Chapter 30
I can already see Lim Hyeonsu grasping the back of her neck and falling.
I apologize in advance.
Hahaha, what will you do that requires an apology?
It wasnt genuinely apologetic but an apology for broadcast purposes.
I sat in a chair, brushed my hair back, and sighed with Lim Hyeonsus unique irritation, not forgetting to pick up the microphone.
Jeong Dajun.
Uh, yes yep.
Why do you think rhythm exists?
Jeong Dajun was taken aback.
I-Im sorry.
You shouldnt apologize to me but to the viewers. Watching such a low-quality performance during dinner time would make their appetite drop.
Uhahaha!
Yu Jias laughter burst out already.
For reference, the lines I was saying were all said by Lim Hyeonsu before.
Super Singer went up to Season 5, and since Lim Hyeonsu was a judge in all seasons, even other idols struggled to hold back their laughter.
However, Jeong Dajun himself had tears welling up, shaking his head. It was unclear whether it was acting or genuine.
Im sorry, I should have practiced the recorder more diligently.
Diligently?
Yes?
If it could be done by working hard, why would talent exist?
Ahahaha! Its so identical!
Ah, no my cheeks hurt.
At this point, Yu Jia was almost crying, her head on the table. It seemed that she had a close relationship with Lim Hyeonsu as well.
After destroying the production staff and the members, we ended the skit.
How can you be so identical?
Just watch the same edited version 30 times or more.
Its because I admire that person.
I turned my eyes to the camera.
I hammered in the point that we were close to preventing any controversy.
Ms.
Composer, I admire you a lot. Thank you always!
I crinkled my nose at the camera. Jeong Dajun, still seemingly scared of Lim Hyeonsu, bowed 90 degrees to the camera.
It was funny to find out later that Lim Hyeonsus direct comment, Hoyun, lets not contact each other anymore, was captioned.
Anyway, Yu Jia laughed for a while and then barely picked up the microphone.
Ah, I would have voted for this if I had a voting right. I really enjoyed it. I think its the highest sync rate of Lim Hyeonsu impersonations Ive seen. Maybe because were acquainted, I was more immersed in it. Ah, my stomach hurts.
Yu Jia mumbled and then suddenly raised her head.
The next idols that appeared were very nervous and focused only on their image management, so they didnt get as good a response as us.
Today was especially a highlight.
Um I
Yes, Yu Hyeok. Have you decided on your individual talent?
Ill try to show aegyo, aegyo!
Was he trying to resort to aegyo since he couldnt dance or sing?
Well it wasnt a bad choice.
If only this wasnt a team competition audition program.
Yu Hyeok winked while squinting his eyes and clenching his fist.
Can I say ya?
Can I say mine?
Wow.
We need a pet name that only we know. Honey, honey, so from today, youre mine!
Can I close my eyes?
Everyone rolled their eyes, quite flustered.
Especially Todays hoobaes, who wondered how to react to Yu Hyeoks 30-second show.
Watching Yu Hyeok finish with a finger heart and a biting action, I admired him.
At least Yu Hyeok is trying hard!
Wow.
The only thing left on the set was a cold silence. Still, some polite hoobaes clapped for Today.
Cute.
Hmm sunbaes are really different.
Yu Hyeok, having done his part, bowed his head in embarrassment.
Well, Todays fans might like it. Idol aegyo always left a good impression.
But this wasnt the image the staff wanted in this fierce competition program.
Kim Heeyeon was already cursing with her eyes.
I bet Kim Heeyeon will include this cheap scene whenever it airs.
Ha ha ha well.
That was some nice aegyo.
Yu Jia couldnt add more on set but held up the next card with a deadpan () expression.
Now, lets vote, shall we?
The talent show voting proceeded with three rules:
One cannot vote for their own group.Voting is conducted according to the maximum member limit.The group with the most votes wins first place.
I entered my vote on the pre-issued device, thinking the result was obvious.
After a little while, when all the idols finished voting, Yu Jia cheerfully recited the predetermined lines.
Now, lets see who will have the honor of exclusive additional broadcast time.
She turned her back, and the large monitor hastily displayed some texts.
Gulim font. It was a relief that it wasnt Gungseo font, but I would have fired the person in charge if it were me.[1]
The Dawn!
Woah!
Hyung, additional broadcast!
As soon as the group name was called, Jeong Dajun hugged me tightly.
The other members surrounded us, making a fuss. It felt chaotic.
Hey, calm down. Just calm down.
After detaching myself from Jeong Dajuns hug and escaping from the other members, Yu Jia gave me a thumbs up, and Kim Heeyeons inscrutable expression flashed.
A face that said, I shouldnt be too happy.
I looked away. Luckily, a break came just in time.
Well take a short break before the next stage!
And as soon as the camera light went off, Yu Hyeok, who seemed to be waiting, approached with a flushed face.
Ah, sunbae.
Hey, you punk.
Despite being polite, a rough hand grabbed my shoulder.
Wow.
Kang Ichae exclaimed from beside me, even in front of the staff when the camera was off. Yu Hyeok chuckled.
Did you plan to make fun of me?
Just as I was about to answer, Kang Ichae interrupted.
Huh? What are you talking about?
What about you?
Sunbae, did we make you laugh too much?
It was unexpected for Kang Ichae to step forward. He was always just laughing from the sidelines.
Kang Ichae smiled brightly.
Calm down, our Dajun will play the recorder for you again
You punks! You knew beforehand, right? That I cant sing or dance for the talent show! By writing first place, you would get two chances! You knew it all, didnt you?!
Gosh, you only see what you want to see.
I flicked my ear.
Then, Yu Hyeok, who had been flashing a mischievous glance, reached out instantly. It was the moment Kang Ichae, who was in the middle, opened his eyes wide.
You, come here!
I pushed away Yu Hyeoks hand. I then grabbed Kang Ichae and shoved him back.
Huh?
Step back. I gave Kang Ichae a hint, and he obediently moved away with a slight frown. There was no need for one of the members to get caught by such a guy.
I could cover it anyway.
Hey.
What? Hey?
Are you scared?
!
If you were scared, you should have written first place. Why are you taking out your frustrations on other people?[2]
Yu Hyeok just mumbled after taking a hit.
I wanted to provoke him more, but this was enough for now. Everyones attention was drawn to us. It was intentional and satisfying.
The more it spread that The Dawn and Today were not on good terms, the better. I didnt expect Today to fan the flames like this.
Yu Hyeok, this punk, was unexpectedly useful
Dumb, though.
You, you!
He couldnt easily continue as he didnt expect his hoobae to speak casually, but I didnt miss the opportunity.
Well, good luck. Well go prepare for our performance.
Hey, hey arent you going to stay?!
Ignoring him, I grabbed Kang Ichae and walked away briskly. I was expecting Kang Ichae to laugh and tease as always, but he was silent.
I wondered if he was hit somewhere earlier, so I looked at him.
Why? Did you get hit somewhere?
No
Kang Ichae looked at me with his eyes wide open. Then, he shrugged his shoulders and walked ahead.
I wondered why he acted like that, but I had no clue.
It must be puberty.
I thought hed go first, but Kang Ichae suddenly turned around.
What are you doing, lingering there, hyung?
Lets get ready.
Then he grinned wide enough to reveal his teeth.
***
Kim Heeyeon assessed the atmosphere in the filming studio.
The mood lightened up initially with the jokes, but adding extra broadcasts left everyone on edge.
Behind the polite exchanges and forced smiles, there was an endless power struggle. The viewers wouldnt be oblivious to this.
Its really a battlefield
The fandom would criticize Kim Heeyeon when the show airs, but its unavoidable.
No matter how much people talk about unity, creating controversy and sparking interest was essential for survival in the broadcasting industry. Its possible that this was all shes learned so far.
Thats when Kim Heeyeons gaze landed on Seo Hoyun, who seemed calm among the tense and pretentious newcomers.
Seo Hoyun, whats the deal with him?
All cast members wore microphones, so even his casual comment to Yu Hyeok was recorded. They would be in trouble if it had been recorded elsewhere, but why?
Is he a golden spoon or does he have some secret?
Kim Heeyeon couldnt help but be interested in Seo Hoyun.
If handled well, it seemed like a good picture could be drawn, but did she really have to push such a young kid into the battlefield? Kim Heeyeon felt conflicted.
PD.
Ah, yes?
The first mission stage will start soon. Everyone else will watch from the waiting room.
Okay. Um
As Kim Heeyeon listened to the ADs briefing, she suddenly spoke up.
The last performance is by Today, right?
Yes.
Change it to The Dawn. Today will perform right before them.
Really? But investors and Todays fans wont be happy about that.
Will they fire me for changing just one order? It wont show on the broadcast anyway.
Kim Heeyeon glared. The Dawn was more popular than Today, but still
When Today performs, focus on The Dawns reactions, and vice versa when The Dawn performs.
PD, are you suggesting?
Yes.
She was sorry.
Kim Heeyeon ended up pushing these young people in their early 20s into hell.
Feeling guilty, she envisioned the first episode in her head.
Lets create a rivalry between the two.
She had no intention of being bossed around by the agency.
She couldnt change the winner, but at least she could stir up chaos.
***
Yes?
Are we the last ones?
Hearing that the order had been changed, Kim Seonghyeons voice stuttered in surprise. He had been prepared to go on stage first. The cameras focused on his startled face.
I sat back and chuckled.
So, this is how it comes out, Kim Heeyeon.
There was a mix-up in the filming, so it turned out that way. Youre after Today.
Okay, got it.
Can you prepare?
Yes. Its not like were being pushed forward.
It might be a bit of pressure being the last, but good luck.
I said that on purpose.
At the words last and pressure, a storm of anxiety, worry, and apprehension swirled in Jeong Dajons eyes.
H-hey, hyung. What do we do?
What can we do?
Seong Jiwon jumped up.
We need to practice more.
Ah, youre right.
In that sense, Kang Ichae, come here. You dont seem to fit in here.
Aaah!
Kang Ichae was caught as the sacrificial lamb. Everyone else turned their heads with an as long as its not me expression.
As Kang Ichae was tormented by Seong Jiwon, Nightmares performance began.
The stage was about Cinderella and a girl group, with the lyrics telling them not to go home even after midnight.
Dont leave, our party here is just starting.
The lyrics were a bit old-fashioned, but the stage itself was well-decorated. Everyone was young, so they expressed the concept of a refreshing, youthful man telling them not to go home quite well.
Theyre doing well.
Wow, how did they do that?
While the other members reacted enthusiastically, I secretly glanced at the camera focusing on our group.
Kim Heeyeons doing.
Changing the order had a huge impact on the stage. It wasnt for no reason that music shows and year-end music awards pushed back the most popular idols.
Even viewers who started watching in the middle could see it. It was a way to attract as many viewers as possible.
The same was true for competition programs.
Even without the agencys influence, Today was likely to be scheduled last. They were more well-known than other groups.
In terms of popularity, we would have been, at best, second or third. But in this situation, The Dawn was the fifth and last to perform, which would certainly cause backlash amongst Todays fandom and the others.
PDs pick or manipulation?
The real manipulator is someone else.
Kim Heeyeon must have anticipated that but still decided to throw us into the fire.
The more criticism we received, the better the ratings would be, of course.
Todays stage is coming up.
Jeong Dajun mumbled. Suddenly, Seong Jiwon stopped staring at Kang Ichae and looked at the stage with an utterly serious expression.
The group Seong Jiwon might have debuted with.
The widely recognized hit song featuring White Cherrys beat started playing, adjusted to a male key. The popular concept of The Little Mermaid fitted them flawlessly.
How skilled were Todays members?
Would they be good enough for their popularity?
Right, okay,
You captured me in an instant.
The other members silently gazed at the stage intently.
The dazzling stage effects under the bright lights, the fluttering pollen, and the costly set.
After about three minutes, Todays members caught their breath and took their ending pose at the center of the stage.
Well move now.
Ah, yes.
The camera turned off, and we silently walked through the dark corridor behind the stage.
We ran into Todays members coming off the stage. Yu Hyeok narrowed his eyes and shrugged his shoulders.
Hey, did you see that?
What?
Honestly, you cant compete, can you? Have you ever worn something like this?
Yu Hyeok laughed. Their outfits were indeed luxurious from head to toe. Moreover, the extravagant beats and set design were honestly jaw-dropping. It was the power of a large entertainment company.
Ah, sorry. You guys are from a lousy agency, so you dont have any support like this, right? Do you even have a practice room?
Watch your words.
Kim Seonghyeon stepped forward, visibly upset by Yu Hyeoks provocation. He quietly glared at Yu Hyeok.
I grabbed Kim Seonghyeons nape and pulled him back. Kim Seonghyeon muttered as he retreated.
Yeah, our practice room is terrible.
Honestly, we cant compete.
Finally, you understand?
Your skills are just too poor.
!
Todays members skills werent bad. The stage wasnt bad either. It seemed like the camera captured them quite well, perhaps due to the money invested.
But the sad thing was, these guys
They cant do group projects.
Ding!
I wanted to stop there, but seeing the options appear, I couldnt help but laugh.
[Options:
Too bad, sunbae You shouldve worked harder.Even if spoon-fed, you cant eat it, oh, next timeSunbae, your words were harsh just now. Please be more considerate in the future.]
Finally, an option appeared that was polite and reasonable, something I would usually say, but I didnt feel like choosing it.
Even if spoon-fed, you cant accept it. Its truly a pity.
What?
[1] Gulim and Gunseo are both Korean fonts.
[2] Seo Hoyun says, which literally means to get slapped in Jongno and take out your anger in Han River. This Korean idiom suggests taking out ones frustrations on someone else.
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