Chapter 382: No Secret Lasts Forever
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 382: No Secret Lasts Forever
The whistleblower, who identified themselves as one of the writers for Season 1 of Idol Dynasty Annals, proved their identity by sharing parts of the script drafts and photos from the filming set.
The subsequent exposé was filled with all sorts of revelations.
It was brought to light that during the planning of Idol Dynasty Annals, instructions had come from above to give preferential treatment to artists under MYTH. It was also revealed that during the 'Shining Star, K-Top Scholar' segment, cameras for one-shot close-ups were assigned exclusively to Parte.
≫ The cast of 'Shining Star' is given about 10 pages of study material in advance. However, some idols were handed a 20-page 'cheat sheet.'
Unlike the study materials, which had the content randomized, the cheat sheet contained the actual questions presented in the broadcast, organized in the exact order they would appear.
The cheat sheet file was leaked as well. My suspicion that Song Min-il might have had a list of the questions turned out to be correct.
There were also mentions of attempts to solicit vote manipulation, though the writer claimed that request was rejected. Instead, there was a promise to push Parte through internal program elements.
This agreement continued into Season 2, even after the whistleblower had left the program. Screenshots of messages with a junior writer revealed that giving them the best spots during the busking competition and increasing the budget for their stage sets were also part of that 'promise.'
MYTH, which had been responding with claims that the allegations were groundless, fell silent as further revelations followed.
Infuriated by MYTH’s behavior—trying to downplay the whistleblower as a mere staff member rather than an industry insider and treating them like an attention-seeker spreading false rumors to capitalize on the program’s buzz—the writer released a voice recording.
'—That’s not what you said. Why is a question coming up that you didn't tell me about beforehand?'
'Well, variables can always arise during the broadcast production process...'
'—Isn't that what writers are for? To decide those things in advance? If you can't even get this right, what are you writers even getting paid for?'
'Still, we’re making sure to capture Min-il well, and we’ve secured enough individual screen time...'
'—Capture me well? There are dozens of people gathered there. My seat is way in the back. There’s no way I can stand out!'
And then, as the cherry on top...
'—Ugh, there isn't a single trash can on this floor.'
...My voice came out as well.
"Is this why you told me to show off my knowledge?"
Even Lee Cheong-hyeon came running to ask me about it.
Song Min-il really has no luck. See? I told you to watch your mouth.
The public empathizes more easily with the struggles of ordinary employees than with those of celebrities. Since the former is closer to their own lives, it was only natural in a way.
≫ They give him the script, they give him the one-shots, they even cater to his whims over the phone.
What the hell is he so upset about that he’s acting like this? Just because a question he didn't know came up? Every other kid there recorded under those same conditions, you moron.
≫ You really have to be prepared to leave the industry to expose this much.
└ I can see why... I’d feel so much self-loathing if I were in their shoes.
≫ Min-il, what were you thinking when you saw Ga-un unable to even lift his head on Awangsil...?
I heard you were so 'considerate' that you introduced Ga-un everywhere to help him make an impression? Don't you think it would've been better if he hadn't made that impression?
≫ Look at that f*cking attitude lolololol.
His words and actions are insane.
His tone is exactly like those 'young-kkondae' nightmares you see so much of lately.
≫ While they were busy pushing these guys, Spark didn't even get half the reaction shots Parte did, and they had to busk in a department store. Is this for real?
If it were me, I would've sent 100 sarcastic Bubble Pop messages to Parte and the production team already, then gotten hit with a personality controversy and written a handwritten apology letter to leave the group.
Song Min-il, who belittled the writers' work and poured out verbal abuse, was torn to shreds. Criticism also intensified toward MYTH, who broke the prejudice that 'agencies are the underdogs' by using their idols' appearances as leverage for deals.
In the midst of this storm, I unintentionally gained some reflected benefits.
≫ People are saying the voice passing by is cute. Sparklers, is that true??
└ It sounds like him, but Iwol isn't the type to talk to himself... so I'm not sure.
└ Is he not the type to say things like 'I wonder where my socks are~'? That's unexpected.
└ Why is that unexpected? lolololol.
≫ I'm pretty sure it's Kim I-wol.
Appeared on the same show + while everyone else was cleaning their whiteboards with markers, only the two from Spark used wet wipes + in the behind-cam, Cheong-hyeon and Berion are there, and Seong-chan says something like he left Cheong-hyeon in their care while Iwol-hyung went to throw away some trash.
└ Is your name Conan?
└ Is your job a detective?
≫ If the outside noise was recorded on the phone of the person talking inside, the soundproofing must be terrible.
At that level, wouldn't everyone passing by have heard what Song Min-il was saying?
└ It’s confirmed by the fact that Song Min-il went quiet right after Kim I-wol said that. Seeing as there hasn't been much talk until now, it looks like Kim I-wol gave him a warning and let it slide.
└ Warning, my foot. lol. He just happened to get caught.
└ He got caught? When the call ended right after Kim I-wol appeared? Can you really say that after seeing Song Min-il pestering Lee Cheong-hyeon about his family until the middle of the broadcast, only to shut his mouth for the rest of the show?
└ Our boy isn't loose-lipped like a certain someone's center, so he doesn't add fuel to the fire on Bubble Pop just because he's annoyed... Just be grateful I-wol hasn't said a word about how sh*tty it was to film while being discriminated against in favor of the beneficiaries.
≫ You really never know what'll happen in life.
Back in Season 1, I-wol was getting pelted with stones because people thought he was getting special treatment or power-tripping, but in Season 2, the situation is completely reversed.
└ While our boy was walking on a gravel path and clearing away the stones himself, the real silver spoons were riding the bus and complaining about motion sickness.
It’s the principle that even a pebble looks like a beautiful piece of nature when it's sitting next to food waste.
All of a sudden, I had become an unprecedented 'grit king'—someone who silently did his job through rain, wind, or hardship, remaining unshaken between a senior like All-over, whose character was now in question, and the 'Sons of the Broadcast Station,' Parte.
MYTH eventually posted a belated apology. The Awangsil side also posted a notice apologizing to the groups that suffered due to the unfair process.
"There are a lot of posts saying they're going to file complaints with the Broadcasting and Communications Standards Commission."
Monitoring the situation beside me, Jeong Seong-bin’s eyebrows formed a worried 'V.' He looked conflicted.
"Don't worry too much. The program won't be canceled mid-run."
"Even after the favoritism issues have been exposed this much?"
"They'll probably claim that some editing was inevitable for the sake of entertainment. Other shows don't broadcast the raw footage exactly as it is, either. Unless they manipulated paid votes, there's a high chance this will be seen as within the broadcaster's discretion. Have you ever seen a show get disciplined for 'evil editing'?"
Though it’ll be hard for them to produce a next season. If we can bow out after this season instead of appearing on Awangsil again, we’d welcome it.
"Actually, this worked out well."
"Pardon?"
Jeong Seong-bin looked puzzled. I closed my laptop and said, "We had a lot to prepare for the live stage, didn't we?"
"Ah..."
"Until now, it was just suspicion, but now it's different. Since everyone knows there was discrimination, the production team will provide as much support as possible just to lessen their responsibility. It's in their best interest to take good care of the one remaining stage to keep public opinion from getting worse."
Though not completely, Jeong Seong-bin agreed with me to some extent.
"There's no point in discussing what's already passed. Let's think about the benefits we can gain moving forward. Got it?"
I patted his shoulder. With a look of determination, Jeong Seong-bin ran over to Park Ju-woo.
After the controversy over Parte’s special treatment and Spark’s exploitation on Awangsil, I received many messages. Most were texts of concern, worrying about our mental state.
[Ha Seo-myeong Sunbae]
[I saw the articles. It’s upsetting, but I’m glad more people are recognizing you and Spark now.]
[Become a giant and get revenge for everything, I-wol.]
[Got it?]
[I believe in you.]
[Hee-rang Sunbae]
[I saw the articles. Are you okay?]
[I’m rooting for Spark and Iwol-hyung!!]
[Seong-chan Sunbae]
[This isn't something that can be covered in a text.]
[Let’s have a meal with Berion and Spark soon.]
[Hee-rang found a great place.]
[I’ll steal President Moon’s card, so just wait.]
[Gu Ja-han Sunbae]
[If you're annoyed, want me to ask if our company has any interest in starting an idol business?]
[Me]
[I’ll take the thought as a gift!]
[Gu Ja-han Sunbae]
[No.]
[It’s not hard to just ask.]
[Me]
[I’m really fine. I mean it.]
Aside from the chill down my spine caused by Gu Ja-han, my heart felt warm. Modern society is still worth living in.
Yesterday, we even ate beef on the corporate card. There was a bittersweet moment when Manager Chan-yeong started crying, saying he was sorry the agency was so powerless, and Manager Dae-yeon had to take him outside.
After receiving plenty of support and eating plenty of food, we gathered in the meeting room, feeling fortified by all the healing.
We only exchanged brief greetings with the staff who came for the shoot. Everyone looked too pale for small talk.
When they said they couldn't bear to face Spark, Jeong Seong-bin smoothed things over by saying it was fine as long as they took pretty shots of us.
If I hadn't heard the dedicated team shouting in anger on our behalf earlier, I would have been the one lying face-down on the meeting room table.
Fortunately, the filming of the meeting scene began in a calm atmosphere without any raised voices.
"Everyone," Lee Cheong-hyeon said in a solemn tone. "The time has finally come."
Park Ju-woo’s eyes sparkled. My palms were sweating as well.
After a long wait, the time had arrived to bring out Spark’s long-awaited project.