Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Translator: Penny
Chapter 18
The CEO hummed the melody of "Mingky Magic" while scribbling in a notebook, circling words repeatedly.
I had an uneasy feeling that if we let ourselves be swept up in this, our next comeback would be a remake of "Mingky Magic."
Since I was sitting directly across from the CEO, I couldn't help but witness his behavior firsthand. Before I collapsed from high blood pressure, I barely managed to perform the calming breathing technique I'd seen on YouTube.
What are we going to do?
Seo Yehyeon, who was silently shouting across the table, asked me with his eyes. I waved my hand dismissively, signaling him not to worry.
This time, I absolutely wouldn't back down.
Agreeing to the agency's decision to hold a ritual for our downfall—as I had before my regression—was more than enough.
The CEO asked again, as if trying to get a definitive answer about choosing the third song as the title track.
"[ Mingky Magic ] is decent, but since we bought these songs, let's go with them for this album. So, you're saying the third song is the best?"
"Knowing you'd say that, I brought a fourth option."
Pa-bam! I lifted my phone, making the sound effect myself.
Before the CEO could speak, I swiftly turned the volume up to maximum and played the demo track: "One Chance" - Lyrics & Composition by Yoon Eden, Vocals by Gyeon Hajun.
"One Chance" was an upbeat dance track with a slightly fast tempo, blending electronic melodies with a lively rhythm.
The song also featured an easy-to-sing, addictive hook.
The lyrics were equally lighthearted, like a high school prom anthem: "Let's party all night, agree?"
It felt almost embarrassing to compare this to the lyrics of "Darkness Black Soul."
Before my regression, when another idol group had bought and performed this song, critics had praised it highly.
In short, it was already a proven hit, now upgraded to its ultimate form.
As I scanned the conference room, I noticed several people already humming along to the chorus.
Their bright expressions suggested the song was objectively good.
Well, whose song did they think it was?
The 3-minute, 31-second track concluded with a final, questioning line.
Seeing the CEO's complex expression, as if he were calculating his losses, I grinned and held up four fingers.
"As the leader, if I were to give you a representative answer on which song best suits the title track, it would have to be number 4, right?"
The reason the agency had insisted on making me the leader, rather than the well-adjusted and calm Gyeon Hajun, was because I was the most proactive and vocal member of the team.
Later, due to conflicts surrounding the songs, I became lethargic and uncooperative with the agency. But until then, I had been the ideal leader they had envisioned.
So now, I had to make up for all the opinions I had suppressed before my regression and voice them even more forcefully.
"It's not bad. How about promoting it as a follow-up track, like One Chance?"
As soon as the CEO finished speaking, Seo Yehyeon suddenly raised his hand and opened his mouth with a calm expression.
"I'll pay the penalty. Can I terminate my contract right now? If we really have to promote with the third track, I just want to leave Reve."
"Ha ha, I guess Yehyeon has a knack for variety shows after all."
The CEO tried to brush it off, but the corners of his lips twitched at Seo Yehyeon's completely humorless expression.
It made sense, considering Seo Yehyeon was currently responsible for the largest share of new fans.
To be honest, even if Seo Yehyeon left Reve now, re-entering the entertainment industry would be easy for him.
If he found the right agency, he'd likely do even better than he did with Reve.
Looking at the assembled members, it was clear the CEO had maxed out his luck stat instead of his intuition.
It's truly remarkable how they managed to completely screw things up with this lineup.
Still, this guy's even threatening the CEO now.
Despite his words, he had no real intention of leaving.
If he'd genuinely planned to quit, he would have bolted the moment the title track for the 2nd Mini Album was decided before the regression.
Was he still dwelling on my words from after the previous One Chance follow-up song activity meeting—that he should have spoken up instead of keeping quiet?
At least the guy has some sense of shame.
Not wanting to be outdone, I chimed in with my own support.
"Ah, if you're not planning to use this as the title track, I'll just sell it off. Singing 'Black Soul' is making my idol career look like it's headed for Darkness. I might as well earn some royalties and find my own way to survive, you know?"
Before my regression, it was always a case of pre-selling the song and then informing me afterward. I think it happened shortly after we gained popularity through our viral fancam reverse-run.
The CEO expressed the same rejection as today when I suggested using "One Chance" as our follow-up track. Rather than let my blood, sweat, and tears go to waste, I chose to sell the song to another idol group as their title track.
You can't imagine how satisfying it was to tell them later, when they asked if we'd include it on the album, that I'd already sold it.
After this happened five or six times, all my expectations for the agency vanished.
Later, when LnL launched a rookie idol group and wanted me to handle the producing, I had already lost all affection for the agency. I defiantly sold my songs to larger agencies, just to spite them.
"The difference this time is that the composer hasn't had a major hit with his songs yet."
Before the regression, the CEO had clung stubbornly to the composer's tracks, unwilling to deviate from a formula that had once brought him success. Now, however, he simply couldn't bear to admit he'd wasted 3.5 million won.
Clinging to his last hope, the CEO turned to the staff and remaining members, proposing, "Then let's settle this fairly! We'll decide by majority vote."
At least if they have ears, they'll know which is better: a song that'll be treated like it never existed in the future, or one that even made it to the top spot on music shows.
The result was predictable. Come to My Universe received nearly unanimous support.
Ah, why "nearly"? Because someone had cast a single vote for the third song.
Although I couldn't change our disastrous debut song, I managed to replace the even worse title track for our 2nd Mini Album.
This alone was incredibly satisfying, enough to quell about 1% of the resentment I'd been harboring toward our agency.
"Then, regrettably, let's just include the songs I've received as B-sides."
I blocked the CEO's desperate attempt to cram them in as B-sides.
"I want the 2nd Mini Album to be filled with only good songs. Including those would feel like bad luck, so I'd rather not..."
"When are we going to get all the songs we need, Eden?"
"We've already completed three-fifths of the tracks."
Blocked at every turn, the CEO, sensing his position weakening, pulled out his final trump card: the price tag.
"Wouldn't it be a waste to just throw them away? They cost 3.5 million won, after all."
Still clinging to his attachment to that ₩3.5 million piece of garbage, the CEO refused to let go. I suggested the perfect use for the songs:
"You should set those three tracks as your morning alarm, CEO. Every time you hear them, you'll remember the ₩3.5 million you wasted, and you'll wake up instantly."
With that, the meeting concluded.
Ding!
A cheerful system notification chimed, and a Status Window popped up before my eyes:
☺ Successfully avoided the Flop Idol Juncture!
Reward: Original Intent Score +10, Random Ticket, Penalty Nullification Ticket
※ However, the risk of falling remains ever-present. Do not let your guard down!
The System officially confirmed my escape from the Flop Idol Route, leaving me with a strange mix of emotions.
All I had done was promote Come to My Universe while completing the Communication Quest and replace the 2nd Mini Album's title track with my own song.
Yes, it was absurd that something so trivial could erase the worst period of my life before regression, and that this time, which would never exist again, had vanished completely.
Suddenly, a thought struck me:
What if I had started writing and composing music more seriously earlier, instead of just dabbling in it during my underground days?
What if I had communicated with my fans, even briefly?
What if I had asserted my opinions more forcefully with the agency and refused to back down?
Would those grueling three years of obscurity have never happened?
Would we have been able to enjoy our songs and performances like we did during "One Chance," instead of growing weary of them?
I stared intently at the shimmering Status Window, lost in these hypothetical scenarios that were nothing more than past regrets.
By the way, a Penalty Nullification Ticket? I could skip a Weekly Quest with this. Sweet!
With the next promotional track safely decided, I opened the Weekly Quest window to check my progress. While reviewing the list, I noticed a newly added quest:
[☑ Weekly Quest!]
▶ Post selfies and messages on Official Social Media at least 5 times a week (+2 Original Intent Score)
▶ Search fan reactions at least 6 times a week (+2 Original Intent Score)
▶ Post selfies and messages on the Fan Cafe's FROM board at least 4 times a week (+2 Original Intent Score)
▶ Communicate with fans through OA App Fan Live at least 2 times a week (+2 Original Intent Score)
"Only twice a week?" I hummed to myself, thinking this was the easiest quest yet. But when I read the details, I let out a deflated sigh.
The frequency was a sweet deal, but the quest itself was anything but.
It seemed Reve had finally been approved by the OA App and registered as an OA Star.
OA, short for On Air, was a video platform where fans and artists could communicate.
True to its name, On Air primarily featured live broadcasts for real-time interaction.
Although the app was still relatively new and lacked widespread popularity, it would later become an essential platform for idols.
From birthday specials and debut anniversary live streams to comeback countdowns, variety shows, and even live broadcasts of showcases and concerts, everything would eventually be available on the OA App.
However, OA App live streams were a double-edged sword.
If a funny scene or a viral-worthy video gets captured on OA Live, it can become a massive hit and serve as a springboard to stardom. But if a slip of the tongue or an unmanageable crisis gets broadcast, it's a one-way ticket to oblivion.
[ON AIR] Test
I hastily typed in a title and started OA Live. After seven years in the industry, keeping my mouth shut shouldn't be too difficult.
"Is this right...?"
I fumbled a bit, having only done solo Fan Lives a handful of times before my regression.
Of course, I'd participated in comeback countdown lives and special birthday streams with the other members.
But my solo Fan Lives were usually just quick cameos in other members' streams, or the youngest member occasionally filming me holed up in my studio.
I stared at my reflection on the horizontally held phone screen and waved at the rapidly scrolling chat.
"Hello, Daydream."
[It's Eden!]
[As expected of our filial member ㅠㅠ He rushed here as soon as the OA App registration opened ㅠㅠ]
[He's actually giving a normal greeting instead of starting with some formal, flowery nonsense ㅋㅋㅋ]
[Holy shit, his voice is insane]
"Uh... what should I do?"
[Why are you asking us, Eden?]
[It's okay if you don't do anything! Just seeing your face is entertaining enough hahaha]
[EDEN!]
A problem had arisen. I'd started the live stream, but now I had no idea what to do.
During group Fan Lives, there was always a script to follow or I could just go along with what the other members were doing. But now I was alone.
As the silence stretched on, the chat's mood began to shift.
I take back what I said about your face being entertaining. Do something!
Is this a silent broadcast?
You don't look like a talkative person, but I didn't expect you to be completely silent.
So boring ☹
Why are you being so awkward? Was this a ᄅᄋ test like the title suggests?
Show us Yehyeon oppa!
My strength lay in producing, not in this kind of communication.
Am I really a seven-year idol if I can't even pull off a solo Fan Live?
Just as self-doubt began to overwhelm me, the door burst open.
Huh? Who's that?
I don't know who it is, but thank you so much for ending this awkward silence!
Whoever's coming in, I'm stanning them from today!
Is that Yehyeon? Is it Yehyeon?
My little hamster!
It was the arrival of a savior.
📝 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