Chapter 235: Our Neighborhood Study King (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 235: Our Neighborhood Study King (1)
Hong Un-seop was removed from his position as Spark’s manager. The company notified him of his termination, but things got complicated when Hong Un-seop started arguing that it was an unfair dismissal.
According to Lee Cheong-hyeon, who frequented the company for songwriting, Hong Un-seop was currently throwing a massive fit.
‘Shouldn't it be fine since he’s still in his probationary period?’
‘They say he’s impossible to talk to. Apparently, he’s threatening to post on the National Petition Portal and whatnot.’
‘He wouldn't even qualify for processing there. He must not have done much research.’
There was also the risk that Hong Un-seop might harbor a grudge after being fired and spread rumors about Spark. He had his employment contract with UA and proof that he was in charge of Spark, after all.
If he made up his mind and posted something like, “I was Spark’s manager, and their personalities are something else,” many people would easily fall for it. The same scheme he used to blackmail Jang Jun-hu was now being aimed at Spark.
If it turned into a battle of public opinion, we might win in the end, but Spark would get torn to shreds in the beginning. People would say things like, "They media-played about being victims of a power trip, but they were the ones power-tripping themselves?" It was all too predictable.
Spark was already number one when it came to being embroiled in controversy despite having just debuted. But what did the fans do to deserve this?
The haters would have a field day, and the public wouldn't care about the explanation. It’s mentally exhausting to post clarifications for people who believe a controversy is true just because it broke, and to fight while insisting our boys did nothing wrong.
The Sparklers had already gone through this several times. As long as I had the System attached to me, there was no telling what else might happen in the future, so I couldn't afford to throw more wood on the fire here.
As a result, instead of firing Hong Un-seop immediately, we decided to give him a 30-day notice of termination. This would eliminate any grounds for him to claim that UA had unfairly dismissed him.
I agreed with this approach. I also requested that the reason for dismissal be accurately recorded in the documents. I had already handed over the dashcam footage as evidence.
The company said they would fill the vacancy as soon as possible, but I emphasized once again that they should find a good person rather than just a fast one.
One thing that bothered me was that the Spark kids were strangely walking on eggshells around me.
Ever since I came back from digging through the dashcam footage, it was obvious they were scurrying around trying not to get on my nerves.
“What’s up with everyone?”
“What’s… up with what?”
“You’re all walking on eggshells around me.”
Behind Park Ju-woo, whose eyes were darting around, I saw the other three flinch. Choi Je-ho just shrugged and disappeared into his room.
“You want me to be honest?”
“I’m always encouraging honesty.”
“You looked absolutely pissed, so we were trying our best not to upset you.”
Lee Cheong-hyeon spoke with brutal honesty. Caught off guard by his answer, I responded just as honestly.
“What are you talking about? I’m not mad.”
“Go look in a mirror before you say that.”
At Cheong-hyeon’s words, I headed straight for the bathroom.
My facial muscles were a bit stiff, but… was it really enough to make them act like this? Are these punks mistaking the change in my impression now that my dark circles are gone? I’m not exactly the type of person whose emotions are easily read, anyway.
“I think I look the same as usual?”
“You have a total poker face on.”
“How many people actually smile when they’re just standing still?”
“You used to be one of those few people, Hyung.”
Lee Cheong-hyeon didn't back down for a second. I did try to maintain a pleasant expression whenever possible, but I wondered if the difference was really that noticeable.
If these guys were pointing it out specifically, I should probably pay attention. Focus, focus.
“Anyway, I’m really not mad, so you don't have to worry.”
At my words, Park Ju-woo let out a sigh of relief. That kid must have really been keeping a close eye on me.
“More importantly, you should be focusing on this.”
I lightly tapped the paper I was holding with the back of my hand.
Following the ‘Idol Unity Sports Day,’ the recording for ‘Shining Star, K-Top Scholar’—a broadcast featuring a large group of idols—was just around the corner.
The level of basic education among idols had been a constant source of controversy for a long time. The public’s standards were strict, even for idols who had been trainees since they were young.
≫ Today’s ○○ Legendary Comment
“A heart startled by a turtle is startled by a savory pancake…” (Original idiom: A heart startled by a turtle is startled by a pot lid)
└ Wow, they seriously don't know that? They weren't trying to be funny?
└ Idols’ level of basic knowledge is seriously dire.
≫ Idols are considered geniuses just for knowing what a square root is, huh?
Isn't a square root something that only appears in Question 2 of the CSAT? hahahaha
└ What are you talking about? Yur got into H University through the regular admissions process.
└ There are so many idols, but if Yur is the only counterexample… you know what I mean, right?
└ Academic elitism in our country is seriously insane. They expect so much from idols.
└ They’re just saying let’s have the basics hahaha How is this academic elitism?
└ I thought the basics were being able to read a clock and calculate change. The bar for ‘the basics’ is damn high.
└ Is the bar really that high if people are complaining about square roots…? I’m asking because I genuinely don't know.
There was always a lot of talk about what level constituted ‘common sense,’ but compared to athletes or other artists who also focused on honing their skills rather than school during their youth, idols faced a higher intensity and frequency of criticism.
The broadcasting station seemed to think this could be another source of content. They created a regular variety show with the intent of: ‘Let’s create an opportunity for idols, who lacked the chance to build basic academic skills, to study together!’
The ‘Shining Star’ series began with this intention. Participating groups are provided with a sort of exam range prepared by the production team, covering basic common sense and general knowledge.
On the day of the recording, 70% of the questions come from the pre-provided range, and 30% are random questions. It’s a simple format where the person who takes first place is crowned the most intellectual idol of the year.
Since ‘Idol Dynasty Annals,’ which aired earlier on the same channel, was a moderate hit, this year’s broadcast concept was set as Sungkyunkwan scholars.
They even changed the title to ‘Top Scholar.’ I don't know why the titles of these annual variety shows are all so tacky.
Spark also received an invitation to appear. For us, who were desperate for even a single appearance, we couldn't be more grateful.
Next, we had to pick the cast. However, Jeong Seong-bin and Park Ju-woo really had to go all-in on their college entrance exam preparations now.
Considering the purpose of the program, Choi Je-ho—who treated school like a mere decoration—should have been the one to go, but his schedule didn't allow it. His dance competition program was heading toward its finale. Kang Gi-yeon had decided to attend psychological counseling for the time being.
So, the ones left were…
“The exam range? I already memorized all of that.”
…Lee Cheong-hyeon, who possessed an abnormal brain, and me, whose degree had evaporated.
Idols are ultimately a marketing battle. Depending on who is promoted in what role, their image changes, they gain impact, and their recognition rises.
Naturally, many idols would be trying to snag an intellectual image in this ‘Shining Star, K-Top Scholar.’
There was nothing wrong with giving Lee Cheong-hyeon that kind of image. He was a guy whose talent and face were already dazzling.
But my case was different.
The fortune-telling octopus of the sports community, the guy whose personal color is Yeouido Securities Grey, the textbook example of a 90-degree bow, the polite ruffian, and so on—even if I gained an intellectual image, people would just call me a ‘concept maniac’ again. I’d already seen plenty of comments saying Kim Peps’ concept-acting is insane.
So I wanted to send only Lee Cheong-hyeon, but I failed. It turned out that a large number of ‘Idol Dynasty Annals’ alumni were confirmed to appear on the show.
I’d rather have a hundred posts saying ‘Kim Peps is trying too hard again today’ than have Lee Cheong-hyeon becoming buddies with All-over.
“What about you, Hyung? Did you look at the exam range?”
“I looked at all of it. Fortunately, it wasn't much.”
“Maybe it’s because they’re afraid they won't get enough footage if a bunch of people get eliminated right from the start?”
Lee Cheong-hyeon made a comment that sounded quite well-versed in the industry. Yes, as a Party B, one should at least be able to see through the employer’s intentions.
“What else will come up? Seong-bin Hyung, what kind of questions usually come up in programs like this?”
“There are a lot of questions about current affairs or new slang. Science and math don't usually appear much in multi-person quiz shows.”
As he spoke, Jeong Seong-bin turned on the news. A report about the Bank of Korea’s announcement regarding the base interest rate was being broadcast.
“If you look at it now, there’s a trend suggesting the BOK will maintain the base interest rate, right? Questions asking about the context don't come up often. The explanation gets too long. Instead, they’ll show ‘Base Interest Rate’ highlighted in a different color in the headline, or they’ll leave a blank in front and ask you to fill in the ‘○○’ in ‘○○ Interest Rate.’”
“What about slang?”
“A lot of it comes from hashtags on social media. It takes some time for slang to reach the broadcasting stations, so slang that came out very recently actually doesn't get used as questions. You can assume only words that have clearly become popular among the general public will appear.”
His insight was impressive. I knew Jeong Seong-bin was well-versed in the idol industry, but I didn't know he possessed the qualifications to be a professor of Idol Studies. Your talent wasn't just being a human karaoke machine.
“Then reading books won't be very meaningful. Iwol Hyung, lift my monitoring ban.”
“No. I’ll pick them out for you instead, so study from the summaries.”
“What do you know about slang, Hyung? You’re the biggest young boomer among young boomers.”
What do you know about me? I know all the slang that’s going to come out for the next five years. I even used it to make birthday ads. Although they won't be on the test yet.
“We have to prepare very hard. If we won the overall championship at the ‘Idol Unity Sports Day’ only to have everyone eliminated in the first round here, we’ll immediately be labeled as ‘buff idiots.’”
Lee Cheong-hyeon expressed his concern. I thought that might have its own niche demand, but he wasn't wrong, so I didn't argue.
“Then just set a target rank.”
“Huh?”
Kang Gi-yeon, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, chimed in.
“Iwol Hyung likes setting goals. If you set a target rank, you won't have to worry about early elimination.”
“That’s true. He’ll work hard on his own then.”
Are you guys really plotting right in front of the person involved? This is a bit cheeky.
Just as I was about to teach these punks the basic etiquette of schemes and stratagems, Park Ju-woo, who had been deep in thought in the corner, clapped his hands.
“I know what you call that.”
“What is it?”
At Kang Gi-yeon’s question, Park Ju-woo smiled brightly.
“KPI.”
Don't.
Don't let that word come out of your mouth. It’s horrifying!