Chapter 25

From the surface, it seems that the highest management of DSP Entertainment consists of more than a dozen people, but in reality, the ultimate managers of the entire company are only two: President Lee Ho-yeon and Vice President Lee Hyun-kyung.

However, at this moment, both Lee Ho-yeon and Lee Hyun-kyung were not in a good mood, especially when facing the most glorious year for group combinations in the current Korean music scene. Even the usually confident Lee Ho-yeon and Lee Hyun-kyung felt the pressure was overwhelming.

In particular, the current situation of DSP Entertainment was not good. Although it still seemed to be thriving on the surface, both Lee Ho-yeon and Lee Hyun-kyung knew deep down that the current state of DSP Entertainment was far from ideal.

Sechs Kies, lacking any standout works, had gradually fallen behind in the fiercely competitive music scene, even facing a sharp decline in popularity. This made the two realize that Sechs Kies was no longer the flagship group of DSP Entertainment. They had to consider finding a new group to replace them, or perhaps even disbanding Sechs Kies.

The Click-B group, which they had originally pinned high hopes on, hoping it would gradually take over the position of HOT like SM Entertainment's神话 (Myth), although it performed well, did not achieve explosive success due to its music style. It always fell short of becoming a top-tier or super group.

Seeing that Sechs Kies was no longer performing well and Click-B could not smoothly take over, Lee Ho-yeon and Lee Hyun-kyung were deeply worried and anxious.

Especially when they saw that SM Entertainment's Myth group had risen strongly, and even with the dissolution of HOT, SM Entertainment still had Myth to support it, they were envious.

Perhaps it was due to the arrival of the small butterfly, Kim Yoo-fan, which influenced some things, or perhaps because Click-B could not grow to take over for Sechs Kies. Sechs Kies, which was supposed to bid farewell to the stage in May 2000 with the "Dream Concert" and leave behind a yellow memory, was still struggling to survive, but this resilience could not last much longer.

Currently, the mainstay of DSP Entertainment was the flagship group Fin.K.L, which supported the large agency. However, the drawbacks were obvious.

The four members of Fin.K.L were becoming increasingly busy, with less and less rest time, and their mental state was deteriorating, affecting their performances. They had even begun to resist the agency's scheduling.

This was unacceptable, and Lee Ho-yeon and Lee Hyun-kyung immediately halted Fin.K.L's schedule, preparing for their 3.5th album. During this period, Fin.K.L could take a break and relax, alleviating the stress and fatigue of the past year.

Of course, this only temporarily alleviated the dire situation of DSP Entertainment. Lee Ho-yeon and Lee Hyun-kyung were well aware of this and had been thinking and discussing these issues for some time, but they had not found any good solutions. Today, the two of them were once again sitting in Lee Ho-yeon's office, frowning and smoking.

"Brother, this isn't a solution. Although we have recruited some promising trainees, it doesn't solve the current problems."

Seeing Lee Ho-yeon sit and smoke for half an hour, Lee Hyun-kyung couldn't help but speak up.

Hearing Lee Hyun-kyung's words, Lee Ho-yeon looked up and saw that Lee Hyun-kyung also had a worried expression. He couldn't help but laugh bitterly and shake his head. "I know, I know, but what can I do? I've thought of all the solutions, but none of them can solve our current problems. I don't know what to do."

Lee Ho-yeon was usually a very ambitious and strong-willed person. It was only in front of his brother, Lee Hyun-kyung, who had grown up with him, that he would reveal his helplessness.

"Damn, SM Entertainment has the backing of the SM Group, they are really arrogant!" When things are not going well for oneself but well for others, especially when that person is one's mortal enemy, anyone would grit their teeth in anger. Lee Hyun-kyung couldn't help but curse under his breath, with a hint of envy in his voice.

Yes, envy. Lee Hyun-kyung envied and was jealous of SM Entertainment's strong support from the SM Group, which meant they never had to worry about financial issues. Therefore, SM Entertainment could ignore HOT's popularity and influence in the Korean music scene and was the only agency in Korea capable of running two groups simultaneously.

The ability to ignore HOT's popularity and influence was a testament to the company's strength, which came from various aspects, such as trainees, agents, music teachers, dance teachers, and other professionals.

Running two groups simultaneously required more resources, more people, and more expenses.

In the end, it all came down to money.

SM Entertainment had money, so they could spend lavishly, hire many professionals to strengthen the company's strength and foundation, and even if there was a gap in talent and no income, they could patiently continue to train new talent, waiting for the right time to debut them and turn a profit.

All of DSP Entertainment's current difficulties boiled down to one thing: lack of money. If they had money, everything could be solved.

"Hmph~~~ SM Entertainment, Lee Soo-man may seem successful on the surface, but he is just a dog for the SM Group. Moreover, Lee Soo-man is too arrogant and strong-willed. The SM Group will not allow SM Entertainment to enjoy its resources while having a strong-willed person like Lee Soo-man. Keeping a tiger as a pet is dangerous, and the SM Group is not blind. In a few years, the SM Group will definitely intervene in SM Entertainment's management and replace Lee Soo-man as the president, especially as the influence of entertainment culture grows, the time for the SM Group to act will come sooner."

Hearing Lee Hyun-kyung talk about SM Entertainment, Lee Ho-yeon couldn't help but sneer, waving his hand dismissively.

Although DSP Entertainment had no group backing and no money, the entire company belonged to Lee Ho-yeon and Lee Hyun-kyung, with no supreme ruler behind the scenes to interfere and kick them out at the slightest dissatisfaction.

Faced with this situation and considering Lee Soo-man's current position at SM Entertainment, Lee Ho-yeon felt quite satisfied, and his gloomy mood dissipated by half.

The saying "Your enemy knows you best" is not wrong. Lee Ho-yeon was very familiar and knowledgeable about Lee Soo-man, and naturally, he understood every move of SM Entertainment.

For example, when something happened at DSP Entertainment, Lee Soo-man at SM Entertainment would know immediately. When DSP Entertainment held a talent search and selected Kim Yoo-fan, Lee Soo-man knew about it right away.

Lee Hyun-kyung didn't know, but Lee Ho-yeon was very clear that Lee Soo-man, facing the giant SM Group, wanted to use them and then get rid of them, but unfortunately, he couldn't.

Lee Soo-man also knew his position was sensitive and dangerous. He had already started to strengthen his influence in SM Entertainment to become deeply rooted, and the most suitable target was the struggling HOT.

At the same time, Lee Ho-yeon knew that Lee Soo-man was secretly trying to free himself from the control of the SM Group. But in Lee Ho-yeon's eyes, this was a joke and completely useless.

As the saying goes, it's easy to invite a god but hard to send one away. Lee Soo-man might be able to wield great influence in the Korean music scene, but in front of the SM Group, he was nothing. If the SM Group felt the need, they had many ways to get rid of Lee Soo-man.

"Let's not talk about this anymore. We should discuss the issue of Kim Yoo-fan." Lee Ho-yeon organized his thoughts and said with renewed energy.

"Kim Yoo-fan? What about Kim Yoo-fan?" Lee Hyun-kyung looked at Lee Ho-yeon in confusion, not understanding what he meant.

However, a few seconds later, when he saw the characteristic madness and determination on Lee Ho-yeon's face, Lee Hyun-kyung was suddenly startled. Connecting this with Lee Ho-yeon's previous words, he seemed to understand something.

"What's going on, brother? Have you really made a decision? Isn't it too early and too hasty?" Lee Hyun-kyung stood up from his chair, looking tense and excited. Kim Yoo-fan was the only hope for DSP Entertainment, at least for the next three years. Thinking about what Lee Ho-yeon meant, Lee Hyun-kyung couldn't help but feel anxious and excited.

But this time, Lee Ho-yeon ignored Lee Hyun-kyung's tension and excitement. He extinguished his cigarette and said firmly, "Hmm~~~ The time is right."