Compared to the idol band that has yet to be seen, SMAP, who they have met before, is obviously more familiar to them.
However, having danced with Kwang Genge at the Red and White Song Contest twice, and now having to hold a solo performance at the Budokan, it is clear that a formal debut plan has been prepared.
Being able to support a performance scale of 15,000 people at the Budokan, he has obviously accumulated a lot of fans.
Then, this group called SMAP will not be the production target that Kitagawa Kao entrusts to Iwahashi Shinichi.
In this way, it is quite intriguing to suddenly invite him to watch SMAP's performance before leaving. It can be interpreted as Kitagawa's show of goodwill, but it can also be interpreted as something else.
At least, Shinichi Iwahashi wouldn’t think that Kitagawa wanted him to understand what Johnny’s idol was like by watching the SMAP show.
Iwahashi Shinichi recalled the figures of the young men who thanked him backstage at the Kohaku Utakara Gala after a year.
It was a bit strange and interesting to go to him specifically to thank him after a year. On New Year's Eve, when he was thanked in person, this was Shinichi Iwahashi's first reaction.
I didn't take it to heart at the time, but now that I think about it, the elementary school student Katori Shingo, who almost bumped into me the year before, looked so embarrassed. If it was because of such a small thing as not thanking him properly a year ago, he shouldn't have shown it.
So strong.
But no matter what, nothing actually happened, just some vague thoughts, so I didn’t spend too much energy on it.
Iwahashi Shinichi changed his mind at that time and put the matter aside. Of course, Kitagawa extended the invitation, and he would definitely be there to watch SMAP's solo performance later.
It's settled that after that, Johnny will send the tickets to the record company.
…
Kitagawa's production invitation is not to hand over newcomers who are about to debut or idols who have already debuted to Iwahashi Shinichi, but to let him start training from a blank piece of paper. The selected JR is also training in "Idol"
" and "Band" two paths, studying at "Genesis" and "GENZO" at the same time.
According to Johnny's method of promoting newcomers by working as JR for a few years before making their official debut, building up popularity and then releasing a record to make their official debut, this production invitation will most likely last for a long time.
Well, at least during this period of cooperation, Kitagawa Kaikai and GENZO will maintain a certain degree of friendly relations. As for whether they will become more friendly or continue to be friendly, it depends on what both parties have done during this period of friendly cooperation. This
What happened to the cooperation in the end?
"As expected of Jason."
After listening to Iwahashi Shinichi's words, Watanabe Manyumi sighed.
Sending out production invitations is done in the open, and stabilizing new forces is done in the dark. Making good friends is done in the open, and investing in the dark.
Do things steadily and without leakage.
"Indeed, he is worthy of being Jason." Iwahashi Shinichi also agreed.
After all, he is an old man who has eaten more salt than anyone else has eaten rice. He works as a younger brother to a big brother like Watanabe Shin, and even poaches the big brother's confidants before leaving.
The two of them were in the small reception room next to Shinichi Iwahashi's office, admiring Kitagawa.
This scene is more or less funny.
So, after finishing their words of admiration, Iwahashi Shinichi and Watanabe Manyumi laughed in unison. After laughing, Watanabe Manyumi calmed down her expression and asked him, "What are you going to do? Shinichi-kun."
"Anyway, let's go to SMAP's concert first. After that, it's also necessary to go watch JR's practice..." Iwahashi Shinichi said this, not to distract him.
He paused, "If nothing else, I should accept this production commission."
"This is not a production commission, it is a training commission." Watanabe Mayumi seemed to be making wisecracks.
Iwahashi Shinichi smiled and nodded, "Yes, that's what happened."
"Now, it's not like we don't have experience in cultivating new people." Shinichi Iwahashi also stopped smiling and became serious, "If you want to cultivate a band from scratch, you don't have to cross the river by feeling the stones."
"Most importantly, this is also a good opportunity to get closer and maintain a relationship with Johnny." Watanabe Manyumi added.
Neither of them mentioned the past.
Johnny's is hugely powerful and has close ties with TV stations and other parties. It is one of the few firms that even Ikuo Suho cannot provoke and can only seek peace.
Since Iwahashi Shinichi and Watanabe Manyumi have made up their mind not to move closer to the combustion system, they must unite the emerging forces and form a new alliance. At the same time, it is also necessary to make good friends with non-combustion system forces.
lack.
For a firm like Johnny's, you either have to be on good terms with it, or you have to be on good terms with it. In the past, Shinichi Iwahashi and Wanyumi Watanabe were in the former category, but now, the opportunity was presented to them by Kitagawa Kao himself.
Of course, being entrusted with cultivating an idol band does not mean that we have established a good relationship with Johnny. It can only be said that the opportunity to establish a good relationship has come before us.
Next, it’s time to take one step at a time and consider moving forward.
"There's something else I'm very concerned about." Watanabe Wan Yumi suddenly mentioned.
Iwahashi Shinichi didn't answer, waiting for her next words.
"Keiko-san invited you to watch SMAP's performance, and he has plans to create an idol band." Watanabe Manyumi changed the subject and said, "If you think about it this way, he doesn't really want Keiko-san to get involved in the agency."
Arranging for the Heike group to debut and letting Fujishima Keiko become the manager was originally a stopgap measure. However, this group was formed around the same time as SMAP, and both had Hikaru Gen as their backup dancers. Before their debut, JR were also quite popular.
However, after the Heike clan came out, they spent all kinds of good resources, but they could never make any further progress.
Now, Kitagawa Kaguo has started planning for SMAP's debut. From this point of view, the Heike group seems to be arranged as a transition between Hikari Genki and SMAP. The one that really wins his heart and has high hopes for him is SMAP
.
Kitagawa Hiroshi had no children, and Kitagawa Marie believed that Fujishima Keiko was the future heir to the firm. She wanted to help her daughter to take over the office and actively promoted her participation in affairs within the firm.
The initial arrangement for the Heike faction to debut was indeed a temporary measure. However, after watching Kitagawa Kuo's indifference to the Heike faction, allowing Kitagawa Mari and Keiko's mother and daughter to make various arrangements, and now that they are debuting in SMAP, they are also planning group idols.
band……
The most important thing is that neither SMAP nor the idol band in the planning team can see the shadow of the mother and daughter.
At the beginning, Kitagawa Kao was the one who went along with the situation, which made Kitagawa Mari and Keiko suffer. Kitagawa Kao himself also had a fair and upright reason.
After screwing up this team, Fujishima Keiko will not have another chance to get involved in the firm's affairs, at least for a period of time.
"Jisan people look tough and clear-minded, like people in their forties." Shinichi Iwahashi was reminded by Watanabe Manyumi, his mind was spinning, and he continued with a smile.
As long as ordinary people meet him and see his energy, they will know that it will be absolutely no problem for him to work for another ten years. Now he is busy arranging for the princess to learn how to manage politics, which is indeed a bit impatient.
Even if this is the only apparent heir to the firm, unless Kitagawa Kagu suddenly gives birth to an illegitimate child, or plans to abandon the family business and introduce a modern management model, no one can surpass Fujishima Keiko.
Even so, Kitagawa Marie was so anxious to put her daughter in the position of heir that Kitagawa Gao was dissatisfied.
After all, she is a niece, not a biological daughter. Behind this niece, there are also involved her powerful sister and even the undecided future son-in-law. Everyone has their own thoughts.
"Even if it's a family operation, it may not be monolithic."
"On the contrary, the more family-run it is, the more likely it is that problems will arise."
Watanabe Manyumi felt this. She, the "second daughter", was quite convincing when she said these words. After hearing this, Iwahashi Shinichi smiled when he remembered what he was still doing at Watanabe.
"What are you laughing at?" Watanabe Wan Yumi was a little concerned.
What Iwahashi Shinichi laughed at was that if Watanabe made two sisters, she would definitely be unhappy. He replied, "I wonder whether people like Jason will stick to blood and family, or will they take drastic measures.
"
If the Heike faction fails, on the one hand Kitagawa Kaguo will indeed have a reason to suppress Kitagawa Mari and Keiko. But on the other hand, it will also expose Fujishima Keiko's mediocre qualifications and her independent personality led by her mother.
"I don't know." Watanabe Wan Yumi smiled, "However, based on my impression of that Jason, unless he is old and frail, he will be the person we deal with for a long time.
."
It is too early to talk about this now. Just like why Kitagawa Mari and Keiko are so frustrated this time.
Shinichi Iwahashi was noncommittal.
After the two of them admired Kitagawa, they gossiped about the issue of Johnny's heir, feeling refreshed. Apparently, everyone loves gossip.
"This time we have a big success." Watanabe Manyumi then turned to the topic. The planned album was successful, and Bo LAN's new single was also a big hit. GENZO started the new year with two pieces of good news.
Iwahashi Shin nodded, "Ordinarily, we should prepare the celebration wine."
Watanabe Manyumi laughed at him, "You haven't prepared any celebration wine in the reception room yet?"
"There is wine in the office. Maybe I will drink it for entertainment before I can celebrate with you." Shinichi Iwahashi said deliberately.
Watanabe Wan Yumi was speechless in admiration of his ability to find reasons.
"But it's okay..."
"There are other ways to celebrate." Shinichi Iwahashi looked at her, "Isn't it?"
Watanabe Manyumi was amused by his tone and demeanor, and stretched out her hand. Iwahashi Shinichi held it gently.
"The celebration party is scheduled for the evening of the 19th, and we will go to the Prince Hotel in Akasaka." The 19th happened to be a Friday. The staff celebrated happily and then went to take a weekend break.
Iwahashi Shinichi said, "It's not too late to drink the wine for the celebration, right? Wan Yumi-san."
Watanabe Wan Yumi nodded, "I know." She pulled back the hand that was held.
Silence fell in the air for a moment, like preparations before the next topic started. The waiter came in and changed the tea for the two of them.
As soon as the clerk walked away, Shinichi Iwahashi said, "I have new plans for the new year."
"Yeah." Watanabe Wan Yumi listened.
They have to formulate this year's plans for the three bands that have already debuted, as well as plans to introduce new people this year. It is a common practice for the two of them to take a breath before sitting in the conference room.
"First of all, arrange Keiko Utoku's solo debut." Shin Iwahashi said.
Furthermore, an audition is scheduled to be held this year, and at least one band signed by LIVEHOU will be selected to debut.
Right now, the company doesn't have many new people on hand, but it's not that few either.
The only thing is that ZARD and Bo LAN are about the same momentum now. If the two bands really become popular together, then they must launch another band that can take over.
Record companies must ensure that they can promote at least one group of singers a year to avoid a lack of work.
"Utoku Keiko."
Watanabe Wan Yumi was curious, "How do you plan to arrange her debut."
"When I met her at the selection meeting before, I said that Yu De's personal characteristics are not distinctive enough. She is not aggressive either in appearance or personality."
Iwahashi Shinichi explained, "ZARD has become popular, so Utoku, whose first impression is similar to Kamaike, can no longer form a band."
Next, he may follow ZARD's model and launch one or two more bands with similar compositions. However, the first impressions given by Keiko Utoku and Sachiko Kamaike are too similar, so he will try his best to avoid them taking the same route again.
.
On the one hand, I don’t want to consume the public’s freshness about ZARD. On the other hand, I don’t want Keiko Utoku to be labeled an imitator and waste such a good talent in vain.
Even if you know more about them, you will know that Keiko Utoku and Sachiko Kamaike are completely different, but the first impression is too important for an artist.
"First of all, she is positioned as a singer-songwriter."
Iwahashi Shinichi told Watanabe Wan Yumi, "But initially, not all of her original songs will be sung. To be honest, Utoku's song output is not enough to support her basic release of two singles and one album a year."
Film requirements.”
Moreover, quite a few of the songs created either have a bit of outdated ballad flavor, or are a bit bland.
In addition, the most important "personal style" is still not very popular.
I don’t know how long it will take for her to achieve perfection in her own cultivation. In itself, as for “personal style”, there is a general direction before her debut, and she can just explore it after her debut.
The personal style in the image is like this, and the personal style in the songs is also like this.
"First of all, for the title song of the debut single, find a famous composer to partner with her, and the two parties will collaborate to complete it." Iwahashi Shinichi said.
The B-side song is an original song by Keiko Utoku, and the album should be half and half completely original songs.
One of the reasons is to arrange for experienced people to take care of it. The pursuit of stability is one of them, but the key point is to explore the style of music and collect feedback from the public in order to make adjustments. If experienced people take the lead, it will be more efficient. If you hit the mark, if you can write a splashy song,
That's better.
During this period, Keiko Utoku had to consciously save good songs that she could write on her own. After releasing one or two albums, her personal style gradually became established. Naturally, she grew from a singer-songwriter with support to a real singer-songwriter.
