Chapter 59 Writing a song for SMAP? What a great idea!

  Apart from Dong Dan, MS is even more like Johnny's backyard. MS has been broadcast since 1986, and in the nearly 30 years before Zhou Xiao's time-travel, there was only one episode without a Johnny's artist, and even that episode was temporarily suspended rather than originally planned not to perform.

  Don't look at Johnny's as a big agency, but even if it is a top-notch agency, it still can't escape the Japanese characteristic of being petty and narrow-minded. The Japanese male idol industry has always been dominated by Johnny's agency, with no other agency able to compete with them. Johnny's desire for monopoly and their actions are extremely extreme, anyone who might get in the way of their cake will be met with their super strong counterattack.

  In August 1997, TOKIO had already performed on the same stage as DAPUMP from Okinawa, but a few months later, when DAPUMP was about to perform with KK, Hikaru Kitano sent a request to prohibit co-performance, and KK's appearance was suddenly cancelled. As a result, DAPUMP not only couldn't appear on MS anymore, but also couldn't appear on variety shows featuring Johnny's artists, and even many magazines featuring Johnny's artists were off-limits to them. In such a situation, how could they possibly resist the giant company, and all they could do was watch themselves gradually decline.

  There's something subtle, Akimoto Yasushi once mentioned the idea of a male version of AKB48 for a period of time, and at that time, otaku had strong resistance. From my point of view, Akimoto Yasushi shouldn't be unaware of what would happen if male and female idols were put together. Male AKB is absolutely the worst idea, but he still said it, making me suspect whether he was dealing with something with Johnny's at that time, and just wanted to threaten them by saying so.

  As one of Johnny's helmsmen, Inoue Michi, who looks like an ordinary middle-aged aunt, can naturally walk around backstage at will, let alone bring a group of artists today.

  This group of artists is AP at this moment when their popularity is at its peak.

  AP, as the biggest artist under his management, was naturally nervous when appearing on the show, while Zhou Xiao was surprised and even moved by Rizuka's condescending treatment. He is just a small artist now, but Rizuka is one of Japan's top artists who control the rules. The two have completely different statuses. If it can be said that the first time they met, Rizuka gave face to B'z's two old men and Sakai Izumi, this time she didn't need to do so at all.

  "You're too polite, I'm just a newcomer who has just started out, it's me who should be greeting you first." Zhou Xiao said.

  "Don't mind these things, the two of you. Zhou Xiao borrowed something from me to use, come, let me introduce someone." After saying this to B'z and the other two, Fan Dao led Zhou Xiao to the other side of the backstage area.

  Zhou Xiao took a look at the direction he was pulling himself towards, but he didn't dare to put on airs and really throw his opponent over. At the moment when Zhou Xiao had just made an introduction and cleaned up on Rais Island, he had already won.

  "A few seniors, I am Zhou Xiao." he said.

  The people in front of him were none other than the familiar faces of **AP**. Compared to 14 years ago when they had already passed their 40s and were unshakeable, the current **AP** may have lost some depth but was full of vigor, not to mention that they still had Takuya Kimura among them.

  The Japanese drama king, Kimura, led the **AP on the music road, but it's not that great. The reason is simple... they sing... just average. Saying average is already a compliment to them, among the five members of **AP, two people have incomplete vocal ranges, and it's normal for high notes to be unreachable and low notes to be unattainable. Moreover, there is even one member who can still sing off-key on a large live stage despite practicing. Such a combination... cannot be considered an excellent singing group at all.

  "'Little Love' sounds great, I'm so envious!" said Muraoka Takuya after listening to Zhou Xiao's self-introduction. What he envied was naturally Zhou Xiao's ability to compose songs himself, not his singing voice or popularity.

  "It's nothing, it doesn't count," said Zhou Xiao.

  "What's not considered what, Zhou Xiao you're too modest, compared to singing, the ability to create is actually much harder." Fan Dao said.

  "But... I don't think this is anything to brag about." Zhou Xiao said with a bit of embarrassment, this thing... actually wasn't even his, taking it out to show off was already shameless enough, and wanting him to proudly boast about it was impossible.

  "Silly kid, you'll understand later... In the entertainment industry, it may seem like people like us are in control of the rules, but actually, people like you are the top tier of the entertainment industry." said Iijima Sanji.

  "High-end?"

  "It's not about being a king or having control, it's about being high-end!" said Iijima Sanji with some complexity.

  At this time, Nakai from the side spoke up: "We people, want to make some money, what do we have to do? Rina Island sister worries about Johnny's every day, and us as artists? We do everything, dress ugly, take risks, in order to earn back the money. But you're different, sometimes your few lines can earn back the money that we struggle to earn, so you're high-end."

  "How about it? Would you be interested in writing a song for our family's AP as well?" asked Iijima Sanji.

  "Huh?" Ryo's question suddenly sparked Zhou Xiao's interest. Writing songs for AP was a good gig, and although the five members weren't great singers, if the song was good, it could sell CDs like crazy thanks to their popularity.

  And Zhou Xiao, just mastered that AP's crazy-selling, national treasure-level song "The World's Only Flower".

  "The World's Only Flower" is a great song, that's for sure. If it wasn't so good, it wouldn't have sold 2.5 million copies. But Zhou Xiao knew that if he had sung this song himself, the sales might not have even reached 500,000. The reason CDs sell well isn't because of how good the song is, but because of who sings it. Although he's achieved a meteoric rise with this great song, in terms of recognition and acceptance, the Japanese people are still quite unfamiliar with him.

  "The World's Only Flower" is a very simple and catchy song, which is undoubtedly the most suitable for Arashi's current popularity. Even compared to 2003, it's likely that if they were to release this song now, the final sales would be even higher. With Matsumoto Jun currently at the peak of his career in dramas, having two consecutive TV dramas "Beautiful Life" and "HERO" with average ratings over 30%, releasing this national single again would probably have a terrifying impact.

  "Really? Then I'll really write it, Sister Rizuka, you won't refuse, will you?" Zhou Xiao stared at Rizuka Mitsuzi with sparkling eyes, his eighteen-year-old face looking serious, which made even Rizuka Mitsuzi, who had seen countless handsome Johnny's idols over the years, feel a little overwhelmed.

  "Of course! How could I not? Zhou Xiao, I've had my eye on you since the first time we met. If you won't come to Jeniuses, then writing songs for us is fine too." said Inishie Sanji.

  To be honest, Johnny's is actually quite strict when it comes to selecting songs. Especially for a top-notch group like Arashi, generally speaking, they only release one or two songs per year, but there are hundreds or even thousands of backup songs. Every time they release a song, it's like a brutal elimination competition where only the best can pass through. But according to Inoue Shinji, if Zhou Xiaoxuan wrote a song that wasn't good enough, Iino wouldn't possibly let Arashi release it just because of one sentence, even if it means taking on the criticism.

  "I must thank Raisa for this, being able to write a song for Arashi is absolutely my honor." Zhou Xiao said. This statement is not wrong, with Arashi's current status, whatever song they use, the lyricist and composer will instantly become rich. If Raisa really uses his song, it can't be considered that Johnny's and Raisa owe Zhou Xiao, but rather Zhou Xiao owes Johnny's and Raisa a little bit, after all, his foundation is not so stable yet, and his reputation as a lyricist has not been established.

  "Everyone, it's almost time to go on stage." Just as Zhou Xiao and Fan Dao finished speaking, the TV station staff came over to inform them.

  Zhou Xiao's first MS is finally about to begin.