mijobooks Chapter 1150 Invitation
Chapter 1150 Invitation
Chapter 1150 Invitation
After completing their tasks, several conservative TV station staff began their return journey in discussion, filled with confusion and frustration.
Although the work went smoothly, surprisingly smoothly, several people did not feel very happy.
But if they understand it more deeply, they will not think so.
In Japan, many people who don’t care about Kpop, or those who are a little older and more conservative, or even those working in the industry, don’t have a very deep impression of EXO, including the program crew members who are responsible for praising EXO.
However, if you have a brief understanding, you will find that EXO's popularity in Japan, especially among young people, is really high.
EXO had already held a concert in Tokyo with SM Town in 12. At that time, they were known as SM's new generation boy group and the younger brothers of TVXQ, and they had already gained a certain amount of attention.
Compared to the common "growing stream" idols in Japan, Peninsula's "finished product" idols will have a more novel feel and a stronger visual impact.
Therefore, although the Japanese entertainment industry is closed and self-entertaining, it still has a fixed audience group that likes Kpop. EXO was very popular in the Peninsula a few years ago. Although it has never debuted or performed in Japan, its popularity has been passed on in a timely manner. At that time, the several concerts in Japan attracted 15,000 to 20,000 people each.
After officially debuting in Japan in 15, "Boy with Luv" became a rare hit by a Kpop boy group in recent years, or even the only hit in Japan. EXO also relied on this song and the popularity accumulated over the years to finally become a hit, and its fame and popularity were greatly improved.
"Boy with Luv" has been the most popular Kpop boy group song in the past two years and has always been in the top ten on the KTV song list.
Although XO has not been to Japan for more than a year and a half, and his momentum and popularity have declined, his fans are still loyal. In fact, through the expansion of Kpop, EXO's continued popularity, and the spontaneous recommendations of fans, the entire fan base in Japan is growing.
The most intuitive thing is the album sales. Although EXO does not have a Japanese version for each new album it releases, the number of purchases from Japan is enviable and has never been less than 200,000 copies. The sales have been getting higher and higher in the past two years. In the overall album sales of EXO, it is second only to the local and mainland markets.
Nowadays, for young people in the Peninsula who like Kpop, the name EXO will instantly come to mind when the Peninsula boy band is mentioned.
Only some older people will think of their predecessors like TVXQ.
It can be said that after the pioneering and accumulation of several generations of predecessors, as well as EXO's previous achievements and performance, in Japan, people who like Kpop are no longer a niche group. It has even become a mainstream music genre that makes many local artists and companies feel bored, angry, and even fearful that it is "stealing their jobs."
And EXO's purpose of coming this time is to try to fully spread their previous influence.
Soon it was May 5th, and the air in Osaka was filled with the scent of cherry blossoms.
In the afternoon, a ten-minute walk from Morinomiya Station, the Osaka Castle Hall venue located in Osaka Castle Park in Chuo-ku, Osaka was already crowded with people. Tens of thousands of fans had lined up in long queues in front of several entrances, and from a higher place they looked like several long winding tongues.
The wide playground was completely occupied by the bustling crowd and various noisy sounds, and the recent slightly warm temperature further fueled the liveliness.
"...So many people? It looks like the place is full."
"Of course. This is EXO's first fan meeting in such a long time. I heard that the tickets were sold out. One of my classmates who has always liked Chi Jingyuan didn't get one... But I heard that the hall seats were not full this time. Only 10,000 people were allowed."
In the team, several young girls were standing in line, looking at the lively crowd around them and chattering about something.
"A fan meeting with 11 people is already a lot... It's a pity that today is only the 13th. It would be better if the fan meeting on the th was held in Osaka. That day is Jingyuan-kun's birthday, so there must be special activities... I even bought him a gift."
"It's a bit of a shame... and I don't know how long EXO will be in Japan this time. I don't want it to be like last time, when it only took half a month."
"Hopefully a little longer,"
EXO debuted in Japan in 15, and they were active in Japan for less than a month before and after releasing their album. After that, except for the Japanese leg of their tour and a few family concerts in SM town, EXO has not been active in Japan for nearly a year and a half.
This also made the fans in Japan feel like they were abandoned. On the one hand, they kept complaining and calling on the official SM account for EXO to come to Japan as soon as possible, and on the other hand, they generously donated money to buy EXO's albums and various peripherals to prove their purchasing power.
...Especially the peripherals. Basically, once they are put on sale, the peripherals of several popular members will be sold out instantly, no matter if it is a banner, poster, calendar or anything else. And the peripherals are much more expensive than albums.
Especially Chi Jingyuan, the demand for him is simply beyond his supply. In terms of fanaticism, he is even more enthusiastic than local fans and is more willing to spend money. The generosity of those middle-aged wealthy women fans can make others terrified.
…………
In the afternoon, Osaka Castle Hall, which has a capacity of more than 10,000 people, was already full. At a glance, most of them were young girls, with quite a few older women mixed in. There were fewer men. Cheering banners and Ariel sticks could be seen everywhere. Looking around, everyone had an excited look on their faces, looking forward to the official start of today's fan meeting.
EXO has indeed not been active in Japan for a long time.
Soon the scheduled time arrived, the lights in the venue dimmed, and all the audience fell silent.
But the next second, the scene suddenly became agitated again. The big screen in the middle of the stage slowly lit up, and a brand new logo appeared on the screen.
At first glance it looks like a cherry blossom bud, but the flower surface has been cleverly designed to blend perfectly into the EXO iconic LOGO. A neon-colored logo appears in everyone's sight. It is not only beautiful but also exquisite, and immediately makes the fans present scream with excitement.
The lights on the ceiling also began to bloom, starting with light warm tones, alternating between yellow and pink, moving back and forth on the stage, creating a warm atmosphere, as if the spring of Osaka had been moved here.
But after a while, the lights slowly changed, becoming colder, deeper, and more eerie, and kept scanning the entire venue, making the atmosphere intense and making everyone excited and expectant.
A few seconds later, all the lights stopped instantly and slowly gathered in the center of the stage, dimming and slowing down. Under everyone's gaze, the nine members of EXO, who had already struck their opening pose, slowly rose up in a circular elevator. Their black stage costumes with gold trims were neatly cut, highlighting their slender figures. The smoke machine sprayed out a light mist, covering the stage, creating a mysterious and dangerous atmosphere.
Before the fans could scream, the prelude of the music started playing at the right time.
"My blood, sweat, and tears."
"My last dance..."
Under the blood-red lights, Byun Baekhyun and Ji Kyung-won's opening moment ignited all expectations, and after hearing the lyrics, all the fans at the scene could no longer contain their excitement and all screamed.
Because they sang the Japanese version of "Blood Sweat & Tears" which had never been made public.
"Ah ah ah ah..."
Amid the enthusiastic cheers of fans, the nine members of EXO, who had not been together for a long time, performed this song on the stage to their heart's content. The choreography of "Blood Sweat & Tears" was full of flexibility and beauty, and the members' movements were in unison, yet each showed their own unique style.
Chi Jingyuan stood in the C position. Every movement he made was a perfect stretch, especially the rotation and jump in the chorus. His iconic action of covering his eyes and the strong sexual tension made the female audiences who had seen him up close for a long time unable to bear it and screamed continuously.
Moreover, the stage style and lighting design were also changed under the guidance of Avex. Compared with the stage of Peninsula that day, their stage lighting and atmosphere this time were more exaggerated and more intense... It is said that the fans here like this.
Now it seems that the effect is really good.
A Japanese version of "Blood Sweat & Tears" immediately ignited the atmosphere, and when the song ended, the lights brightened, and all the members came to the center of the stage, the gazes and shouts of more than 10,000 people gathered together, directly turning the scene into a scorching summer day.
"Hello everyone, we are EXO! We are glad to meet you today!"
On the stage, Chi Jingyuan held the microphone and greeted everyone in fluent Japanese: "It's been a while since I've been here. Thank you very much for your enthusiasm. I'm Yuan from XO. Please give me your guidance."
Although those present should all be old fans, the self-introduction session at the beginning of each show cannot be omitted, and what answers Chi Jingyuan is the undisguised enthusiasm and shouts of his fans.
"Ah ah ah..."
"Yuan, I love you!"
"Chi Jingyuan, I want to marry you..."
The fans at the scene clearly occupied a large position. Their enthusiasm made the other members feel a little embarrassed. After waiting for the cheers to die down, the others began to introduce themselves fluently in Japanese, which they had been studying frantically recently:
“Hello everyone, I’m Kai.”
“Hello everyone, I’m Baekhyun…”
"..."
After everyone had introduced themselves, the audience seemed to have discussed it beforehand, and tens of thousands of fans shouted in unison:
“Welcome to Osaka!”
The sound resounded throughout the entire venue, echoing continuously.
The Osaka Castle Hall where the fan meeting was held this time has a full capacity of 16,000 people. Although they did not fill up all the seats this time, there were still more than 12,000 fans present, which is a number that is in no way inferior to an ordinary concert.
But compared to regular concerts, fan meetings are much more relaxed, with fewer stage performances but more games, talking and other fan interaction sessions.
Compared to concerts that are entirely on stage, this more intimate format can obviously make fans happier.
"What's your favorite neon food?"
During the lottery questioning session, Chi Jingyuan drew the question prepared by the fans in advance. He raised his eyes and thought for a while, "As for food, I prefer takoyaki, and... beef bibimbap."
He paused somewhat awkwardly at the end of his speech… because this beef bibimbap was a food that Ming Jingnan strongly recommended to her. It was said to be her mother's specialty, and she had made it for him several times herself.
…but at first it was raw beef with rice, but because Chi Jingyuan couldn’t accept it, it later became beef with rice.
In the subsequent interactive session where he demonstrated his personal skills, Chi Jingyuan, for the first time ever, threw away his idol image and showed off a Gengar cosplay from "Pokémon", filling the entire venue with a warm and joyful atmosphere.
A fan meeting successfully aroused the long-lost star-chasing interest of Japanese fans.
…………
"call……"
After the meeting, Chi Jingyuan returned to the backstage and took the water brought by his assistant. He drank a few gulps fiercely and let the female assistant wipe his sweat with a towel.
Even though he had returned to the backstage, his heart was still beating fast.
To be honest, they have held this kind of fan meeting countless times and have long been familiar with it, so they are not too nervous. But this time in Osaka, the enthusiasm of the Japanese fans really made him a little excited.
And the temperature has indeed been getting higher recently. Seoul is already warming up, and Osaka is even hotter.
Today's fan meeting was successfully completed. Next they will have two more fan meetings in Tokyo and Nagoya, and then the early recording of a series of variety shows arranged by Avex.
Their schedule in Neon for the next month has basically been arranged.
"Where are we going to eat later? Weren't you looking for a specialty restaurant before? Or ask Mina, she's sure she knows."
Wu Sehun was chattering again, and Chi Jingyuan was looking at the unread text messages on his phone. Bae Joo-hyun and Chou Tzuyu both sent him text messages.
Bae Joo-hyun said that she has returned to Seoul with the group, and will rest for a few days before starting to prepare for the new album.
Zhou Ziyu cheerfully asked them if they had finished get off work, and then sent him a selfie... Twice should have just finished the pre-recording of "Music Bank". This girl was wearing a stage costume that looked like a school uniform, and her makeup was very delicate.
It’s just that the selfies are not very good-looking, and the expressions look stupid.
Chi Jingyuan said without even looking up: "Didn't I tell you that Nishinomiya and Osaka are not the same place?"
"Heh, you fooled me before. I checked the map yesterday and found that these two places are extremely close. Aren't they Seoul and Incheon?"
Chi Jingyuan looked up at him speechlessly, then nodded in relief, "You are indeed a top student with full marks in mathematics at the Art High School..."
Park Chanyeol and Kim Jong-in next to them also came over, wanting to take Chi Jingyuan out to play together in the evening:
"Go out and have some fun tonight? But I have to go to Tokyo tomorrow... My agent said I can't be back late."
"Then why don't you come back earlier? I have acquaintances in Osaka and I can call them..."
Just when a few people had just arrived in Osaka and were discussing nightlife with some excitement, they suddenly heard hurried footsteps. Manager An Chengyuan walked in quickly from outside and shouted:
"Stop arguing and come here... Do you know what happened?"
Seeing the members gathered around, An Chengyuan kept it a secret with an excited look on his face, and then said excitedly: "The company just received an invitation from BBMA! An invitation from BBMA!"
(End of this chapter)