However, that excitement didn’t last long. The sight of Kang Ichae’s smugly grinning face for no reason stirred up a strange irritation.
Sung Jiwon greeted him with a bright smile, but Kim Sunghyun and Jung Dajun glared at the suddenly appearing Kang Ichae with cold indifference. If this weren’t a broadcasting station, they would probably have already pinned him down and demanded answers several times over.
As the members’ expressions shifted in an instant, Seo Hoyun grabbed Kang Ichae by the arm and approached PD Jung Junhwan.
“Sorry for being so late. Do you happen to have a moment to talk right now?”
“Ah, of course, of course!”
“—PD-nim!”
A near-scream broke out from TwoPose’s direction, cutting through PD Jung Junhwan’s cheerful answer.
“You were supposed to discuss Song Camp with me today! It’s almost time for our appointment.”
“Ah... right, that’s true...”
After checking the watch on his wrist, PD Jung Junhwan exhaled loudly through his nose, glancing repeatedly at Kang Ichae.
“I’m sorry, but I’ll call you later. I don’t think I can right now.”
“P–PD-nim!”
“Sorry, really sorry.”
Regardless of how red with humiliation TwoPose grew, PD Jung Junhwan acted as if he couldn’t hear a thing. He hurriedly ushered Kang Ichae, Seo Hoyun, and the other members of The Dawn toward the meeting room. Inside, the road manager—already pale and gripping his phone—had clearly heard the news.
Without hesitation, PD Jung Junhwan pulled out a contract he must have prepared earlier, handed it carefully toward Kang Ichae, and asked,
“Kang Ichae, is that article really true? That you collaborated with NerdyFreak...?”
“Ah, yeah, well...”
“NerdyFreak posted on SNS something about wanting you to ‘make more songs’ for them... does that mean you participated in composing with them?”
Kang Ichae stared silently at PD Jung Junhwan for a moment, then slightly curled his lips into a faint smile and nodded.
That simple gesture alone seemed to melt away all the anxiety that had built up inside Kim Sunghyun.
“When—when will it be released?”
“Hmm, negotiations with their management aren’t finished yet, so it’s hard to say precisely. One of the tracks might be pre-released as a sample through NerdyFreak’s SNS, but the others...”
“The others?!”
PD Jung Junhwan’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Are you saying this collaboration won’t end with just one track?”
“Ah... um...”
Realizing his slip, Kang Ichae quickly forced an embarrassed smile and added,
“Forget what I just said. Those other songs don’t even have me listed as a featuring artist, so it’s not really my place to talk about them here...”
Which, ironically, made it sound even more suspicious.
Apparently, Kang Ichae had featured on NerdyFreak’s new song, and perhaps even future collaborations for the next album were already in discussion.
Watching PD Jung Junhwan stare at him like a man possessed, Kim Sunghyun quietly stifled a dry laugh.
“Haha, ha. All of this happened so suddenly that I can’t tell if this is a dream or reality. Whew... Kang Ichae, do you perhaps have the track you worked on with NerdyFreak?”
At that moment, Seo Hoyun moved. Beneath the table, his foot lightly kicked Kang Ichae’s shin. Almost immediately, Kang Ichae began rummaging through his pocket, murmuring slyly,
“Ah~, I do have it... but it’s a secret, so I really shouldn’t be doing this...”
“Just a bit! Please, even a short preview!”
“Then maybe... just the highlight?”
All eyes turned toward Kang Ichae.
Enjoying the attention, he glanced around the room, then placed his phone on the table and tapped the screen.
A clear piano melody began to fill the conference room.
【...—Though the storm rages, I tap my feet to the radio beat】
And soon after, the distinct, powerful voice of NerdyFreak’s vocalist David resonated through the speaker.
【Even in thunder, I know how to dance—...】
Anyone could tell immediately that this was an unreleased NerdyFreak song.
After just a few bars, Kang Ichae decisively stopped the playback.
“Sorry. I can’t play any more than that.”
PD Jung Junhwan, visibly regretful, gazed at him with longing before testing the waters again.
“...Ahem. I’m just curious—how exactly did you get connected with NerdyFreak? Did their company contact you for the collaboration?”
“Oh, no, that’s not it. It just kind of happened personally—...”
At that point, Kang Ichae glanced at Seo Hoyun, then immediately waved his hands.
“Ah, I got carried away chatting with you, PD-nim. I shouldn’t have mentioned that much. It’s still confidential.”
“Haha... My lips are sealed.”
“Hahaha! Mine too. I’ll share the story later, once the song’s officially released.”
Perhaps hoping that “later” meant on his own show, PD Jung Junhwan swallowed hard and gripped the corner of the contract tightly.
“...Mr. Kang Ichae.”
“Yes?”
“Is there anyone else who knows what we just talked about?”
“No one yet. Ah!”
As he answered blandly, Kang Ichae suddenly gave a playful exclamation, his eyes curving mischievously.
“There is one person now.”
He pointed directly at PD Jung Junhwan.
Already cheeky by nature, he seemed even more impudent now. Kim Sunghyun didn’t comment, merely shifted his gaze aside.
“So I’m the only PD who knows this...”
Just an hour ago, PD Jung Junhwan had been cold and businesslike. Now he looked ready to hand over his soul if it meant securing Kang Ichae.
Unable to sit still, his hands and feet fidgeted as he muttered under his breath,
“—I should check if we can get interviews with the NerdyFreak members too, but first let’s finalize the contract and discuss carefully...”
“PD-nim.”
As excitement filled the air and PD Jung Junhwan began frantically searching for a pen, Seo Hoyun suddenly cut in, deflating the atmosphere.
While Kang Ichae had been distracting him, Seo Hoyun had carefully gone over both the contract and the proposal. He placed the documents back on the table with a light tap.
“Is this proposal finalized?”
“Huh? What?”
Snapping out of his daze, PD Jung Junhwan blinked in confusion.
Kim Sunghyun followed Seo Hoyun’s gaze to the printed pages he’d been studying closely.
“A program where various composers with diverse talents showcase their skills and compete through original tracks... This format feels rather familiar.”
“Ah, the base framework’s the same as Seasons 1 and 2.”
Scratching his head while rustling through the papers, PD Jung Junhwan’s tone turned wary.
“...Why, is there a problem?”
Seo Hoyun wouldn’t normally say “yes.”
After all, he was the one who’d asked to meet this PD in the first place.
“Yes.”
—...Ah, that’s Seo Hoyun all right.
Kim Sunghyun narrowed his eyes suspiciously, watching the situation unfold.
As everyone fixed their attention on him, Seo Hoyun lightly tapped the contract with his long fingers and spoke evenly.
“If you proceed with this as-is, there will be serious issues.”
The youngest member choked mid-swallow and began coughing violently.
PD Jung Junhwan’s brow furrowed; the road manager looked horrified—but Seo Hoyun paid no mind.
“It’s too plain, PD-nim. For a variety show, it’s shockingly average.”
He seemed to pick deliberately provocative words. PD Jung Junhwan’s expression shifted rapidly, darkening by the second.
“Of course, I don’t mean I fail to understand the proposal itself. Since the previous seasons were successful, reusing the format might seem the safest path toward another success.”
“What are you saying...”
“But will it truly stand out from other programs that way?”
“Other programs?”
Catching the PD’s hesitation, Seo Hoyun pressed forward.
“Ah... I suppose you haven’t heard yet. TBS is launching a composition competition program very similar to Song Camp in the third quarter.”
PD Jung Junhwan’s eyebrow twitched—apparently, this was news to him.
“If a rival show airs around the same time, do you really think a traditional Song Camp will dominate in popularity?”
After pondering that for a few seconds, PD Jung Junhwan thanked him stiffly.
“...Mr. Seo, I didn’t know about TBS’s plans. Thanks for the heads-up.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“But I still don’t quite understand what you’re trying to say.”
The atmosphere had cooled so much it was almost frozen solid.
Kim Sunghyun tensed, fearing the entire casting deal might fall apart.
But Seo Hoyun remained composed as he suggested,
“What if you rebuild the show from the ground up?”
Everyone in the room—
the pale manager, the quietly smiling Sung Jiwon, the indifferent Kang Ichae, the pretending-to-be-calm but fidgeting Jung Dajun, and even the anxious Kim Sunghyun—
all turned their eyes toward Seo Hoyun.
“How should I take that suggestion?”
The PD’s sharp question cut through like a blade.
Seo Hoyun interlaced his fingers and spoke with calm leisure.
“There’s no hidden motive. Success benefits everyone, doesn’t it? Think about it. When the NerdyFreak track that Ichae made gets released, it’ll create a temporary buzz. The Dawn being on the Song Camp lineup would certainly help ratings. You’ll earn a good career line for yourself, PD-nim.”
“And?”
“But... would that alone really satisfy you?”
It sounded like the whisper of a devil.
“PD-nim, think from the public’s perspective. An idol group barely known to anyone collaborated with a world-class rock band that conquered the Grammophone. And that proud NerdyFreak is reportedly begging for another feature on their next album... How do you think the public will see that?”
“...Like viral bait.”
“Sure, some might call it a national achievement. But I’d bet my own wrist that more people will doubt Kang Ichae’s abilities instead. And such controversy doesn’t die down easily.”
Seo Hoyun added lightly, “There are quite a few people keeping a very close eye on our group’s every move lately.”
“So if Song Camp were the only place where people could confirm whether Kang Ichae is truly as brilliant as rumors claim?”
“......”
“And ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) if he were to compete head-to-head against professional composers?”
Catching Seo Hoyun’s drift, PD Jung Junhwan frowned.
“...You’re suggesting I center the show around him—create a rivalry dynamic?”
“The fire’s already lit, PD-nim. If it’s going to burn, better fan it until it’s blazing.”
Seo Hoyun spoke without an ounce of hesitation.
He was proposing to abandon the safe harmony of famous composers—and instead, use Kang Ichae to ignite a cutthroat competition.
“The stage is already set. There’ll be those eager to see if Kang Ichae truly deserves his reputation, those hoping he gets crushed by established composers, and those who just crave drama. The more you provoke them, the higher Song Camp’s buzz will soar. It might even dominate the music charts once it airs.”
The words came out raw and direct. Kim Sunghyun shrank back unconsciously, glancing at Kang Ichae—who simply yawned, looking bored.
“The broadcast is already forming in your mind, isn’t it, PD-nim?”
After a long silence, PD Jung Junhwan muttered, not quite as defiant as before,
“...It’s a gamble.”
“A gamble with high winning odds.”
Switching from his sharp tone to a gentle, persuasive voice, Seo Hoyun continued smoothly,
“And the greater the risk, the greater the reward. If this reworked program becomes a massive success, who do you think will get all the credit?”
He smiled with disarming innocence.
“What I’ve suggested is just a small example. Once all this is over—”
Though his eyes shone with polite calmness, a razor-sharp gleam flickered within them as he locked his gaze on the PD.
“—aren’t you curious what kind of position you’ll be standing in by then, PD-nim?”
