Chapter 102: 50-Minute Self-Introduction (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 102: 50-Minute Self-Introduction (1)
A quick check of the trending topics showed the sentiment toward Spark:
≫ As expected.
The #1 idol group with suspiciously good work instincts.
└ I don't know about the others, but Castle Bean and I-dal have definitely worked part-time at cafes before.
≫ 2X05XX Challenge Living Spark
If there were part-timers like this at a cafe, I’d go every single day ㅠㅠ
└ A smoothie made by Emperor Ho? I’d eat that even in a walk-in freezer.
≫ As a current cafe part-timer, I really enjoyed this week’s Challenge Living...!
I was wondering when a cafe episode would come out, and it’s finally here. I’m so happy.
I’m shocked by how well the Spark members work...
I think they’re way better than the newbie at our cafe... Boss, please swap my coworker for them.
└ Thanks for the kind words! ㅎㅎ They’re hard workers, but they’re even better at their main jobs! Please check out their performances if you have the time! ㅎㅎ
└ They seemed pretty average to me;;; saying you're "shocked" is an overstatement.
└ Uh, they actually did a great job! It’s not easy for a beginner to avoid making mistakes with drinks when a crowd rushes in like that ㅎㅎ
└ It’s a broadcast, so they probably edited out all the complaints. It looks like they gave them a "hard worker" edit to boost ratings since the idols are popular. The production team’s intentions are so obvious, I didn't like it.
└ XX, do we already have forced haters? Does this mean our babies have grown enough to be seen as rating-boosters...?
≫ The other kids are like, "Wow, they're quite handy~"
But I-wol and Cheong-hyeon, lol. They’re like human calculators.
Seeing them memorize all the outgoing drinks made my face match the PD’s expression.
└ The kids really have great memories lol. There’s a reason I-wol’s specialty is memorizing subway maps.
└ Please look at Gi-yeon, the master of dishwashing ㅠㅠㅠ Our baby cat shouldn't be touching scary things like blenders... but his obsession with water stains is so cute...
Everyone was being mentioned, and not a single person was receiving negative reviews.
It was the perfect appeal.
In an idol group with multiple members, "pushes" were a sensitive issue. One specific member getting the spotlight often meant fewer opportunities for the others.
In the past, this kind of rivalry among Sparklers had been quite intense. As a string of bad luck reduced the team's public appearances, fans had engaged in psychological warfare to snatch up what few opportunities remained for their favorite members.
‘It might have been better if they’d shown more of their friendship, but they didn't even have that.’
That was why, until now, I had focused on giving everyone a role. I aimed for equal screen time and equal speaking opportunities. I had no doubt that this approach was yielding good results.
"I-wol, I love hearing about the other members, but could you talk a bit more about yourself?"
...Until I heard those words at a fan sign event.
It wasn't the first time I’d met someone whose bias was Kim I-wol.
I wondered what on earth they liked about me among these six members, but that was a secondary concern. There was a common trait among those who biased Kim I-wol.
≫ Someone please teach me how to love Spark more than I-wol does.
Even during his solo lives, he constantly gives updates on where the other members are.
He spends so much time taking photos of the members that he often doesn't get any good ones of himself.
According to the members, he practices the latest, but I-wol just says he has to do that much to avoid being a burden to them.
I love how warm-hearted you are ㅠ
But seriously, the people who keep asking "Where is Jeho?" during his solo broadcasts need to stop.
For some reason, they viewed me as a very warm-hearted oldest brother. They looked at my every action through an incredibly positive lens—to the point where I wondered if I truly deserved such generous praise.
What I could do for fans of Spark or fans of other members was clear. I just had to make sure the group didn't fall into a slump and work hard to provide the "crumbs" the boys hadn't been giving out.
But...
‘What am I supposed to do for the people who like Kim I-wol?’
I couldn't help but think about it.
Photos? Honestly, my face felt like a violation of trade descriptions if I posted it as an "idol selfie." My cover songs wouldn't be pleasant to listen to since I’d only recently started learning. And my dancing... well, that went without saying.
So, I thought the best I could do was show my face on the official fan café every day and send chats as often as possible.
"About me?"
"Yes!"
At my question, the fan in front of me nodded vigorously.
"Honestly, I love whatever you talk about. But I want to hear what you like, I-wol, and what you did today."
Even as we spoke, the fan’s gaze remained fixed squarely on me.
"Are you talking about things like my hobbies or my daily life?"
"Exactly! Oh, I’m not saying the stories about the members aren't fun. You know that, right?"
"Of course. Thank you for being curious about my daily life."
I finished the autograph with a smile. As I scribbled a short TMI on a Post-it, I thought to myself:
Just how am I supposed to promote myself?
The reason I had mentioned the members even during my personal live broadcasts was simple. They were the ones who needed the spotlight, and Spark’s fans were there for those five. I didn't think anyone would be curious about my story.
But after that fan sign, I couldn't keep broadcasting the same way. If a fan wanted it, I couldn't just ignore it.
‘The problem is, would anyone actually find the boring daily life of a middle-aged office worker interesting?’
I felt like I’d sold a falsely advertised product to those supporting Kim I-wol. My heart felt heavy. I didn't have the slightest clue what to talk about.
I tried to recall how Department Head Nam’s daughter had been curious about Choi Je-ho’s every move, but the difference was that the subject back then was Choi Je-ho. Comparing myself to the group's center and one of its most popular members was an insult to him.
I stared blankly at the members' self-produced content playing on loop, agonizing over a topic. Then, my eyes stopped on Lee Cheong-hyeon’s piano cover of With List.
‘Should I play the bass?’
The bass was at least a hobby-like hobby. It wasn't too far removed from Spark’s activities, and above all, I actually liked it.
I hadn't touched one in over a year since suddenly becoming a trainee, so I’d need practice to get my feel back, but having played for nearly ten years, I didn't think I’d be too lost.
The problem was that I didn't have an instrument. It felt like a waste of money to buy one just to film a single video.
‘Should I look for a used one?’
It felt like things were escalating, and my head began to ache. Maybe it would be better to just tell the story of how I couldn't go to college because I couldn't pay tuition and rebrand myself as a legendary klutz...
"Hyung, what are you watching? Oh, is that my video?"
Just as my eyes were starting to get misty, someone grabbed me by the hair—metaphorically—and pulled me back to reality. It was Lee Cheong-hyeon, who had returned to the room.
"Are you monitoring my video? Oh my god, this is so embarrassing."
"It’s not like that. I was just watching for reference because I was worried about what to film for my solo video."
I shut the laptop as I finished speaking. I intended for this to signal the end of the conversation, but Lee Cheong-hyeon sat on the edge of Choi Je-ho’s bed opposite me and asked, "So? Did you pick a topic?"
"Huh?"
"You said you were worried. If someone like you, who usually doesn't show when they're struggling, says that, it must mean you've made zero progress, right?"
His words hit home. It felt like he’d poked a hole right through my solar plexus. I looked at him, seeing no sign that he was planning to leave, and spoke.
"I guess so. I don't know what I’m supposed to do by myself to fill ten minutes."
"You do talk about us a lot. Oh, what about work stories?"
"I’d like to exclude those if possible."
"Uh... then it’s really hard. All you do is work, Hyung."
"Are you pouring gasoline on a fire right now?"
Lee Cheong-hyeon burst out laughing. I was being serious, but he seemed to find the situation hilarious.
"Come to think of it, don't you have any hobbies? I don't think I've ever seen you play, even when you're resting."
What do you mean I don't have hobbies? I started reading web novels after getting younger.
"The only thing worth showing is the bass, but I don't have an instrument, so that’s probably out. It’s a headache."
"The bass? There should be a few for practice in the ensemble room."
"What?"
Lee Cheong-hyeon continued, pointing toward the company building.
"You know, the seniors' practice rooms and the ensemble room on the second floor of the office building. They have all the band session instruments in that ensemble room! They aren't high-end ones like the ones used for recording, though."
As expected of the musical powerhouse UA—they might be bad at their jobs, but they were loaded with resources. I was so moved I almost teared up.
Just as Lee Cheong-hyeon said, UA had quite a few instruments.
I was able to borrow a bass after signing the reservation log in the equipment room. Returning to the small, cell-like practice room with the instrument in hand, I felt an indescribable sensation.
‘I used to play so much in college.’
I said I hadn't played since becoming younger, but in reality, the days I’d picked up a bass after joining Hanpyeong Industry could be counted on one hand.
I hoped I hadn't forgotten all the fingerings. Even the sensation of touching the strings was so nostalgic that a silly grin spread across my face.
As Cheong-hyeon said, it wasn't an amazing instrument, but since the one I used to own was also an average model, it didn't feel uncomfortable.
Now that I had the instrument, all that was left was picking a song.
If what the fans wanted was a glimpse into the "human Kim I-wol," covering a Spark song didn't seem like the best choice.
I considered playing Park Ju-woo’s favorite song as I’d promised before, but then I caught myself.
No matter what I thought of, it always circled back to the group. I suppose this was what people meant when they said something had "soaked into" them.
But...
‘If I’ve never been the type to assert myself my whole life, isn't staying quiet actually more true to my nature?’
Truly, my head was a mess.