An urgent meeting was set up the next morning at Genesis Entertainment HQ.
The current CEO and Chairman Hwang Bo-Kyung, founder of the company YG, Choi Seong who is currently working as the Chief Operating Officer, The PR department head Kim Chun-Ho, Producer Teddy, and a couple of other board of directors were sitting in the board room and staring at the various articles that were projected.
In every article, there were either Daniel and Jun pictures or drone shots of the large crowd. Some are good but others are described as troublesome.
CEO Hwang pointed at the screen, "Hyung-Suk-ssi, your boy had done it this time. Dozens of people were fined because of traffic disruption, and those police officers would probably be in trouble too. Look at the SNS. Some people are claiming that they are victims. It's ridiculous to say that they were being hypnotized. What is this Sung-Jun, anyway?
Did you expect this before? Is this why you called me yesterday and said to rethink about the busking?"
PR department head, Director Kim commented, "The matter was blown up all over the country. Han SungJun became the number one search item on Naver. Number 2 is Genesis. Number 3 is Tears. Number 4 is Kang Daniel. We can't control the news."
Everyone glanced at YG, to which the latter awkwardly smiled as he stood up from the seat and connected a Pendrive to the laptop.
"Please look at this compilation video." YG knew that they will question him since he was the one that brought Jun to the company. It was also his idea to bring solo artists together to form a group. So, he came prepared.
The video started to play on the screen. It started with Jun's solo evaluations from March 11th.
Naturally, they felt pleasant when they watched the first video. Everyone sitting in the room was a professional who had seen top singers perform. They could accurately guess Jun's skill level.
And then, the second video was played, which was from the previous day's evaluation. The moment Jun sing the first line, everyone was suddenly stunned.
Their hearts stirred as they continued to watch it.
By the time the song is ended and YG pause it, the CEO let out a long sigh and took out her spectacles, "his voice transformed. It's more like the frequency that's changed. No wonder some articles say that they were drawn by his voice like some sort of hypnosis. It's because of the voice tone modulation, high notes, and the timing of the lyrics."
"A singer's voice cannot be transformed drastically. If we listen to it carefully, the quality certainly improved a lot but it wasn't just that. Look at his expressions and movements." As producer Teddy voiced his opinion, YG nodded in agreement, "Yes, I have a theory."
He then gave a shocking statement, "I believe he wasn't serious until now. Or maybe, he doesn't realize his own potential. Maybe, it was brought out because of his mother's death. Nearly three weeks ago, we kinda rushed him to sign up with the company because we are in hurry. I think, only recently, he finally settled down his emotions and that drew out his potential when he was singing a song with emotional lyrics. Look at this, you can understand it."
After stating some nonsense theory to make it sense, YG resumed the video. It was the previous day's group evaluations, where they performed H.O.T.'s Hope. After that, it was the raw footage of the busking without the audience screaming.
Upon watching everything, Producer Teddy commented with a smile, "it's common that global singers can influence the audience but that has more to do with the stardom, not because of their voice or the lyrics but SungJun appeared to be a different type.
But, to do it, one should need decades of experience and reach the peak. Legendary singers like Lee Sunhee and Lee Moon Sae were prime examples in our industry. I don't want to compare a rookie to a great singer but he reminds me of Park Hyo Shin.
At such a young age, if he can achieve it, maybe, it's better not to include him as an idol and promote him as a solo singer, instead."
"No, I think differently." CEO Hwang shook her head. "Teddy-ssi, you forgot about the group evaluations. Hyung-suk-ssi, can you rewind it and play that video."
YG nodded and rewind it.
As they were performing, the CEO let out a smile and asked, "What do you see?"
"Hmm?" The Chief Operating Officer, Choi Seong's eyes are widened in surprise. "The voice quality is at the same level but it's different at the same time. Did he lower to his teammates' level? Is that the case?"
"You can say so." YG nodded. "Even I don't understand it fully but right now, at this moment, what we need to know is that Jun is an amazing singer, a natural songwriter and composer, a talented dancer, and a visual. As he's the current hottest topic, his popularity will rise quickly. That will bring the hate too.
To make sure his bright future stays intact, not only we should do we should protect him from the outside but we should also make sure this sudden rise in popularity will not go to his head.
For this, people should talk about the upcoming group and not just Jun alone. A backup is needed in case Jun's popularity rise before the group debut forces him to stay a solo. A three-member group isn't in anyone's interest, neither for the public nor for us. So, I propose the four-member group to be expanded to five."
"Five? But, is there some extraordinary trainee in our company that can match the talent of these four?" CEO Hwang furrowed her brows as he thought of the genius trainees in the company. No matter how much she thought, no one came to her mind when she compared to Jun's performance that she watched just now.
YG let out a smile as he said, "When did I say about a trainee? I'm talking about a certain singer-model-actor from Genesis M."
"Do you mean him?" CEO Hwang narrowed her eyes. "But, can he adjust with this group. He's a good singer but is in no way come closer to those four."
"But, he's an all-rounder though, can sing, dance, act, talk. He is in the industry for five years already with a mediocre-sized fandom and is also at the same age as them. The most important thing is that his visuals are certainly top-notch." YG said to her.
"Excuse me. May I know who this person you are talking about?" The COO, Choi Seong asked them while diving into his memories.
*****
Meanwhile, there's another place where a commotion has started. It was ZC Entertainment.
The Chairman and CEO of the company, Zuko Chuwon was staring at the monitor intently, "he looks taller, more handsome, and has a mature voice but I can't forget that name or face. It's Han Sung-Jun, alright. But, when did he get out of the hospital? And when did he get into Genesis? Why Dahyun didn't tell me yet?
Most importantly, when the hell did he become so good at singing? Did he perhaps wake up from a vegetative state, long ago and was training in secret until now?
The last time I checked on him, about three years ago, he was still in the hospital. Must have been out afterward and quietly lived after learning that his contract was broken. Maybe, I should have gone to the funeral. I would have probably met him."
It started with the head of the company before spreading it to the company staff and artists. While most of them barely even remember that name, there are a few who remembered the appearance and name of Jun even after four years.
At Resonance dorm, Suho was looking at the Tablet-PC when Sehun is still sleeping.
"Hmm? Genesis' new prince? Han Sung-Jun? The name's extremely familiar? Is it him?" Suho furrowed his brows as he scroll down the article and found the picture of Daniel and Jun. The face was familiar to him.
He downloaded it and zoomed in to take a closer look.
He immediately woke up Sehun by continuously slapping his arm, "Sehun-ah, wake up. Sehun-ah… quickly…"
"Hmmm…" Sehun opened his eyes and gave an annoyed look to his roommate, "what is it?"
Suho showed the image to him, "It's the same Jun we know, isn't it? The one from 4 and half years ago?"