After the greetings, Shinichi Iwahashi noticed that Kenichi Yamauchi was followed by two young girls, and he knew that these were probably the newcomers he had been promoting recently, so he brought them to such an occasion to make an appearance and meet people in the industry.
Sure enough, after Kenichi Yamauchi greeted him, he stepped aside and introduced the two girls following him to him.
"The two of them are newcomers to the office."
Both girls looked quite cute. Kenichi Yamauchi pointed at the one with more mature features and eyes, "This is Sachiko Suzuki."
Then he pointed at the girl who looked more childish, "This is Aida Shoko." Then he introduced to the two girls: "This is Genzo's producer Iwahashi."
"Hello Iwahashi-san, I am Sachiko Suzuki."
The girl named Suzuki Sachiko is a bit charming, has a pretty face, and looks a bit like an adult.
On the other hand, the girl named Aida Shoko has a face with a little baby fat and a confused face that seems to be confused about something. Standing next to the somewhat adult Suzuki Sachiko, she looks like a child.
.
Aida Shoko also bowed to Iwahashi Shinichi, "Hello, Iwahashi-san. I am Aida Shoko, eighteen years old. Please give me your advice."
Iwahashi Shin glanced at her unconsciously.
This kind of self-introduction matched her appearance quite well, but she was quite confused.
"Hello, you two." Shinichi Iwahashi returned the greeting politely.
Yamauchi Kenichi Iwahashi Shinichi said, "Suzuki and Aida both came from auditions organized by Wanibooks' "Uptoboy" and formed a group together this year."
"Uptoboy" is a magazine that specializes in publishing photos of female idols. Basically, the tone of the entire magazine is aimed at young readers, so the content is relatively fresh and light. Even if the photos are taken with a bit of an adult feel, they are just clicked.
It's not as unrestrained as a magazine that's completely geared toward adults.
"The name of the group is 'wink'."
"That's it." Shinichi Iwahashi nodded politely, subconsciously thinking of the selection meeting where Watanabe Mayumi's u-miz collaborated with the magazine, and he didn't know what kind of person would be selected in the end.
"Actually, the original name was 'twinkle', but the pronunciation of this name was a bit unfriendly to the public, so the current name of 'wink' was used." Kenichi Yamauchi explained.
Iwahashi Shinichi listened politely, but he had some considerations of his own in his heart. Ordinarily, as an ordinary greeting, Yamauchi Kenichi's words seemed a bit redundant, and it was not like what he should say when greeting the parties involved.
However, speaking out about something that was part of the production process, such as the twists and turns in choosing the name, without avoiding him, seemed to imply another layer of meaning. It meant that there was something to discuss with him.
Kenichi Yamauchi, who had never met him before, took the initiative to bring two girls over to say hello at the party. It seemed that it was not just to make the two girls familiar.
After all the necessary introductions were made, Yamauchi Kenichi motioned to the two girls to leave first, but he did not leave. He stayed and continued talking to Iwahashi Shinichi, "Although this is the first time I met Iwahashi-san, but what happened in Morigao
Yes, you and I have worked hard for the same goal."
Iwahashi Shinichi cast a doubtful look.
Kenichi Yamauchi explained: "I am the one responsible for communicating with Mr. Kawahata Kiichiro."
"That's it." He nodded.
Kenichi Yamauchi smiled and said: "You are the one who came up with the idea, and I am the one responsible for the execution. From this point of view, although we have never met, we have worked together."
"I just came up with an idea." Iwahashi Shinichi said politely, feeling that Yamauchi Kenichi should get to the point.
"If you say that, I am just taking care of a sapling that has already taken root and sprouted." Yamauchi Ken made a joke, and then turned to the topic just right after this sentence, "After the publicity strategy is successful, I will
I want to meet Iwahashi-san."
"What's your impression of the wink just now?" Kenichi Yamauchi asked.
Iwahashi Shinichi was not surprised that he asked this question. He thought about it for a moment and said, "If you ask this suddenly, all I can say is that both girls are cute."
"That's right, I was rash." Kenichi Yamauchi smiled.
However, although these two girls are cute, they do not have impressive looks. In other words, they lack something impactful.
Iwahashi Shinichi thought about the two girls just now, and found that he could not remember their faces so clearly. The only thing that impressed him deeply was that Suzuki Sachiko was a bit arrogant, while Aida Shoko looked like a child.
With such an appearance, even though he is cute, he lacks a certain expressiveness and will be lost in the crowd if he is not careful. From this point of view, Iwahashi Shinichi commented: "It is more suitable to debut as a group than as a solo artist.
"
Forming a group and having a common name may be a good way to deepen your impression of them. Otherwise, if a girl like this can sell a thousand copies of her solo debut, she will be thankful to God.
"Ah." Yamauchi Kenichi's expression relaxed after hearing this, and it was obvious that what he said had reached his heart.
Iwahashi-san's vision is really sophisticated! Ken Yamauchi was even more energetic. He continued: "You are a producer, so you know the current trends very well. "Uptoboy" is an idol magazine, and we co-organized the audition with them.
It’s also for the purpose of producing and launching idols.”
"Suzuki and Aida are both cute in terms of appearance, but to be honest, they lack a little bit of uniqueness when they debut as a single person." Kenichi Yamauchi said, "Because of this, when planning, I took into consideration the idea of forming a group."
They signed the people. During the production process, they naturally made a comprehensive analysis of the two girls. Naturally, the lack of expressiveness of the two girls will not be hidden from their eyes.
.
However, Iwahashi Shinichi pointed out the key points of the joint after seeing him once, which cannot but be admired by Kenichi Yamauchi.
"Continental dance music is popular nowadays, and Sengao's work this time is also in the same style. Therefore, in terms of music style, we discussed with the record company and continued the current popularity."
“When it comes to duo groups, there are successful examples like ThePeanuts and Pinklady, and there are valuable experiences worth referencing from these two seniors.
"Previously, Ishii Akemi and Oginome Yoko became popular by covering Western music. When thepeanuts debuted, they also became popular by covering Western music. Therefore, we considered taking the route of mainly covering Western dance music."
"Hmm." Shinichi Iwahashi listened carefully.
"However," Yamauchi Kenichi changed his subject, "the effect is quite bad."
"Pretty bad?" This somewhat serious statement made Shin Iwahashi repeat it subconsciously.
Kenichi Yamauchi smiled bitterly, "It should be said that it is very bad. It makes people wonder if there is something wrong."
The current situation is simply a money-losing situation.
Within the agency itself, I was not very satisfied with the candidates Sachiko Suzuki and Shoko Aida who were signed by the audition. They felt that they were different from the expected winners and that it would be unpleasant to debut as a solo idol.
Although there are currently no good duo idol groups on the market, this does not mean that the duo idol market is untouched. Rather, it is too difficult to successfully launch a duo idol group.
When Chisato Moritaka debuted, her performance was a mess and she was transferred to genzo. However, under Shinichi Iwahashi's suggestion, she changed her appearance and now she is soaring.
This Iwahashi-san has a first-class vision, and at the same time he has the mind to solve problems after discovering them. It was this place that impressed Kenichi Yamauchi and made him want to try and ask him.
"I don't know if it's an unkind invitation."
Yamauchi Kenichi made up his mind and said, "I would like to ask Iwahashi-san to help me take a look at this group. I would like to hear your opinion on how they should take the next step."
Is this a verbal invitation to produce? Iwahashi Shinichi is obedient. For this reason, at least he should be invited to produce the group's next one or two singles.
It was his first time dealing with a duo of idols.
However, when you think about the time when Chisato Moritaka was produced, he was a naive young man who had never produced a solo idol before. He bravely bid for the job just to make a living, and then won the production rights, so I don’t think so.
The first step always has to be taken, not to mention the idol production experience is also the same.
He made up his mind and agreed to take a look. The purpose of Kenichi Yamauchi's trip was achieved, and after the agreement was made, Wink's performance videotape and the two people's information were sent to his production company.
…
"The clerk at Kawasaki just called and said that the information has been sent over. So, I have to go back later." Shinichi Iwahashi borrowed the restaurant's phone to answer the page and walked back to Watanabe Wan Yumi.
In the bright restaurant, the two people sat opposite each other.
Today, Sunday, he was asked by Mr. Watanabe to go to the golf driving range to learn. After playing, they stopped by to have tea together.
"Are you going today?" Watanabe Manyumi asked after confirming the menu.
"Well, I want to see what kind of combination they are as soon as possible." Iwahashi Shinichi replied, "To be honest, just looking at the private images of the two girls is a bit worrying."
"how?"
"It's like two blank sheets of paper." He explained, "It's a blank sheet of paper. If you think about it, you'll know that no matter which one looks like it, it doesn't have any memory points. It's just a blank sheet of paper."
Watanabe Manyumi laughed after hearing this analogy, "But a blank sheet of paper has infinite possibilities."
"That's right, the possibilities are endless." Shinichi Iwahashi teased her, "As expected of Wan Yumi-san."
Faced with his ridicule, Watanabe Manyumi remained unmoved, guessing that he probably had some idea, otherwise, he would not have used the "blank paper" as an analogy.
As expected, Shinichi Iwahashi continued: "Even if it is white paper, it is not impossible to create it. On the contrary, girls who are 'colorless' like the two of them are suitable to consider what kind of color should be painted on them.
color."
"Please continue?" Watanabe Manyumi urged with great interest.
Iwahashi Shinichi smiled bitterly, "That's all I can say. The rest can only be considered after watching the video tapes and materials. These are better said to be preliminary impressions."
"According to what you just said, this initial impression is not bad." Watanabe Manyumi grasped the key point.
Iwahashi Shinichi in turn talked about other things, but he was not worried that Watanabe Mayumi would be left behind in this change of topic. "When I went to the karaoke box with you before, I talked about thepeanuts."
"yes."
Watanabe Mayumi still remembered it, and then thought that Wink might be borrowing from thepeanuts.
"The two sisters of ThePeanuts are twin sisters." Shinichi Iwahashi said slowly, "To be honest, even now, I can't tell which one is Yumi and which one is Emi, but because they look similar
Twin sisters, in this combination, no one can be replaced by the other."
"Yumi and Ami formed thepeanuts. In the group, they shined brightly. However, after leaving the group and becoming Yumi and Emi as individuals again, that light disappeared."
"Indeed." Watanabe Manyumi followed his thoughts, "If you put it this way, the two Pinkladies, when they are not carrying out activities as 'Pinkladies', their individual light does not seem to be that strong."
Although the popularity of the group is at an all-time high, the feeling of being a solo player cannot be compared to the feeling of being in a group together, which explains some other problems.
"A two-person combination is actually very interesting, Wan Yumi-san." Iwahashi Shin thought of something and said with a smile: "If the two people in the combination are each very outstanding and their light is very strong, then it is not suitable to form a combination."
This is what is called one plus one being greater than two.
In the form of a group, if the members' radiance is very strong, they must find ways to restrain their own radiance. Otherwise, it will be difficult for the group to continue to operate healthily.
When it comes to a duo, the best situation is when they are invincible together, but when separated they are just mediocre.
Of course, it is not impossible for each of them to converge when they are together and shine brightly when separated. However, the probability of two geniuses forming a combination of geniuses who are humble to each other is extremely slim.
"Sensuke-san and Saury-san are not suitable for a combination." Watanabe Manyumi casually gave an example.
"That's right... By the way, the ratings of "We Are Funny People" are starting to decline," Shinichi Iwahashi said.
"We Are Funny", which once defeated "Everyone at 8 O'Clock", has been unable to escape the fate of being tired of the audience. Its ratings have dropped significantly compared with its prime period. It seems to have been gradually abandoned by the audience who like the new and dislike the old.
Not only that, during this period, in December 1986, Takeshi Kitano, one of the hosts, was dissatisfied with his young lover being followed and harassed by reporters from "Friday". He led a group of boys to the magazine's editorial office and beat and smashed her.
, the kind who beat the editor hard and even went to jail for six months without a reprieve.
If something like this happened to the main character, it would have a huge impact on the show.
Shinichi Iwahashi relied on this program to help Akiko Matsumoto turn the tables. Now Akiko Matsumoto uses the program as a springboard to jump to high places, but the program itself has gone downhill.
The cruelty and impermanence of the entertainment industry are clearly reflected in this.