Chapter 7: Planning Meeting

1 trophy is between EXO""Please announce the results!"At this moment, on the M! Countdown stage, MC Lee Jun-ki and Taemin are holding microphones, laughing and hosting.To his right, today twelve membe...“Regarding EXO's comeback, we have finalized most of the planning and have communicated with several departments. We have also provided the detailed text to Mr. Lee Soo-man, President Kim Young-min, and Director Nam, among others. Now I will introduce the plan and summarize EXO's debut album.”

The speaker was the head of the record planning department. He bowed to the several high-level executives seated at the front, then nodded to his colleagues around him. Holding a thick stack of documents, he began to speak.

According to data up to last week, EXO's debut mini album "MAMA" has sold a total of 236,680 copies, with the EXO-K version selling 182,385 copies and the EXO-M version selling 54,295 copies.

"... Sales exceeded expectations, but other metrics did not meet our requirements. We commissioned a statistics company to analyze public opinion on the album 'MAMA' and provide us with insights..."

"...This project has taken the problems encountered with their debut album and made improvements, while also making major changes to the original style to be closer to the aesthetic preferences of the fan base..."

“This time EXO will directly release their first full-length album, tentatively titled 《XOXO》, scheduled to be officially released in May or June. The original album will include 12 songs, with the title track being 《Wolf》, a song custom-made for EXO last year by European and American composers hired by the company.”

All production preparations for all songs on the original album are now complete.

"... Three months after the original album's release, a Repackage version of the regular album, 《GROWL》, is scheduled to be released in August. It will add two new tracks to the original album, and the title song will be changed to 《growl/咆哮》, which was composed by EXO member Yuan."

"Director Li Xiuman and the planning department both gave this song very high praise, believing that it surpasses the original main track 'Wolf' in popularity."

Both the original and re-released albums will be recorded in two versions, divided by language into Korean version kissver, and Summer version Hugver.

"This time, the album production for EXO's comeback was personally handled by producer Lee Soo Man."

However, the production plan for the main song "Roar" from the re-released album is not yet complete. Choreography, MV filming, and overall image are all still under discussion.

“…………”

Concerning EXO's future, all the members were attentively listening. Ji-sung sat on the side, listening and thinking from his perspective about this comeback.

The decision to release a regular album directly, or to pursue a two-version plan, definitely shows the company's emphasis on, expectations for, and confidence in EXO.

Albums released by returning singers in the Peninsula music industry are classified into different types according to the number of songs they contain.

An album containing one to three songs is called a single album, while a mini-album contains around four to seven songs. A regular album usually has about ten songs or more as its main tracks.

Mini albums are generally the most common because the cost is relatively low, and at year-end award ceremonies, if you want to win awards related to an album, you need to have at least six songs on it.

Generally, most Korean Peninsula group comebacks tend to choose mini albums. This way they can balance winning awards while keeping costs relatively low.

The cost will naturally vary depending on the number of songs included, generally speaking, the more songs an album has, the higher the cost.

> It would also be better if the album configuration included things like selfies, stickers, and postcards.

Then the price will naturally be higher.

A regular album is very important for a group. For a band, releasing a regular album proves that the company recognizes your market value and believes you can generate profit because the cost and selling price are indeed quite high.

As for Repackage versions, which are re-packaged albums, they involve taking a previously released album and adding one or two new songs. Then, they're repackaged with a new name and cover art and sold again.

Subsequent reissues of the albums have a high degree of overlap with the original versions, but the prices are not much cheaper. Generally speaking, sales are lower than those of the original albums.

Reprinting, in essence, is a marketing tactic employed by companies. It's a way to make money, essentially "milking" fans for profit. While not many companies on the peninsula engage in this practice, ** Entertainment is particularly fond of it.

"The plan for "Roar" was made overnight yesterday, and I think it's very good. It has also been discussed with the planning department, and we decided to implement it according to this plan."

Li Xiuman said, picked up a document and handed it to the secretary beside him. Then the secretary walked a few steps and handed the document to the person in charge who had just given the explanation.

“The music video for ‘Roar’ was filmed in one continuous shot without any post-production editing, creating the feeling that the members were personally operating the camera.”

"...The style design embodies the young male charm and handsomeness of the members in the simplest way. The themed clothing mainly consists of suits, school uniforms, and baseball jerseys."

The design for the performance outfits will mimic basketball jerseys, with each member's name written on the back, and each member having their own iconic jersey number...

“…………”

After the person in charge glanced over the materials, their eyes lit up, and they read out loud.

"Many of the ideas for the production plan of "Roar" were put forward by Jingyuan, and I have already marked them. They are all very excellent insights."

"Having members create their own songs and design their style, and shoot the MV, is something our company has never tried before, and it's also a very good promotional material."

"During the album's release and pre-heating period, the publicity department should focus on this point for promotion. It is necessary to highlight Jingyuan's role and send people to follow the entire production process of the song, making a behind-the-scenes documentary to be sold together with the reissued album."

Li Xiuman spoke in a low voice, beginning to assign the mission.

"That's it."

The person who was called out immediately stood up to answer.

“ Choreography, Jingshen, it will be completed by you and several lead choreographers from the company. The style you described before is very good. We need to do it as quickly as possible without affecting the album production.”

"Inside, I will try my best."

Ji Jingyuan stood up and gave a polite reply.

Lee Xiu-man indeed wasn't shaken. Most of the key points he mentioned in the opinion report he submitted a few days ago were basically adopted, and he was also asked to participate in the production and choreography.

It is still unknown who will be the main character in 《Wolf》, but through this meeting, it is clear that Ji Jingyuan is the one being promoted as the protagonist for the song 《Roar》 .

Although it was predictable that this song would feature a lot of Ji Jingyuan's parts, this time it wasn't about boosting him through individual parts or C-position shots. Instead, it elevates him to a nearly producer-level position.

If "Roar" becomes a hit, it can be foreseen that Chi Jingyuan would receive the most benefits from it among all members.

First published on the Traditional Chinese Novel Networkies within Asia are tentatively scheduled to end in mid-to-late December. You'll return to the peninsula for some promotional activities and prepare for your year-end stage. Then, you will reunite for...