Siblings Working in Business (227)
Inside NRY Entertainment…
Chang-seok sat across from a reporter, a professional smile plastered on his face as he faced the camera.
“With Halloween just around the corner, E-UNG’s new song was released, and now, after Halloween, their song <Curse> and its music video are receiving rave reviews.”
At the reporter’s words, a wide grin briefly flashed across Chang-seok’s face.
“I heard this album is related to a project within NRY Entertainment. Can you tell us more about it?”
“I think you’ll gradually learn more about it by watching the upcoming music videos from our NRY Entertainment artists.”
“Oh, so there’s more to come…”
“That’s right.”
“Then, my second question is, I understand that NRY currently manages ‘Toxin,’ one of Korea’s top idol groups, ‘Hwa-rang,’ who dominated the music charts with his solo debut, and the E-UNG siblings.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“There are rumors that the E-UNG siblings will be participating in the writing and composing of Hwa-rang’s <I’m> and Toxin’s next song. Is this true?”
“If there are talented people who can create good music, of course, we’ll ask them to collaborate.”
“Ah, so…”
As the reporter was about to jump to a conclusion, Chang-seok interrupted him firmly,
“However, currently, we’re working with Eun-ho and Eun-ji because their work has shown good results, and they create good songs and lyrics…”
“Aha.”
“And Eun-ho is currently in charge of not only the lyrics but also the ‘story’ aspects, so he’ll likely be involved in Hwa-rang and Toxin’s next projects as well.”
As Chang-seok finished with a smile, the reporter, seemingly satisfied with the answer, nodded and looked back at his notes.
“This is just out of personal curiosity, but I apologize, I jumped ahead and asked my later question too early.”
“Haha, it’s fine.”
The interview returned to the initial questions.
“What was your first impression of the E-UNG siblings?”
Most of what was known about Chang-seok’s relationship with Eun-ho and Eun-ji was after they joined NRY Entertainment.
Even when Eun-ho and Eun-ji talked about their past, they just said, “And then we met CEO Park…,” omitting the details.
Chang-seok, as if recalling his first meeting with Eun-ho and Eun-ji, his eyes softening, began,
“I’m not sure if I should say this, but…”
“…!”
The reporter’s eyes lit up with anticipation.
“They were a handful—”
“Excuse me?”
“I mean, haha, sorry. They were ‘sensitive.’ Very ‘sensitive’.”
The reporter and his assistant, holding the camera, blinked, as if wondering, ‘What did we just hear?’
Chang-seok, unfazed, smoothly continued,
“You’re probably familiar with what happened with Toxin, as it was a very publicized incident.”
“Ah, yes!”
Some of the staff watching the interview sighed.
CEO Park’s TMI (Too Much Information), in other words…
…his tendency to overshare, was starting to surface.
Chang-seok then spent about 10 minutes of the hour-long interview talking about how he joined TaKa Entertainment and what happened there.
“I left my previous company and went back to my hometown, but seeing singers debuting, I couldn’t resist the itch and returned to Seoul.”
Just as the reporter thought he was finally getting to the point…
“I founded NRY Entertainment back then, but we were still small, so I visited TaKa Entertainment for promotional purposes.”
The reporter desperately wanted to yell, “Please, stop,” but he endured.
And finally…
After a long wait, he finally got to the point: the story of Eun-ho and Eun-ji.
“Just as I was about to enter the building, I saw these two striking siblings who looked exactly alike. They were a bit rough around the edges compared to now, but they were clearly gems.”
Although he had recognized Eun-ji’s potential during their first meeting, since both of them had become precious treasures to him, Chang-seok glossed over that part and continued,
“But if I had still been working at TaKa when I first met them, I wouldn’t have accepted them.”
“Why?”
Chang-seok, remembering the fierce, sharp-tongued siblings, smiled wryly.
“Their presence was too strong, it would have been difficult to handle them. And leaving them alone would have been like leaving a bomb unattended.”
“Aha.”
The reporter nodded, as if understanding.
Even now, although they were more polished, when he first met Eun-ho and Eun-ji…
…their presence was quite intimidating.
But perhaps because of that, Eun-ho’s gentle demeanor was even more appealing to fans.
Eun-ji, on the other hand, despite having a similar face, had a certain air of naiveté, a screw loose, yet her genius shone through in her work, captivating fans.
And the “bomb” analogy was accurate.
Just as Eun-ho was the one who could control Eun-ji’s explosive mouth, Eun-ji brought out Eun-ho’s “chemistry,” using their bickering to make him more entertaining, as he was often teased as a “boring bomb” by fans.
“But I was the CEO of a new agency, and I welcomed artists with strong images, so I did everything I could to recruit them.”
“Aha, and then…?”
“Well, they ran away, I offered them bait, and I barely managed to get them back, but that’s how it happened.”
“Excuse me?”
“I started losing my hair because of the stress, but they’re repaying me for it. Haha.”
The reporter tried to pry more information about the “running away” and “bait,” but Chang-seok, as if not wanting to elaborate, brushed it off with a joke.
The reporter, sensing he wouldn’t get any further, changed the subject.
“Did you envision them debuting as a duo from the moment you met them?”
“Well, it wouldn’t have been bad for them to debut solo, but…”
Chang-seok remembered the time Eun-ho’s skills improved dramatically.
It was when he suggested they debut as a duo.
“It would have been a shame to separate them.”
“Haha.”
“They bicker like cats and dogs, but that same dynamic creates a fantastic synergy in their music.”
The reporter, also an E-UNG fan, nodded enthusiastically in agreement.
“Honestly, I was very worried about their reaction when I first suggested it.”
“Really?”
“Yes. But I was surprised when Eun-ho firmly convinced Eun-ji and led the way for their debut as a duo.”
“Eun-ho did? Oh?”
“In a way, E-UNG was able to debut thanks to Eun-ho.”
“So thanks to Eun-ho, we were able to discover this talented and entertaining duo.”
“Haha, that’s right. Eun-ho and Eun-ji, having endured difficult times together, are rough around the edges, but if you observe them closely, you’ll see that they’re each other’s rivals, pillars of support, and other halves.”
“Oh my.”
“Well, they would never admit it. Haha.”
Chang-seok chuckled.
The reporter, amused by his joke, replied,
“That’s part of their charm.”
Chang-seok nodded in agreement.
“Then, have you ever been disappointed that you didn’t debut them separately after their initial success?”
“Haha, disappointed? Not at all. I’m very satisfied with their debut as a duo, as it highlights their unique charm.”
The reporter continued with more questions.
“I’ve learned a lot about the E-UNG siblings. Now, my next question is about the ‘TIME’ album.”
“Yes.”
“You released music videos for ‘all’ the songs on the album, didn’t you?”
“That’s right. Although it didn’t gain much attention initially, it gradually gained traction. And thanks to the fans who discovered us then, our current song, <Curse>, is doing even better. Haha.”
Although NRY Entertainment had actively promoted it, E%’s support was also immense.
How did they even manage it? A fan recreated Eun-ji’s CG dress in just three or four days.
A detailed analysis of the music video, highlighting the points Eun-ho meticulously crafted, almost like a report.
And countless others comparing scenes from <Curse> with <DUO>, explaining the stories and connections between , <Hae-ga>, <Hot Afternoon>, , , and <This Road>.
Even a music video interpretation video that moved the entire NRY staff.
“But…”
“Yes.”
The reporter cautiously asked,
“E-UNG was recently the most sought-after guest on broadcasting stations, wasn’t it?”
“That’s right.”
After the Jo Kwang-soo lawsuit and <Curse>, many shows wanted Eun-ho and Eun-ji to appear.
But Chang-seok had been avoiding it, either refusing outright or sending Hwa-rang or other Toxin members who were willing to appear instead.
It was an unusually passive approach, considering they had a new song to promote.
‘It’s finally time to address this.’
Chang-seok sighed deeply and spoke,
“My kids are…”
“…?”
“Spicy.”
“…”
The reporter’s jaw dropped.
Although Eun-ho didn’t express any interest, Eun-ji, who had been watching variety shows lately, had been asking to appear on them.
Every time she did, Chang-seok would ask Eun-ho, “Should I let her?”
Eun-ho, remembering their experience on Change Partner, would reply,
「“Are you planning to unleash her on the broadcasting stations?”」
Although Eun-ji’s explosive cursing had been hilariously edited with the TTS voice on Change Partner, their appearance itself had been a gamble.
It would have been a huge scandal if it had been used maliciously.
Chang-seok, knowing this better than anyone, would ask Eun-ho, and Eun-ho would only allow Eun-ji to appear on shows that focused on performances, where she couldn’t speak much, or shows that were carefully planned and controlled by Chang-seok.
But they had to appear on some upcoming shows, despite the risks…
“We have a few appearances scheduled, and as their CEO, I sincerely, sincerely ask you to please just laugh and move on if our Eun-ji makes any mistakes. Haha…”