Chapter 54

Li Haoyan has never been a particularly domineering person. Perhaps it's because when it comes to the groups under his company, he doesn't take the same harsh and ruthless measures as Lee Soo-man of S.M. Entertainment when deciding to disband a group.

Compared to Lee Soo-man's direct and merciless approach to disbanding groups, Li Haoyan is much gentler and more tactful. He simply asks the members of his groups to pursue solo careers, gradually leading to the group's dissolution in name only.

Whether it's the Fin.K.L group, or later SS501, or even Sechs Kies, even after hosting so-called farewell concerts and truly saying goodbye to fans, DSP Media has never officially announced the disbandment of Sechs Kies.

Even with KARA, who had conflicts with the agency over management contracts, Li Haoyan has always taken a gentle and indirect approach, sending KARA to Japan and focusing on cultivating the new girl group Rainbow in Korea.

From all these aspects, it's clear that Li Haoyan is not as ruthless as Lee Soo-man. On the contrary, Li Haoyan prefers to use gentle methods to achieve his goals.

For Li Haoyan, as long as the goal is achieved, a gentler approach is undoubtedly better. After all, it's better for everyone to be happy, isn't it?

As for the future, when he feels that the groups under DSP Media have no more value, handing over the various copyrights to Jin Yuban is not a big deal for Li Haoyan.

It doesn't matter whose hands the copyright fees are in. Take Fin.K.L, for example, all the copyright fees for Fin.K.L are given to Jin Yuban, but this has no impact on Li Haoyan or DSP Media.

If Fin.K.L continues to be active, that's fine too; it's a good thing and can continue to bring benefits to DSP Media, which is enough.

Li Haoyan is only giving Jin Yuban the copyright fees for Fin.K.L, not the management contract. If Fin.K.L continues to perform, the money they earn still goes to DSP Media, not to Jin Yuban.

If Fin.K.L collectively leaves DSP Media in the future, and DSP Media can no longer make money from them, that's also fine.

Li Haoyan's decision to hand over all the copyright fees for Fin.K.L to Jin Yuban means that Fin.K.L has no value to him anymore. Since they have no value, it doesn't matter if they leave DSP Media. Li Haoyan doesn't care.

Moreover, with the members of Fin.K.L starting to pursue solo careers, eventually leading to the group's dissolution in name only, it means that Li Haoyan has already given up on Fin.K.L.

Now, what Li Haoyan values and cares about more is Jin Yuban, a new talent with unlimited potential. For Li Haoyan, if he can gain Jin Yuban's loyalty by giving him the various copyrights of Fin.K.L, which he has already given up, why not?

"Alright, Yuban, don't think too much about it. The key is how you can develop faster to become a top star. I am a very direct and practical person. I'm giving you such good conditions and treatment, and even the copyrights of future groups, because I see your potential and your future development."

Suddenly, Li Haoyan's expression changed, and he said in a very serious tone, "If you can become a top star, or even an Asian star, then everything is fine, and we can be straightforward. But if you don't reach the level and status I expect, this super contract will naturally be void. The company won't invest more resources in a new talent with no hope. And you won't get the copyrights of Fin.K.L, understand?"

"Understood!" Jin Yuban nodded firmly in response. Li Haoyan was being so direct that even a fool would understand, let alone Jin Yuban.

"President, rest assured. I will work hard to meet your expectations as soon as possible. I will be the best, and I won't let you down. If I can't become a top star in Korea or an Asian star, I won't have the face to continue occupying the company's resources or enjoy the super contract, let alone the copyrights of Fin.K.L."

"Good, as long as you understand. Well, that's enough talk. The Lunar New Year is coming soon. I know you've been practicing diligently at the company recently, but don't overwork yourself. Rest is necessary. Since the Lunar New Year is coming, you probably won't have much time to rest after your debut. Take this opportunity to spend time with your grandmother."

"Understood, President!" Li Haoyan had already decided, so Jin Yuban could only nod in agreement, feeling a bit regretful about not debuting at Wubai's concert.

After finishing the business talk, Li Haoyan started chatting with Jin Yuban about some personal matters. After about half an hour, Jin Yuban left Li Haoyan's office.

He walked down the corridor, reached the stairs, and looked out the window at the falling snow. Unconsciously, the Lunar New Year was approaching.

Time passed quickly, and with the arrival of January 31, 2003, the Lunar New Year finally came to Korea. Of course, Korea calls it Seollal.

The massive migration of people for the holiday had already moved at least a few million people from Seoul to various parts of Korea. The once bustling Seoul had become quiet, with the usual crowds and traffic disappearing.

On this day, Seoul almost became a ghost town, as, according to Korean tradition, everyone gathers with their families and stays at home.

Therefore, on the streets of Seoul, you rarely see anyone. With all the shops closed, and the migration of millions of people, the only places still open are supermarkets, which occasionally attract people who need certain items or ingredients. Otherwise, the streets are empty.

At this moment, Jin Yuban was smiling and helping his grandmother, Li Zhina, in the kitchen.

Since this was their first Lunar New Year in Seoul, his grandmother was very attentive and had prepared all the traditional foods and items needed for the holiday days in advance.

After working in the kitchen for a while, Jin Yuban and his grandmother brought a stack of dumpling wrappers and meat filling to the living room. They chatted by the fire while watching TV and making dumplings together.

Jin Yuban clearly saw his grandmother place a coin in the first dumpling she made and smiled at him, saying, "You're about to debut. I hope this dumpling brings you good luck and fortune."

"Thank you, Grandma!" Jin Yuban, who had never experienced the Lunar New Year atmosphere before, was deeply moved and bowed to thank his grandmother.

Before he came to this world, Jin Yuban had never celebrated the Lunar New Year with his family. Even the nanny who usually took care of him would prepare a table of dishes for him and then go home to celebrate the holiday.

This meant that Jin Yuban, before coming to this world, would spend the Lunar New Year alone at home, eating a table full of dishes. Although he knew from the internet that this was the most traditional and important holiday in China, in that environment, Jin Yuban really didn't feel the atmosphere of the Lunar New Year.

But now, with his grandmother Li Zhina by his side, even though it was just the two of them, Jin Yuban could clearly feel the atmosphere of the Lunar New Year. The air was filled with happiness and joy, enveloping him from all sides.

(As for the lifetime contract mentioned by reader Xiaoxiaomo, it is actually an invalid contract. However, I think it depends on how you look at it. For example, in Jin Yuban's case, if both parties are willing, it's fine. They can just fulfill their responsibilities. Even if there are criticisms, they can change the contract to a five-year term. Both parties can keep the contract confidential and publish a misleading management contract to the public. After all, management contracts between artists and agencies are very confidential, and the public rarely knows the details unless the artist discloses them. Thank you, Xiaoxiaomo, for your feedback!)