Chapter 366: Genre Change
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 366: Genre Change
“I can’t even play a little joke anymore. Je-ho Hyung, next slide. Hurry!”
Just before my eyes could flip back in exasperation, the proper PPT returned. I caught my breath and carefully read the text on the screen.
Spark’s Goal: To show a new side of ourselves
Success factors of Season 1, 2nd Competition: A stage with excellent aesthetic elements
Summary: A challenging song selection accompanied by glamorous and beautiful costumes and stage design is required.
On the right, the text was grouped with brackets, and someone had even written ‘Cool Spark’ next to it. Until recently, I thought I was raising a tiger cub, but I was wrong. It seems I’ve been raising… a unicorn or something.
“I get what kind of image you want to show. But what song do you want ‘Cool Spark’ to sing?”
Kang Gi-yeon hit the nail on the head. Lee Cheong-hyeon spoke with a solemn expression.
“I’ll get straight to the point.”
“…”
“I want to do a musical number.”
“What?”
The ‘Click-man’ interrupted while mid-slide. Our reactions weren’t much different.
“A musical is…”
Jeong Seong-bin started to speak but trailed off. He probably wanted to say that the vocalization is completely different. But there was no way Lee Cheong-hyeon didn’t know that. That’s why Seong-bin didn’t feel the need to finish his sentence.
“It’ll be a difficult attempt. Honestly, I’m not that confident either!”
“But you still want to try…?”
“It won’t be easy, but I’ve made a plan to make it happen anyway.”
The next slide featured a large calendar for August. The days leading up to the mid-August recording date were packed with color.
“We’re going to pour all our remaining time into vocal practice. As long as the movement paths aren’t too complex, I’ve calculated that we can master the choreography in two days based on our usual pace. I’m not planning on doing a separate arrangement for the sake of originality, so we’ll have more than enough time for harmony distribution.”
Lee Cheong-hyeon spoke without even pausing for breath.
“It’s not easy for all members to sing the same long passage in a dance song, right? The part transitions are fast, and the melodic sections aren’t long. Don’t you think it would be cool for us to sing together from start to finish?”
The members’ eyes turned toward me.
There is a clear difference between things others haven't tried and things others don't do. And I believed musicals fell into the latter category. There was a reason why even the most famous idol vocals underwent new training when transitioning to the musical theater market.
No matter how well we replicated the movements, the evaluation likely wouldn't be great. What was the point of just singing a song from a genre that blends drama and music without high-immersion acting?
I agonized over whether supporting Lee Cheong-hyeon’s idea was the right choice, knowing we might not hear good things.
‘If I think about our goal for appearing on the show, it’s the right move.’
There would rarely be another occasion for Spark to dress in elegant clothes and sing a musical number as a group. After all, a dance group can’t exactly drop performances from their repertoire.
Because of that, I felt there was nothing better suited for the purpose of ‘showing a new side.’
“There are two things to consider. First, Je-ho and Gi-yeon’s opinions. Second, the matter of the results. It’ll be a huge burden on the dance line—are you guys okay with that?”
“If it’s decided, we have to do it.”
“I’m fine with it too. During the Half-formal evaluation, the stage was focused entirely on performance anyway.”
Fortunately, the Sapodungi duo gave admirable answers. In the first place, they were only assigned as dance leads because they were exceptionally good at it, not because they couldn't sing, so there was no need to worry about their skill levels.
That left the results.
“I’m against doing this just for the sake of doing something new. Even if it’s a challenge, the result has to be something the audience can be satisfied with.”
I meant that it would be problematic if people said we were looking down on musicals or just messing around.
If we release our own song and it fails, Spark and UA are the ones who taste the bitterness.
But if a stage is ruined on a broadcast, the fans are the ones who get most upset. They have to witness the mockery and criticism from the outside in real-time.
If this were just for self-produced content for us to watch among ourselves, it would be one thing, but a stage for broadcast needs to be at a level where we aren't embarrassed to show it to others.
Lee Cheong-hyeon understood my intent instantly.
“I’ll make sure they won’t be disappointed.”
And so, Spark’s item for the 2nd Competition was decided: a musical.
Spark gained a new vocal teacher. A schedule began where they did nothing but sing from the moment they opened their eyes until they closed them.
Park Ju-woo adapted to this routine the fastest. It seemed a daily life of controlling his physique through diet because there was no time to exercise and singing day and night suited his temperament perfectly.
“I wish every day was like this…”
He looked so happy just learning the basics that Jeong Seong-bin and I were secretly anxious, wondering if Park Ju-woo might suddenly declare he was leaving for the musical theater world.
Lee Cheong-hyeon was also full of energy. When everyone sang the same passage together for the first time, his excitement was visible.
On the other hand, some grew more haggard by the day. Choi Je-ho’s condition was particularly severe. Perhaps his vocal cords were being trained along with his voice, as he never went hoarse, but his irritability doubled because he wasn't using his body. If we hadn't put a Smith machine in the dorm, someone would have been crushed to death between Choi Je-ho’s furrowed brows.
Kang Gi-yeon acted like he wasn't, but he was in a similar state. I could practically see his frustration. When I told him to go run on a treadmill, he would flatly refuse, only to say, “I’m going to the gym…” five minutes later and head out.
“You guys really can’t live without dancing, can you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You were a different species from me from the start. I think I finally understand you guys now.”
I worried about what would happen if they suggested doing something like acrobatics for the next stage, but I decided to enjoy the present.
A stage without dancing—how precious. I’m sorry for being a failure of an idol…
While I was savoring this happiness, Lee Cheong-hyeon called for me.
“Hyung, a moment.”
“Yeah.”
For once, his expression was serious. His laptop was open to several stage videos of the numbers we had decided to cover.
“There’s a problem.”
“What is it?”
“I think Ju-woo Hyung’s voice stands out too much.”
It was indeed a major problem. Park Ju-woo’s vocal tone was like a treasure-like human electric guitar. It was a talent that could achieve maximum efficiency in Spark’s songs, where everyone has their own parts and a specific member leads the harmonies. This peerless individuality was now a hindrance in the face of the requirement for ‘harmony.’
“We can’t just give Hyung all the solo parts, either.”
“True. We’ll have to think about this.”
We put our heads together to figure out what to do with our proud vocal fairy.
“If we go in a direction that emphasizes his individuality… would it stray too far from the feeling of the original?”
“Our goal isn't to copy the performance exactly, so wouldn't it be okay?”
“I’m just worried people will say Ju-woo is the only one who feels out of place.”
I didn't want Park Ju-woo to suffer any humiliation. As I racked my brain with that single thought, Lee Cheong-hyeon, who had been watching me, spoke up.
“Are you anxious?”
“About what?”
“You’re really worried about us getting hate. Usually, your stance is to prepare so that no one can say anything bad. But right now, you just look full of worry.”
“…”
“If you can’t put your mind at ease, should we change the genre even now?”
Lee Cheong-hyeon’s expression didn't look very pleased. It was likely because he wasn't worried about the same things I was.
This suggestion was solely for me. Not for the team or the fans. It was no different from asking if he should back down for my sake.
“Do you think I’ve become overly defensive?”
“A little?”
“I see.”
“In the past, you were desperate to make sure we didn't have any shortcomings. Now, it feels like you just want to make sure we don't get criticized.”
He wasn't wrong. I was full of apprehension, and my heart was heavy with concern.
It wasn't that I didn't trust these guys…
‘They say it’s easy to develop mental health issues once you become a celebrity.’
…It was because I remembered what my mom had said.
Having had my own mental state shattered, I found myself hoping the others wouldn't have to go through the same experience.
I hadn't intended to let it show, but I had been living too carelessly. While I was busy reflecting inwardly, Lee Cheong-hyeon called me again.
“Hyung.”
“Yeah?”
“Among people trying to become idols, there’s no one who thinks they won’t get a single bit of hate.”
Lee Cheong-hyeon rested his chin on his hand and looked at me.
“Of course, it’ll be hard if we get bashed here and there. But it’s not like we haven’t imagined that situation, and if it happens, we’ll tell you it’s hard. You don’t need to take care of all of that yourself, Hyung. You know everyone’s getting psychological counseling now, right?”
“Not everyone can immediately recognize their own state whenever they’re struggling. There might be times when someone needs help right away.”
“If that’s what you’re worried about, then talk to us more. Threaten us that you’re watching like you usually do, or tell us to report to you regularly because it takes too much effort for you to check on us individually. Don’t use up all your energy alone.”
His dark eyes stared at me as if to pierce through me.
“If you’re worried, I wish you’d just say so. After seeing Lee Su-hun, I’ve been thinking this even more.”
“…”
“I’m saying this because I’m worried about you too, Hyung.”
I had forgotten for a moment because I was so busy. There was no one who grasped the atmosphere among the members better than this guy.
A hollow laugh escaped me. When did the guy who used to run away because he didn't want to debut with his own songs develop this much backbone?
“Fine. You’re still not monitoring the comments, right? If I catch you wandering around weird sites, I’m going to tell the manager to change your phone to a kids' phone. And Cheong-hyeon, you know you’re the one who’s late to team meetings most often, right? Since you told us to talk more, I’m going to hold a hearing soon regarding your failure to show up to the place of conversation, so be prepared.”
“Ah, that’s because of work!”
Lee Cheong-hyeon shrieked in protest. I cleanly ignored his excuse.
Juggling both ‘A.Wang.Sil’ and the drama was surprisingly manageable. The fact that a major schedule like choreography practice was missing while I was busy filming the drama played a big part.
‘If a position battle is held during the 3rd competition, Park Ju-woo will be the one going, so I’ll have plenty of breathing room until the end of this month.’
Compared to Season 1, where there was no room to breathe, there were more people to help prepare and no major issues. It was nothing short of a stroke of luck.
And thanks to Lee Cheong-hyeon taking the lead and announcing, “We will now begin a mental health survey of the members to ease I-wol Hyung’s worries,” we even had time to check everyone’s happiness index as a group.
It was quite embarrassing, but since I gained peace of mind in exchange for that shame, I don't think it was a losing trade at all.
And with the surroundings settled, there was something I needed to check.
I pulled up the system window and re-read the content I had read a long time ago.
+
[SYSTEM] The ‘Final Performance Reward’ is being announced.
▷ Nullification of Older Sister’s (blood relative) death and provision of a reunion opportunity.
+
‘System.’
When I called out to it, the screen flickered for a very brief moment.
About this… this expression ‘reunion opportunity.’ I think you need to give me a clear explanation.