Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Debut Group
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Executive Director Joo frowned.
“Fun, huh.”
Very unusual.
Kang Minje grinned.
“If it goes well, maybe I can hitch a ride?”
“You? With Dowon?”
Joo blinked, then looked back at the screen. The boy in the video was undeniably impressive.
“Our Dowon will definitely shine as the frontman.”
“We haven’t picked the members yet?”
“You know all about it, Director Joo. There are two spots. We don’t know the CF reaction yet, but Yumi’s music video got a great response. She made her presence felt with just that.”
Joo nodded. Truth be told, she’d felt it too.
‘This kid’s the real deal.’
Charismatic. Sparkling. Debut someone she knew was genuine, and the fans would see it too.
“Minje. Sounds like you’re saying I have to include you.”
“Didn’t you bring me the video planning to put me in?”
“Fair point. One hang-up: he’s too young. Cha Dowon’s barely starting third year middle school after the new year.”
“Plenty of idols debuted at that age.”
“True enough.”
If they added Cha Dowon to the project, quite a few from the debut group would get cut. At the thought of their glares, Joo let out a small sigh.
Culling was necessary. Even in the debut group, not everyone debuted.
“Never dreamed a kid like this would drop into our laps.”
“Dances better than kids who’ve trained for years. Vocals too.”
“No denying that. Saw it at the month-end eval.”
“And the boss approved him. ‘What a find!’ He was thrilled, like the talent we’d been hunting for just popped out of nowhere.”
Joo knew. She’d been there.
Business done. She stood from her seat.
“Cha Dowon. You two look like a good match.”
“Because Dowon’s such a find?”
“You’re kinda boring.”
“Oh.”
But it was true.
“Debut, hit variety shows, and the reactions will roll in. You get flak for being boring.”
“I’m not a variety member.”
“Can’t be picky about gigs. Use everything to get known. I’m out.”
“Yes, Director.”
She headed back the way she came. Kang Minje slipped on his headset, then took it right off.
He propped his chin on his hand and muttered.
“Never thought we’d actually debut together……”
Charging ahead at terrifying speed, only to end up together.
“Our Dowon’s scary.”
Kang shook his head, then stood. Thinking of Cha Dowon jogged his memory.
‘Saturday afternoon, right?’
The day Cha Dowon cooked. His skills were solid, making it a day everyone in the debut group looked forward to.
“Maybe I’ll grab some today.”
He wasn’t big on meals, but Cha Dowon’s food strangely hit the spot. Kang grinned faintly and strolled out.
Exciting kid, in all sorts of ways.
***
*Is not pleasure in learning and constant practice?*
“Damn.”
I lay sprawled on the practice room floor, muttering.
Learning and practicing. Fine words.
‘If only there were no side effects!’
I gritted my teeth and crawled to the corner of the practice room. My lower body had zero strength. Honestly, my upper body wasn’t in much better shape.
“Dowon?”
The bear-like guy asked. I waved him off like I was fine.
“Quick break.”
“You never take breaks.”
“Have to now.”
Because my lower body wasn’t moving at all.
I gripped my smartphone, trembling. For real—this thing never let its guard down.
The reason was simple.
*-Any flaws in my dancing?*
*-Ambition incarnate. Obvious question. Flexibility, duh.*
I had a bad habit of fixing flaws on the spot. So I immediately cheated via smartphone.
[cheat mode 1/3]
[Cha Dowon Flexibility]
[C. Change?]
[To B]
[Changed. Side effect: lower body paralyzed for 1 hour. Upper body: severe muscle pain for 1 full day.]
[cheat mode 2/3]
The price for boosting flexibility was brutal. Every joint throbbed as I barely managed a groan.
‘Gotta practice…’
The pain was so bad my head spun.
Debut group guys passing by asked.
“Huh, what’s Cha Dowon doing down there?”
“You sick?”
“Yeah, battery drained.”
“Oh, you seemed inexhaustible. Guess you run out too.”
Please buy it, debut group seniors.
“Oh, Dowon. Thanks for the bread.”
“Yesterday’s was great.”
“No biggie. Glad you liked it.”
I’d brought the pile of croissants left over from the CF shoot. Figured they’d skip for weight reasons, but most devoured them with wild eyes.
‘Makes sense. Kids this age chew through iron.’
Everything tastes good at that point.
I groaned and flipped over. Every joint was inflamed, leaving me dizzy.
“But shouldn’t you hit the hospital?”
“One hour rest, and I should manage.”
Soon as my legs worked, back to practice.
‘Think I’ll bow to side effects, Cheat?’
Needed max grades before debut.
I tapped my phone and whispered.
‘Huh? You little—my eyes are bloodshot.’
Guys with rolled-back eyes see nothing.
“Oh, Dowon. When’s your CF dropping?”
“Dunno.”
The sweaty guy snatched my phone.
“Hey.”
“Video site.”
No way it was up already. But he fired up the app, searched, and shoved the screen at me. Laughably, it was right there.
‘They rushed it.’
I hit play, and everyone swarmed the practice room.
“No practice?”
“Watching this.”
“Gotta see if the maknae nailed it.”
Their downcast eyes mixed emotions. I sighed softly, set the handed-back phone to full screen, and propped it on my chest.
‘I can watch later.’
The eyes encircling my prone form were no joke.
‘Get stepped on, and it’s over.’
The video started. Over the short 30 seconds, faces flickered wildly. Most desperately hid their jealousy.
‘Whew.’
Good thing I brought the bread. Felt like trouble without it.
‘Individual feelings aren’t my business…’
But if any end up members, gotta make it work. Can’t do a group solo.
That’s when Yoo Hajin, neck craned closest, spoke.
“You killed it?”
“Thanks?”
“How’d you act that well? First time?”
“Good editing. Lucky.”
Yoo Hajin shook his head once and headed to practice. 30 seconds was short for sure. The debut group vanished from above me.
That’s when it happened.
*Bam—*
One guy slamming the door shut stood out.
‘Huh.’
What was his name again.
‘Ki Jaeyoon?’
I remembered him. Come to think of it, he was one of Zenith’s members.
‘Not one of the ones leaving the company.’
I groaned through the muscle pain and grabbed my phone.
‘Kinda weird, now that I think.’
Zenith’s lineup was mostly from the debut group. But something was off. Bland.
‘Best dancer here’s Kang Minje.’
Leader type was Yoo Hajin, who’d talked to me day one.
‘Nice guy, honestly.’
Skill looked solid. Image fit. No planning know-how, but why no Zenith for him?
‘About time to pick members.’
No clue pre-regression if Friends Entertainment’s boy group Vita caused drama, but things felt hectic.
‘Last month, nearly didn’t make debut group.’
Debut group trainees stomped in frustration. I tried moving my legs—no dice.
The bear guy still looming asked.
“Want a ride to the hospital?”
“I’m good. For real.”
Lee Seungjun nodded like he got it. Come to think, he was solid too.
‘Why’d Zenith pick those members?’
Groups thrived long-term. Even if solos later, keep the group intact. Better that way.
‘Gotta pick right.’
Who decided?
‘Boss, Executive Director Joo. And…’
Thinking of him soured my stomach. I let out a heavy sigh.
‘Kang Minje.’
Coax him right, maybe snag better members.
‘Damn. Me handling this?’
Same group as that enemy? Stress enough. Shit.
‘Investment for the future.’
Aunt’s election tanked. To dangle a building then, need big bucks.
‘Ah, pathetic.’
Another heavy sigh. Lost in thoughts, an hour passed—legs moved.
I bent one, startled.
‘What the—?’
Amid searing joint pain, my body felt insanely limber. Like oiled hinges.
‘No way.’
Tried a practice move. Mirror me looked alien.
‘Whoa.’
Flexibility this game-changing?
‘Another cheat?’
Snatched my phone.
[cheat mode 2/3]
[Cha Dowon Dance Skill]
[B. Change?]
[To A]
[Changed.]
[Side effect: 5 minutes from now, 15-minute seizure.]
[cheat mode 3/3]
Damn.
I bolted for the practice room door.
“Dowon?”
“Bathroom emergency!”
Door shut amid murmurs of ‘Diarrhea?’ I sprinted to the toilet, sat safely, and waited for the side effect.
‘Pain in the ass, but exciting.’
How much better?
After 15 minutes foaming at the mouth, dancing would change. I smiled, eyes closed.
A dirty hassle, but not bad.
***
“You. Dance battle. Me.”
Expensive meal, now this?
I gave him a flat side-eye, scanning top to bottom.
“Uh, name?”
“Ki Jaeyoon! Debut group! 19!”
Ah, the thumping guy.
Thought some rando popped up, but Zenith member.
“Hm. What’s a dance battle?”
Barely asked, and he blurted.
“Battle! Vote decides! Winner takes 10,000 won!”
Small stakes.
“Nah.”
“Why! Do it!”
“Too much hassle. Tons to practice.”
No time for play battles.
“Do it! With me!”
Irritation twisted my face—I hid it. What’s this? Force wins?
‘Wanna deck him.’
Treat this like a senior?
Then Yoo Hajin wedged between us.
“Leave the maknae alone, Jaeyoon.”
“Just one battle.”
“Dance battle favors you. You’re the best dancer here.”
Huh.
‘News to me.’
The top guy?
“Came in as dance prodigy. Eighth year trainee.”
“Got it.”
“Your CF pissed him off. Ignore the bully.”
I flashed a grin.
“Nah. Wanna give it a shot.”
Only doing advantages? This punk.
“Huh? You in?”
“For real? Tomorrow! Song’s ‘Great Me’ all the way!”
He bolted without looking back. Hajin shook his head like no stopping it.
“Picks his best song too.”
Of course.
“He’s jealous. Why bite?”
“Wanna pick up a trick.”
Now I got why Zenith. Ah, best dancer.
“Saw that wuxia yesterday? ‘Pick up a trick’?”
“10k’s 400g beef. Wanna dig for that cash?”