"Eh?"

Everyone was taken aback by the news, and the first to come back to her senses was Bae Juhyun.

"Is it about the New Year’s Eve gala?" She had heard Liu Xin’an mention it while chatting with him.

"Yeah, you’re really popular on that small broken station, so they want to invite you to perform. But considering your schedule, the company doesn’t plan to let you go over. Just send a video instead."

"Huh?"

Hearing that the company didn’t plan for them to attend, Bae Juhyun and the others were initially stunned, then they collectively gasped in surprise.

Perhaps their synchronized gasp was too uniform, even Seong Taekyon himself was taken aback.

"...You all want to attend?"

The four nodded vigorously, but Bae Juhyun didn’t join in the excitement; she was frowning, pondering the possibilities.

"Don’t joke around. You have so many events at the end of the year, and if you go to China for the gala, you’d have to find time to learn two Chinese songs, and in January, Seulgi and Seungwan, you have a new project’s promotional song, so there’s no time to attend this gala."

Seong Taekyon frowned, wondering why these girls suddenly seemed unaware of prioritizing.

China is indeed a market not to be missed, but their foundation is undoubtedly in Korea.

It’s best to honestly complete the end-of-year schedules; there will be opportunities later.

This is undeniably a crucial issue, and Seong Taekyon’s reproach quickly calmed down Kang Seulgi and the others.

Bae Juhyun took a deep breath, representing the group in response.

"We understand, Taekyon oppa, so what should the video include?"

"There are a few sentences in Chinese to say. Take a break, go get your makeup done and change, just a greeting is fine, no need to prepare a stage performance."

"Okay."

"Wow, you’re all becoming more and more impressive. Are you planning to establish a foothold in China?"

Kim Hyoyeon couldn’t help but marvel, and Seong Taekyon turned and looked at her, showing a helpless smile.

"It’s not that simple; there are still many issues to be resolved."

"But receiving the invitation is a good thing, right?"

"That’s true, but the year’s end... How could we find time?"

...

"Ah~ If only we could attend in person, the fans would be delighted."

Having changed her clothes, Kim Yerin couldn’t help but mutter.

She knew clearly that their ability to maintain strong competitiveness after so many years is largely thanks to the love from Chinese fans.

Especially this year, the success of "Queendom" proved this point.

In the past, they couldn’t rely on any foreign artist benefit and could only watch BlackPink capturing Thai fans and Twice capturing Japanese fans...

(Although Son Seungwan is foreign, Canada’s influence can’t compare to Asia’s)

But things are different now, even though they lack that advantage, their group leader’s family is Chinese!

What a concept!

Bae Juhyun has become a future Chinese daughter-in-law, and this status alone has already earned them the favor of many Chinese people.

This is the world’s strongest market in terms of purchasing power and potential!

"Seulgi and I have no problem; how about you talk to the company again, Juhyun unnie?"

Son Seungwan understood that the one who wanted to say yes to going to China the most was probably Bae Juhyun, so she exchanged a knowing glance with Kang Seulgi before asking Bae Juhyun.

But to everyone’s surprise, Bae Juhyun shook her head, presenting a beautiful soft smile.

"Let’s listen to Taekyon oppa. It’s been too exhausting for you and Seulgi lately, and flying to China with such a busy schedule, you wouldn’t be able to handle it."

Actually, the year-end stages here are mostly held separately in late December.

There are three to attend, and they obviously won’t all be on the same day, so typically they are spread out, like SBS holding theirs on the 25th, Christmas Day, and KBS on the 28th...

So they could technically find time in between to fly to China for rehearsal and then officially perform at the New Year’s Eve gala on the 31st.

It’s just that... not even considering actually attending, just looking at the schedule is already exhausting.

Bae Juhyun had already once pushed the team into the spotlight for her own selfish reasons and didn’t want to do that again.

So she decisively followed Seong Taekyon’s suggestion and completely abandoned the idea.

Pity... Of course, it’s a pity.

But this can’t be helped.

"Does it not matter?"

"Hey, if you overwork yourselves with your schedules, that would truly matter. Don’t overthink it; just focus on learning this bit of Chinese!"

Bae Juhyun lightly scolded the group, who were all worried about her, with her sparky but gentle demeanor, reassuring everyone. They then began practicing the Chinese sentences from the instructional video that Seong Taekyon provided.

The fastest learner was, of course, Bae Juhyun, who already had a foundation in Chinese and could now fluently handle pinyin. Learning these simple greetings and introductions in Chinese was really easy for her, so it didn’t take long for her to memorize them.

Son Seungwan, with her talent in languages, quickly memorized the line as well. The main greetings were still delivered by Bae Juhyun, since popularity... well, everyone understands, and the team’s atmosphere was very harmonious.