It's been years since I've established my company, after our group's retirement. I've established it with the help and guidance of my brother Minsuk. 3 years ago, my company debuted Big Mama, Gummy, Se7en, Lexy and other YG artists that have made an impact in this industry.But for the past 3 years, I've thought about producing new artists like them. I've casted new kids, that I've started to cherish and love. They are really talented kids and I believe after they debut, they will progress even exceeding my former group, Seo Tai Ji and Boys' achievements. Everything will turn out well right?

While I was wandering around, I saw a trainee. he's really worked out, his face is full of sweat. I can see that he's really capable, how he acts so professional has really proved many things. I went to him and said, "Jiyong, you proved me a lot. You're ready.. I think you are the strongest possible candidate to start a boy group." 
 

When I told Jiyong that he is ready to be part of a boy group that I'm going to make, something came into my mind. What if I will going to create a five member boy group? I guess I could find another four talented boys like him. Right now, I'm going to ask my secretary if where are the other trainees so I could visit them.

"Good morning, Sir!" my secretary greeted me.

"Good morning too Ms. Yu, may ask if where are the other trainees right now? I would like to visit them" I said.

"Oh! They will be coming here in an hour Sir, because Mr. Yoon one of our choreographer wants to talk to them" she said.

"Okay, that's good to here. Just call me if all of them have arrived already" I instruct.

I am so very excited to create a new group. When I saw how dedicated Jiyong is, I will also make sure that his future co-members are like him, very passionate and dedicated in his work. I will make sure that this new group will become famous and their fans will surely love them all.

*Ring ring*

"Hello, Ms. Yu" finally my secretary called me.

"Sir, all the trainees are in the conference hall. I already talk to Mr. Yoon that you would like to visit them right now.." she said.

"Okay, thank you very much. I will be there in five minutes, bye!"

As I leave my office, I can feel the excitement to meet all of my trainees. I hope I could find four other members that will suit in my new boy group.When 5 minutes was done, I started to be more excited for the trainees. As soon as I open the doors from the Conference Hall, I see all the trainees looks so nervous and scared of my presence. But it does not bothers me, all I can see are fully talented trainees that would bring them to top, to fulfill their dreams. 
 

"Good morning guys !" I greeted them politely for them to be more comfortable talking to me. All of them responds most especially Seungri, "Good Morning Boss !" as Seungri greeted me loudly and jolly.

This boy would be part of the boy group, He will be like the Sunshine of the group because of him being extra. I'm also looking forward for the other members personalities and their extraordinary talents.

"So, are you aware why did my called you here boys?" As I told them calmly.

TOP talks deeply "We don't have any Idea Sir."

"Any Ideas why would I call you all of a sudden?" as I speak again.

"Uuhm? Are we going to have dinner tonight? Hah" Seungri said trying to pull a joke to ease the tension among them.

"Haha no, actually the reason why I summoned all of you here is because of a serious case" I said trying scare them out.

" W-what?!" All of them said.

"Everyone please sit, so we could proceed"

So each of them immediately took their seats and asked "Uhm, what's the serious case?"

I smiled and said "The serious case you cant be a trainee anymo.."

" What?! But why? We worked hard for this" Seungri said with hesitation.

"Let me finish okay? You can't be a trainee anymore, because the four of you are going to be a superstar!" I said with excitement but seems like they don't understand my point.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Taeyang said.

"I decided to create a group and chose the four of you to be part of it." I said with my plain voice.

"Are you serious?! That's awesome! So what are the plans or what are you planning us to do?" Daesung Said.

"I want all of you to suggest a good name for your group, but I want you all to have a good rest. We will have dinner tonight arraseo?" I said and stood up as a sign of leaving.

I went out of the conference room feeling happy. I would finally debut the group that will be the next big thing in this industry. I was walking through the halls wondering about the suggestions of the boys about what would be the name of their group.

"This is a first challenge for them. Creativity. Let's see who can come up with a group name that would suit all of their personalities." While my mind was wandering, my eyes caught Ms. Yu.

"Ms. Yu, can you please make a reservation at a nice restaurant? I will take the five trainees to dinner tonight."

"Right away, Sir." 
 

We're now here at the restaurant. In front of me are the 5 boys that will surely make history.

"Jiyong, how was your practice?", I said.

"Uhm, it was okay. We need more for perfection.", Jiyong replied.

"That's what I like about you. I was never wrong in making you the leader.", I replied.

"So, anyone of you have thought about your group's name?", a follow up question of mine addressed to everyone. The 5 boys were just quiet looking down.

"Okay. Fine, Teddy's coming in this dinner too. Let's not loose hope. Cheer up boys. Let's eat first", I said.

"Thank you, boss!", they replied.

After a few minutes Teddy arrived and told me that he already came up with a name and that is "Big Bang". We all liked it, especially me.

After Big Bang's success I wanted a girl group. I formed 2NE1 with 4 members. CL, Dara, Bom and Minzy. I wanted them to be the icon of strong women. They succeeded and made history too. I never thought that this experiment will benefit the company. I also asked Big Bang to have collaboration with them so that both of them will benefit from it.I started talking with Tablo, Epik High's rapper.

"Hey, would you like to release the album you have been preparing?", I said to him.

"Sure thing, boss! We would love that! Thank you so much!", he replied.

I felt so generous. Ha ha.With the album of Epik High, my stocks increased. Good job to them. I treated the group and the whole team to a fancy restaurant. Aren't I the most generous sajangnim of all? Ha-ha. Okay fine.A pair of siblings caught my attention in Kpop Star.

It's Akdong Musician! I have to sign them up. I walked to Lee Chan Hyuk.

"Hi. I'm Yang Hyun Suk, owner and CEO of YG Entertainment. I would like to scout you and your sister. Be one of my artists.", I said to him.

He was just looking at me for a few seconds and then he replied, "Uh? Are you sure? Really?! Am I hearing it right?!".

"Of course! You can come tomorrow afternoon if you are interested.", I said.

" We'd come even in early morning! Thank you for this opportunity!", he replied.

The rest was history. The siblings produced their own shows and so as some of their songs. Their choreography were also made by Chan Hyuk. They're so talented.After their success, I decided to show them my baby girl, Lee Hayi. With her unique tone boice, I know she will definitely conquer the Kpop industry and I wasn't wrong. She won awards and have been a talk of the town whenever she releases songs.With all the sucess of my duo and a solo, I'm now thinking of an all or nothing reality show for my other trainees who are dying to debut. I called my secretary,

"Ms. Yu, please call Teddy. Thank you."

" Right away, sir.", she said.

"I heard you were interested in making a new boy group, but, is it true? With a gruesome reality show?!", Teddy said.

"What's wrong with that? I just want to enjoy and train them well.", I said.

"I don't like this idea. I hope it goes well.", he replied.

"I'd like to call the program WIN: Who is Next. Is it okay?", I asked him.

"Well, I think it's scary.", Teddy said.

"Exactly!", I laughed.

I launched the reality show without problems. I have trained them well all these years that's why I'm confident that they will just need more to become perfect. Until one day they had to have a head-to-head challenge with my good friend JYP's trainees. I was disappointed with what they had done. I admit I was so proud with their rapping. But, with their singing, I know they failed it big time. Their dancing was so-so.I got furious and tried to punish them but saw their exhausted faces. I just shrugged and sent a signal to them to strive harder. After the reality show. Team A wins. I said after a few months they will debut, but, I had to dealt it. I'm not yet comfortable that they will sweep the charts.

After almost a year, in YG Family concert, Winner debuted. After a few days happened to be their Japan debut too. Their start was a bit shaky just like the other groups. Empty and Color Ring were the popular songs from their album. Kang Seung Yoon received the most attention. He debuted before his group's debut. Originally, I have Mino in my mind to lead the group, but, due to an incident, I decided Seung Yoon to be the leader and he did not disappoint me. We decided to celebrate after the release of their album. We're here at my favorite restaurant.

"Congratulations, boys! Truly you are a winner.", I said.

"We are truly thankful to you, sajangnim. You are too generous. We will never forget this.", Lee Seung Hoon said. This made the others laugh. Teasing Seung Hoon to be someone who's mooching off me. Ha-ha. These boys are adorable.

Before iKON debuted, they have had it rough. Being in two survival shows, it tested their friendship, and their trust, not just within themselves but also to their members. Their first survival show was Who Is Next, a team survival competition between Team A or Winner, which consisted of 5 members named Mino, Jinwoo, Seunghoon, Seungyoon, and Former member Taehyun. And Team B, which has B.I, Bobby, Jinhwan, Donghyuk, Junhoe, and Yunhyeong. Team A won, But Team B's supporters petitioned for a second chance, which caught YG's attention. He then conducted another survival program called "Mix n Match" Those who will succeed in Mix n Match will finally debut under the group 'iKON'. iKON had Team B in their line-up but then YG gave it a twist, they will have to compete with themselves to be in the final line-up. Only Hanbin, Jiwon, and Jinhwan were in the final line-up. The members had a mental breakdown as it was going to be hard to compete with their brothers. Just moments after the first challenge for their group, YG then announced that iKON will be a seven membered group. Which means that there will be additional members. Jinhyeong and Chanwoo, were those two additional members, who only had trained in YG just months ago. Team B had a hard time adjusting as they were used to only six people. Hanbin became a little rough at them as he wants them to adapt with their years of training. The two new members had a hard time keeping up with the steps. But they strived harder and practiced more. They were split into two teams and had a few performances. And as expected, Hanbin's team was always the leading team. Until another challenge was put up into their shoulders, as another additional member came in. He was Hongseok. Resulting to 9 members in total. The next rounds got tougher and their emotional states had crumbled as some of them, were at risk of being eliminated. The final performance day came in and it all went smoothly. Although it became even harder to let go as they got used to having nine members in the group. Their last day as nine members at the dorm ended with laughters, as they joked around. They all slept in the living room, spending the rest of the night as nine members. The result finally came in, Team B remained intact, six of them were happy that they made it together, and welcomed their new official member Chanwoo. Jinhyeong and Hongseok both left YG Entertainment to continue their desired careers on their own. And iKON lived on.. Until finally, after years of hardships, tears and unending frustrations. They have finally debuted after a year of preparation.

Way back 16 years after the group's disbandment, the first generation of kpop boy band named, "Sech Kies" came back to the kpop world. These boys are considered as one of K-pop's first highly successful boy group. But then, they disbanded on May 20, 2000 and reunited again on April 14, 2016. They came to YG Entertainment and signed a contract in May 2016 to relaunch their career. Before, Sech Kies is under DSP Entertainment. Until, May 12, YG has decided to debut them in Japan, 20 years after their debut in South Korea.

Years have passed, before debuting a new YG's next girl group after 2NE1. Pink Punk was almost formed, "Future 2NE1" almost made it but then, trainees left because they want to study, some of them left because they did not meet YG's Expectations. But, only four girls stood out the most and they did meet YG's Expectations they had the highest potential of finally debuting. The four girls named Jennie, Rose, Jisoo and Lisa.

Jisoo was scouted by SM Entertainment casting agent when she was at a YG Entertainment Concert. She then, had to turn the offer down, as she had already signed with YG Entertainment, her visuals had the looks of a potential K-pop star.

Jennie recieved a lot of spotlight and even gained some fanbase with ther 2012 appearance in G-Dragon's music video, "That XX". She also featured in several YG Ent's artists' songs, such as Lee Hi's Special, Seungri's "GG BE", and G-Dragon's "Black". She is beloved by many fans and fashion brands because of her beautiful visual and talent that she has.

Lisa was an avid dancer since she was young, She wanted to become a performer and auditioned at the 2010 YG Auditions in Thailand. Lisa became the only person to have passed the audition in 2010. Lisa showed great potential in dance and YG has praised Lisa's skills multiple times. Lisa appeared in Taeyang's "Ringa Linga" music video, she has also been a model for YG's street fashion brand NONA9ON, along with iKON's B.I and Bobby, since 2015.

Rose's father played a huge role in Rose's debut, when he heard about the 2012 YG Entertainment Audition in Australia, he booked Rose a ticket to the city where the audition was being held. Rose passed the Auditon as #1, and signed as a trainee with YG Entertainment. The audition had a fierce competition of 700:1. She had the shortest period of training along with the members. She featured in G-Dragon's "Without You" in September 2012, her name was not yet revealed before. Fans love her unique voice and it gives a different kind of vibe. 
 

After debuting Black Pink in 2016, YG decided to launched a talent show named, "Mix Nine" a contest between trainees from different agencies. Most of them are from a former group that already disbanded. Prod. Teddy, produced "Just Dance" track song is reported to be his first produced song to be given for a non-YG Entertainment group/artist.

***

Yesterday, I talked about the criteria on SBS Healing Camp program. I talked about how I worked with my artists, and It is true that I have around 300 employees at my company. In addition of it, we are currently expanding exponentially. Some trainees left because they wanted to continue their studies, some of them left because they did not meet my standards. If you ask what standard I choose to people, It is by looking at their potential for growth. Bigbang is extremely popular and it is true that they made big profits for my company and when I look at them, I focus on their growth potential. No matter how famous they are, or how much money they make, if thhey show jo possibility of developing, I don't want to work with them.

Same with my other artists, I look at them and see If they have that "growth potential". I also said to myself that I don't want to make many girl groups, it is a bit burden. 2ne1 is on a short break right now and BLACKPINK debuting makes it a representative for my company. I think they are very aware of that, I really hope that BLACKPINK will do well and I'll do everything in my power to help them grow. It feels like, I'm sending my kids off to school on their first day of school. I'll also make sure that they'll adjust quickly and do better. I wanted to put them in the stage as quickly as possible. It will be exciting to see the youngest YG group of my company, BLACKPINK grow.

Everything turned out well, as my artists are now successful, I can clearly see their potential. Debuting this kind of new generation makes me feel like a father who is happily cheering on his children. This generation is a bit different from the old generation that I observed and I'm pretty proud of my artists as well. They will never fail me, I know that they can do it.