Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Translator: Penny
Chapter 14
Newborn, a prominent mid-to-large entertainment agency in the industry, had launched their rookie boy group, KICKS.
They had debuted six months before us.
Even before their debut, they had flooded the media with promotional hype, and their music videos and tracks clearly showed the lavish investment poured into them.
Newborn was the second agency I auditioned for after leaving the underground scene.
For the record, my first audition was with a major agency.
I was rejected for my awkward dancing. As expected of a major agency, they preferred polished, ready-made talent over those with potential for growth.
And the group that debuted with Newborn's full backing was none other than the guys standing before me now: KICKS.
"Long time no see," I said, raising my hand in greeting. The guy who recognized me brightened up. I subtly glanced at Gyeon Hajun's expression.
Gyeon Hajun, who acted so well he could rival seasoned actors—truly deserving of the "actor-idol" title—was usually so adept at controlling his expressions that even I, who had known him the longest, sometimes struggled to read his emotions. But now...
Should I just tell them to get lost...?
His discomfort was written all over his face.
And no wonder. These guys were the ones who had been in the Debut Team with me and Gyeon Hajun at our former agency.
KICKS was the group Gyeon Hajun and I had almost debuted in.
Ah, to be precise, it was just me who had almost debuted in the end.
And this kid, who was now acting all friendly with me, was the first one to cut ties with Gyeon Hajun.
Yet here he was, acting like he knew Hajun, greeting him like an old friend. It seemed he hadn't learned a thing, even after the regression.
I scanned the five of them, noting the two who blatantly avoided my gaze, clearly uncomfortable, and the three who seemed utterly oblivious.
"Did you guys just make a comeback?" I asked.
"The teasers and music dropped ages ago! You're not even paying attention to us? I'm disappointed, Hyung!"
Attention? I chuckled at the word.
Right now, I was too busy navigating the flop idol group scene after regressing seven years to even remember their existence. Back then, even after storming out, I'd been too bitter to look them up. Still, I couldn't completely ignore what was right in front of me.
Before my regression, knowing their true colors, I'd considered pretending to be friendly, then telling them to get lost. But seeing Gyeon Hajun's expression, I realized it would be a waste to let them go so easily.
"Your debut album did better than I expected, huh?"
"It was tough reworking the choreography from a seven-member formation to six. Oh, I'm not blaming you, Hyung. I understand. You and Hajun Hyung were so close. It's understandable you'd want to leave."
See? Old habits die hard.
Beneath the smile, the barb was unmistakable. As I listened, I twisted my lips, watching the other guys feign amusement while their smiles faltered.
There was a time when I'd endured grueling trainee life, sharing every hardship with these guys. We'd made it into the Debut Team together, and I was convinced only a path of roses lay ahead.
But that comfortable future I'd dreamed of shattered soon after, when a new trainee joined the Debut Team.
The newcomer was the nephew of the agency's director—a parachute, plain and simple.
If the Parachute had been a genius in at least one area, I might have understood it 0.1%. But that guy wasn't particularly good at dancing, singing, or variety skills—he was basically another Seo Yehyeon.
The problem was, even his looks weren't up to Seo Yehyeon's level. He was just the kind of guy who would get constantly pushed around at the broadcasting station.
The group had always been planned as a seven-member team, so adding the Parachute meant someone had to be cut from the Debut Team.
And that someone was Gyeon Hajun.
I couldn't make sense of it at all.
The official reason was that Hajun had the shortest training period, but by that logic, I should have been the one cut. I'd joined the agency a month later than him.
Wow, are you guys really not bothered by this at all?
"What else can I do, Hyung? I want to debut. Just close your eyes once—is that so hard?"
He was the only one who voiced it, but the others' eyes betrayed the same sentiment. As long as it's not me. That relieved look still burned in my memory.
Gyeon Hajun was pushed out of the Debut Team by the Parachute and left Newborn immediately.
"Ugh, fuck. You guys do your best. I can't stomach pretending to laugh and joke with that guy."
Disillusioned by the Parachute's occupation of Gyeon Hajun's rightful place, I kicked my own Debut Team spot and stormed out of Newborn.
If an agency would push out a talented member to make room for a Parachute, their future prospects were clearly hopeless.
After being cut from the debut team, Gyeon Hajun, who had consistently ignored my calls, immediately answered when he heard I'd left the agency.
Why did you leave? You were supposed to debut there.
No one sings my song guide vocals as well as you do. Your tone is perfect.
Of course, there was no paradise in the place I'd fled to. I'd avoided one hopeless situation only to stumble into a truly hopeless one...
To be fair, giving up on debuting with Newborn and joining LnL was entirely my choice. So I don't blame Gyeon Hajun for ending up at LnL out of all the agencies.
It's just that the pre-regression Gyeon Hajun, who sulked and refused to speak to me despite our shared past, instead of supporting the path of his genius producer, was a bit too annoying.
Anyway, this was the past that connected me, Gyeon Hajun, and KICKS during our trainee days.
I shot a brief glance at Parachute, then smirked and sneered, "Oh, so the guy who claimed to understand everything rushed out pretending to be loyal, only to debut with that trash song, flop, and then laugh at his misfortune, huh?"
[Profanity detected.]
[Original Intent Score -2]
The guy in front of me flinched at my words.
I also winced from the pain inflicted by the damn System, but luckily, he had just turned his head toward his members, allowing me to maintain my composure.
"Surprised to hear all the whispers you guys were sharing behind my back? I was equally shocked to learn what you really thought of me."
I grinned at the group, who were now exchanging suspicious glances. They were clearly trying to find the snitch, but too bad for them—they'll never find out.
How am I supposed to find him when time has regressed? Ah, even if time hadn't regressed, it wouldn't have been easy to find him. It was just too unexpected.
Before the regression, I hadn't bothered to distance myself from KICKS, who always acted friendly and eager to hang around.
They were a moderately successful second-tier idol group, while we were a flop idol group on the verge of disbanding—our situations were as different as heaven and earth. Still, we had once shared the same practice room, enduring hardships and celebrating triumphs together.
I noticed a subtle distance forming after Seo Yehyeon's 직캠 went viral, propelling us into the second tier.
The person who told me about the rumors KICKS had been spreading behind my back was the Parachute—the guy who had only faced me once, when he joined the Debut Team.
What's your angle? Getting tired of idol life? Want me to expose your group's dirty laundry?
I'm just telling you this because I'm disgusted by those guys acting like that again. I know how shitty it feels because I've been through it myself—pretending to be friendly to your face while talking shit behind your back.
How amusing it must have been to watch the guy who got kicked out and the one who threw away his chance both fail. How ridiculous it must have seemed to see them laughing and accepting the group's behavior, completely unaware of the mockery and insults behind their backs.
And how infuriating it must have been for those who believed they should be beneath them to see these guys rise to their level.
The guy who was forcing a smile asked me, "Eden Hyung, where did you hear that?"
"What's it to you?"
Before my regression, all I could do was punch the guy who told me. But now, things are different. I can inflict far greater damage.
What I planted among them was the seed of suspicion.
Knowing they all had my contact information, they would inevitably suspect each other of being the snitch.
You were all so tight and friendly when you were gossiping about us, weren't you? I hope this time your infighting erupts even faster, leading to your quick disbandment. I can't stand seeing your faces any longer.
"What if the follow-up track doesn't flop like you hoped? Sorry the guy who left is doing better than you expected?"
In the utterly dismal atmosphere, the guy behind the one who had been trying to act friendly attempted to salvage the situation.
"Hey, don't get so worked up. We're just happy to see you after so long."
"Happy to see me? Then why are you gossiping about people while stuck in a trashy agency, trying to pull off that cheesy 'White House on the Hill' concept?"
I faithfully recounted the most memorable gossip I'd heard from Parachute.
The guys who got knocked out by the final uppercut glared suspiciously at each other as they left the stage.
The tension surrounding KICKS was so thick, it was a miracle a brawl hadn't broken out in the waiting room. The only one who remained calm was Parachute, who hadn't joined in on the gossip.
People really can change their opinions like this, huh? When Parachute had shoved Gyeon Hajun aside to get in, he'd been a shameless, unlucky, and utterly hopeless bastard.
"Was that the group you almost debuted with?" Seo Yehyeon asked as soon as KICKS disappeared from view. I nodded.
"If you'd been in that group too, they would've become a legendary group known for their impeccable character."
"I'm done running my mouth. So please just cooperate, Hyung."
Seo Yehyeon started picking a fight again, so I pressed my forehead and waved my hand dismissively.
Of course, Seo Yehyeon insisted he was just being honest and vehemently denied starting any trouble.
Gyeon Hajun, who would usually mediate between Seo Yehyeon and me, sat silently. I nudged him and chuckled.
"You're not telling me to hold back today?"
"Today, I'll tell you you did well."
Gyeon Hajun patted my shoulder and offered his gratitude.
"Thanks for giving those guys a taste of their own medicine."
"Gratitude isn't about words, you know? It's about showing your sincerity."
"Alright, what do you want?"
"If you're really grateful, be my guide vocalist for life."
I grinned, declaring my lifelong vocal exploitation plan.
"Your voice still sounds the best to me."
Remembering a past conversation, Gyeon Hajun chuckled and nodded.
"What about me? What about my voice, Hyung?"
"Let's have a laugh, youngest member."
Just as Ryu Jaehee was about to ruin our meaningful and touching conversation, I slapped my hand on his head. A warning from the stylist behind us immediately followed: "Don't mess up his hair!"
I quickly withdrew my hand and leaned back in my chair, muttering, "I'm going to drag our Reve to the A-list just to avoid seeing those guys' faces."
"Oh, so confident."
"If we push ourselves hard enough, there's no reason we can't do it."
We'll work our schedules to the bone, pull all-nighters, and even tag along to the drinking sessions of the Hyungs who are transitioning into producers. Sleep is for the dead—we need to live life to the fullest!
Kim Dobin flinched at my words. Seeing him lock eyes with Ryu Jaehee, I realized I hadn't specified who I meant.
Still, I couldn't help feeling annoyed. I said I'd push myself hard, not that they had to.
When the leader vows to work himself to the bone, the youngest members should be offering to help, not just standing by. Tsk.
📝 Translator’s Note:
You may notice that certain lines or phrases in this novel appear both in their original Korean (or Hanja) form and in English translation.
This is intentional — these phrases are classical idioms, divine titles, or poetic expressions that carry layered meanings.
To preserve their original tone and authenticity, the raw text has been kept for reference, while the English interpretation is provided right before or after it. This helps convey both the literal and cultural nuance of the original work.
but if you guys dont want tha raw for future chapters or my future other novels u can just text me on discord and say so discord name Mr.Penny