The grand experiment that was Starlight Entertainment began to take shape with quiet efficiency. Min-jun, now firmly established in his role as the unseen maestro, meticulously orchestrated every detail, drawing from his unparalleled knowledge of future entertainment trends. He was building an industry-defining entity, one that would not just participate in the Hallyu wave, but actively forge its earliest, most brilliant stars.
The first tangible manifestation of Starlight Entertainment's revolutionary approach was its state-of-the-art training facility. Instead of renting or building from scratch, Min-jun shrewdly utilized a spacious, underutilized commercial building that Future Mind Co. already owned in a discreet, yet accessible, part of Seoul. This facility was immediately renovated and equipped, not merely for its time, but for the demands of the future. It boasted multiple dance studios with specialized flooring, soundproof vocal booths, dedicated acting rehearsal rooms, fully equipped recording studios, and even small, functional dormitories – all designed to create an immersive, professional, and supportive environment for aspiring artists. It was unlike any other "training center" in Korea in the mid-1990s, resembling more a specialized academy than a typical entertainment agency's practice rooms.
The quality of instruction was paramount to Min-jun's vision. He knew that raw talent needed expert refinement. Through Mr. Park, Starlight Entertainment embarked on an aggressive, confidential recruitment drive. Min-jun, using the Omni-7, identified the best (but currently unknown or undervalued) vocal coaches, choreographers, and acting teachers from around the world. These were individuals who, in the future, would be renowned for shaping global superstars, but in 1995, were perhaps teaching local classes, working freelance, or on the fringes of their respective industries.
Mr. Park, armed with Future Mind Co.'s immense financial power, offered them exorbitant salaries – packages so generous they easily outstripped anything available in their current positions, often including relocation benefits and long-term contracts. This unprecedented investment in human capital secured Starlight a truly world-class faculty, ensuring their trainees received instruction far superior to any competitor.
Min-jun's inaugural project for Starlight Entertainment was a five-member girl group. He chose a girl group for their strong potential to capture both domestic and regional markets, laying a foundation for the broader Hallyu wave. The concept, music style, and choreography for this group were all meticulously planned by him, a masterful fusion of successful concepts from the 2010s and 2020s, subtly adapted for the mid-90s. He focused on catchy, harmonically rich pop melodies, synchronized, visually appealing choreography, and a balanced image that was both aspirational and relatable. He even dictated the members' stage names and initial visual concepts, all carefully chosen based on their future resonance.
To create the group's debut album, Min-jun once again turned to the Omni-7. He identified future hit-making producers and composers who, in 1995, were struggling, working on obscure projects, or simply waiting for their big break. He had Starlight Entertainment commission songs from them, providing them with what he termed "inspiration." This "inspiration" was, in reality, detailed outlines of song structures, snippets of melodies, and specific thematic concepts that Min-jun had pulled directly from the future's most successful tracks.
These future hitmakers were astonished. The "inspiration" provided by the mysterious "Chairman" of Starlight was so profound, so perfectly aligned with their nascent creative instincts, that it unlocked their latent genius. They produced music that was undeniably fresh, catchy, and ahead of its time, yet perfectly palatable for the current market. These collaborations, secretly guided by Min-jun, resulted in a debut album that was a collection of future hits, perfectly crafted to launch the girl group into superstardom.
The five girls chosen from Min-jun's list, now knowing their potential was being taken seriously, dedicated themselves fully. They trained rigorously for a year within the Starlight Academy. Their progress was nothing short of phenomenal, a direct result of the superior training system, the world-class instructors, and Min-jun's constant, subtle refinement of their techniques.
As their debut approached, Starlight began a carefully orchestrated pre-debut marketing campaign. They released a series of "practice videos" and "behind-the-scenes glimpses" online via Future Search's dedicated news and entertainment portal. This was an early, revolutionary use of online media for pre-debut promotion. The videos, showcasing the girls' stunning vocals, synchronized dance routines, and genuine camaraderie, quickly generated massive buzz among early internet users. The public had never seen such a polished, talented, and seemingly authentic group before. Excitement for their official debut reached a fever pitch.
Simultaneously, Starlight Entertainment quietly embarked on another ambitious project: the production of a historical drama. Min-jun understood the power of K-dramas in establishing cultural influence and opening doors to new markets. The script, secretly outlined by Min-jun using historical and thematic insights from future hit dramas, was a masterpiece of storytelling. It transcended the typical historical dramas of the era, featuring complex, morally ambiguous characters, intricate political intrigue, and a historically accurate but thrilling plot that resonated with universal themes of love, loyalty, and betrayal. It was designed to be not just entertaining, but critically acclaimed.
For the lead roles in this ambitious drama, Min-jun made a decision that shocked the nascent Korean drama industry: he cast the new actors scouted by Starlight Entertainment – those same unknown teenagers from his meticulously curated list. These were individuals with little to no acting experience in 1995, yet Min-jun knew they were future megastars, possessing the inherent talent and screen presence that would eventually captivate millions.
Industry veterans scoffed at the "risky" move, advising Starlight to cast established names. But Mr. Park, following Min-jun's unwavering instructions, stood firm. It was a calculated risk, but one Min-jun knew would pay off spectacularly. He had seen their future performances, their eventual iconic roles. He was forging stars, not just through rigorous training, but by placing them on the perfect stage at the perfect moment. The quiet architectural work of building the Hallyu wave was now truly underway.