Chapter 82
The first project team is a standardized, well-rounded, and perfect elite-level boy group that the entire company has the most confidence in. The trainees in this project team are all the most outstanding trainees with comprehensive abilities at Yuexiang Entertainment.
Just like their senior, the mysterious girl, these trainees in the project team have no particularly obvious weaknesses in singing, dancing, or stage performance. Their group dances and appearance can bring extremely strong sensory impact.
The second group was a completely new idol group concept, the likes of which had never existed before. The trainees' appearance and grooming couldn't compare to the first project group, but they possessed distinct personalities and outstanding musical abilities, with several truly prodigies.
The composition of this project team is completely different from the current training-based idols and elite idols. It is closer to the traditional band type of the past, and what is valued is the musical talent and ability of the members.
In this project team, almost everyone can play more than one instrument, and more than half of the trainees have already composed multiple songs. Everyone has very personal characteristics and styles in singing.
After forming two project teams, in addition to changing classrooms and cohorts, the training content also underwent significant changes, with a significant increase in in-group collaboration. This was clearly intended to increase the trainees' chemistry and familiarity before their subsequent debut.
Weekly and monthly exams still took place, and some less talented trainees would even be eliminated and returned to their original classes based on their performance. Besides who would be promoted to the project team and who would be eliminated, the focus of everyone, both teachers and trainees, was on which of the two project teams was better.
The two groups' styles and paths differ, making comparison difficult. Everyone has their own opinions, and they're secretly choosing their sides based on their preferences, speculating on which group will ultimately debut.
There are many trainees who stand on both sides, but overall there are more trainees who support and hope that the first project group can successfully debut.
Most of the trainees in the first group have been training at the company for a long time, so they already have a large number of close relationships. Furthermore, musical talent and creative talent are often innate. Most people still hope to see hard work change their destiny, and one day they will achieve success through their own hard work.
The teachers followed their own preferences.
Even though the second project team is a highly experimental product and has not undergone any market tests before, Yuexiang Entertainment has always been a leader in the idol industry in this world, and these teachers are even full of confidence.
Many teachers even praised and recommended the second project team directly in front of the project leader Miao Bei, hoping to increase the votes for the trainees in the second project team to successfully debut.
As Miao Bei and Su Yin reported on the progress of the two project teams, one of the vocal teachers could be heard excitedly saying, "They're truly outstanding! I have a strong feeling that their debut will astound the entire music and entertainment industry, setting a new benchmark for idols for Yuexiang Entertainment! They'll become another source of pride for Yuexiang Entertainment!"
From Miao Bei's perspective, her chance to be project leader was a clear sign that the company wanted her to lead a new group. With only two groups currently in the company, there were countless people eager to secure the position of manager for a third.
Although Miao Bei got the opportunity to be the project leader this time, it does not mean that she will be able to become the agent of the new group after the debut plan is finalized. She is naturally under a lot of pressure and her mind is full of thoughts about doing it well.
In her opinion, if you are an agent or a company executive, most people would probably still prefer the first project team.
The first project group already had its positioning and style, with Mysterious Girls as a pioneer, proving the mass market appeal of this type of idol group. Creating a second similar boy group would be less risky and more rewarding. Miao Bei always found the performances of these talented and attractive boys in the first project group's training room a delight, not to mention for casual fans.
It's true what they said. Even though there are already boy groups launched with the mysterious girl type on the market, they are really not good enough compared to Yuexiang Entertainment.
In terms of appearance, singing, dancing, and personality, Yuexiang Entertainment is absolutely top-notch and absolutely crushing in every aspect.
Thinking of the screams from the fans every time the mysterious girl appeared, Miao Bei's heart couldn't help but burn with excitement. She wasn't the only one who had already guaranteed that this group would instantly become a hit and become another top idol boy group once they debuted.
The second project team's performances were truly astonishing, and many of them have already accumulated a wealth of high-quality works. However, the lack of predecessors means both creating new history and carrying enormous risks. No one knows whether the market will accept them.
Although she already had a bias in her heart, Miao Bei would not show it directly, nor would she express it in her actions.
The final selection wasn't her decision; that was a matter for the boss and higher-ups. Her most important task right now was to prioritize the two groups and ultimately come up with the best two options for the company.
Today, one of the bigger issues she and Su Yin reported was the internal atmosphere of the second project team.
After the project team was established, the trainees of the two project teams began collective training and simulation group performance exams, and many problems that were previously invisible were exposed.
A group or a team is not just about gathering the best people together.
If the members of the group have different styles, different ideas, and no chemistry with each other, and there is no spark within the group, then the meaning of forming a group is completely lost. It would be better to wait until he is stronger and debut alone.
The company carefully selects and considers various factors when selecting each group. So sometimes, whether or not a group can debut does require some luck.
For regular idol groups, although each member must be strong enough, they must also have their own specialties, which is the functional division within a team.
A leader who can always maintain a clear mind, possesses leadership and team spirit, and can manage the entire group and lead everyone forward. The lead dancer with the most outstanding dancing skills, the lead singer with the most outstanding singing ability. And all the so-called face, rapper, atmosphere maker...
Only when the members can truly cooperate with each other, accommodate each other, and even create sparks stronger than those of a single person, and truly develop feelings, can a group last for a long time.
I just don't like a certain member of your group, and I feel uncomfortable being in the same group with that person; you sing yours, I sing mine, and everyone mechanically dances in groups and sings in relays; today I want more shots, tomorrow I want to be in the center position, and I want more highlights... No one would want to watch such a group.
Even if you are suppressed by the company or for popularity or profit, sooner or later it will fall apart.
It's not that the second project team has reached such a serious level. After all, the debut hasn't been confirmed yet, and the competition hasn't reached that level. But for the company, they definitely don't want to see a group not interacting with each other privately before their debut.
The situation in the first project group is indeed very similar to that of Mysterious Girl. Each member's strength is relatively balanced, and they are all strong individuals with the same goal. The average length of time they have been trainees is also quite long. Perhaps because of these reasons, the trainees in the first project group who have made it this far are not only talented, but also rely on daily training with teachers at the company.
They are already very accustomed to following the company's arrangements and are also very accustomed to completing a good stage performance with their companions.
Many of them even joined the company at the same time, and have been together for several years, eating and training together, and some even lived in the same dormitory. They have a good relationship with each other privately.
And now that there are two project teams competing with each other, they also understand that the trainees from the opposite group pose a greater threat to them than the people in their own group.
As a result, the trainees in Project One, under immense pressure, have become more united than the company had anticipated. With similar experiences and abilities, they understand the challenges they face. If you're facing any challenges, I'd love to share my thoughts with you. Let's improve together and keep striving towards our ultimate goal of debut!
After just over two months of training, many teachers could already see a sense of community and team spirit in them. The other project group, however, was more of a headache. Honestly, the trainees in this project group were indeed more musically talented and accomplished than those in the first project group.
But precisely because they are geniuses, their personalities and ideas are stronger, and these people are indeed more difficult to discipline.
The point is not the issue of discipline. If someone really has an extreme personality, is provocative, and disobeys management, Yuexiang Entertainment Company will not spend the effort to train him even if it appreciates him.
But they really have their own ideas and can't get along at all.
Some people just don't seem to click with each other. My music is completely different from yours, and I'm too lazy to discuss it with you. Your singing style is different from mine, and when I perform with you, I just follow the company's instructions and complete my own tasks.
They weren't like any ordinary band or orchestra, a group of people brought together by a shared passion and understanding of music. It was obvious at first glance that they had been forced together.
Therefore, even though the second group of trainees tried their best to cover up the awkward atmosphere and some people's "independence" by using more reasonable performance distribution and adding some interactions after being told by the teacher, the actual problem was not solved and was still seen by the teacher and the person in charge.
The assistants who accompany the students from morning till night can see it clearly. The problem of small groups is really serious.
It was simply because of their outstanding individual abilities and high overall musicality that many people who only saw their performance during the assessment would overlook this. However, after this issue was reported by the assistant and class teacher, Miao Bei also took it very seriously.
After the person in charge pointed out this problem for the second time, the atmosphere among the second project group practicing in the training classroom became more subtle.
In the past, when we were in Class A, the teacher often emphasized and encouraged us to learn from and help each other, try more, take the initiative to communicate with others, and work together.
But at that time, what was valued more was the individual abilities of the trainees. Unlike now, when we enter a project team similar to a preparatory group, all exams and tests are conducted in groups.
Teachers and responsible persons pay special attention to the so-called atmosphere, sense of teamwork, and coordination, and use them as a basis for scoring.
Not all trainees in the second project group are lone rangers. They are just divided into several small groups with different styles, and they play with their own people.
When these people were practicing privately with their favorite trainees, who they got along well with, they were in high spirits and easy to talk to. Their eyes lit up when they talked about their favorite music, and they could even become extra clingy. However, when they were assigned to perform with others, several of the trainees immediately became formal and distant.
They were naturally aware that there was another project team competing with them, and they were still following the idol route of a more popular company. The atmosphere of that class, dancing in unison and practicing harmony, was completely different from their own.
But they are also very confident. When it comes to singing, composing, and playing music, even if the other side practices for one or two more years, they will not be their match.
Even though the person in charge, the class teacher, the assistant, and Gu Jun, who was selected as the leader of the second project group, had all done ideological work on several trainees in private, they just didn't click with them, and they completed every training and exam content well. There was really nothing that could be done.
However, some of the trainees in the second project group were also feeling a growing sense of crisis, as they learned that the other team had eliminated many people in a row. Currently, the number of trainees remaining was decreasing, but the praise they received was also increasing.
Elimination is certainly not a good thing for those eliminated, but in this case, it shows that the company's top management has very clear criteria and positioning for that project team. As the number of people decreases, they are getting closer and closer to the final combination.
On the other hand, although some people were eliminated here, most of the original people are still there, but the problem of different styles still exists.
Does this mean that the company is giving up on their project? Next time, maybe they won’t announce the elimination of one or two people... but will directly notify the entire group to return to their original class to practice.
In the classroom, Gu Jun directly asked this question to the other trainees. The other trainees, who had not thought of this question before, were stunned for a moment.
That evening, the third full-group meeting convened by Gu Jun, the leader of the second project team, was held again.
The first was a private exchange meeting to help everyone get familiar with each other more quickly. The second was held because the teacher pointed out that the atmosphere in their group was not as good as the group next door.
During the first two rounds, Gu Jun and Gao Wei, two of the more easygoing individuals who wanted to act as a lubricant within the group, were extremely careful and earnest in their efforts to foster closer ties and better present the assessment results. In the future, they would likely be a team, and the rapport they were cultivating now would undoubtedly be closely monitored by the company.
But this time, Gu Jun couldn't stand it anymore. These people were so stubborn and wouldn't listen to polite words!
Gu Jun believes that even if a company wants to innovate and launch a new group focused on musicality, it certainly doesn't want to completely lock down the musical genre. They naturally want members with more diverse abilities and personalities, and more creative possibilities. They also don't want to see a group that's incompatible from the start!
As long as everyone appears to be harmonious on the surface and small groups continue to take care of their own business in private, it is normal for the company to choose another project team to debut.
They really can't avoid this issue any longer. If everyone can't debut because of the discord within the group, he'll be furious. He might as well just apply to the next group.
Anyway, he doesn't care which style he switches to.
But in the end, Gu Jun still wanted to fight for it again.
He knew that the trainees in this group were actually very nice people, and each of them truly loved music from the bottom of their hearts, and they could have resonated with each other.
"Let's just talk openly today. Tell us what you think. Even if you are against it, complaining, or want to give up, just say it. We are in danger enough now anyway, so we are not afraid anymore." Gu Jun's face was cold for the first time.
An Pu, who also couldn't stand the current atmosphere, simply said: "I don't think there are any particularly big problems right now. The company established our project team with the clear intention of building a team that speaks through music."
"It's impossible for a group like this to have so many people, and we can't use group dances as a competition point. We just want to see our different styles. If you like my style, we'll do a group. If you like your style, you can do a group. Then everyone can compete fairly and see which style the company likes."
An Pu thought Gu Jun was just overthinking and fussy. These people weren't regular idol artists, so they shouldn't be treated based on past experience and standards.
"Then why do you think the teacher and the person in charge came to talk to us more than once about the issue of unity?"
"Style, style! You only know your style, right? You're nothing special!" Gu Jun didn't want to be a good guy and just let himself go. He directly attacked An Pu and made him speechless.
Seeing that the leaders of the small group headed by An Pu and others fell silent, Gu Jun looked around at everyone again: "I never said that you should sacrifice your own personal characteristics and style. There are so many musical styles. Shouldn't we also strive to accept the styles of others and the style that the company wants?"
"Before, I only sang ballads. After joining the company, I started learning rap and studying all kinds of different styles of music. Last time, you guys suggested performing with your own electronic music, and we all participated. Didn't we let you down?"
Gu Jun pressed on, continuing to address everyone, especially An Pu, the typical example of a restless person. "Why are you, An Pu, so upset just because we're going for a pop-lyrical style? You're the only ones who are noble, and we're the only ones who are inferior, right?"
"You! How could I be so embarrassed? How could I say you are bad!" An Pu was also anxious. How could Gu Jun, who usually seemed to be a good person, suddenly change like a completely different person this time and even attacked him.
Yi Yongyan also spoke up: "Then what do you think we should do? We're not deliberately trying to cause trouble or not wanting to debut. Everyone has their own strengths, and changing styles isn't something that can be done so quickly."
Everyone looked at Gu Jun again. It was indeed true. It wasn't that they didn't want to be good brothers, it was just that they liked different things.
Gu Jun had already exposed his true colors, so he told them with a cold expression, "What's the point of asking me? I already mentioned the solution a long time ago."
When An Pu heard this, he thought that this was not only a waste of their time, but he was also being scolded for nothing.
Just as he was about to retort, Gu Jun said something that surprised everyone: "I've heard that starting next Monday, we'll be training with the people from the other project team every Monday, and then we'll have exams together on Sundays."
"Go play with whoever you want. If you keep going like this, I might just find someone else."
This news is earth-shattering!
Even though they didn't have a deep relationship with each other, they were all among the most talented and musically proficient trainees. After training together for over three months, they didn't want to mess around with anyone else anymore!
Moreover, compared to that team's style!
They are even more out of place, not as good as the people today!
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