102: Chapter 101 Plane Crash in Mongolia, I Look Towards Beijing from the Grasslands

After that day's "Studio Terror," Jiang Zhiyu forced himself to completely shut down for three days. Phone off, computer unplugged—besides eating and sleeping, he just emptied his mind, power-walking along the Han River or staring blankly at walls. He needed to thoroughly clear out those over-burned brain cells and the aftereffects of his motor-mouthed nonsense.

Three days later, when Jiang Zhiyu turned his devices back on, his eyes had regained their clarity (at least on the surface), but his brow held a bit more gravity and... lingering fear. There had been no movement from Kim Taeyeon's side—no public condemnation, nor any private contact. Yet, this silence made Jiang Zhiyu even more uneasy. He knew that given Taeyeon's personality and status, she was unlikely to make such a private, awkward conflict public, but a rift had certainly been left behind, casting a thick shadow over the possibility of collaboration.

This wouldn't do. TG Entertainment needed to maintain a good relationship with SM, and he personally held respect for Kim Taeyeon's artistic pursuits (despite his extremely flawed way of expressing it). More importantly, his damn professional integrity and "genius" intuition told him that the "deeper level of music" direction Kim Taeyeon proposed coincided with certain vague ideas in his own mind. This was a perfect opportunity for collaboration that couldn't be ruined because of his stupid words.

He had to do something to make amends, or rather, to re-establish a professional bridge of communication. Go back and talk about music directly? That would likely trigger unpleasant memories. So, he would approach it from a different angle, using what he was best at—planning.

Thus, after his period of seclusion and repeated refinement, Jiang Zhiyu stepped into the SM Entertainment building once again, carrying a brand-new variety show proposal specifically tailored for Kim Taeyeon. This time, his target wasn't the Chairman's office or aespa's practice room, but the SM Artist Planning Department.

Inside the meeting room sat the SM personnel responsible for individual artist development and variety show bookings. The atmosphere wasn't exactly warm, but it was professional. Jiang Zhiyu's status as the President of TG, his recent popularity, and his successful collaboration with SM on the aespa project at least earned him the chance to present.

Jiang Zhiyu took a deep breath, turned on the projector, and clearly displayed the title of the proposal on the screen:

taeyeons quest: the musical footsteps of a vocal powerhouse

(taeyeons quest: the musical footsteps of a vocal powerhouse)

Subtitle: Hearing One's Own Echo in the Corners of the World.

He didn't jump into the details immediately. Instead, he looked at the SM representatives present and spoke with a sincere and powerful tone:

"Everyone, we all know that Kim Taeyeon-xi is the leader of Girls Generation, the widely recognized 'shin-ting-tae,' and one of South Korea's most representative and influential solo female singers. She possesses top-tier vocal skills, a wide vocal range, and the ability to digest various musical styles. Her musical achievements have long needed no proof."

He paused, then changed his tone:

"But, precisely because she stands at such a high peak, listeners and the market may have formed a fixed expectation of her—that 'Kim Taeyeon should sing this kind of song.' This expectation is an honor, but sometimes it can also become an invisible cage."

He clicked to the next page, and the screen changed to some abstract images representing music and journeys.

"When Senior Taeyeon... communicated with me last time," Jiang Zhiyu skillfully avoided the awkward details, "she mentioned a desire to try music that is deeper, more introspective, and capable of touching complex emotions. This isn't just a change in musical style; it's likely a re-exploration of her artistic persona and a deep pilgrimage into her inner world."

"So, how do we complete this exploration and presentation naturally and persuasively, while satisfying fan expectations and attracting a broader audience?" Jiang Zhiyu threw out the core question.

He switched the screen again, revealing the core concept of the proposal:

"If the peak cannot be held," Jiang Zhiyu's voice rose slightly, carrying a manifesto-like infectiousness,

"Then retrace the path you came!"

"It's not a step back, but a looking back and a search for roots," he elaborated in detail. "This project isn't about asking Senior Taeyeon to challenge extreme high notes or learn new dance genres. It's about slowing down, temporarily leaving the spotlight of music show stages and recording studios, and embarking on a unique journey in the name of 'finding one's musical heart and new resonance.'"

He began to sketch the program's blueprint:

"We will select several locations that have special meaning to Senior Taeyeon or a unique musical atmosphere—perhaps an old record shop in Jeonju where she first encountered music as a child, perhaps a small Nordic town that sparked her inspiration during a trip, or perhaps a quiet mountain forest or modern art space that can trigger deep reflection..."

"During the journey, she will no longer be 'Singer Kim Taeyeon,' but a musical traveler with a simple bag, curiosity, and recording equipment. she will improvise with street performers, learn ancient ballads from folk musicians, collect sound samples in natural environments, exchange ideas with local music producers, or even just sit quietly in a cafe, observing pedestrians and recording fleeting emotions and melodic fragments..."

"Each segment of the journey will eventually crystallize into the prototype of a song or a clear musical direction. These 'Musical Travel Notes' will be polished into complete works by Senior Taeyeon in collaboration with suitable musicians during the latter stages of the show. The end of the program might be the starting point of her next album, or at least a significant part of it."

Jiang Zhiyu concluded:

"In 'The Musical Footsteps of a Vocal Powerhouse,' 'footsteps' doesn't refer to dancing, but to her exploratory steps in the world of music. This show aims to strip away the halos of 'idol' and 'star' to show the most authentic, sensitive, and creative side of Kim Taeyeon as a 'musician.' It is both a healing journey of relaxation and a serious experiment in artistic root-finding and innovation."

"Through this process, the audience will see a Kim Taeyeon who remains sincere and thoughtful about music even after shedding her stage costumes. The 'new sound' she finds will also have a more moving story and a more solid emotional foundation thanks to the support of this journey. This is the best response to her desire for 'deeper music' and a deep expansion and sublimation of the 'shin-ting-tae' brand."

After speaking, Jiang Zhiyu turned off the projector and looked at the SM representatives. His eyes no longer showed the previous exhaustion or playfulness, only professionalism and certainty.

This proposal was not just selling a variety show idea; it was demonstrating his deep understanding of Kim Taeyeon's musical persona (even if his previous understanding had been skewed). It was also a way to offer the most sincere "apology" and "remedy" for that offensive conversation—he had seriously considered her needs and presented a heavy-weight solution to match.

The meeting room was quiet for a moment. The SM representatives put their heads together, discussing in low voices. The creativity and depth of this proposal clearly exceeded ordinary travel variety shows or music reality shows. It precisely fit the image transformation and artistic exploration Kim Taeyeon might need at this stage, possessing both commercial and artistic value.

Of course, the final decision still rested with Kim Taeyeon herself.

But at the very least, Jiang Zhiyu had used his professional ability to realign his position and steer a potentially broken dialogue toward an imaginative new starting point.

As for whether Taeyeon would accept this invitation to "retrace the path she came," that was another story. But Jiang Zhiyu knew he had done his best to fill the hole... at least a little bit, and might have even unexpectedly paved a new flower path.

After several rounds of internal evaluation and careful consideration, Kim Taeyeon finally passed SM's review and personally nodded her agreement to the variety show proposal, "taeyeons quest: the musical footsteps of a vocal powerhouse." Perhaps she was touched by the concept of "retracing the path she came," perhaps she wanted a brand-new way to respond to her own thirst for music, or perhaps... she wanted to see to what extent Jiang Zhiyu, who had come up with such a serious proposal after talking nonsense, could actually execute this idea.

To discuss specific filming details, an informal, private meeting was inevitable. The location chosen was a membership-only boutique cafe known for its privacy protection. Besides the parties involved, Jiang Zhiyu and Kim Taeyeon, TG also brought along an "extra person"—Lee Tima.

Lee Tima had been dragged along by Jiang Zhiyu on the pretext of "needing a young perspective for reference" and "learning from a senior's experience," but she knew full well her real "function": a living human shield and "proof of innocence." In case they were caught by the ubiquitous paparazzi, having the underage Lee Tima (who was TG's own artist) present could at least be explained as a "routine variety show meeting between the TG team and Senior Taeyeon," greatly reducing the risk of rumors like "Private Secret Meeting Between TG President and Girls Generation Leader." Lee Tima rolled her eyes at this, but for the sake of good desserts and the chance to observe the "shin-ting-tae" senior up close, she came obediently.

Inside the quiet private room of the cafe, sunlight cast soft patches of light through the blinds. The air was filled with the mellow aroma of coffee beans and the slight sweetness of desserts.

Kim Taeyeon was dressed in comfortable casual wear, no makeup, her hair tied up randomly. She looked much more relaxed than the last time in the studio, but her eyes were still clear and focused, carrying the aura of a professional artist. She took small sips of her hot Americano, her gaze resting calmly on the person opposite her.

Jiang Zhiyu was exceptionally neat today, the dark circles under his eyes had faded considerably, and his expression was serious and earnest. A detailed draft of the process and a tablet computer were spread out before him. Beside him sat Lee Tima, sitting upright (though her eyes occasionally drifted toward the delicious-looking tiramisu on the table).

The atmosphere was a bit subtle, but overall professional.

Jiang Zhiyu cleared his throat and spoke first, his tone more formal and sincere than ever before:

"Senior Taeyeon, thank you very much for ultimately choosing to trust TG and giving us this valuable opportunity for collaboration. To be able to work with an artist of your caliber is a great honor for TG Entertainment." He nodded slightly, keeping his posture very low, completely devoid of the absurdity from his last bout of nonsense.

Kim Taeyeon nodded slightly, accepting the gesture. She didn't speak, waiting for him to continue.

Jiang Zhiyu continued: "To avoid a repeat of the... uh, communication breakdown from last time, and to ensure the show reflects your ideas and characteristics to the greatest extent, I will give a detailed report on the main process arrangements for 'music steps' today. At the same time, I very much hope that you, Senior, will raise suggestions for modifications at any time based on your own feelings and needs. You are the core of this show, and all processes should prioritize your comfort and creative experience."

These words were both an indirect apology for the previous offense and a clear statement of respect and consultation in this collaboration.

Kim Taeyeon's expression softened a bit as she spoke: "Mm, let's begin." Her voice was calm, giving space for the dialogue.

Jiang Zhiyu's spirits lifted. He opened the tablet, pulled up the prepared PPT (a condensed version), and began his report:

"Phase One: Before Departure—Mapping the 'Sound Map'."

"Before the official journey begins, we suggest conducting 1-2 in-depth interviews and informal recordings. The interviews aren't meant to dig into privacy, but to guide you in organizing your initial impressions, emotional connections, or musical imaginings of each preset destination (such as Jeonju, a place in Northern Europe, a healing space, etc.). At the same time, we might invite you to hum some melodies spontaneously or record snippets you play casually, serving as 'sound samples before departure' to contrast and resonate with the sounds collected during the journey."

Kim Taeyeon thought for a moment. "That's fine. The interview environment needs to be quiet, preferably like this, or in my studio. For the improvisational parts... I'll need some time to warm up. I don't want too much pressure to perform."

"Completely understood. We will create the most relaxed environment, and the cameras will be as hidden as possible." Jiang Zhiyu immediately noted it down. "Phase Two: The Core of the Journey—Immersive Musical Fieldwork."

"This is the backbone of the program. Each destination will be about a 3-4 day trip. The team will be minimized, focusing on documentary-style filming to avoid script interference. You will explore entirely at your own pace. We've initially set several directions; please see if you're interested or have better suggestions—"

He introduced them one by one:

"1. Local Sound Dialogue: For example, in Jeonju, visiting an old record shop owner and listening to him talk about popular ballads of the past; in Norway, possibly communicating with local folk singers or even trying to improvise with their traditional instruments."

"2. Environmental Sampling and Inspiration Capture: Recording the sound of wind, birds, and streams in the forest; recording tram sounds, the bustle of crowds, or a street performance in a corner of the city. These samples can be integrated into music production later."

"3. Informal Musical Collaborations: Not necessarily with professional musicians—it could be a busker on the street, a guesthouse owner who plays guitar, or even a sudden music sharing session in the common area of a youth hostel."

"4. Solitude and Reflection Time: The show won't fill every single minute. We will reserve plenty of blank space for you to walk alone, read, write in a journal, or just zone out. The cameras might follow from a distance or just capture empty scenery, focusing on capturing moments of your contemplation or emotional shifts."

Kim Taeyeon listened intently, her fingers unconsciously stroking the rim of her coffee cup. "As for the collaborative parts, I want them to happen naturally, not through forced arrangements. Solitude is very important; I don't want the trip to become just another work schedule."

"Of course, authenticity is the top priority. All 'encounters' will be based on real possibilities; we only provide clues and convenience, never directing," Producer Jiang Zhi Yu promised.

"Stage Three: The Return and Crystallization—From Fragments to Melody."

"After each trip concludes, there will be a small 'Review Workshop.' You can work with music producers we invite (the selection will fully respect your opinion) to listen back to travel recordings, watch clips, and discuss feelings, preliminary organizing those scattered inspirations, sampled sounds, and improvised humming into musical motifs or lyric drafts. This process will also be appropriately recorded to show the 'backstage' of music creation."

"The ultimate goal," Jiang Zhiyu summarized, "is to produce several song demos with distinct 'travel imprints' and 'real emotional warmth' through this journey. They might vary greatly in style, but they will all be deeply branded with 'a certain search by Kim Taeyeon.' These works will constitute an important cornerstone for your future music projects, or even directly become the core of your next album."

Finishing his report, Jiang Zhiyu closed his tablet and looked at Kim Taeyeon. "That is the preliminary process. The rhythm, choice of destinations, collaborators, and even whether every trip must produce a clear result... I look forward to your opinions and suggestions on all of these, Senior."

Lee Tima looked up at the right moment, trying her best to look like she was listening seriously, while in reality, she was calculating when she could eat that piece of Tiramisu.

Kim Taeyeon fell silent for a moment, seemingly digesting the entire process. The private room was quiet, with only the slight sound of the air conditioner's airflow.

After a long while, she finally spoke slowly, her voice more relaxed than before and tinged with thought:

"The process framework... sounds good. It definitely captures what I want to try."

She paused and raised her first key point:

"For destinations, I hope at least one is completely on a whim, or the production team only gives a vague direction (like 'a small town by the sea' or 'a place with ancient musical traditions'), letting me discover and explore it myself. Don't pre-set everything. A true 'search' requires some unknowns and surprises."

Jiang Zhiyu's eyes lit up. "A very good suggestion! Adding an 'unknown destination' segment will greatly increase authenticity and suspense. We will handle the logistics, but the route and specific encounters will be left to you and fate."

Kim Taeyeon nodded and continued, "Also, regarding the choice of music producers, I want the final say, and it could be someone I haven't worked with before but whose musical philosophy I've always admired. The same goes for improvised collaborators during the trip; if I encounter someone where the vibe isn't right or I feel uncomfortable, I want the right to end it politely rather than forcing it for the sake of the show."

"That is a fundamental principle; your feelings and creative state will always come first," Jiang Zhiyu promised solemnly.

"Additionally," Kim Taeyeon glanced at the seemingly well-behaved Lee Tima beside her, the corner of her mouth curling slightly, "Perhaps the show needs a 'young ear' or a 'pure listener's perspective' to appear occasionally. Not for comedy, but to provide a fresh reaction unconstrained by industry norms. It doesn't have to be every episode, but at the right moments—like after hearing a street performance or when discussing a musical idea."

Suddenly being cued, Tima blanked for a second, then her eyes sparkled as she looked at Kim Taeyeon and then at Jiang Zhiyu, mouthing silently, "Me me me! I can do it!"

Jiang Zhiyu smiled. "That's a great idea. Tima's perspective is indeed unique, and she has a passion for music herself. We will arrange it carefully to ensure it doesn't disrupt your main journey, Senior, only letting her join the discussion or listen along as a special guest when 'external resonance' is needed."

Kim Taeyeon seemed satisfied with this communication. She took another sip of her coffee and looked at Jiang Zhiyu, her gaze losing some of its initial aloofness and gaining more expectation for completing an interesting work together.

"Then," she said, "the general direction is settled. Our teams can follow up on the details for the specific destination list, the candidate producer list, and the time for the first 'pre-departure interview.'"

"Yes! Thank you very much for your trust and suggestions, Senior!" A heavy stone finally lifted from Jiang Zhiyu's heart; this meeting had finally returned to the right track. A collaboration that began with a ridiculous misunderstanding seemed to be setting off steadily toward a direction full of music and the charm of exploration.

As for Lee Tima, she finally waited for Jiang Zhiyu's "you can eat" look. She happily picked up her small spoon and launched an "attack" on the long-coveted Tiramisu. To her, this "third wheel" mission not only provided dessert but also seemed to land her a chance to appear on a top-tier variety show? What a steal!

"Taeyeon's Search: A Powerhouse Vocalist's music steps" progressed steadily through low-profile and professional preparations. Destinations were being carefully screened (with the "unknown surprises" Taeyeon requested reserved), the musician list was being repeatedly considered, and the filming crew was being broken in. Everything indicated this would be a high-quality, uniquely styled music documentary variety show. The relationship between TG Entertainment and SM, especially with Kim Taeyeon's team, warmed up due to this deep cooperation, becoming even closer than before.

The pressure on Jiang Zhiyu's shoulders lightened considerably, but he was clearly not the type to rest on his laurels. TG Entertainment needed continuous buzz and diversified content output. Relying solely on one (not yet aired) Taeyeon variety show and one (still in post-production) destined kim hyo-soon special was clearly not enough. In particular, he needed to pave the way for TG's upcoming artists (such as Kim Soo-yeon's solo music plan and potential future recruits) and further consolidate TG's "genius" brand in the field of variety production.

Thus, on a quiet night when inspiration was exploding, another brand-new variety show proposal, with a title that sounded impressive yet mysterious, was born under Jiang Zhiyu's keyboard:

twelve star envoys

(The Twelve Stellars)

Core Concept: An immersive idol group variety show blending Norse mythological constellation elements, large-scale real-scene puzzle-solving, team competition, and individual member charm displays.

The source of inspiration? It was probably a lingering addiction to the chaotic mash-up style of "Squirtle War," combined with an interest in constellations (especially those with mythological colors) and escape room programs, plus... a little ambition to "go big."

The proposal summary was as follows:

Thematic Framework: Borrowing (and heavily modifying) concepts related to stars and fate from Norse mythology to construct a fictional world called "Midgard Starlight Garden." Each episode corresponds to a specific "Stellar Palace" (actually a filming location), cleverly linked to an IZ*ONE member's constellation (or birth constellation).

Participating Group: IZ*ONE. The reason? Extremely high national popularity, many members (exactly 12, perfectly fitting the "Twelve Stars" concept), a massive and loyal fanbase, a limited group activity period (which further stimulates fan attention and nostalgia), and members with distinct personalities and charms (making it easy to shape "Star Envoy" personas)... plus, Jiang Zhiyu's "complex" guilt(?) and appreciation for Jang Wonyoung, and the need to maintain the Starship/CJ line. Simply put, IZ*ONE was the top girl group most suitable for "shearing wool"... no, most suitable for carrying this massive project at this stage.

Process Model (Single Episode):

Stellar Descent: Each episode focuses on 1-2 "Current Star Envoys" (IZ*ONE members), introducing their corresponding constellation myth (beautified version) and personal traits through short films.

Garden Riddles: All members enter a large-scale real-scene venue (possibly an abandoned castle, a sci-fi lab, a classical library, a maze garden, etc.) elaborately decorated according to the current "Stellar Palace" theme. Hidden within the venue are clues and puzzles related to constellation myths, individual member experiences, or team memories.

Light of Dawn: Members need to solve puzzles through physical strength, intelligence, teamwork, and even talent displays to obtain "Starlight Shards" or key clues. The process is full of surprises and laughs, showing different facets of the members.

Constellation Lighting: After successfully solving the final puzzle, a special lighting or projection device will be activated to "light up" the corresponding constellation pattern in a magnificent way, while playing a special short film or achievement review for that member. One constellation is lit per episode; after twelve episodes, they will converge into a complete "IZ*ONE Star Map."

Show Highlights:

Movie-grade Real Scenes: Grand sets with different themes for each episode, providing strong visual impact.

Deeply Interactive Puzzles: Puzzle designs are strongly linked to the members themselves, enhancing fan immersion and member participation.

Balance of Team and Individual: Features both stages requiring full-team cooperation and segments highlighting individual abilities, showcasing IZ*ONE's charm from all angles.

Nostalgia and Ritual: Through the "Lighting the Constellation" ritual, the show reviews the team's journey and strengthens the group's symbols, creating deep memory points during the end of the limited group's term.

Goal: To create a benchmark group variety show that is an audiovisual feast, both fun and deep, maximizing the exploration and display of IZ*ONE's group value and individual member charms. It aims to create buzz, consolidate the fanbase, leave a profound mark on IZ*ONE's group activities, and significantly enhance TG Entertainment's ability and reputation in producing large-scale outdoor real-scene variety shows.

After completing the proposal, Jiang Zhiyu himself felt very satisfied. This was definitely a big project with a significant investment, but if successful, the returns would also be immense.

However, just as he complacently began to contact the relevant heads of Starship Entertainment and CJ ENM to push the project forward, an unexpected "resistance" gave feedback at the fastest speed.

It wasn't from a harsh producer, nor from a hesitant advertiser.

It was from... Jang Wonyoung.

Likely through her Manager or Starship's internal information channels, Jang Wonyoung had "accidentally" learned about Jiang Zhiyu's new proposal titled twelve star envoys before the official meeting. She keenly captured the keywords: "IZ*ONE," "large-scale real-scene," "puzzle-solving," "physical and mental strength," "Producer Jiang Zhi Yu"...

Past memories flooded back like a tide—the shame and indignation of the Golden Toilet, the tragic devouring of the giant orion pie, the various ridiculous plots she was "tricked" into participating in, and Jiang Zhiyu's face, which always wore a gentle smile yet could always come up with "social death" ideas...

Snap!

Jang Wonyoung buried herself in her dorm pillow, letting out a muffled cry full of resistance and fear.

The next second, her phone vibrated crazily. It was the IZ*ONE member group chat.

[Kwon Eunbi]: Kids! I heard a huge new variety show is looking for us? Called twelve star envoys? It sounds so cool!

[Miyawaki Sakura]: Stars? Constellations? It seems to be related to each of us?

[Choi Yena]: The PD is... TG's Jiang Zhiyu-xi? Isn't he the one who worked with Wonyoung on that special episode?

[An Yujin]: @Jang Wonyoung Wonyoung-ah! Is it that Producer Jiang you know? The proposal sounds great!

[Kang Hye-won]: Where's Wonyoung? Why isn't she saying anything?

With trembling hands, Jang Wonyoung tapped into the group chat. Seeing her sisters' messages filled with curiosity and expectation, she felt as if she were seeing her future self being dragged into those "clutches" (again). In her mind, she could already see Jiang Zhiyu holding the proposal, smiling as he said to her, "Wonyoung-xi, this time let's play something even more exciting..."

"NO—!!!"

She finally couldn't help it and let out a silent scream into the air in her private room. Then, her fingers flew across the screen as she used all her strength to type a line in the group chat, even accidentally adding a lot of exclamation points:

Jang Wonyoung: Producer Jiang Zhi Yu's new variety show... everyone... be cautious!!!!!!

Jang Wonyoung: Especially... if he seeks you out individually to talk about "constellation traits" or "exclusive segments"...

Jang Wonyoung: RUN!!!!!!

Jang Wonyoung: Don't come over here!!! (Terrified.jpg)