Chapter 372: Broadcast Schedule (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 372: Broadcast Schedule (2)
“Great work, everyone!”
“Thank you for your hard work!”
The filming for the long, suffocating scene finally came to an end. The moment the word "cut" left the director's lips, I let out a long, lingering sigh of relief. Ham I-seo was truly terrifying when she was angry.
I’d heard that one of Cheon Yun-seong’s lines—‘It’s nothing for me to push you two into a pond and fill it with dirt’—had been cut because they were worried it wouldn't pass the broadcasting standards. It was genuinely horrifying. I’m worried because there’s nothing but more scary stuff left to film.
“Iwol, you did a great job!”
“You worked hard too, sunbaenim. I was only able to film this scene well thanks to you all!”
“Oh, please. Cheon Yun-seong did all the heavy lifting today,” So Sae-young said, waving her hand dismissively.
From the perspective of someone leading the entire drama, my screen time must seem like nothing. Yet, the way she praised my minor contribution and her professional demeanor reminded me of Deputy Head An.
‘I wonder how the Deputy Head is doing.’
He was a good man. He was a talent far too precious to be wasted at Hanpyeong Industry—so much so that it felt regrettable that things turned out this way before I could even repay him for his help.
At this time of day, Deputy Head An would be working at some company. I hoped that among the things that changed with my regression, his place of employment was one of them.
As preparations for the Position Battle began, the dorm became like Gangnam Station at rush hour, with people constantly coming and going.
One guy would leave, another would come in; two would head out, and only one would return. One day, three of them, who had all gone to separate schedules, ran into each other at the front door and returned together.
I wasn't particularly worried about Kang Gi-yeon. He ended up in the same group as the members of Log, and since he’s so polite, he seemed to be receiving a lot of love from them.
The fact that Kang Gi-yeon has shoulders that don't lose out to anyone also played a part. Surviving next to the original "door-slab idols" wouldn't be easy without decent physical presence.
Kang Gi-yeon might be the shortest in Spark, but he’s above average by most standards. Fortunately, his partner was about the same height as him.
Jeong Seong-bin was paired with Parte. I could still vividly see him awkwardly exchanging numbers with Han Ga-un after filming.
“How’s the competition prep going? Is it coming along well?”
I approached Jeong Seong-bin, who was, as usual, popping unsalted popcorn.
“Of course. Sunbaenim is taking really good care of me.”
“Really?”
Judging by his expression, he wasn't just saying that to be polite.
“More than that, I’m worried about the reaction today…”
Jeong Seong-bin gave a bitter smile. The first episode of Idol Dynasty Annals Season 2 was just around the corner.
Ever since the 1st Competition, which had a live audience, the online communities had been restless. Once a seed of doubt was planted, it spread silently, bypassing the shield of non-disclosure agreements.
≫ Why are people saying PRT copied SPK??
I mean, I don't see why PRT would bother doing that, wouldn't it be the other way around?
└ People are saying PRT copied SPK from Awangsil Season 1, but it’s not confirmed.
≫ I’m staying quiet since the broadcast isn't out yet.
But if it’s not just me feeling off, but everyone feeling off? Isn't that enough reason to be suspicious?
└ Sparklers who went to the recording are definitely sharpening their blades… lol T_T
└ What was the atmosphere like on-site??
└└ It was worse than getting hit with a bucket of ice water.
└└└ After their stage ended, people were whispering everywhere…
Once could be a coincidence. But Sparklers, who had gone through so many ups and downs in such a short time, never jumped to conclusions. It was likely because they had learned that there was nothing to gain from launching a preemptive strike when the damage wasn't yet clear.
Sadly, the Sparklers soon realized their ominous intuition was correct.
≫ PRT Season 2 Ep 1 outfits vs. Spark Season 1 Ep 1 outfits.
Is it just me, or do they look similar????
└ The stage outfits are even more similar…
└ Oh, you’re right;;;
≫ Talk about being extra.
Do they own the rights to white t-shirts and jeans?
└ It’s like they think they rented out the whole "youth" concept… Did they really have to pick "Artists we want to see again" or whatever?
└ Honestly, it feels tacky. There’s a team that clearly won 1st place, so why bring back the teams below them~~
≫ Is it normal to be this pissed from Episode 1?
When the 1st Competition reviews leaked, I thought maybe we were just being too sensitive because we dislike that side, but wow, the possibility of it being a fact just skyrocketed.
└ Just seeing that the points people felt "off" about in the reviews are exactly the same… If a coincidence repeats, it’s a plan…
≫ I wish Sparklers would stop being so over-invested.
Kim I-wol isn't the only producing member among idols.
And there are countless idols who succeeded with a refreshing concept before Spark.
Acting like they’re the one and only self-produced idols gives me such secondhand embarrassment, seriously.
└ If you’re embarrassed, just turn off your phone. No one is telling you to "Please watch Spark’s journey!!!"
└ Yeah, I-wol isn't the only producing member. So who’s planning for Parte? Don't tell me the rapper is getting his lyrics written for him while they talk about being self-produced.
└ Lol, Spark didn't invent the refreshing concept. But didn't Parte say they weren't going to do "refreshing"? Didn't they say they had no intention of doing obvious concepts? ^^
“It’s already a mess.”
Everyone laughed awkwardly at my words. Since this wasn't an unexpected reaction, no one was particularly shocked or flustered.
Setting aside the chaotic real-time reactions for a moment, we checked the main broadcast. The production value had definitely improved now that the sets were nicer.
Spark, dressed in Hanbok on a set decorated to look like a palace, stood out exceptionally well. Sitting on Dancheong-patterned chairs in their orange and white Hanboks, they looked like ripe persimmons covered in snow, hanging from trees in a palace garden.
Considering that survival show sets are usually dark, we had maintained bright colors for Spark’s outfits since Season 1, and seeing it now, it felt like the right choice. How much effort had we put into making sure Spark didn't blend into the background?
‘If someone just copies all that without any thought… it is infuriating.’
I let out a hollow laugh while watching Parte perform their debut song—not the well-known original version, but a bright arrangement intended for a concert encore.
When the broadcast cross-cut to a group interview where they said they had returned to their roots and prepared diligently, I couldn't even manage a hollow laugh.
Over Song Min-il’s shoulder as he held the microphone, I could see Han Ga-un. Wearing a faint smile, Han Ga-un remained silent during both the opening and the interview.
‘Is the atmosphere bad internally?’
From what I felt when we shared a waiting room, the members didn't seem to get along very well. Since it seemed Han Ga-un had been cleaning up after Song Min-il since their trainee days, he might be getting tired.
I looked back and forth between Han Ga-un on the screen and Jeong Seong-bin sitting next to me.
I didn't think Jeong Seong-bin would lie to me.
But I should probably keep a close eye on him, at least until the Position Battle is over.
‘Life is a bitch…’
After a long struggle, Baek Hae-won finally closed her workbook. For three hours, she had done nothing but homework, missing the live broadcast of Awangsil.
It was the first time she was grateful that a survival program was inconsiderate enough to air so late at night. If it hadn't, she would have had to see Spark’s stage for the first time on the shuttle bus tomorrow morning.
She could watch the opening via replay. However, she could not tolerate seeing the stage later than everyone else. That single-minded determination had kept her glued to her chair until now.
Fighting against her fiery inner self, she finally finished her homework. Now, it was time to give herself a sweet reward.
When she hurriedly turned on her computer, one team had just finished their stage.
『The Log sunbaenims are so cool…』
『Really. Their power is on another level.』
The screen showed Park Ju-woo and Jeong Seong-bin clapping in admiration. Their fluffy, cute appearance—like cotton balls blooming in a snowy field—made Hae-won’s heart race.
‘They got so much flak for it, and they finally spent some money on the set.’
The traditional Hanok window backdrop and Dancheong patterns were bright and beautiful. In Season 1, they had trapped the kids in what looked like a cave. She could taste the flavor of success.
『Now for the final performance. Spark, please get ready!』
Yur said, pointing toward the stage. It was already the final act; the world was truly unfair.
However, Hae-won’s sense of despair was instantly swept away by the hem of a durumagi coat fluttering past Kim I-wol’s elegant stride.
How could his ankles look so sexy when he was wearing Hanbok, not even a suit, with not a single gap showing? It was truly a mystery.
Furthermore, the members were wearing in-ears she had never seen before. They were custom!
‘Even though they wouldn't take them no matter how much we begged to provide them!’
Tears of joy welled up. Don't fans always want their idols to have what everyone else has?
What did her boys lack that they had to perform live without their own dedicated in-ears? If Spark weren't a group that refused gifts, Hae-won would have organized a hundred events by now. Even if it was obvious that all the Sparklers would have ended up losing to Kim I-wol’s nagging!
The song was completely unexpected given their attire, but she loved it anyway. Deep down, Sparklers had the underlying belief that Spark would do a great job regardless. This was a source of immense pride for the fans.
To the sound of a gayageum, Kang Gi-yeon walked out wearing a white mask. "With List" performed with traditional Korean instruments felt remarkably fresh.
And above all…
‘Korean Dance Gi-yeon is here…’
…She was finally witnessing the legendary "Korean Dance Kang Gi-yeon" that had only been spoken of in rumors. It was the first time she truly empathized with the saying that one could die happy.
How much had Hae-won envied and been jealous of Kang Gi-yeon’s middle school classmates?
When the faint orange light fell over his pale skin beneath the white mask, she felt like she had briefly departed from this world.
The movements seemed distinct yet flowed elegantly, the fluttering sleeves proving the organic nature of his motions.
Mom, I guess I really did study hard for the non-fiction section of the SAT. My vocabulary has grown.
Her internal admiration lasted only a moment.
With a seamless motion, the mask he pulled off burned away at his fingertips. The corners of Kang Gi-yeon’s mouth curled up into a refreshing smile.
『Are you ready to play perfectly?』
Behind the members, a visual effect appeared, looking like sparks flying.
The black background of the studio, the red lighting piercing from above, the firework effects, and Spark in their white Hanboks dancing in slow motion through it all—it evoked a very familiar image.
‘It’s Nakhwa-nori.’
A traditional event that had been reposted many times on social media as a local festival people wanted to visit at least once.
The brilliant photos of people lighting firework pouches on poles while moving on boats at night had been perfectly recreated on stage.