Beckhie Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 [15.01.22] MBK Entertainment CEO Gao Jian Ci, "T-ara will be the future of Hallyu in China." The survival of the fittest applies to all and the entertainment industry is no exception. With the signing of the China-Korea Fair Trade Agreement in November 2014, it signifies the birth of increased competition and changes in the entertainment industries of both countries. The beginning of the FTA from March has heightened expectations in many areas from the expansion of artists' activities to movies, dramas and variety. Being rash is definitely undesirable, but with the stream of 'China Wave', it has brought about more chances and riskiness for Korea's domestic entertainment companies which has been a topic of 2015. Amidst this trend, there is a entreprise which has been speedy at work, it is none other than MBK Entertainment.MBK former 'self' was CCM, led by Kim Kwang Soo. He has led T-ara, Son Ho Jun, F-ve dolls, Speed etc in October 2014 to form MBK, Music Beyond Korea. He emphasises that MBK and CCM are 2 different companies. Prior to MBK, the focus was on stability and completeness. Now in 2015, MBK will be more active in promotions and organising events. Focus is on becoming "a global entertainment company."Q: Let's get straight to it. When did you actually start planning on taking over the reins of CCM?Gao: From April 2014, I already had plans on a model for an entertainment company. So, I started MBK in July last year and formalised it in September. Foremost, out of the many companies, I chose CCM to merge with. It was mainly because Kim Kwang Soo and I share the same visions.MBK was perceived by the public to be "CCM" with a name-change, but this is not the case. Although the original team (artists) remain unchanged, it is essentially a different company from CCM. In the initial stages of forming the company, we prioritise revamping and stability and did not feel the need to specially express this difference. In the future, we will address this misunderstanding.Q: Then what kind of company is MBK?Gao: Our company focus is no longer solely on the Korean market. MBK's name signifies a step above Korean Music. Finding the answer to the globalisation of Hallyu. Hence, I believe taking over CCM was appropriate.Especially with the possibility of (our core group) T-ara's oversea activities, growth is the focus. Compared to boy bands, the recognition of girl groups is on the downfall. After Baby Vox in the beginning stages which received exceptional attention, there aren't any more. On this level, T-ara holds an unique advantage. In the China market, the response has been good. Although currently the income from Japenese activities are higher, with the expansion into the Chinese market, the situation will change. I believe that starting Chinese activities now will have a big impact.Q: Currently what is the level of T-ara's popularity in China like? Please be specific.Gao: Last year-end, T-ara held a concert at Shanghai. From a realistic point of view of the box office, the ticket sales were of the highest. It ended successfully and the Chinese company had even completed a proposal for the next show. Although it is difficult with the current music sources, but the model of using concerts for profits has already been established. Since the signing with the China agency, T-ara members have been in discussions over movie and drama roles.Without a doubt, we will work hard to achieve it. The purpose for the collaboration of T-ara and the popular China duo, Chopstick Brothers, was also for China activities. For them to receive continuous love, they must work on local popular works. Although worried about Korea's comments, this decision was made for their China activities. In comparison to a depressing situation, the response so far has been passable. Especially when we found something that stirs up the interest in China. The sales methods have also evolved. Gangnam Style finding fame through YouTube is a classic example.Q: It seems inevitable that there will be competition with the bigger entertainment companies.Gao: I think this is a chance to liven up the Hallyu scene. Of course, SM, YG and other companies are also preparing for their advancement into China. For this year, our plan is more of an offensive one: to carry out activities and expand the enterprise. These areas, where other entertainment companies would not take into consideration, we will have to try them ourselves. T-ara should also take this to heart, so as to put more emphasis/focus on it.We must do well in these areas. Moreover, this is the start of our China advancement. The Little Apple project has garnered enthusiastic responses. To produce comparative results at once, with promotions as our main focus, is what we are worried of. We are in the position to learn about enterprising advertisements and activities; we will carry them out in no time.Q: MBK's journey will be a busy one. Are there any plans still in the midst of formulation?Gao: MBK has a lot of things prepared. (Laughs) Those of which we have already started with, we hope to continue being busy with. There will be new releases for SPEED and The Seeya. However, we will also have to prepare for the new group to take flight. Of course, Kim Kwang Soo is the main producer for this. If he produces 100, it is the management's and my job to make it 200-300.In order to bloom, even though we put in a little more for the new group's expenses in the early stages, we will have to face the challenges bravely. We are also mindful of and are in the midst of preparing Chinese activities for the newer groups.For example: under circumstances where there has not been extensive promotions, The Seeya's new song has still managed to clinch 6th place on Yin Yue Tai. This kind of response is really surprising. We will continue to cultivate this area.Q: Last question. Please tell us about MBK Entertainment's future goals.Gao: We want to make this company a place where the artists and staff feel like this is their home. We want to find a way whereby in the long run, both the staff and artists can have a symbiotic relationship. Of course, we want to earn money too. As of now, we have just over 40 staff members. This year's revenue should hit 160 hundred million won. If everything goes as planned, this should not be difficult.***Source: TVReportTranslation by Beckhie & Rachel via Tiara Tieba Dognybba, Rose Lily, arebot84 and 10 others 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timtam Posted January 22, 2015 Report Share Posted January 22, 2015 All hail our new CEO.... So..lemme get this straight...we dropped the ideal of Japan market and going for China instead... Hmmmm...good luck to us all.... LordNoodles and sayruq 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scheduleX Posted January 22, 2015 Report Share Posted January 22, 2015 Is he a Chinese? is there any bio about him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craZy Posted January 22, 2015 Report Share Posted January 22, 2015 Is he a Chinese? is there any bio about him? Korean; this article was translated from Chinese thus his Chinese name was used (corrected that now). His actual name is Go Geon Hee. I'm taking a guess he's fairly new (at least to the public) as there isn't much you can find on him. sayruq 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmae Posted January 22, 2015 Report Share Posted January 22, 2015 lol so this new ceo is really gonna focus t-ara in china ...oh heo but really hope they do a full blown promotion not like what they did last year sayruq 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inumeev Posted January 23, 2015 Report Share Posted January 23, 2015 hopefully this new ceo can brings more success for t-ara and other mbk artists. and as always, i hope they'll do better PR activities... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tunglam Posted January 23, 2015 Report Share Posted January 23, 2015 T-ARA is not comeback this year? I hope this is not true Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subtle_yuki Posted January 23, 2015 Report Share Posted January 23, 2015 hmm from his talks at least he seems right in the head meaning he knows what he's doing I just hope he chooses his words carefully to see t-ara make it big in the Chinese market rather than just boast big and make them fail anyhow all the best to the girls - definitely wanna get them to make it big in China and yeshhh I am soo drooling over movies and drama roles!!! sayruq 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vittaTiara Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 Only me or any think like me, MBK CEO look alike to director of MV Zia-the way I am feature Eunjung Jangwoo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NG's Ran Posted January 25, 2015 Report Share Posted January 25, 2015 New CEO... I hope he'll do better PR activities sayruq 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ciell Posted January 27, 2015 Report Share Posted January 27, 2015 I really don't want T-ara to focus on China, but i hope this is the best way... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle fan Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 I love that he refers to T ara as "our core group". He acknowledges that they are the ones paying the bills for that company. Mainly because they are worked to death on a regular basis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-man Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Q: Last question. Please tell us about MBK Entertainment's future goals. Gao: We want to make this company a place where the artists and staff feel like this is their home. We want to find a way whereby in the long run, both the staff and artists can have a symbiotic relationship. Of course, we want to earn money too. As of now, we have just over 40 staff members. This year's revenue should hit 160 hundred million won. If everything goes as planned, this should not be difficult. A revenue of 160 million won, that's like 145 440 us dollars. That is not much right?? I mean considering the fact that the money needs to be divided to 5 girl/boy groups, onstage background dancers, make-up artists, stylists, various managers etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFrozenClub Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 A revenue of 160 million won, that's like 145 440 us dollars. That is not much right?? I mean considering the fact that the money needs to be divided to 5 girl/boy groups, onstage background dancers, make-up artists, stylists, various managers etc.I think he means the revenue they make after paying every bill, but I can't say for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dognybba Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 A revenue of 160 million won, that's like 145 440 us dollars. That is not much right?? I mean considering the fact that the money needs to be divided to 5 girl/boy groups, onstage background dancers, make-up artists, stylists, various managers etc. 160 hundred million ≠ 160 million You may wanna add 2 more zeros to your result there.. In the original article it's written "160억원" which equals to 160 x 100,000,000 won (= 16 billion won, which roughly equals to 15 million dollars.) Rose Lily and Vylnev 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-man Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Ok 15 million dollars makes more sense for a company like mbk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nereusmediakpop Posted March 9, 2015 Report Share Posted March 9, 2015 I think I read back in September 2014 that T-ara's popularity boomed with "Sugar Free" in China, far beyond the success of their Korean and Japanese markets for that release. I think its fun to see them promote in China since the fans are really excited and things seem fresh again. I acctually went and created a Baidu account to follow the T-ara fan activity in China. I think its alot of work for T-ara but it seems like a good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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