Chapter 381: Flashback Scene
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 381: Flashback Scene
“What’s this envelope?”
“I’ll open it!”
Inside the traditional hanji envelope was a letter that looked like it belonged in a museum. As we untied the string and unfolded the paper, a message written in calligraphy—looking like a drama prop—was revealed.
“‘To the members of Spark, who have run forward with one heart and mind until now, we grant you free time. Share your warmth with your colleagues and open up your hearts!’ …That’s what it says.”
Even though Spark just opened up their hearts last week while folding laundry? Even though we already settled the dispute where Choi Je-ho threw clothes that shouldn't be machine-washed into the laundry, causing them to shrink so much that Kang Gi-yeon agreed to take them as hand-me-downs?
Still, a true professional does their job. While Jeong Seong-bin carefully folded the letter back up, Lee Cheong-hyeon pulled his legs in and adjusted his posture.
“Don’t we share our warmth a little too often? I saw a collection of comments the other day saying ‘Spark is like a glitched Kku-yo Kku-yo.’ They said when three of us gather, we’re supposed to pop, but instead of popping, more people just keep getting added.”
“Calling it a bug is a bit sad, so how about calling it an upgraded version? The difficulty level just went up.”
Thanks to Jeong Seong-bin’s sweet suggestion, we went from being a ‘Glitched Kku-yo Kku-yo’ to an ‘Expansion Pack NEW! Kku-yo Kku-yo.’
Usually, when a show like this airs, fans expect to see the hidden inner feelings of their idols or unreleased episodes.
However, for Spark—where every member runs to Bubble Pop and social media the moment anything happens—there was no such thing as an unreleased episode. Just this morning, we had already revealed our commute playlists and Lee Cheong-hyeon’s GPA from the first semester of his junior year.
“I have to be honest in front of the camera, so I’m going to make a statement based on my convictions.”
While I was wondering if there were any interesting stories left that hadn't been revealed to the world, Kang Gi-yeon beat me to the punch.
“I wish the members would stop watching my fancams at the dorm.”
“Why? That’s the hottest content in our dorm.”
“Watch your own!”
Lee Cheong-hyeon cackled at the sight of Kang Gi-yeon’s beet-red face.
“You guys watch them to an excessive degree! I’ll walk out of my room because Lee Cheong-hyeon is watching with the volume blasted, only to find Iwol Hyung watching it on the living room TV!”
“It’s all out of love from the members, Gi-yeon.”
“What about my human rights?”
Kang Gi-yeon asked as if he couldn't believe my response. I didn't give him a separate answer.
With Kang Gi-yeon breaking the ice, the guys started bringing up stories one by one.
“Seong-bin, you kept feeling sorry to me ever since you went out for the position battle… but I wish you wouldn't. I’m just proud whenever our members go out and promote under our team name.”
Park Ju-woo, comforting the friend who had been worrying all this time, was particularly impressive.
“And we still have more to show…!”
Park Ju-woo didn't stop at just touching sentiments. I almost burst out laughing seeing him faithfully slip in a spoiler for what was coming next.
“We did a lot of new things this season especially, didn't we?”
“That’s because you insisted on doing a musical.”
“And that’s why I performed jazz dance without a single complaint~.”
Conversations that dealt zero damage to each other also took place. While Lee Cheong-hyeon and Choi Je-ho engaged in their banter, Jeong Seong-bin managed to snag one of the provided cushions to create a cozy atmosphere.
“What was the most memorable thing for everyone while doing ‘Awangsil’?”
“For me, it was Kang Gyeon during the Half-formal stage.”
“Sigh…”
Kang Gi-yeon sighed at Lee Cheong-hyeon’s blunt answer.
“I’m serious! The last time I saw Kang Gyeon do traditional dance was back when he entered a competition. I felt bad that there was no chance to show the fans anything other than those pixelated old videos, so I’m glad we got a stage that fit the program’s concept so well.”
However, Kang Gi-yeon didn't argue with his friend’s subsequent words. Lee Cheong-hyeon was the one who had watched him since he was doing the traditional dance that formed the foundation of his life. No matter how embarrassed he was, he couldn't speak harshly to a friend like that.
“Everyone gave a lot of input this time, too.”
The guys nodded at my words. While I was the one who usually came up with the items and the members added the flesh or refined the details in the previous season, this time, almost everyone took turns being in charge of stage planning.
“Speaking of input, I actually feel a little sorry for asking the members to do a musical.”
“Why…?”
“Everyone worked so hard. I started wondering, ‘Did I just push my own stubbornness?’ I felt like I made the Hyungs and Kang Gyeon suffer too much to create the final result.”
Lee Cheong-hyeon laughed awkwardly. He only relaxed after being told that there wouldn't be another chance to try something like that if not for now.
“Seong-bin and Ju-woo, you spent the end of your teens and the start of your twenties with ‘Awangsil.’ How do you feel?”
The production staff asked a question that would be good for the edit. If the staff has any sense, they should get us a decent recording studio for the finals.
“Even though a one-year difference might not seem like much, it feels huge. Is it because of the way I express myself? Personally, I do think I’ve grown a lot.”
“Physically?”
“Physically, I haven't grown that much…”
Jeong Seong-bin’s voice trailed off at the question from Lee Cheong-hyeon, who had shown overwhelming physical growth.
“Seong-bin worked hard. Managing the practice schedule and everything.”
Choi Je-ho credited the leader’s hard work. I was running around filming a drama, and Lee Cheong-hyeon was busy doing arrangements and filming commercials. It couldn't have been easy for him to take care of Park Ju-woo and Kang Gi-yeon, who also had their individual stages.
While the managers handled the pickup schedules, those closest to you are the ones who know your condition and work progress best. And Jeong Seong-bin is a leader who doesn't turn a blind eye to that.
It seemed Choi Je-ho had been watching his younger teammate’s struggles in his own way. Jeong Seong-bin looked embarrassed but didn't forget to say thank you.
In the past, Jeong Seong-bin would have reacted like that even when I praised him. These days, whenever I say anything, he just says, ‘Yes, Hyung, thank you, now please go inside and sleep.’ Time is so cruel.
“Where else could you find someone who holds the team together as well as Seong-bin does during important moments? Like during the Season 1 finals, too.”
Jeong Seong-bin’s eyes widened at my words. He probably didn't expect me to mention that period on broadcast.
But this guy needs to let people know about his upright path. That way, even if Jang Jun-hu gets jealous again and tries to drag him down, Jeong Seong-bin won't crumble under external attacks.
After listening quietly to my words, Jeong Seong-bin quickly started talking about the younger members again. He said it wasn't hard at all because the younger ones followed his lead so well.
“Do you really think so? Is there never a time you want to give us a good smack?”
“Why would I smack you guys!”
Jeong Seong-bin hurriedly denied Lee Cheong-hyeon’s words.
“Have you never thought we were being cocky? Not even once?”
Eventually, even Kang Gi-yeon joined in. Jeong Seong-bin broke into a cold sweat, surrounded by the younger members.
“Never. I don't think I’ve ever been stressed because of you two…?”
“Then it must be because of me and Je-ho…”
“No, Hyung!”
Jeong Seong-bin waved his hands in dismissal. The sight of me laughing after flustering my much younger teammate would surely be broadcast as the most villainous thing in the world.
“What about the Hyungs? Was there ever a time you felt hurt because of the younger ones?”
Jeong Seong-bin asked, softening the wording slightly. Even though it was a time for honest talk, this could easily become fodder for discord rumors if handled poorly. Since the cameras were rolling, they couldn't say nothing, but he was doing an excellent job of laying the groundwork so that even if it became an issue, it could be explained away as lightly as possible.
“Not really.”
Choi Je-ho’s answer was simple enough to make Jeong Seong-bin’s efforts unnecessary. My opinion wasn't much different.
“You guys don't even speak casually even when we tell you to. Ju-woo and Cheong-hyeon have dropped the formalities, but they’re still incredibly polite.”
“Me?”
Lee Cheong-hyeon asked back. They don't act like dormitory villains during group life, and I don't think there are any kids better than them.
“Even if there was something hurtful, it wouldn't necessarily be because of the younger members, would it? You guys probably had a hard time because of the Hyungs, too. Seong-bin or Ju-woo might have found it tough being stuck in the middle.”
“I… never found it tough.”
“Well, that’s a relief then.”
Park Ju-woo struggled to explain.
“In the first place, if you or Kang Gi-yeon crossed the line, wouldn't Jeong Seong-bin handle it?”
Choi Je-ho dropped a heavy truth bomb. Lee Cheong-hyeon and Kang Gi-yeon accepted it without rebuttal.
“I’m glad there are no hard feelings. I was worried. Since everyone is so nice, I thought you might endure things rather than speak up when everyone looks busy.”
“Our kids do have that kind of image.”
I agreed with Kang Gi-yeon’s words.
“What should we do? Should we change the weekly meetings to daily ones? Should I give you morning and afternoon meetings twice a day?”
“Why are you increasing the workload when we concluded there are no problems?”
“People in high positions tend to try and give more work if they think there are no problems, assuming people are just playing around. Conversely, if there is a problem, they pretend not to know so the work doesn't increase.”
“Hyung, I think it’s best if you stop going on those worry-sharing programs…”
The alarm signaling the end of filming rang following Park Ju-woo’s pitying remark. It was a time that put both body and mind at ease.
The broadcast of the 3rd competition aired on time without any issues. I thought they might substitute it with another program for a week if the drug controversy escalated, but it seemed they avoided a major disaster as no more drug offenders were identified.
≫ Didn't Awangsil just screw over Han Ga-un?
It was a stage with Spark of all people, and anyone could see Jeong Seong-bin carried him by the collar, yet they gave him the win.
└ It was those over-the-top fans who screwed him over… Poor guy.
└ But isn't Han Ga-un good enough to not be called a free rider? He’s a good singer.
└└ True, Parte messed up, but the forced hate right now is a bit much… Didn't everyone agree Han Ga-un was the Tier 1 main vocal before Spark debuted?
└└└ You can't defend him against the free rider label because the balance was off… The difference in weight class was so huge that Han Ga-un looked relatively lacking. Other teams with similar skill levels were more stable.
≫ I acknowledge the vocals.
But the dance, lolololol.
└ How is the Taekkyeon Team in 3rd place? T_T This makes no sense.
└ Is the Taekkyeon Team the one with Tae-hwan and Gi-yeon? They’re in 3rd?? Are there only 3 teams???
└ Even from the live audience view, the Taekkyeon Team was legendary… I thought the video came out well, too… T_T
└ It’s true that Spark’s agency is their weakness.
└ Was this filmed before the drug thing broke? Song Min-il is acting like such a brat.
Viewer reactions also shifted from ‘The production team should reflect’ back to the content of the broadcast.
However, the buzz that had once grown didn't die down. People who weren't fans of the contestants, and even those who were fans but didn't watch survival programs because they were mentally draining, started watching ‘Awangsil.’
The focus had shifted from the hunt for idols who did drugs to a single variety program.
When something like this happens, there’s a high probability that…
≫ Exposing the collusion and power trip between NBC and MYTH.
…it goes public. Due to a whistleblower from the inside.