When a top idol declares independence, the entire idol industry is affected.
Not only did Matsuda Seiko join forces with Minamino Yoko, who also planned to rely on Sony's power to become independent, but he also frightened other young idols who were secretly thinking about changing jobs and becoming independent.
The young idols considered themselves, if they could not terminate the contract peacefully and could not find a suitable successor, then as long as the current firm was not so bad that they could not tolerate it, they could just make do with it.
On one side are idols who have their own thoughts, and on the other side are the industry who are shocked and dissatisfied with this idol, but are unable to break up due to the power of Sony, and are waiting to catch another chicken to kill.
On the other side, there is SUNMUSIC, which has lost its first pillar of the firm and is now in dire straits.
To be honest, this agency, which has lost its mainstay artist, is the one that among the many agencies that have joined the Musical Association, is the one with the least intention to think about how to scare the monkeys.
Even if various agencies can unite to ban a certain artist, they are still in a competitive relationship. Now that SUNMUSIC has lost Seiko Matsuda, its competitiveness has been greatly reduced.
SUNMUSIC is not a short-sighted firm hanging on a tree. When Matsuda Seiko was at the height of her power, there was a conscious effort to find her successor. However, with the retirement of Okada Yukiko, the first Seiko successor left the scene.
Immediately afterwards, SUNMUSIC continued their efforts, and after Yukiko Okada, they promoted Noriko Sakai, who is also an orthodox idol. Coincidentally, Noriko Sakai is named "Noriko", and Seiko Matsuda's real name is Noriko Kamaiike, which is also "Noriko". Not only that.
, both idols are from Fukuoka.
Noriko Sakai, who was packaged bit by bit by SUNMUSIC according to the orthodox idol training model, is not only an idol that the agency has high hopes for, but also the last orthodox newcomer in this increasingly collapsed idol industry.
However, perhaps the public is tired of the orthodox faction, or perhaps it is because they have seen too many behind-the-scenes of the idol "Kyo Masami" over the years, and have now lost trust in the orthodox faction.
In short, although SUNMUSIC is strongly promoted, Noriko Sakai's performance has always been far behind. Although she is popular as an idol, her record sales are not very good, and there are no top ten singles in the charts, so she has never reached the front line.
.
Therefore, for SUNMUSIC, they not only have to deal with Matsuda Seiko's sudden independence, but also find ways to adjust their strategies, either continuing to invest in Sakai Noriko, or recruiting new people——
But in the current situation, if the public does not accept Sakai Noriko's ideas, then there will be no point in creating an "orthodox school".
…
There is more than one orthodox who is facing difficulties. She was planned by the agency to form a rock band and played an open-minded urban woman in a TV series. Momoko Kikuchi is also an orthodox.
The road is getting narrower and narrower, and there is no other way but transformation. It seems to be something that orthodox people have to experience together.
This year, Momoko Kikuchi is also preparing to terminate her contract with the agency.
She has always had a happy cooperation with the firm. Just after the new year, she showed her willingness not to renew the contract. The firm did not force it. Long before Matsuda Seiko became independent, the two parties reached a consensus that as long as Kikuchi Momoko passed away.
If you don't change jobs to work for a hostile force, then it will be considered a peaceful breakup.
However, due to Seiko Matsuda's sudden independence, the attitude of the firm has also undergone subtle changes.
The firm that I had planned to let go of amicably in the past suddenly wasn't so friendly anymore.
At this juncture, Momoko Kikuchi was even more afraid to agree to Yunmi Iwasaki joining the firm she had set up for herself. If she changed jobs to a powerful employer, there would still be room for maneuver.
Following Iwasaki Ka Yunmi, walking this road is no different from being independent.
However, although Momoko Kikuchi was disturbed by the change in the office's attitude and the surging undercurrent in the industry, she did not panic.
Not only that, this seemingly dilemma situation actually strengthened an unspoken thought in her heart.
But at this moment, Yunmi Iwasaki contacted Momoko Kikuchi and told her, "The son of Chairman Nishikawa of Shinei Production is willing to speak to his father and ask him to come forward to make peace and help us establish an office."
Shinei Production is a well-established firm in the industry. When BURNING's Ikuo Subo started working in the industry, he worked part-time at Shinei Production. With the help of the son of the founder of Shinei Production, the independent path envisaged by Iwasaki Ka Yumi seems to still be feasible.
"Chairman Nishikawa's son?"
"This Nishikawa-san is now a golf player and has always been your loyal fan. He once mentioned it on a TV show."
Iwasaki Kayumi is very satisfied with the line she has found.
Although Xinrong Production is an old brand and quite influential in the industry, it currently does not have any popular artists, and its main business is not managing artists. Instead, it has switched to copyright management and other businesses, and it also involves real estate and other businesses.
With such an influential big firm but no interest in getting involved in its management, Iwasaki Ka Yumi can show off her skills as long as she agrees to accept the protection of Shinei Production and become the "Shinei Department".
As for the peace of mind that Chairman Nishikawa's son had in helping Kikuchi Momoko, Iwasaki Kayumi didn't care, and believed that as long as the words were brought to this level, Kikuchi Momoko herself knew what was going on.
Now that we are fans, maybe in the future we will get to know each other better through this matchmaking relationship, and it is not impossible to develop other relationships. Even if Momoko Kikuchi doesn't intend to, there is nothing that Chairman Nishikawa's son can do about it.
Even if there will be a stalemate, by then, the office will have been opened, and Momoko Kikuchi's reputation will be used. After having a real interest relationship with Shinei Production, Chairman Nishikawa's son will not rashly do anything inappropriate for the sake of profit.
Appropriate things.
How can we achieve transformation without relying on a big tree?
Yumi Iwasaki is very practical. Momoko Kikuchi not only has fame to use, but also other people's love for her.
Of course Momoko Kikuchi knew this.
It is common for idols these days to fall in love or even marry the children of middle-level or high-level TV executives. Otherwise, they can still thrive as actresses by marrying a Dentsu MAN.
However, Iwasaki Kayumi's performance was too straightforward and explicit, which made her feel uncomfortable.
"Time is running out, Momoko. Please think about it carefully. In order to achieve this moment, I have planned many times. I hope that as an agent, I can work with you to complete the transformation from idol to actor."
Iwasaki Kayumi said this, but in fact, she was not as anxious as when she urged her a few days ago. Compared to that time, Iwasaki Kayumi now feels more confident.
Momoko Kikuchi's contract is about to end. Now, because Seiko Matsuda is independent, her firm has become tough. For a while, she can't find a firm that can take her in, and she has nowhere to go.
Originally, Momoko Kikuchi always wavered in the face of her persuasion. Iwasaki Kayumi, who was counting on Momoko Kikuchi to support the office, was worried about this. But now, the situation has changed, and Kayumi Iwasaki has the upper hand.
In a sense, Iwasaki Kayumi is grateful to Seiko Matsuda for her sudden independence. Thanks to this top idol for dropping this bomb on the industry and pushing Momoko Kikuchi to her side——
Plastic industry.
Iwasaki Ka Yumi is full of confidence.
…
A Seiko Matsuda made all the idols in the industry uneasy.
The influence of top idols is terrifying. Even though Matsuda Seiko's sales are not as good as before, her every move is still the focus of public attention. Not only is it the focus of public attention, it can even affect the industry.
And this top idol also has an "American dream" in her heart.
"Saint Son-san is interested in working overseas?"
Iwahashi Shinichi heard this somewhat awkward sentence coming from Sakai Masari's mouth.
"I heard from the producer in charge of her that when planning her next career, Matsuda mentioned that she would like to try releasing an English record later on," Masatoshi Sakai told him.
"I see." Iwahashi Shin nodded.
"Trying to release an English record" is too cunning.
Going to the United States to record an album can be said to be just for fun, and the same can be said for moving the base camp to the United States to officially enter the United States. I just don’t know what Seiko Matsuda is planning.
"If I were to make an English record, I wouldn't need you." Sakai Masatoshi joked, "I would definitely have to buy music from abroad. Speaking of which, in Japan, Sony and Warner have the most extensive foreign music libraries."
"Ah." Iwahashi Shin nodded.
Masatoshi Sakai casually mentioned, "Nakamori-san from Warner has produced English records."
"I wonder how Seiko-san's English is..." Iwahashi Shinichi muttered, thinking of Nakamori Akina's "Dolimuzcom Tulu"-level English.
Top idols, one or two, all want to release English albums.
Sakai Masatoshi didn't expect Iwahashi Shinichi to pay attention here, and laughed loudly, "I don't know."
"However," Shinichi Iwahashi said casually, "even if you want to make an English record, you may not only use foreigners' songs. Why should foreigners listen to a foreigner in their eyes singing English songs with a strange accent?"
"That's what I said." Sakai Masatoshi didn't take Iwahashi Shinichi's words to heart.
What he said is the truth, and people in the Japanese music world may not know it - such a simple truth. However, for the Japanese, the matter of entering the United States is to follow the path of failure over and over again.
Masatoshi Sakai was unwilling to discuss this topic further, "At the moment, Matsuda still has to release Japanese songs first."
"Then I'll call you later and ask if I can send some music to Seiko-san." Iwahashi Shinichi said, "I'll continue to ask you, Sakai-san."
Sakai Masatoshi didn't really believe that he was really going to give songs to Matsuda Seiko and wait to be chosen by her - that's all. If this guy really just wanted to give songs to Matsuda Seiko...
Although it seems more reasonable, it is also too boring.
Sakai Masatoshi agreed to tell Matsuda Seiko's producer about his intention to contribute music to Matsuda Seiko. If they agreed, they would forward their contact information to Iwahashi Shinichi.
At this point, things seem to have come to an end.
However, Shinichi Iwahashi wondered in his mind what he could taste from the information conveyed by Masato Sakai.
It seemed that he had more or less guessed what Matsuda Seiko's backup plan was.
Having said that, based on her stage style, Iwahashi Shinichi really can't imagine what kind of style Matsuda Seiko would have if she became a beauty. And her singing style, will anyone really buy it?
It feels like it’s even more unrealistic than Akina Nakamori’s attempt to pursue beauty.
…
All in all, let’s terminate the contract for THE BLUE HEARTS first.
The band signed a contract with Meldac Records and made very little money. Now that the contract is to be terminated, the liquidated damages are quite large.
In order to redeem these guys, Shinichi Iwahashi bargained hard and paid 5 million yen.
The termination fee of 5 million yen is not much at all - compared with those sky-high termination fees. It is not much at all, depending on the position of the band.
Before the main story begins, let me first spend five million yen. This hot potato is really not something that ordinary people can handle.
However, when negotiating to terminate the contract, we are discussing not only the termination fee, but also other things.
Iwahashi Shinichi is now the head of the record company, and he has stepped in as the band's agent, which means that GENZO intends to release the band.
As a result, some remaining issues must be resolved together.
For example, the ownership of the copyright of the song, what will happen if the band sings songs from the Meldac recording period in the future, and what will happen to the previous song "Chernobyl" that made the band choose to terminate the contract with the company...
Everything is related to the future of the band.
It's the same thing. However, apart from the initial negotiation, Shinichi Iwahashi personally came forward and met with the directors of Meldac Records. After roughly reaching a consensus, the specific implementation was left to the company's people to handle.
Anyway, the band finally regained their freedom.
Within GENZO, there are some objections to Shinichi Iwahashi's great efforts to buy the band. However, as long as he has the support of Watanabe Manyumi, the record company is basically his word, and everyone can only follow his orders.
I can only say that thanks to the fact that it is a small company and there is a partner who will let him do whatever he wants no matter what he does, as long as he looks like he can give it a try.
While the staff were being tossed around by his orders, they were also praying in their hearts, hoping that Iwahashi-san wouldn't make a mistake——
Worst case, don't pay too much.
After all, I have to eat with this president Sang.
While the contract issue was being resolved, as soon as Meldac Records let go, Shinichi Iwahashi began preparations to produce the underground single he planned for the band.
This time, things must be done quickly and cannot be delayed for too long.
As time goes by, the popularity is gone, and all layouts lose their meaning.
After getting acquainted with the band, Shinichi Iwahashi learned more about the inside story. He felt that the composition of the band THE BLUE HEARTS was also quite interesting.
Needless to say, the gay friendship between the lead singer and the guitarist is a fact. The bassist of the band was initially the manager responsible for contacting performances during their underground band days. Later, when the bassist of the band quit, the manager replaced him and took over the position.
Then we have the current membership structure.
It seems that the manager rolled up his sleeves and did it himself, which is quite common in the underground music circle...
Despite this, Iwahashi Shinichi felt quite cordial after learning about this incident.
