13: Chapter 13 Tencent Music China Agent

After seeing off Kim Min-jun's team.

Qian Xu stood by the window.

Looking at the streetscape of Apgujeong.

His phone rang.

It was a message from Ham Eun-jung.

"Mr. Qian, how did the interview go?"

Qian Xu replied.

"Found someone."

"Former head of the planning department at SM Entertainment."

"Kim Min-jun."

"He is joining with his team."

Ham Eun-jung replied quickly.

"Kim Min-jun?"

"I know him."

"He was responsible for all the girl group projects during his time at SM Entertainment."

"Is he willing to come?"

"Yes."

"Monthly salary of 25 million won."

"He agreed?"

"Yes."

"He also promised to launch the comeback plan within three months."

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds.

Then Ham Eun-jung sent a message.

"Mr. Qian, thank you."

"T-ARA finally has hope."

Qian Xu smiled.

"You're welcome."

"Representative Kim starts work tomorrow."

"You should meet up."

"Okay."

He hung up the phone.

Qian Xu looked out the window.

Seoul in spring.

The sun was shining brightly.

He thought of the gimbap Jeon Bo-ram made last night.

Although it didn't taste good.

It was very warm.

He remembered the look in Ham Eun-jung's eyes.

That anticipation.

That trust.

He smiled.

Three months later.

T-ARA would stand on stage again.

That would be the real beginning.

But the first step.

Is to get them a market in China.

Qian Xu opened his phone's contact list.

He found a number.

The person in charge of Tencent Music's Korea region.

Li Zhenghao.

The two had met at a China-Korea cultural exchange event.

At that time, Li Zhenghao was the representative sent by Tencent Music to Seoul.

Responsible for purchasing Korean music copyrights.

Qian Xu dialed the number.

It rang twice.

"Mr. Qian?"

Li Zhenghao's voice came through.

"Long time no see."

"Representative Li, have you been busy lately?"

"Not bad."

Li Zhenghao laughed.

"Did you need something?"

"Yes."

"I want to talk to you about T-ARA."

There was silence on the other end of the line for two seconds.

"T-ARA?"

"Yes."

"Are they making a comeback?"

"Yes."

"I invested in them."

Li Zhenghao was stunned for a moment.

"You invested in T-ARA's comeback?"

"Yes."

"Yunmengze Entertainment."

"My newly established company."

"All members of T-ARA have signed."

Li Zhenghao laughed.

"Mr. Qian, you move fast."

"Last time we met, you said you were looking for a job."

"Now you've opened a company."

"Just lucky."

Qian Xu also laughed.

"Representative Li, do you have time to meet and chat?"

"I have time now."

"A cafe in Cheongdam-dong."

"The usual place."

"Okay, I'll be there in twenty minutes."

Cheongdam-dong.

A high-end cafe.

Qian Xu arrived early.

He chose a window seat.

He was wearing a dark gray suit.

A white shirt.

No tie.

Fifteen minutes later.

The door opened.

A man in his thirties walked in.

Wearing a casual suit.

Wearing black-rimmed glasses.

Li Zhenghao.

Seeing Qian Xu, he walked over with a smile.

"Mr. Qian, long time no see."

"Representative Li, please sit."

The two shook hands.

After sitting down, Li Zhenghao spoke directly.

"Tell me about your plan."

Qian Xu picked up his coffee.

"T-ARA's comeback."

"Within three months."

"First, a digital single."

"Then, a China tour."

Li Zhenghao raised an eyebrow.

"A China tour?"

"They were banned in South Korea for six years."

"But they still have fans in China."

"And quite a few."

Qian Xu put down the coffee cup.

"I want to secure the digital music distribution rights for T-ARA in China."

"And hand it over to Tencent Music for exclusive distribution."

Li Zhenghao looked at him.

"What are the terms?"

"Three-year exclusive authorization."

"An advance copyright fee of 2 billion won."

Li Zhenghao was stunned.

"2 billion won?"

"Yes."

"In advance?"

"Yes."

Li Zhenghao thought for a moment.

"Mr. Qian, do you know the situation with T-ARA in China?"

"I know."

"They were banned for six years."

"They don't have much popularity in China anymore."

"I know."

"Then why are you investing 2 billion?"

"Because I believe they can become popular again."

Qian Xu said calmly.

"T-ARA's fan loyalty is very high."

"They have waited for six years."

"As long as there is one good song."

"It will explode."

Li Zhenghao stared at him for five seconds.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"2 billion won."

"Three-year exclusive authorization."

"Tencent Music will be responsible for digital distribution in China."

"All proceeds will be split 50/50."

Li Zhenghao laughed.

"Mr. Qian, you are practically giving me money."

"It's not giving money."

"It's a partnership."

Qian Xu also laughed.

"T-ARA needs the Chinese market."

"Tencent Music needs high-quality content."

"It's a win-win."

Li Zhenghao picked up his coffee.

Took a sip.

"I need to report to headquarters."

"How long?"

"Three days."

"I'll give you an answer in three days."

"Okay."

Qian Xu stood up.

"Representative Li, I'll wait for your good news."

Three days later.

10:00 AM.

Qian Xu was in his office reading the comeback proposal submitted by Kim Min-jun.

His phone rang.

It was Li Zhenghao.

He answered it.

"Representative Li."

"Mr. Qian."

"Headquarters approved it."

"2 billion won."

"Three-year exclusive authorization."

"I'll send you the contract today."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Okay."

"I'll have my lawyer review it."

"We'll sign tomorrow."

"No problem."

Li Zhenghao paused.

"Mr. Qian, headquarters also asked me to pass on a message to you."

"What is it?"

"Welcome to being a partner of Tencent Music."

"If T-ARA succeeds this time."

"Future collaborations can be even bigger."

Qian Xu smiled.

"They will be."

He hung up the phone.

Qian Xu looked out the window.

Seoul in spring.

The sun was shining brightly.

He opened his phone.

Sent a message to Ham Eun-jung.

"Tencent Music approved it."

"2 billion won."

"Three-year exclusive authorization."

Ham Eun-jung replied instantly.

"Really?"

"Really."

"We sign tomorrow."

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds.

Then she sent a voice message.

Qian Xu played it.

Ham Eun-jung's voice was slightly choked up.

"Mr. Qian, thank you."

"T-ARA finally has hope."

Qian Xu smiled.

"You're welcome."

"This is just the beginning."

The next afternoon.

Gangnam District, Seoul.

Tencent Music Korea branch.

Qian Xu arrived with Lawyer Park.

Li Zhenghao was waiting at the entrance.

"Mr. Qian, this way please."

The three walked into the conference room.

There were two contracts on the table.

One in Korean.

One in Chinese.

Lawyer Park read through them carefully.

Then he nodded to Qian Xu.

"No problem."

Qian Xu picked up a pen.

Signed his name.

Li Zhenghao also signed.

The two shook hands.

"Happy to work with you."

"Happy to work with you."

Li Zhenghao laughed.

"Mr. Qian, T-ARA's digital music distribution rights in China."

"From now on."

"Belongs to Tencent Music."

"2 billion won."

"Will be transferred within three days."

Qian Xu nodded.

"Okay."

Walking out of the Tencent Music office.

Qian Xu stood at the entrance.

Looking at the sky over Seoul.

The sun was dazzling.

He smiled.

The first step of T-ARA's comeback.

Had already been taken.

Next.

Was to let them stand on stage again.

He opened his phone.

Sent a message to Kim Min-jun.

"Representative Kim."

"Tencent Music signed."

"2 billion won."

"Three-year exclusive authorization."

Kim Min-jun replied instantly.

"Good."

"My comeback plan is also almost ready."

"I'll show it to you tomorrow."

"Good."

Qian Xu put away his phone.

Hailed a taxi.

"Go to Apgujeong."

"Yunmengze Entertainment."