Chapter 69
Chapter 69
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: 1st Place
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Wow.
'Is it coming too fast?'
It really seemed to be blowing up.
"What will you do if we get 1st place? Executive Director Joo said to let him know."
"What do you mean 'do'? Well, if anything, maybe a meal? But anyway, Manager."
"Yeah?"
"That 1st place thing. It's not exactly fair, is it?"
The manager's smiling face reflected in the window. As expected.
"Some places are honest, some aren't."
"Even if you can't turn 100th into 1st, you can turn 5th into 1st. That's what it sounds like."
"How'd you know?"
"I could tell without looking. That's just how broadcasting works. What's the standard?"
The manager sighed and said,
"What else? How well you do promotions?"
I didn't even need to hear it. Obvious.
"That word 'promotions' must encompass a lot, huh?"
"How'd you know?"
"Just a hunch. So our 1st place depends on Friends Entertainment's promotions, then."
"There are places that do it fairly."
How many of those are there, really?
'Digital sales can be rigged from the start anyway.'
I shook my head and leaned back in the seat.
"Still, getting 1st place feels good."
"If it's hard for some and easy for others, what meaning does that award have? Though it can be a benchmark. Could raise performance fees."
Good way to look at it. 1st place. The manager fell silent. I closed my tired eyes.
"Sometimes I hate this job."
What?
"You kids your age not knowing the world's filth seems like a good thing."
I let out a snicker.
"You're sounding like a teacher. Well, I agree with that."
Kids should grow up like kids.
"But I'm already in the war. Either rise or fall. That's it. Sometimes it feels more profound than life or death, don't you think?"
Before regression, unknown actor Cha Dowon never got a chance to rise. Back then, even twitching once was a dream.
'But now it's different.'
Schedules were filling up, we were on shows, people recognized me.
'Chance is here. Letting it go would be stupid.'
I swiped my smartphone once.
'Last night I was in agony, but compared to the bitterness of failure, this is sweeter than honey.'
Bring on the side effects. I'll use it anyway.
Then the manager said,
"We won't get 1st."
Huh?
"GBS doesn't like us much. They won't give it to us."
"I see."
"Just keep it between us. The others would be disappointed."
"Better to tell them. You underestimate us too much, Manager."
The manager let out a deep sigh.
"Jaeyoon really believes it."
Oh no.
"What about the other members?"
"They probably have a hunch."
I shook my head in disbelief. Keep quiet to protect Ki Jaeyoon's innocence?
"He needs to know."
"He can find out later."
"If you raise him too naively, you'll suffer as the manager, and Zenith crashes."
This is trouble.
"If it's hard, I can tell him."
"You crazy ambitious punk! Not everyone's like you!"
"If everyone was like me, it'd be chaos. But anyway, is Ki Jaeyoon the son of a broadcasting station president or something?"
The manager suddenly hiccuped, startled.
Huh?
"Really?"
"Not a station president, but he's connected to some high-up."
"Crazy."
I let out a deep sigh.
"But we picked you for your talent."
"Yeah~ sure. I believe you."
"Really."
I thought of Executive Director Joo. She didn't seem the type to pick someone just for connections.
'I believe you.'
Not a big deal anyway.
"Who else knows besides me?"
"The others did a lot of trainee life, so they probably know. Their clothes give it away."
"Ah, so I was the only one in the dark."
Kinda unfair.
I took a deep breath. Funny thing—Ki Jaeyoon was the only member of Zenith from before regression who didn't betray Kang Minje.
'And he stuck around quite a while.'
Damn. So that's it.
'Lucky bastard.'
Some people thrive no matter what in life's big leagues.
A bitter smile came naturally.
"Dowon, you mad?"
"Nah, whatever. Can't change members now."
Once an idol group's lineup is set, changing it causes massive backlash. Better not unless necessary.
'Because of fans' fantasies.'
If it's just business relations, fans get hurt.
I thought of Yoo Hajin and Lee Seungjun. Felt oddly uncomfortable.
'It should be business.'
But is it too deep for that?
As I mulled over this and that, the manager said quietly,
"Zenith making it to 1st place contender is mostly thanks to you."
"Of course. But the song was good too."
That damn Kang Minje did pick an artistic track, to be fair.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts.
"I'm just doing okay."
"Yeah. Keep growing."
I closed my eyes. Condition recovered, but sleep crashed over me like it was waiting. I quietly surrendered to slumber.
***
'Amazing guy.'
The manager glanced at Cha Dowon in the rearview mirror. This kid who rolled in out of nowhere had grabbed Zenith by the collar and yanked it up.
'Not just anyone can do that.'
He grumbled, but the kid had a lot of spirit. If a member stumbled, he'd casually support from behind.
'And that temper too...'
Pushing Lee Seungjun aside and taking the injury himself. Manager Heo Yongdam had seen it on site and knew Cha Dowon's character well.
'And he's a genius at stirring buzz.'
Heo Yongdam felt it clearly. Crazy ambitious Cha Dowon was essential to Zenith. All members mattered, but without him, it'd be like a cell without a nucleus.
'That's what a center member is.'
Already eye-catching, the kid's expressions were spot-on. Diligent, clever, good judgment.
'Is there such a perfect entertainer seedling?'
Not in his experience.
'He was even scary on Country Life.'
Knew he could cook, but that alone wouldn't win over the picky beauty trio. Yet he slipped into their circle at lightspeed effortlessly.
'Yoon Mihyeon hugging him? That was insane favor from her.'
She was a picky actress who valued diligence. For her to embrace him meant huge goodwill.
'This crazy ambitious guy has no idea what he's done.'
Do well, and even film offers could come.
'Scary kid.'
Rising this fast—like a high-speed train that was just waiting.
The manager looked back at his charge. The kid didn't know, but Heo Yongdam had claimed to be his personal manager.
'Want to keep watching this guy.'
That urge kept coming.
Oblivious to his thoughts, the exhausted Cha Dowon fell asleep fast. Heo Yongdam grinned. Strange conviction hit him: protecting and helping this kid would never be regretted.
'Good man.'
The highway was empty. Heo Yongdam sped up a bit. Nothing in the way.
***
We stopped by the shop then headed straight there, so the members were in the waiting room doing their own things.
A familiar sight after weeks of music shows.
'Kang Minje composing, Hajin hyung reading, Lee Seungjun working out...'
Ki Jaeyoon was playing a smartphone game.
There was the protagonist. I said to Ki Jaeyoon,
"We won't get 1st."
Yoo Hajin turned around.
"Weak promotions."
The manager stopped me right away.
"Dowon!"
"They need to know."
Ki Jaeyoon's character died in the game. He suddenly grabbed my arm.
"1st is decided like that?"
"So it seems."
Yoo Hajin muttered,
"Ah, as expected."
"You knew too, hyung?"
"Vibes were off."
Leader had quick instincts, as expected.
Ki Jaeyoon punched a cushion in frustration.
"Argh, what the hell!"
"Cool it, Jaeyoon."
"If so, what's with the paid votes? They're raking in cash."
I snickered and said,
"Should we rig the stats properly?"
"Hey! Cha Dowon, talking like it's not our problem? It is!"
"So what? Leak it to the press?"
I looked around.
"Jaeyoon, wanna get banned from GBS?"
Even minor 'Our Kids' pulled dirty power plays. Leak that? The station blacks us out.
"No, whole affiliates?"
How many subsidiaries?
"Hey! Can't even complain?"
"Sure, complain."
But it can't end there.
I sat on the sofa, leaning back on a cushion, then turned to Kang Minje beside me.
Kang Minje pulled off his headset and asked,
"What?"
"Hyung, you made a great song."
"Why praise out of nowhere?"
"1st isn't happening, and it's not the song's fault."
Kang Minje's eyes widened.
'He thought of it too.'
I looked back at the ceiling.
"Our song blew up enough."
"Comforting me?"
He had to ask twice. Kang Minje.
Damn. What sin did I commit in my past life to soothe this enemy?
"We won't get 1st today."
"Yeah."
"Then next week."
I grinned. Yoo Hajin sat next to me.
"Weak promotions, right?"
"If we sweep 1st everywhere else, they'll notice."
"What are you plotting now..."
Yoo Hajin sighed softly. Leader hyung, anyone would think I'm the troublemaker.
"Gonna keep getting 2nd?"
Yoo Hajin rubbed his face dry.
"What can we do?"
"Nothing big. Apologize on SNS to fans who supported us."
Really nothing.
"And go insanely hard on stage today."
They won't mess with editing too much.
"Why?"
"Fans will hit text votes on other stations hard."
Truly grateful. Paid votes are 100 won, but money's money.
'Spending it on us...'
Love you, Dowonhyang. We'll always work hard.
"Will it change anything?"
Core fandom still weak. But public appeal solidified.
'Thanks to 'Eternal Hit'.'
I snickered.
"Numbers go up a bit. Don't know how much. But even if it fails, it's good for us. Strengthens the fandom."
Members focused on me. I smiled and said,
"But only if we nail the stage today."
Kang Minje laughed.
"How hard?"
"Over-the-top hard. So it shows even off-screen. Success if comments on video sites say we went all out."
I met each member's eyes.
"You in?"
Kang Minje put his headset back on.
"Of course. No downside for us."
Yoo Hajin shook his head, exhaling long.
"We always go hard on stage."
"True."
"We'll do it."
Bingo.
Lee Seungjun nodded. Only Ki Jaeyoon left.
"You think a lot. How do you live like that?"
Picking a fight?
"World's harsh, gotta use your head."
I smiled at him.
"Not doing it?"
"Then?"
"No more food from me for a while."
And other inconveniences.
"Hey, low blow with food!"
"Can get lower. Diet time or whatever."
"Fine! Fine! Doing it! Scary as hell!"
Phew. Good. Was gonna make him regret life if he refused.
'Ki Jaeyoon's got luck.'
Not subtle—blatant.
Then the door opened, staff entered.
"Zenith, get ready."
We stood. Yoo Hajin grabbed my arm.
"Rehearsal was normal. Same as last week."
"Got it. Positions too?"
"Yeah. Just glow tape's orange now."
I nodded.
We walked the station hallway to backstage. Yoo Hajin turned.
"Let's do well."
Of course we will.
I smiled brightly.
'Right now, I'm the idol who goes stupidly hard on stage.'
Disappointed over no 1st, but gotta fake bright idol too.
'Busy, busy.'