Chapter 215: A New Mindset
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 215: A New Mindset
Everything around me changed significantly after our first music show win.
First, an assistant manager was added to Spark’s staff. This meant our manager no longer had to struggle alone, and we were never left stranded at a venue by ourselves anymore.
Actually, I had planned to delay the hiring until Kang Gi-yeon found more stability. I didn't want to force a sudden change in environment on a guy who was already in a sensitive state. However, he readily agreed, and the recruitment proceeded at full speed.
The Spark dedicated team also established a stable structure. For my sake—since I get anxious when I don’t know how things are progressing—a massive shared process was finalized.
I introduced them to a service I used to use. Back then, the company providing it was just a startup, so everyone was skeptical, but now they’re all satisfied with it. Automation is the best.
I also received my settlement. After over a year and a half of grinding, money finally landed in my hands. Just as the manager said, it included reimbursements for the planning fees and personal expenses I had paid upfront. I took half of the settlement money and put it into the account I’d set aside for my older sister.
That was the external side; internally, there were changes as well.
The KPI I thought I’d only reach next year had been completed.
The system entered the settlement phase once again. The reward would probably be more of that shitty memory data, just like last time. That useless, distracting stuff.
So, I decided to just wait for the settlement to finish. If memory data came out as a reward again, I planned to shove it away without ever using it.
If there’s a next KPI, I hope it’s something I can achieve in a shorter timeframe. They should consider the perspective of someone running without even knowing how many goals there are. I’m feeling the pressure too.
Regardless, Spark’s brand recognition has soared as high as it can among rookies of the same age.
This is because the pre-recording broadcast was a massive hit.
≫ Lately, I had no f*cking clue what the criteria for #1 on Music World was
But after seeing SPK’s stage, I’m convinced. You guys take the win.
└ Park Ju-woo is legit the vocal successor of K-pop… That tone is unprecedented.
└ The scarier part is that he’s still a high schooler.
└ Honestly, Park Ju-woo needs a solo album;;; Letting this go to waste is a crime against humanity.
≫ Kim I-wol, stop acting sexy in office wear.
The more you do that, the more miserable I feel every time I go to work, f*ck.
└ Seriously, I’m the only one who feels miserable when I clock in. Guys, we were all happy inside Flame Corp. Why are you slamming us back into reality?
≫ Every time idols do an encore, there’s a talent controversy, but the funny point with Spark is that even when half the members don’t sing, there’s zero controversy and it’s just quiet.
Actually, it’s not funny, it’s just sad. Guys, don’t cry.
└ Well, that’s because the two who were singing perfectly fine weren’t even the main vocals…
≫ I can’t believe these guys debuted this year.
I feel like I’ve seen them so much on community sites, so why are they still rookies…?
When I heard they got #1, I was like, “Oh, they got #1? Cool.” But then I heard they got it only 7 months after debut and I was like, “HUH????”
└ It’s because there were so many posts mentioning Spark lol. A lot of memes went around too.
└ It’s definitely important for idols to spread through memes and clips first.
└ ‘Polite Ruffian’
└ LMAO
≫ Ah, but the kids were crying so sorrowfully.
Did Spark train for that long?
└ Their training period was long, but the kids also went through so many ups and downs.
└ Our boys faced a lot of storms…
└ The fans were all crying too T_T Especially since it was the day Gi-yeon returned, everyone’s emotions were already at MAX.
Perhaps because of that, even though promotions ended, several offers came in from MeTube and cable variety shows that were perfect for sharing behind-the-scenes stories.
And Spark showed off their eccentric side on every program they appeared on.
『I heard Spark got their first settlement recently? What did everyone do with the money?』
『We all opened savings accounts as a group.』
『Savings accounts?』
『Yes, I-wol Hyung told us about a great special offer for a savings account. We all opened a Friendship Savings Account together!』
『I’ve lived a long time, but I’ve never heard of a “Friendship Savings Account” before…!』
『The interest rate is really high. We decided to deposit amounts according to our individual situations, but we matched the maturity dates. We’re going to have a big team dinner once we get the interest!』
Jeong Seong-bin and Lee Cheong-hyeon appeared on a talk show about ballads and ended up sharing tips on how to quickly compare major products from different commercial banks.
『Production Team: Ju-woo, how did you end up participating in this stage?』
『Ju-woo: Ah, Hyung told me to come, so I went, and he gave me music…!』
『Production Team: Was that really the end of the explanation?』
『Je-ho: Yes. Ju-woo is a quick learner.』
『Ju-woo: (Looking like he’s never heard that before)』
Choi Je-ho had taken Park Ju-woo, a vocalist, to a dance competition program he was appearing on and performed a duo choreography without any explanation.
When I asked why it had to be Park Ju-woo, his answer was absurd.
“You said Kang Gi-yeon should rest, right? Then I had to take Park Ju-woo.”
That was it. Of course, Park Ju-woo is a fantastic dancer too. And Lee Cheong-hyeon was incredibly busy.
But was that the best option? Could he not have at least shared his opinion for a second? I swear, this guy.
I let it slide because the results were good, but I told him it wouldn’t happen again.
Still, up to this point, it felt like mainstream content.
The problem lay in the live broadcast Kang Gi-yeon and I did.
『A comment is asking who we’re rooting for as the romantic candidate for “King Terra”?』
『I’m for Blanche.』
『I’m on Team Blanche too… but do you think Blanche has a chance?』
『Still, he’s the kindest. He worries about Princess Soda the most.』
『True, Blanche has a great backstory too.』
Anyone who saw the story of how he was abandoned by the Cherry Kingdom for being born a "Bad Cherry," only to be picked up by Princess Soda and appointed as her guardian knight, would support Blanche.
Compared to the fiancé who wavers for someone else despite having a bride-to-be, or the dark-hearted bastards trying to marry the princess to take over the Soda Kingdom, the princess was too good for them.
I didn't go as far as saying that since there might be people who like the fiancé or the dark-hearted characters, but Kang Gi-yeon and I gave a long lecture on what a good person Blanche was.
As a result….
≫ Idols who are more serious about finding a Ro-Pan spouse than anyone else
They spent 30 minutes talking about Ro-Pan just because of one comment lol
I-wol gave Gi-yeon a book as a gift and they read it together, and now it seems both their blood has turned into the color of cream soda
└ The funniest part is Kim I-wol suddenly asking, “Is the demand for long-haired characters low?”
└ Kang Gi-yeon, who kindly explains it to him, is just as bad. The references keep coming.
└ Hey, Round 2 is starting
└ Round 2 Topic: Is a long-haired character cutting their hair as a sign of resolve a dramatic direction, or a destruction of character identity?
└ LMAO Is this an idol live stream or a Twitter gathering?
└ At this rate, the two of them are going to have a debate in the Grass Wiki ‘Long-haired Men’ category.
└ Last Edited: 3 minutes ago
└ Ah, please
…I became a modern-day Romance Fantasy over-analyzer. I didn't intend to get this into it, but comics are fun lately. The addictiveness is no joke. I just hope the next KPI is something that can help recover my ruined image.
“Whew….”
Maybe I’d been thinking too hard, because my legs were starting to lose strength. I shouldn't have been lost in thought while doing leg presses. My mind wandered so far that I didn't know how many extra sets I’d done.
‘Should I just finish this set and call it a day? Or just stop here?’
It felt uncomfortable to get up with an awkward number of reps left.
While I was debating, I saw a familiar flash. It was the system.
+
[SYSTEM] A work order from the ‘Person in Charge’ has arrived.
▶ Assistant Manager Kim, do me a favor. You know the Welfare Mall, right? Go buy some things that look reasonably necessary from there.
+
Shouldn't you tell me what the favor is before ordering me?
Besides, the Welfare Mall only sells things like camping gear sets that I’ll never use in my life. What am I supposed to buy there?
As if hearing my internal grumbling, the system displayed a new explanatory text.
+
[SYSTEM] A ‘New Task’ has been assigned.
▷ Participate in the ‘Idol Unity Sports Day’
▷ Reward: Welfare Mall Items (Varies by item)
[SYSTEM] The ‘Welfare Mall Item List’ is notified to ‘Party B.’
— Porcelain-like White Jade Skin: Awarded when ‘Kim I-wol’ participates in the ‘Idol Unity Sports Day’ 3 or more times (Excluding ‘Relay’)
— Eye-Catching Charm: Awarded when ‘Choi Je-ho’ participates in the ‘Idol Unity Sports Day’ 1 or more times (Excluding ‘Relay’)
— Non-stop Cheering Vocal Cords: Awarded when ‘Jeong Seong-bin’ participates in the ‘Idol Unity Sports Day’ 1 or more times (Excluding ‘Relay’)
— Transparent Eyes that Convey Sincerity: Awarded when ‘Park Ju-woo’ participates in the ‘Idol Unity Sports Day’ 1 or more times (Excluding ‘Relay’)
— Transparent Inner Glow that Shines from Within: Awarded when ‘Lee Cheong-hyeon’ participates in the ‘Idol Unity Sports Day’ 1 or more times (Excluding ‘Relay’)
— Mature Charm Appeal: Awarded when ‘Kang Gi-yeon’ participates in the ‘Idol Unity Sports Day’ 1 or more times (Excluding ‘Relay’)
— Camera Massage: Awarded when ‘Spark’ participates in all events of the ‘Idol Unity Sports Day’
+
What is all this?
Why does Lee Cheong-hyeon get an inner glow thing while my reward is white jade skin? And I have to participate three times? Are you picking a fight because my dark circles are heavy right now?
I thought Kang Gi-yeon could probably skip it since everyone already looks like an adult, regardless of "mature charm."
However, the ‘Camera Massage’ at the very bottom caught my eye. The description for ‘Camera Massage’ was as follows:
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[SYSTEM] ‘Camera Massage’ is notified to ‘Party B.’
▷ When applied, the distortion that occurs between reality and the screen is reduced. (No expiration date, Permanent)
+
F*ck, this is a must-have. Don’t they know the reason Lee Cheong-hyeon hasn't overwhelmingly taken #1 in male idol visual rankings despite having that insane face is because the camera can’t dare to capture his features?!
Plus, there was something called ‘Non-stop Cheering Vocal Cords.’ The naming seemed to consider the nature of a sports program, but I definitely wanted to apply it to Jeong Seong-bin. You never know when he might get vocal nodules like in the past.
It looks like no one will be able to go on vacation this holiday. Not that I thought we could.
I finished up at the machine and approached Choi Je-ho, who was at the bench press zone. I placed both hands under the bar he was holding to prepare for any emergency and then spoke to him.
“Wrap it up. Let’s go.”
“Why?”
“We have a meeting.”
“What now…?”
Grumbling, Choi Je-ho racked the barbell and stood up.
“Don’t be disappointed. I’m going to let you exercise to your heart’s content from now on.”
Bring it on, Sports Day. I’ll show you a circus act you can’t take your eyes off of, featuring five Northern Dukes and one butler.
“Just my luck….”
Yang PD sighed.
The ‘Idol Unity Sports Day’ was a show every director avoided.
Every time it aired, it was bombarded with criticism from the target audience, yet the higher-ups refused to end the program. It was a limited-time holiday variety show that they ran every year, like pulling teeth.
This time, Yang PD was the sacrificial lamb dragged into ‘A.Dan.Un.’ The only reason was that the idol competition program ‘A.Wang.Sil’ had performed better than expected.
Thanks to that, Yang PD, who specialized in filming celebrity variety shows, was thrown into this.
They say you give more work to the one who does it well, but this was going too far. In a situation where everyone was preparing for year-end concerts and events, how was he supposed to cast idols and get them ready?
The era when broadcasting stations used music shows as a weapon for power trips was a thing of the past. After being beaten down by all sorts of fandoms, forced casting had disappeared, but the scale had shrunk accordingly.
Provocative competitive structures were strictly avoided; they had to show only the healthy side of peaceful, friendly, youthful idols.
‘Usually, they’re always bitching about whether we can make it more provocative….’
Yang PD swallowed a curse. Regardless of it being a Chuseok special, he desperately wanted to throw everything away and go home to fry some savory pancakes.
“How many teams have we cast so far?”
“About thirty teams. …It’s not enough, right?”
“Of course not. We usually have at least 50 teams every year. How many teams agreed to film the preparation process in advance?”
“Not really any…. Everyone said no because of their schedules.”
The future looked bleak. The situation was more hopeless than when the production team had gathered for an emergency meeting before the ‘A.Wang.Sil’ finals.
Still, back then, when he was racking his brain like this, the junior writer would come and….
“PD-nim, Sunbae! Spark says they’re going to a training camp to prepare for ‘A.Dan.Un’!”
…Tell him that Spark had decided to appear.
Yes, just like right now!