Chapter 9: Unoptimistic

rson popularity of "Undefeated Youth" is certified!"Kim Shin-young shouted with delight. The several MCs next to her also made happy expressions in response.Having been praised by Chi Jingyuan, Sunny...The Seoul Music Awards was officially held at the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Seoul Olympic Park on January 31st, and K-pop groups were invited to participate.

This is the last one held among the four major awards ceremonies in the music industry, and it is also one of the two with the highest gold content, similar to the Golden Record Awards.

Like other award ceremonies, the organizers have prepared a designated area for artists. All participating artists will be seated in this artist section during the live broadcast and awards ceremony. Various behind-the-scenes shots of the event will also be captured.

However, the artist seating at this awards ceremony wasn't like the row-style seating at MAMA. Instead, there were about ten white round tables set up on the left side of the stage below it. Each table was occupied by a group or several groups of artists.

There were flowers and drinks on the table, but there was no food, which is what all the artists needed most.

However, no one would eat in this situation.

EXO sat around the only round table at the back of the artist seating area, behind them was the audience. This was the kind of spot a rookie group should be in.

To their left front, that table is Sistar, right front are f(x) and MissA, SJ sits at the frontmost table.

As the presenter, Kim Woo Bin, and Park Se Young announced, applause and cheers erupted from the audience. The K-team members in the artist's seats all stood up, showing surprise and joy at the appropriate time, and bowed to their seniors beside them.

Surprise might have been put on, because they knew there was a high chance of winning before coming. However, the joy is real, after all, every new group only has the opportunity to win the Newcomer Award in their debut year, it's out of date after that.

And the rookie award at the Seoul Music Awards carries a lot of weight, winning this award is a recognition of EXO.

It's also possible that the rookie groups who debuted the same year were quite average, which allowed EXO, whose debut wasn't particularly successful, to win several rookie awards.

Of course, I estimate that it's also largely related to the behind-the-scenes operations of ** company.

There were quite a few EXO fans on-site, and the cheers were still quite loud after they announced their win. The six members of Team K stood up and kept bowing to congratulate their seniors who had also stood up.

After the announcement of winning the award, cameras quickly focused on this side. Several members were very polite, bowing their heads all the way and walking out from the artist's seats.

Ji Chang Wook was walking at the very end, in front of him was Woo Shi Hoon, and ahead of Woo Shi Hoon was Park Chan Yeol.

Out of courtesy, all the other company's artists and seniors stood up to congratulate them. A few members of f(x) looked genuinely happy for them. As they passed by their table, Luna kept clapping and gave several thumbs-up.

It seems like Choi Soo-young is quite familiar with Park Chan-yeol, as she deliberately reached out with both hands to shake his hand. However, Park Chan-yeol was unaware due to bowing to a senior on the other side. Soo-young directly patted him on the back and then gestured with her hand to Woo Se-hwon and Kim Kyung-nam behind him.

She smiled sweetly, and her short hair that reached her ears looked good on her.

The two of them naturally wouldn't waste their seniors' kindness. After Wu Shixun and her had clapped hands, Ji Jingyuan also raised his hands and gave Xuerli a 'clap'. After finishing, the other party gave him a sweet smile and patted him on the back.

This senior looks really enthusiastic, and seems to like their EXO a lot. Park Kyung-won has shown this since the last MAMA awards ceremony.

After going on stage, they lined up in front of the microphone. Ji Jingyuan automatically stood at the edge, and Jin Junmian still gave the acceptance speech as usual.

He was probably told by his manager this time, after thanking everyone around him, Kim Jun-myeon also mentioned their upcoming new album this return: “Once again, thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. We are also preparing for a new album in 2013. One of the title tracks was composed and choreographed by our own member Yuan. Please look forward to it.”

The screams from the audience suddenly grew louder, and many of the artists' eyes widened in surprise as they looked at the stage.

And Ji-yeong, who was standing on the side, was also pushed by Wu Shixun. He knocked over the microphone position, Jin Junmian reached out to him and signaled for him to say a few words.

"Inside, thank you all for your support of our EXO. Receiving this award is an honor for us, and I want to share this honor with all the members of our EXO-M."

Ji Jingyuan stood in front of the microphone without being nervous. Under the gaze of all the audience and many artists below, he smiled and began to speak: "This time, the company and the members have put in a lot of effort for the new album. We will continue to work hard to become the best group. Thank you everyone."

"We are one, we are EXO-K, thank you everyone." Finally, everyone shouted the slogan together in unison, and they left the stage amid cheers.

…………

The next day, news of EXO's imminent comeback spread online, and one of the lead songs, composed by Ji Kyung-won, also topped trending searches for a while.

However, the reviews aren't particularly good.

Besides EXO's own fans who were overjoyed and excitedly spamming forums with encouragement and anticipation, fans of other groups and even passersby expressed confusion. Some with more intense attitudes even directly mocked them.

They had never heard that Chik Jingyuan had any creative abilities. The public on the peninsula also generally didn't support idols writing their own songs. In stereotypes, an idol is just someone who sings and dances on stage; creating things like this is better left to professionals.

Unless the work quality is good and the song is popular, it's unlikely to change public perception. For example, Big Bang's GD; his image in the public eye is no longer that of an ordinary idol.

Overall, most passersby are not optimistic about this comeback project, whose main song was created by Ji-won Pook.

However, the discussion it caused was not insignificant. It also served as a form of exposure and preheating.

"Wow, you guys won both the Golden Disc Award and the Seoul Music Awards' Rookie Award, that's really amazing."

The day after winning the award, Ji Jingyuan received a congratulatory text message from Jiang Shiqi.

"In terms of performance, besides sales volume, we don't have much of an advantage. The company's operations deserve a lot of the credit."

"Pool Jingyuan replied truthfully to the past."

"Every combination of companies must be operational, winning awards is a reflection of their strength... I heard you are making a comeback"

"Inside, it should be May or June, I've been preparing for ten days already, it's simply exhausting..."

"Wow, I'm so envious..."

Ji Jingyuan was resting on the floor of the practice room, messaging with Jiang Seqi.

The teammates around him were also doing their own things, taking this time to rest a bit.

They just got back from recording in the studio, and they're going to keep practicing the dance for "Wolf" afterward.

The choreography for this song was the biggest challenge they faced while preparing their new album.

Although it took about ten days of practice, they eventually got into the groove. They had memorized all the dance moves and rhythms, and their bodies had learned them through muscle memory.

Although members always complain about being tired and exhausted after each practice, everyone is very serious and dedicated during rehearsals. Even the members with weaker dance foundations are persevering.

Every person has a hidden strength inside them, and they all have high expectations for this return.

Especially after hearing Deo's rendition of "Roar."

I still remember that day, after the meeting, they went to the music room under the teacher's leadership and listened to all the songs on the "Return" album. The first two songs they heard were the main theme songs.

"Wolf" is okay, a pure dance track without any dance choreography feels average. But "Roar" is different, just the prelude starts, the strong sense of rhythm and catchy melody make everyone's eyes light up, looking at each other in surprise.

After listening, their eyes looked at Ji Jingyuan differently. Wu Shixun even went over and flattered him a few times with fawning compliments.

Although the members are not professional in music production, at least it's audible whether the songs are good or not, and there is also some judgment on whether they will become popular.

This song gave EXO a lot of confidence.

Just as he had sent two messages, Ji Jingyuan's phone suddenly lit up. He glanced at the screen, couldn't help but purse his lips, said to the members, "I'll take a call," and then walked out of the practice room.

First release on the Traditional Chinese Novel Network Jingyuan and Wu Shixun looked at each other, sighed, and took the opportunity to ask what was on their mind."Haha, Zzang! The head manager has talked to me, and I'm already a ** Rookies trainee. Afte...