Chapter 11

Seeing Jin Yufan nod without any hesitation, Lee Hyori couldn't help but feel a sense of relief, though she didn't know why. Just now, Lee Hyori had warned him in a very serious and stern tone. She was really worried that her words might have been too harsh, which could make Jin Yufan act like a child. However, it was clear that Jin Yufan was very "mature."

Looking at the handsome and sensible Jin Yufan, Lee Hyori couldn't help but clench her teeth. Although Jin Yufan was only thirteen, in Lee Hyori's eyes, since he had chosen the path of being a trainee and eventually debuting as an artist, all the privileges and habits of a thirteen-year-old child must be eradicated now.

From this moment on, Jin Yufan must mature. If he doesn't quickly mature from now on, he might not stand out among the fiercely competitive DSP trainees, let alone in the even more brutal entertainment industry in the future.

"Friend, Jin Yufan, starting from tomorrow, the company will arrange professional vocal and dance teachers for you. As an elder and senior, the only thing I need to remind you is to work hard, harder, and even harder. Practice and study with all your might. No matter how hard, tired, or boring it gets, you must persevere."

After saying this, Lee Hyori subconsciously thought about the four members of Fin.K.L, feeling a myriad of emotions. Especially when she glanced at the quiet and obedient Jin Yufan sitting beside her, she felt a bit uncomfortable.

Because Lee Hyori suddenly remembered that the money they earned, which was so busy, would be shared with this little guy. After all, President Lee Ho-yeon's contract with Jin Yufan was really a super contract. The nearly 100,000 won monthly living expenses came from the earnings of the artists under DSP Entertainment, and Fin.K.L contributed a part of that.

However, Lee Hyori wasn't petty. Although she felt a bit uncomfortable, it was just a fleeting thought. More than that, she felt admiration and envy.

After all, when the four members of Fin.K.L joined DSP Entertainment, the transition from trainees to debut was too fast, and they didn't have such a good contract or such a relaxed growth period like Jin Yufan.

With Lee Hyori's words, the other three members of Fin.K.L understood what she wanted to say to Jin Yufan and appreciated her well-intentioned efforts.

As good sisters, the other three members of Fin.K.L wouldn't let Lee Hyori "fight alone." Moreover, they found Jin Yufan quite likable, so they also needed to remind him of some things and rules to prevent him from getting into trouble unintentionally.

Indeed, Seo Young-eun, who considered herself Jin Yufan's older sister, was the first to step forward.

"Right, right, right. What Sister Hyori said is correct, Yufan. You must work hard. Now, the company is supported by us Fin.K.L and Sechs Kies, and with Click-B about to debut, the company doesn't have many resources to invest in new artists. Take this opportunity to practice well and use the time to become more perfect and stronger."

After saying this, Seo Young-eun seemed to think about the things that had happened to her and Fin.K.L, and she couldn't help but sigh, "For example, us Fin.K.L or the Sechs Kies. Back then, the company only had idol groups, and with low income, the company hurriedly launched us Fin.K.L and Sechs Kies. We weren't fully prepared, whether in dance or singing, we didn't reach the best level. Although we worked very hard, we still face criticism in these areas from time to time."

"Yes, with the company having us to support it, you're luckier than we were back then, with more time. Make good use of this time to work hard!" At this moment, the sly Lee Jin, rarely serious, also sighed.

"Back then, due to the company's financial issues, we didn't have professional vocal and dance teachers. We had to practice like crazy and find ways to improve our skills. Even so, we knew that we relied more on our own talent and hard work, and the success of the groups left by Seo Taiji and Boys. But we also knew that this success might not last long. Even for top artists like us Fin.K.L, all groups face similar situations. So, Yufan, don't follow our path. Be patient, endure loneliness, and don't be too eager to debut early. Early debut isn't always a good thing."

Like her personality, Yoo Ju-hyun spoke decisively and directly.

Lee Hyori: "In the company, you must maintain the right attitude and position. Honestly, you're just a trainee now. Even for us who have debuted, our status in the company is the lowest. If employees are unhappy, they can leave at any time, with minimal restrictions. But we are different. We have contracts, and the breach of contract fees are beyond our ability to bear."

Lee Hyori's words made Jin Yufan nod. He fully agreed with Lee Hyori. Even for super groups like Fin.K.L, HOT, Sechs Kies, and SES, they all eventually disbanded, and the company could dissolve them at will.

Did these groups not resist? Did they not want to continue? But what could they do? The extremely high breach of contract fees were not something everyone could bear.

If you want to keep the group together and get the group's copyright, you can, but do you have the money? In this period, no matter how popular a group is, they don't earn much in the first two years.

Because the agency behind the group would exploit the group's value to the maximum, to recoup the resources invested. In the first two years after debut, artists don't get any personal income.

Therefore, in the Korean music industry, newly debuted artists often rely on their families for support in the first few years, which is a very common and widespread phenomenon.

Except for the successful resistance of the group H.O.T. against the agency, other super groups, when faced with the agency's decision to dissolve the group, resisted but failed.

Even H.O.T. had to pay a huge price, including a large sum of money, to win the final victory and prevent the group from being forcibly dissolved by S.M. Entertainment.

"Some small things you don't need to understand too much, but at least you should know, like driving, interpersonal relationships, contracts, makeup, and opinions on clothing and hairstyles... You can't leave these things to your manager, assistant, or others. Otherwise, you might not even realize when you're being taken advantage of. In short, you don't need to understand everything, but at least you should know enough to handle your schedule on your own if necessary."

Then, Yoo Ju-hyun spoke, giving her own advice.

After that, Lee Jin and Seo Young-eun also spoke, and for a moment, the four members of Fin.K.L didn't care if Jin Yufan could remember everything. They just shared everything they could think of, guessed, and experienced, a long list of things to be cautious about.

Faced with the non-stop talking of the four members of Fin.K.L, Jin Yufan didn't dare to say anything, just nodding continuously, indicating that he understood and would take it to heart.

Although the four members of Fin.K.L sometimes spoke emotionally, it was more about the situation than the person. But their words were direct and harsh, making one feel uncomfortable.

But Jin Yufan knew very well that this was the well-intentioned advice and warning of the four members of Fin.K.L. All of this was experience, and it would only benefit him, not harm him.

Instantly, Jin Yufan's impression of the four members of Fin.K.L, whom he had just met for less than an hour, greatly improved. He slowly opened his heart a bit, considering them as close sisters rather than distant seniors.