Chapter 365: 1st Competition (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 365: 1st Competition (2)
Parte’s performance was objectively decent. That only made me angrier. Honestly, when you’ve basically copy-pasted someone else’s work, it takes a special kind of talent to mess it up.
The Spark fan section was dead silent, as if doused with cold water. The only sounds were the occasional scoff or a hollow, disbelieving laugh.
The internet is going to explode.
Just thinking about it made me exhausted. There’s a saying that the victim sleeps soundly while the perpetrator can’t, but that didn't apply to idol fandoms. It was obvious that, once again, the Sparklers—the victims—would be the ones dying of frustration.
Spark wasn't the type to step forward and escalate things. There was no way Kim I-wol hadn't noticed the blatant tricks the fans could see, but he also wasn't the type to throw fuel on the fire by saying, "Everyone, we're okay!"
Just go for their throats! The Sparklers will take up torches and fight for you, so just say it once—that plagiarism is pathetic, regardless of seniority!
But then again, it was because they weren't that kind of idol that she liked Spark. Won Chae-hee barely managed to hold onto her sanity, which was currently oscillating like Jekyll and Hyde.
The subsequent performances blurred past Won Chae-hee’s eyes. Whether it was because of her lingering rage or because there truly weren't any impressive stages, nothing felt particularly enjoyable. She felt the overall quality was better than Season 1, but that was it.
Just as she was standing there with a "whatever happens, happens" attitude, Lee Cheong-hyeon appeared, waving both hands.
"Hello!"
The sight of his small, pale face framed by square, retro silver-rimmed glasses suited him surprisingly well. Combined with his white shirt and black dress slacks, he looked like a young elite professional from the early 2000s.
The other members followed behind him in a swarm, wearing outfits that lacked any sense of uniformity yet were vaguely formal.
"It's hard to guess the concept just by looking at the clothes. What is Spark's concept for today?"
At Yur’s question, Jeong Seong-bin picked up the microphone. A polo shirt and ivory chinos—it was the least stage-like outfit Won Chae-hee had ever seen Spark wear.
"It's a... Faculty Room concept!"
"Excuse me?"
"I'm in charge of Social Studies!"
Jeong Seong-bin announced the group's identity and his own role with his signature stiff awkwardness. ...Well, it wasn't like you had many chances to use the word 'Faculty Room' while being an idol. It was understandable.
Once the theme was revealed, Choi Je-ho—who looked like a lone brand ambassador for Neydas anoraks (though he wasn't actually wearing Neydas; Spark was always wary of causing fatigue through excessive PPL)—and Park Ju-woo, dressed like a man out of a fall catalog, finally made sense.
"What subjects are the other members in charge of?"
At Polo’s question, the members took turns introducing themselves with this new twist.
"I've taken on the role of the Tech teacher."
"I-wol Hyung is also the Dean of Students!"
"That actually suits him, doesn't it?"
Many people burst out laughing at the banter between Lee Cheong-hyeon and Polo. Kim I-wol himself was standing between the two, wearing a smile that seemed to transcend worldly concerns.
"If you're the Tech teacher, you must do practical labs, right? Is that why your forearms are..."
At Polo’s comment, Won Chae-hee’s gaze shifted to the forearms beneath his rolled-up sleeves. They were perfectly maintained without a gram of excess fat, never failing to meet a fan's expectations.
I guess this is a fan-service stage.
These were the members who had promised to make every viewing of A.Wang.Sil exciting back during Bubble Pop. If they had worked themselves to the bone in Season 1, maybe their goal for Season 2 was to show off unique, unconventional stages.
If it's Spark, I'm sure they've prepared well on their own.
The trust she had built up over time put Won Chae-hee’s mind at ease.
With the starting signal, a narration played overhead, sounding as if it were being spoken through a low-quality PA system.
"The next performance is a surprise stage prepared by the teachers for the students!"
"The special stage by the teachers of Hwaro High School! Starting right now!"
As soon as the perfectly synchronized intro by the youngest members ended, the accompaniment kicked in. A cheerful drum beat and electronic instruments brought the rhythm to life.
『 Starting the recording
Start
We’re the main characters! 』
Lee Cheong-hyeon took the lead from the very beginning. His specialty—his sense of rhythm—shone brightly when paired with a lively dance track.
『 Right now, this is
A page
Of our youth 』
『 Keep your wits about you
Because this will
Last forever 』
The cheek-poke performance by Jeong Seong-bin and Park Ju-woo, the members in charge of Spark’s fresh sensibilities, was incredible. The soft, cozy smiles they wore in private were nowhere to be found, replaced entirely by mischievous grins. The rainbow-colored, star-shaped glasses that hadn't been there during the interview now boasted a strong presence on Jeong Seong-bin’s face.
『 Taking the photo
Smile, say cheese! 』
The way all the members gathered in the center to the sound of a camera shutter was also adorable. The sight of Choi Je-ho in the center, grinning as he bit down on the whistle hanging around his neck, was immediately ranked #1 on Won Chae-hee’s internal list of "scenes to watch once the fancams are out."
『 I hope we in these memories
Always
Look bright 』
『 I hope whenever we look back
We’re always
The happiest 』
Kim I-wol took over from Kang Gi-yeon’s swelling vocals.
That smile that enchanted people. The face that smiled while saying "I love you" in The Third Letter, and now smiled while telling everyone to be happy.
Even when daily life was exhausting and reality was harsh, Kim I-wol’s ability to make anyone watching feel better was the reason Won Chae-hee was standing here right now.
As the song reached its climax, the members tossed off their toy glasses and gaudy flower necklaces. Lee Cheong-hyeon’s eyes sparkled like stars under the stage lights.
『 If you’re still
Just sitting there
Get up and run! 』
When the famous dance break section arrived, everyone in the audience began to bob along to the beat. Spark, stepping and kicking as if charging across the ground, truly looked like a group of "young teachers who don't seem like the type but show their true colors the moment the music starts."
As Lee Cheong-hyeon fired a money gun handed to him by a backup dancer, glittering pieces of paper soared over the stage like Park Ju-woo’s high notes.
What are these idols like... at a company dinner? It was a moment that made her truly curious.
Perhaps thanks to the Spark teachers who knew how to have fun, the atmosphere in the venue was scorching. Only then did Won Chae-hee realize how thirsty she was; she grabbed the bottled water she’d stuffed into her bag upon entry and gulped it down.
"My glasses!"
"Who told you to throw them?"
Kang Gi-yeon scolded Lee Cheong-hyeon, who was pretending to cry. Regardless, Lee Cheong-hyeon was busy wailing over the glasses with the broken frame.
"You were supposed to do a different performance instead of throwing your glasses. Why did you do that?"
"I just got too excited..."
Seeing Jeong Seong-bin and Park Ju-woo tossing rainbow star glasses and melting hologram heart glasses on either side of him, it seemed he couldn't just stay still.
"Our Cheong-hyeon... I wondered who he took after, and it turns out it's Choi Je-ho."
At my words, Lee Cheong-hyeon’s gaze shifted to the completely trashed (former) whistle. The wreckage he had diligently gathered after the stage was rolling around on the waiting room table.
"How can you say something so cruel?"
"Is it cruel to say you take after Spark’s best center? Why? You should consider it an honor."
"It's because your words are full of mockery, Hyung!"
"Please don't misinterpret me. I just wanted to praise your level of immersion."
Lee Cheong-hyeon thoroughly ignored my explanation.
"I'll have my revenge. I won't let this slide."
"And what are you going to do if you don't let it slide?"
Choi Je-ho, who was leaning back on the sofa, chimed in.
"I told you, right? Conceding on the song choice this time was a tactical retreat for the bigger picture."
"...?"
"From now on, I will control the members' schedules. I won't take orders from anyone except Seong-bin Hyung."
"At least he listens to Seong-bin..." Park Ju-woo said, looking impressed. Just how do these guys' brain circuits work?
"I should make the announcement now. Actually, for the next stage, I..."
"Wait, Cheong-hyeon!"
Jeong Seong-bin, watching Lee Cheong-hyeon rummage through his bag, slammed on the brakes. He then grabbed the camera UA had set up in the corner for vlog filming.
"You have to hold the camera when you're saying something important!"
"Right, that was a close one!"
Hearing Lee Cheong-hyeon’s sly reply, Park Ju-woo also scurried over with another cam. Including the cameras held by the video team, a total of four cameras captured Lee Cheong-hyeon in a one-shot.
Choi Je-ho looked at me with a face that said he had a lot to say. I pointedly ignored his gaze.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the 2nd Competition of Season 1 belonged to Lee Cheong-hyeon.
The best visuals in the history of survival programs, stage effects that boasted an unrivaled aesthetic sense, and pure, non-provocative music were still cited as the greatest output of A.Wang.Sil.
"...So, what I'm saying is that we need to maintain this cohesion."
Lee Cheong-hyeon spoke while standing directly in the light of the beam projector. It was absurd to see him speaking so confidently when the light was turning his face bright blue.
"I have a question. What exactly is this 'cohesion' of the 2nd Competition that the proposer is talking about?"
When I raised my hand and asked, Lee Cheong-hyeon gave me a round of applause.
"Great question. Click-man, please move to the next slide."
Choi Je-ho, who had earned the honorable nickname of 'Click-man,' moved the screen with a disinterested face. On a slide with a red velvet background, there was gaudy gold lace. Since he wasn't someone who was bad at making PPTs, this infuriating layout was 100% intentional.
A version of What I Want to Say played on a xylophone came through the speakers. Kang Gi-yeon asked with a bizarre expression.
"What's with the background music?"
"I recorded it myself to avoid copyright issues."
"Can there even be copyright issues when it's our own song...?"
Park Ju-woo looked puzzled, but Lee Cheong-hyeon didn't answer. Instead, he signaled Click-man again.
An animation of thick gold letters appearing from nowhere and spinning around filled the screen.
[I want to make new music!]
Hmm.
"Wait... can we stop the recording for a second?"
"Why! Just listen to me!"
Lee Cheong-hyeon ran over like a frantic deer to stop me.
But Cheong-hyeon, I simply cannot stand by and watch you get drunk on your excessive 'artist' ego...!