regard them as the group that has the greatest impact on SM's stock price, no one.

Luhan's departure from the group and SM's 10% plunge is a good proof.

"As for the songs..." He pondered for a moment, but soon smiled: "I have listened to several of the songs you put in the company's music library, and they are all very good. Some of them are very relevant to XO's current situation and this situation.

It's quite timely for the return mode you planned... Counting the songs originally prepared by the company for XO, plus the songs you put in, the quality of the four title songs is not a big problem."

In fact, planning is easy, but the most difficult part is choosing the music.

For any idol group, song resources are one of the most important resources. Even in the same company, different groups compete most for song resources.

There aren’t too many examples of a hit song that can instantly pull up a group that was neither staid nor popular, or even completely defeated. There aren’t too many examples of how an idol group can take off. Although there are many reasons why an idol group becomes popular, including looks, body, stage charisma, and variety shows.

In terms of performance, etc., but in comparison, in the final analysis, a hit song of high quality is really the most important thing.

This is true for "GEE", which once promoted Girls' Generation, "sorry, sorry", which promoted SJ, and "Roar", which made EXO an instant hit last year.

For example, at the beginning of the year, Girlsday became a hit with "Something". It was said that this song was originally intended for Sistar. I don't know what happened in the middle, but some unknown changes happened in the middle or the confrontation ended up transferring it to Girlsday, which made this third-tier girl who has been confused for who knows how many years.

The group is very popular this year.

However, the song resources of each company are limited. Once you hear it, you will know that it is great. There are only a few songs that have the potential to become popular. Even if some idols may not be able to recognize them, most experienced economic companies can basically do it.

Prediction 1 or 2, there will be very few cases of leakage.

There are not many songs of this quality, and some of them are specially prepared by the company for a certain group, so song selection is the most important issue for anyone every time they come back.

There are a total of four title songs in EXO's plan this time, and each song must be above the standard and even have the potential to become a hit upon hearing it. This requirement is not low.

Fortunately, both SM and Ji Kyung Yuan can provide some help, so the most difficult issue of song selection is not very difficult for XO.

Glancing at the planning plan in his hand, Li Xiuman looked at Chi Jingyuan and smiled with satisfaction: "I think it's very good. I will hand it over to the planning department for a meeting immediately, and I will also consider your suggestions...

Jingyuan, you may have to come to the company often to work overtime these days."

Chi Jingyuan also narrowed his smile and nodded: "

"I understand, but Teacher Li Xiuman...does she get overtime pay?"

"Hahaha..." Li Xiuman pointed at him and nodded twice, and couldn't help laughing loudly:

"Of course, you can drink the coffee in my office as long as you like..."

………………

"Are you here to give away a trophy, or something else?"

As soon as he walked into the apartment, he saw Bae Suzy, who was wearing red low-cut pajamas, exactly the same as in the photo sent to him yesterday. Chi Jingyuan glanced at her and hung up the bag he was carrying while changing his shoes.

Next to him, he chuckled and asked casually.

It was already past midnight. Chi Jingyuan went back to the company after get off work from the crew to participate in the recording of "Let It Be", and then came to the apartment after working overtime.

I had already meant to post the photo before. Bae Suzy called him to make an appointment when she just returned to the peninsula from Neon. However, Chi Jingyuan has been very busy and a little tired in the past two days, so she didn't take the time to come over until now.
To be continued...