One Step Behind (4)
The day after the live broadcast of Star's Birth aired, at noon, Ji Soeun's competition song One Step Behind dropped on Vanilla, Korea's biggest music streaming site. And just half a day later, it was already Monday evening rush hour.
Vanilla Real-Time Chart
1. LOVE DROP - BTF
2. Doo Daat - Black Kid
3. One Step Behind - Ji Soeun (NEW!)
4. Blue Lemon Sky - Kim Seryeon (feat. Kang Saero)
"What?"
I sat on the bus, refreshing my smartphone screen, and let out a hollow laugh. For starters, Blue Lemon Sky, the song I composed, had finally climbed to #4. It had been steadily rising on summer vibes, but it had been stuck just outside the top 10—that magical barrier. Not only had it smashed through that, but it had planted itself firmly in the top 5.
How the hell did this happen?
Looking at the artists below me, they were all big-name pros. Idol groups, popular singers backed by major labels. And right above them? Me and Kang Saero's Blue Lemon Sky.
Broadcast boost is insane.
The power of TV exposure was terrifying. Blue Lemon Sky was already gaining quiet word-of-mouth for being a great song, and then we got that interview on Star's Birth? Streaming numbers exploded.
Compared to my past life, cranking out tracks in my room that barely hit 200 views, this was a massive leap.
And one more thing.
Even with the broadcast boost, this shouldn't have been its original trajectory.
The auditions were shifting from solo singers to idol debuts, from pop ballads to hip-hop. But right now, Star's Birth was blazing as the final brilliant spark of an era. Proving it, Ji Soeun shot in like a comet, debuting on the charts straight at #3.
The whole school had been buzzing about Star's Birth all day. I figured her digital performance would do well, but #3 in a single day? Unbelievable.
#1 and #2 were locked down by major idols with concrete fanbases. For rookies to squeeze into #3 and #4? A miracle.
With things heating up like this, even Mom was buzzing and couldn't sit still. The second I got home, she came charging out with her smartphone in hand.
"Seryeon! You see the charts? Huh?"
She was bouncing around like a schoolgirl. I don't think I'd seen Mom smile that brightly in my past life. But this scene felt familiar from school gossip, so honestly, I was a bit numb to it. Pros get weak the moment they get cocky, so I played it cool on purpose.
"Yeah, I saw. Ji Soeun hit #3."
"No, no, it's not about Ji Soeun! Our son's song is at #4! #4! I thought my heart was gonna burst!"
#4. Definitely high. Before the broadcast, it was floating outside the top 10. This was a massive surge. Proof that both her competition song and mine got the full broadcast boost.
"You're really gonna be a star, son. What if people start recognizing you on the street?"
"Nah, Mom. The star's Ji Soeun."
I feigned nonchalance and pointed at Ji Soeun's name on the screen.
"I just helped from behind the scenes. The one singing is the real star."
"What are you talking about? Singers aren't the only stars! The person who made a star like that is even greater! They even shouted you out by name on the broadcast. You have no idea how shocked I was."
Mom couldn't hide her excitement and patted my back hard. Up to here, it was just the usual scene.
What made me pause was what came next.
After catching her breath, Mom continued in a calm voice.
"When you first said you were going to arts high school, I was really worried. I let you because it's what you wanted, but this industry's brutal. Even with talent, success is like picking stars from the sky."
"I'd heard too many stories about artists who struggled and quit."
"Sure, no money worries thanks to investments, but seeing your kid suffer in a room without a real job? That breaks a parent's heart. You gotta laugh a lot, get lots of recognition, meet lots of people. That's real happiness. So..."
Mom took my hand warmly.
"You did so well."
My hand was pulled into her embrace, and she gently patted my back.
"You did amazingly. My son."
Something tugged at my chest. Memories from my past life flashed by. The ugly me who couldn't face the world. Holed up in a dark room, writing songs by monitor light alone. Back then, my wounds were too deep to even consider Mom's feelings.
But now I knew. How long she'd waited for me.
Mom looked at me with teary eyes and smiled.
"I'm so happy and proud. Money's great, but making a song so many people recognize? That's the best."
My throat tightened. Hiding the embarrassment, I replied brightly.
"Mom, why cry? It's just the start."
"Yeah. It is. Just the beginning."
"Ah, seeing you cry like this... Guess I gotta buy you a building someday."
"Gasp. A building? For real?"
"Keep making hits, save and invest smart. Nothing's impossible."
Of course, composer royalties alone would take forever for a building, so I'd need some help.
King Vydia. I believe in you.
The leather-jacket CEO Hwang, slicing semiconductors in America. I'm counting on you.
At the same time, a black van pulling out of the underground parking garage at JK Entertainment's headquarters.
Tch.
Ji Soeun usually took the bus home, or occasionally her brother's car. But this time, she was in an official company vehicle. Park, the rookie development team assistant manager, gripped the wheel.
Dedicated rides for trainees? Unheard of. But these were special circumstances. CEO Kang Jungi's direct orders for on-site care.
Ji Soeun knew the true nature of this "favor."
Hmph.
She looked like a puffed-up pufferfish right now—cheeks full of air, sulky expression, flicking through her phone irritably.
Won't even let me go home freely.
Park checked the rearview mirror and sighed inwardly in relief. Just two months ago, Ji Soeun was company baggage—kicked from her debut group, left to rot.
Now? The top driver of Star's Birth ratings, a mega-prospect shaking up the company stock. She'd become a super valuable asset.
Park turned the wheel, thinking,
Thank God.
She was wild, but basically innocent. If she'd known her worth and played it calculated, it'd be a headache for the company.
We're only starting to care now? A bit guilty, but it was her dream to debut as an idol.
Coax her right, and it'd smooth over.
Debut her as center now, and it'll be fine.
JK was huge, always planning girl groups. Slot in the viral Ji Soeun as center? Game over. She'd get her dream debut, company gets prime merchandise. Win-win.
Just rein in the impulsiveness.
Sneaking to auditions without telling the CEO. Shouting out Kim Seryeon on air. All her reckless side. Deadly for an idol trainee.
But it also proved her purity. And things were going smoothly. Control it well, and she'd be perfect.
At that moment, Ji Soeun scrolled through community reactions on her phone. 24 hours post-broadcast, the internet was flooded with takes on her.
Reactions were hot, as expected. But not all praise.
Scrolling down, worried takes popped up.
"Soeun."
"Yes?"
Park started gently.
"Looking at community reactions, right? Not all good, you know that."
"......Yeah."
"I get she's a friend, helped you musically a ton. But he's a guy. People misunderstand easily, so be careful next time?"
"......"
"Run comments by the company. What if it tags along when you debut in a group? You worked so hard to be an idol. Center debut, right?"
Right then, Ji Soeun's scrolling finger froze.
"Assistant Manager."
Park's mind blanked.
Huh...?
His advice trail, plans to sweet-talk her into a smooth debut—all halted by her voice. Not the immature trainee he knew. Cold, dry, unfamiliar.
"You think I didn't know I'd get hate for saying Kim Seryeon's name?"
Park flinched, checking the mirror. Ji Soeun had put her phone down, tilting her head with icy eyes. No more sulkiness.
"Wh-what? Soeun, what do you mean?"
She smirked. No innocence in that smile.
"What about Kim Seryeon getting dragged because of me? He's a composer—if idol fans terrorize him over this, that's damage to him too. Was I just thoughtless, blurting it out on a whim?"
"N-no, that's not what I—"
"Because I'm an idol."
She cut him off.
"Idol trainee can't name a guy. Gotta sell the faux-romance vibe, manage image, not hurt the group. Fans hate it. But, Assistant Manager."
She crossed her arms, leaning forward. Her ample chest pressed tight, but Park barely noticed. No playfulness, no 4D charm, no naivety. Her true face. The chill pressed on him.
"What if I don't wanna be an idol?"
"Soeun."
"I'm not doing idol. No interest in group center debut."
Park gripped the wheel, speechless. Nothing came to mind.
"The audition wasn't impulse. Company ditched me, so I found my own path."
Innocent? Impulsive? No.
She knew how the company treated her, how much her value had skyrocketed. From the start.
And maybe—
No. Impossible.
Park shut the thought down.
Ji Soeun gazed at the night cityscape, murmuring low.
"Audition win gets solo debut guarantee. Real-skill solo singers don't tank over hanging with a guy friend. Controversy? Sure, but not idol-level backlash."
"Some hate, but better than ignored. Good song, they'll flip. I'm confident."
"How to survive as solo long-term? I'll figure that out step by step."
Park remembered now. Exact thought from her stage.
She's insane.
This girl was crazy. How far had she planned? What future was she seeing? How? With what venom? How bold to even conceive this.
She's rock solid nuts.
How else to be this arrogant? To believe in herself this much.
"So don't worry, Assistant Manager."
Ji Soeun beamed brightly.
"Everything's going exactly to plan."