Chapter 270: Requesting Help (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 270: Requesting Help (1)
“We aren’t the only ones doing this cover stage, right? I don’t think we’re at the seniority level to be given two solo stages yet.”
At my words, the manager nodded.
“I heard Sticky and Berion are appearing in the same segment.”
Groups I know well. Then where did the other half go?
“And Parang Over, Log, and Parte will be doing a different stage.”
“What kind of stage?”
“A cover stage of groups that have won the Grand Prize at past Music Grand Festivals.”
The manipulation was so transparent it was almost laughable.
It was obvious without even looking. To avoid hearing that the show was a self-replicate of previous years, they had to create a new special. They wanted to milk the success of Idol Dynasty Annals, which had been a decent hit, and since they had to take care of Parte, they gave them the golden item.
But since it wouldn't be interesting if everyone covered 'legendary' stages, they probably wanted the 'minor' groups—at least by their standards—to provide some comic relief.
Still, it was absurd. Even if boy groups led in fandom power, girl groups dominated in public recognition... Did they not know that? I suppose they didn't, which is why they threw this nonsense at us as a 'planned segment.'
Moreover, their intentions for the girl group cover were so visible it was unpleasant.
I could see right through them at about 80% opacity. They probably thought people would find it hilarious to see men in skirts, acting embarrassed while singing in gruff voices.
If it were Sticky or Berion, it might actually suit them. One group appealed with a lovely sensibility, and the other pushed a cute, boyish charm.
But what about us?
We, who were all tall as telephone poles with broad shoulders and could radiate a chill even without dry ice? Some of these guys could probably hold a pen between their muscles.
“Manager, would it be alright if we had a meeting among ourselves?”
For the first time since the explosive nerves between Choi Je-ho and Kang Gi-yeon, an emergency had occurred.
The atmosphere in the meeting room was truly peculiar.
Choi Je-ho and Park Ju-woo looked like they didn't have a single thought in their heads. Kang Gi-yeon was much the same.
Lee Cheong-hyeon looked a bit excited. He seemed to view arranging a girl group’s music as a new challenge.
And as for me and Jeong Seong-bin... we looked like we were at a funeral.
There was no way Jeong Seong-bin didn't know. He understood the gravity of this situation.
Because of that, we couldn't say a word. Despite it being a low-noise clock, the ticking of the second hand on the wall was vividly audible.
“There are plenty of songs by senior artists with low keys. Can’t we just do one of those?”
Choi Je-ho spoke with a carefree attitude. Fortunately, Jeong Seong-bin began to explain things step-by-step.
“The thing is, Hyung, we have absolutely no interaction with girl groups.”
“Right.”
“If we suddenly cover a specific group, people might get suspicious. On the other hand, if we do a song that’s too old, it’ll take forever to rearrange it to fit current trends.”
There was nothing worse than a dating rumor breaking at the end of the year.
Besides, you couldn't just cover a song by lowering the key. The accompaniment would inevitably need work, and for the sake of the year-end stage arrangements, we had to save Lee Cheong-hyeon’s time.
“Why? I’m confident!”
“We trust you, but confidence and physical stamina are two different things.”
Lee Cheong-hyeon snorted at my words. His arrogance was hitting the ceiling just because he was about to turn a year older. I wasn't sure if that was a good sign.
“The outfits are an issue too. We shouldn't look like we're joking, but finding the line where it doesn't look awkward is quite difficult. And of course, we can't look awkward in a new style ourselves.”
At Jeong Seong-bin’s words, Park Ju-woo chimed in, saying, “If the members feel awkward wearing skirts, I’ll wear one.” Apparently, he had worn them a lot while playing princess with his older cousin sister when he was young. No wonder he stayed perfectly still even when the kids tied his hair into thirteen different sections.
“So, to summarize: there must be zero room for dating rumors, the song should be good enough that it doesn't need much arranging, and the costume concept shouldn't be out of touch with current trends?”
Following Kang Gi-yeon’s comprehensive summary, the members finally grasped the situation. Jeong Seong-bin gave a bitter smile.
“You might as well ask us to find a dragon.”
Choi Je-ho remarked. Usually, people use the word 'unicorn' in these situations, don't they? Though 'dragon' does suit you.
“Seong-bin Hyung, I can do an amazing arrangement. Just give me permission to stay out overnight, and I’ll live in the studio with the A&R Team to strive toward becoming the best girl group.”
“I’ve only ever worn voluminous dresses... but I’ll look up what kind of skirts are trendy these days.”
Lee Cheong-hyeon and Park Ju-woo conveyed their determination solemnly. Jeong Seong-bin seemed moved by their resolve.
“But why are you so quiet, Hyung?”
Kang Gi-yeon asked, looking at me. Everyone’s eyes turned toward me.
“Hmm.”
I stroked my chin.
“It’s not that I don’t have an idea... but I don’t know if it’ll work.”
At my words, Jeong Seong-bin’s eyes widened.
“You have a solution?”
“Rather than a solution... well, she’s here at UA. Someone who was in a girl group and has a significant gap in seniority from us.”
A short while later, I took Jeong Seong-bin with me to find Teacher Oh Eun.
“You have something you want to consult about?”
The teacher asked with a calm expression.
It wasn't unusual for us to visit the trainers.
Whether it was for vocal techniques or basic skills, the trainers had set days they came in, so we had to resolve our assignments and difficulties all at once on those days.
Perhaps that was why the teacher accepted our visit as nothing out of the ordinary.
Faced with her indifferent gaze that seemed to tell us to state our business, I clenched my fists. Then, I knelt on the floor.
“What are you doing?”
“Teacher, please help us.”
Jeong Seong-bin, who had agreed beforehand not to judge me for this, kept his mouth shut.
Then, he quietly sat down next to me and knelt as well.
We knelt on the carpeted floor like stone Buddhas, emphasizing how desperately we needed her help, until the teacher grabbed us each by an arm and pulled us up, telling us to just talk first.
“A song by my group at the Music Grand Festival?”
Having successfully seated us on the sofa, the teacher asked in a puzzled voice. Beside me, Jeong Seong-bin quietly brushed off his knees.
It’s not that we want to do it; it HAS to be your song, Teacher. If it isn't, we’re dead.
But saying it like that wouldn't be polite when asking for a favor. So, I just nodded obediently.
“I don’t think you guys would fail to pull it off, but surely there are plenty of good songs out these days.”
“Your songs are good too, Teacher.”
At my words, the teacher’s expression shifted subtly.
She had the aura of someone who wouldn't be swayed by flattery—the same intimidating presence she had during monthly evaluations.
Still, it was true that the songs were good. Was there ever a masterpiece that didn't see the light of day back then?
There could be many reasons why the teacher’s group didn't succeed, but it certainly couldn't be boiled down to 'the songs weren't good.'
The teacher fell into deep thought. I was glad I brought Jeong Seong-bin. No one could easily refuse when this guy sat there with sparkling eyes, appealing that he absolutely wanted to perform her song on stage.
“...As long as you don't make a caricature of it.”
“Of course!”
We shouted happily at the conditional permission. We never had the slightest intention of messing around with someone else’s song in the first place.
“Is there a song you have in mind? IRREGULAR, I assume?”
“Yes. It’s your signature song, after all.”
IRREGULAR was the song that had achieved the best results for 'Pink Carat,' the group Oh Eun had belonged to. It was also the song with the best melody among all the Pink Carat tracks I had heard.
“Well, I’m sure you’ll handle the music side of things well on your own.”
The teacher chuckled softly. I could see her immense trust in the trio of Jeong Seong-bin, Park Ju-woo, and Lee Cheong-hyeon.
“Is that all you needed?”
I shook my head at the teacher’s question.
“There’s one more thing I’d like to ask your expert opinion on.”
“Expert opinion, honestly... Anyway, go ahead.”
The teacher’s eyes widened at my bold statement. Her hand instinctively went to her mouth.
After pondering for a long time, she pulled her chair closer to me and Jeong Seong-bin and gave us a wealth of serious advice.
“And that’s how it’s been decided that we’ll prepare a cover of IRREGULAR!”
“Yes!”
Lee Cheong-hyeon cheered. Park Ju-woo also seemed strangely excited.
I wondered why, since IRREGULAR wasn't even in the rock genre, but there was a reason.
“We’ve learned so much from her... It feels kind of, well, fulfilling that we get to sing our teacher’s song.”
Ju-woo, weren't you already the 'complete package' since your trainee days to say you learned that much? Still, it was a commendable mindset.
“I already passed that specific matter to the Planning Team on the way here, so I think we can start choreography practice right away.”
“Actually, I was just working on the choreography with Je-ho Hyung.”
Then, Kang Gi-yeon approached me with an extremely serious expression.
“Hyung.”
“Yeah?”
“Can you do a wave?”
A wave.
A body roll.
I, Kim I-wol, could assert that of all the basic skills I had learned since joining UA, the wave was the most difficult.
I had narrowly avoided disaster because the hip-swaying choreography in MISSION came after my dance proficiency had improved, but before that, my waves had been nothing short of disastrous.
Even doing two hip rotations in MISSION was hard. While everyone else was doing 'sophisticated and sexy hip choreography,' I had worked so hard just to avoid looking like 'Kim I-wol (Age 5) Hula Hoop Practice Video'!
IRREGULAR played incessantly from the laptop Kang Gi-yeon was holding. A feast of fluid, flowing choreography stood out.
It was a truly grave problem. I couldn't say a single word.