Chapter 359: Filming Begins (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 359: Filming Begins (2)
The gods of myth are arrogant. They think beyond the realm of human understanding, act without regard for the opinions of others, and achieve their desires with effortless ease.
The groups under MYTH do not stray far from this mold. Starting with Yur, the leader of Hellas, this image has been maintained as the very identity of MYTH. In the case of Mr. Polo, whose personality was of a different sort, I heard it took years just to get approval for his individual activity on a radio show.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Parte was created by distilling the very essence of the MYTH spirit. Their one-line introduction—the ultimate beings who are closest to humanity yet can never truly become human—says it all.
Perhaps because of that, Parte exuded the feeling of being perfectly crafted from head to toe. They were highly polished.
In many ways, Parte gave the impression of a meticulously woven worldview: their rigid group greetings (a trend that has been declining lately), their focus on formal uniforms, and their relaxed demeanor. There were even rumors that they intentionally avoided horror content so the members wouldn't show any signs of being frightened.
This was also why Song Min-il didn't get flayed alive even when he occasionally made slips of the tongue. Since everyone knew about MYTH’s extreme commitment to their concept, any arrogant remark from Song Min-il was simply translated as, "Wow, he was trained well..." or "It must be hard for him to have a social life too..."
In contrast, the current Parte was draped in excessive politeness, filling every second of silence with words, and projecting a naivety that made them look like they were appearing on a survival program for the first time. Just like Spark in Season 1.
It wasn't that Spark had been exceptionally bubbly toward their seniors or showed the kind of humility where they bowed at 180-degree angles. Back then, we maintained a proper distance from every group.
Therefore, it was more accurate to interpret the current Parte as copying only specific parts of Spark.
Do you think I’m overthinking it? Anyone would end up like this after having their work performance stolen three times. There’s a reason people say intuition is just the "big data" of life.
The moment they entered the stage, my suspicion turned into a conviction.
Parte’s outfits consisted of white T-shirts, denim jackets, and jeans. The only differences from the outfits we wore in Season 1 were the addition of a jacket, the darker shade of the pants, and the fact that they were wide-leg pants.
'Shouldn't MYTH... really reorganize their planning team?'
While some might criticize or compare them for wearing luxury brands, Parte’s fans would surely prefer a more high-end look. Fans of MYTH’s Parte love the "Human Versace" aspect of their idols.
It would be one thing if the "Blaiders," who share a common fan base, viewed us as a rival group. But what group ignores their own fandom's tastes on a survival program where fans vote? Do they have no basic courtesy for the people voting for them?
'The person who came up with this as the main stance... and the people who just did what they were told...'
Parte is past their rookie years. They’ve reached a level where they can at least offer suggestions, so failing to take any action is a dereliction of duty.
'Well, I suppose you need to have an opinion to make a suggestion.'
I stared at the back of the Spark kids' heads as they found their seats after the group greeting. If it were these guys, the moment I said "Our concept this time is 'gorgeous,'" they would swarm me like bees, asking things like, "Why?", "Have you considered the discrepancy with our existing image?", and "Do you think the pros of the new concept outweigh the cons of the change?" How reliable.
At any rate, it pays to raise people well—whether they're subordinates or idols.
Yur took on the role of MC again this season. However, this time, it wasn't a solo MC gig but a double MC setup.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Polo!"
Mr. Polo had joined him. Only Mr. Yur had been in the waiting room earlier. The poor junior groups, completely fooled, stood up as if struck by lightning to greet him.
After a brief self-introduction from the new MC, the formal program introduction followed. Based on the grand theme of a competition among princes to determine the one team to sit on the throne, the main content involved selecting the most talented individuals through various banquets.
"What are the features of Season 2 that differentiate it from Season 1?"
"Idol Dynasty Annals Season 2 will provide viewers with a variety of entertainment through a total of six stages. For the K-Top Scholars of every competition except for the Banposik... we will produce a 'Sacho' video capturing their preparation process!"
A surprisingly powerful perk appeared where I least expected it. Judging by the term "Sacho," it seemed they intended to produce raw, unpolished footage of the group's natural state. Not the short, edited clips made for broadcast, but a full-length feature focused solely on one team.
High-definition bait served up by the broadcasting station with subtitles? And the full version of our kids being nervous—footage we knew existed but couldn't see or had to watch in edited snippets? It was a prize any fan would crave.
Furthermore, imagine if every other group's fans got to see theirs, but ours didn't come out. No idol fan in their right mind could just sit back and watch that.
"What benefits are given to the one who ranks first in the final line of succession, Mr. Polo?"
"One who is to become king needs a coronation, right? To the final winner who will be recorded in history, we will provide the costs for a lavish fan showcase to celebrate their virtuous reign!"
"Whoa!"
The place erupted at the mention of such an exceptional benefit.
Not a press showcase, but a fan showcase? Surely they aren't talking about "lavish showcase costs" and then only providing a measly stage installation fee, right?
"This isn't in the script, Mr. Yur, but..."
"Yes?"
"When you say 'lavish showcase,' exactly how much support are we talking about?"
As expected of Mr. Polo. A man who knows the market inside out and has the seniority to be fearless. Despite his troubled smile, Mr. Yur rattled off the benefits like he was explaining an insurance policy.
"In addition to the venue rental and stage installation costs, we plan to provide a small snack allowance for the fans who attend. This is what was communicated to me beforehand."
His understanding of the program was incredible. He even paused for a beat before explaining that it was what he had been told beforehand, creating a clear break for easy editing. They were truly seniors to be emulated.
"That's awesome. I want to win."
Meanwhile, Lee Cheong-hyeon, who had become one with capitalism, had a sparkle in his eyes. I have no idea what made him this way.
Next up was the former Self-PR stage, now known as the Banposik, the core of today's filming.
The performance order was decided by jegichagi. I became the team representative as a penalty for saying my favorite sport was soccer.
"Shouldn't Spark get extra points for their outfits?"
Mr. Polo cracked a joke. And for good reason—among those who came out to kick the shuttlecock, my pants were the flappiest. To exaggerate a bit, my pants were even more excessive than those of the Parte dance member whose pant legs looked as wide as a waistline.
"May I request time for an outfit adjustment?"
"By all means."
Thanks to Mr. Yur’s generous heart, I reluctantly tucked in my Hanbok pants.
I did my best, but unfortunately, my score landed me in 2nd place. 1st place went to Terkit, who displayed movements that defied gravity. It was such an incredible sight that I couldn't stop clapping.
When it came time to pick the turn order, I chose sixth. I had already received word from all the members that any slot was fine, but I was curious to see how Parte would react if we took the exact same slot as in Season 1.
Judging by the very slight, yet definitely flustered atmosphere from our seniors, I could envision a rocky future ahead.
Nothing to be done about it. When I get back to UA, I’ll have to ask if they have any plans for an IPO.
Amidst the rugged youths, Spark alone pursued the "Flower Scholar" look. By layering translucent, light orange durumagi over delicate Hanbok material, we captured both a sense of volume and sophistication.
Because all the preceding groups, except for Parte, had attempted intense image-making, Spark stood out even more.
"We're the only ones without smoky makeup... no hair wax either..."
"It's too late even if you want to transfer. Our team is doomed without you."
At my words, Lee Cheong-hyeon showed mercy, saying he had no choice but to stay then. I don't know when this guy will finally take to heart my words that "Cheong-hyeon, your face is most beautiful when you haven't done anything to it."
When it was Spark’s turn, we headed onto the stage, each holding a fan. They were fans that Kang Gi-yeon had spray-painted white and that Mr. Jeong Seong-jun, a Korean art major, had painted with light ink.
As a side note, I found out that the dignified paintings hanging in the hallway of Jeong Seong-bin’s house were also the work of Mr. Jeong Seong-jun.
As I lightly tapped the fan against my palm to straighten it, I heard someone in the distance say that Mr. I-wol looked like a village schoolmaster. I felt wronged. Even by my real age, I wanted to say I could still pass for a Sungkyunkwan scholar.
"I know Spark is a group of idols with many talents. Speaking of which, these fans, perhaps..."
Mr. Polo said, showing interest in the fan held by Jeong Seong-bin, who was standing next to him.
Before we had accumulated a track record, there was no way to make our efforts known unless we stepped forward to explain them. Even if people knew Spark had a hand in everything from A to Z in Season 1 of 'A.Wang.Sil,' it was hard to expect them to realize that A to Z truly meant from the floor to the ceiling.
But things were different now. Many people knew that Spark didn't do anything halfway and that they worked harder than anyone could imagine.
Once we were recognized, the need to explain ourselves directly decreased. Others showed interest first and wanted to hear the answers from us. It was nothing short of a human victory.
"Yes, we bought them and remodeled them ourselves."
"At your dorm?"
"Spray-painting isn't good for the respiratory system, so we did it in the UA building parking lot. Everyone, please make sure to use sprays in well-ventilated spaces!"
At my comment, Kang Gi-yeon, who had been standing still, gave a thumbs-up toward the camera. It seems Spark’s nickname will soon change from "self-produced idols" to "safety ambassadors."