Yoo Hee-gyeol, the Emotional Pervert
Yoo Hee-gyeol. A man with the nickname "emotional pervert." Formerly known as a singer-songwriter, now called a musician. He was the MC hosting the music program Yoo Hee-gyeol's Do-hwa-ji on KBC and the head of the agency Andante.
In Suhyeon's memory, the Yoo Hee-gyeol he'd met once or twice before was a far cry from the one now greeting him so warmly.
'Back then, we just exchanged perfunctory greetings...'
Suhyeon gave a slightly awkward smile as he watched Yoo Hee-gyeol beaming from ear to ear, grabbing his hand and patting his shoulder like they were old pals.
"Thank you so much for the warm welcome."
Turning hostility into alliance. He smoothly looped in Yoo Jae-sik as bait.
"Jae-sik hyung practically begged me to come out..."
He cast the lure and tested the waters.
"As a mere idol, I feel uneasy and worried about sitting as a judge."
Yoo Hee-gyeol made a huge fuss at Suhyeon's words.
"What are you talking about? Everyone in this industry knows you're an outstanding musician. No need to worry like that. Glad you made it."
The probe revealed truth. Yoo Hee-gyeol, notorious for his pickiness about music despite being called a musician himself, was genuinely thrilled to see him.
'He's reacting this enthusiastically, so he must acknowledge my musical talent to some degree. And maybe he wants something from me...'
As Yoo Hee-gyeol gushed endlessly about Moon and My Story, the song Suhyeon had created, Suhyeon fully let his guard down.
'It's not flowery speech—more like birds of a feather. Affinity for one of his own kind.'
Suhyeon flashed a charming smile at Yoo Hee-gyeol.
"Looks like you liked the music I made, hyung."
"Suhyeon-ah, don't call me 'hyungnim'—just 'hyung.'"
"...Got it, hyung."
"Liked it? Embarrassing to admit, but... I bawled my eyes out at home listening to it. And that live performance with you and Haiyu?"
"Yeah. We did a live stage once for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics commemoration."
"Listening to that arrangement gave me chills over and over... Whew. You did the arrangement yourself, right?"
"Yes, I did. I'm happy you like it, hyung."
"Good, good. I hear you're coming back soon?"
"Yeah. BBG's new single is almost wrapped up. We'll start activities again before long."
"That BBG track—you made it too? And you'll produce it yourself?"
"Yes, probably."
"When you debut, come on Do-hwa-ji sometime."
"If you invite me, hyung, I'd be honored to rush over."
"Why not bring Haiyu along too?"
A thought flashed through Suhyeon's mind at Yoo Hee-gyeol's words.
'Aha. I knew he had something to ask from the start... So this is it.'
"Haiyu sunbaenim? I thought you two were close. Can't you just ask her directly?"
"I've asked her a bunch of times. Normally, she'd make time after one call, but... She says she absolutely can't do Moon and My Story alone. No live without you. She turns down all live stages unless it's with you. Even events—she just plays the AR version."
"Probably just an excuse. Haiyu sunbaenim's been so busy lately. She couldn't say no to you outright, so she beat around the bush."
"Hm. That's not what she told me. Suhyeon-ah, why don't you ask her to join you? The Do-hwa-ji forum's still flooded with requests for a Moon and My Story performance. She won't go on other shows, but ours? Even once? We're a pure music program."
"Well..."
As Suhyeon subtly pulled back, Yoo Hee-gyeol got heated.
"If you two come, I'll talk to the PD and make it a full BBG special stage. And anything else you need—I'll hook you up anytime. Musicians gotta help each other, right? Come on."
Suhyeon quickly calculated in his head.
'Hm. We've got the December NAMA performance anyway—could treat this as a rehearsal. Flashy comeback stage for BBG too. And what I asked Robin today should be ready by then...'
Decision made, Suhyeon looked at Yoo Hee-gyeol as if steeling himself for something grand.
"Alright, hyung. If it's you asking personally, how can I say no? I'll talk to Haiyu sunbaenim. But... no guarantees it'll work out."
"Good call. She'll say yes if it's you. Over the phone, she said she wants to but you're too busy. Once dates are set, hit me up. I'll work with the PD—even if we overrun the budget, I'll make it an epic stage."
"Got it. But hyung... you're a regular here?"
"Yeah, fixed panel."
"What's the exact format? Jae-sik hyung called me last minute yesterday..."
A moment later, Suhyeon nodded at Yoo Hee-gyeol's explanation.
"Format's basically the same as some cable channel's Producing 101. Prelims where three judges decide pass or fail, like other auditions..."
"Exactly. Broadcast formats overlap all the time. Difference is, that's cable, this is terrestrial. Young folks know Producing 101, but older ones don't even get the name. Cable's limit. Think of this as terrestrial doing it again."
"Makes sense. So, who's the last judge?"
"You probably know him—our Andante singer, Lee Jang-woon from Pepperstone."
"Ah, yeah. We greeted each other when I was on Problematic Human."
"Yeah. After that shoot, he wouldn't shut up about you at the office. Called you a real genius. Jang-woon's KAIST grad himself—smart as they come—but he said that recording shocked him."
"Just saw it that way. He hasn't arrived yet?"
"Just messaged—almost here."
Soon after, Lee Jang-woon arrived, and Suhyeon exchanged warm greetings. Then Park PD visited the waiting room, briefing them on the program's purpose and each judge's concept.
After makeup, they headed to Hall 9. A well-set stage and judges' seats a bit removed came into view.
Sitting at the far left, Suhyeon mulled over Park PD's words.
'Play the genius concept. Even if it's a stretch, they'll edit it smooth...'Can't trust a broadcast PD at face value. They'll make you swim in shit for ratings.'
He picked up the script on the desk, firming his resolve.
'Too bland, and what's the point of me being here? For impact, one or two flashy moments, then blend in with the others.'
Soon, MC Jeon Hanmu took the stage, testing mics and lights.
'Prelims—no audience, nice and quiet. No noise. But... Jeon Hanmu hyung looks like he might keel over. He's everywhere.'
At last, Union prelims recording began.
A stream of hopeful idol aspirants appeared and vanished. Suhyeon kept it low-key, matching the other judges' evaluations.
Park PD scribbled on a notepad—Be flashier for genius vibe, or roast contestants—and showed it, but Suhyeon ignored it cleanly.
As the tame recording continued, a new challenger stepped up.
Plain face, average build. A bit taller than average woman but short for a model. Long limbs aside, nothing standout—an ordinary female participant.
But the moment Suhyeon eyed her lower body—clinging chinos and plain tee—as she walked onstage, he inwardly exclaimed.
'Whoa. Perfect lower body skeleton... Femur line connecting to pelvis is killer. Tibia, fibula, and talus stretching straight down... Ideal for Cheonseong Muyounggak from the Three Disasters' leg techniques—hard to master without innate talent, picky about physique.'
He looked up at her face closely.
'Skull shape's pretty too. Cheekbones and jawline—no surgery needed.'
"Participant: Go So-young, 19 years old, lives in Seoul, currently a high school senior. Judges, any questions?"
After Jeon Hanmu's intro, Q&A began.
Yoo Hee-gyeol went first.
"Go So-young-ssi. Profile says you trained at an agency for a year then quit. Care to explain briefly?"
Go So-young answered cautiously.
"Yes. In my first year of high school, a small agency scouted me. I trained for about a year, but debut seemed far off, and costs kept piling up... My parents made me quit and focus on studies."
"Costs? What costs for a trainee?"
"The agency president demanded 1.5 million won monthly... Said they were small, low on funds. Lessons from instructors required separate fees..."
Suhyeon, who'd perked up at her, grabbed the mic and dropped a line.
"Classic scammers. YK doesn't charge trainees a dime."
The other judges and staff blinked in surprise—Suhyeon, who'd been quiet, suddenly chiming in.
"Sorry you got scammed. That's all from me."
Yoo Hee-gyeol, sensing the flow, bowed out smoothly. Jeon Hanmu turned to Suhyeon.
"Suhyeon-ssi, you've been pretty quiet today. Extra interested in this one? Questions?"
Suhyeon scooted his chair forward.
"Yeah. Have to."
He raised the mic.
"Go So-young-ssi?"
"Yes."
"Any plans for plastic surgery?"