Chapter 116
Chapter 116
The post, formatted as "Card News," consisted of large, eye-catching fonts and images.
[Do you happen to know Onyx?]
[A rookie idol group that debuted this year.]
Below that, Onyx’s achievements were attached. With 80,000 copies in first-week sales and overseas performances, they had the kind of results one would expect from a well-established rookie group.
[However, Onyx cannot expect to win any Rookie of the Year awards this year.]
[Because there is a group that has achieved results unbelievable for a rookie.]
The post devoted the entire next page to highlighting TeSTAR receiving awards, emphasizing their name and their stats.
From the following page onward, a one-sided explanation of TeSTAR began.
[TeSTAR is a group created by a variety show.]
It went on to discuss how much the broadcasting station intervened in Idol Inc. and how the program was heavily colored by variety show tropes.
Then, it listed a string of news headlines regarding the recent controversy over the recruitment of a writer’s relatives and the "evil editing."
[The power of variety departments and mass media has come to dictate the success of the music industry.]
The post didn't miss a beat, even including a page to preemptively counter expected questions.
[Q: Haven't there been numerous idol auditions until now?]
[A: The problem is the "variety" aspect of the audition.]
[The issue isn't the broadcasting of a label's internal audition, but rather that this is a "full-blown variety show" created by variety PDs and writers.]
[Q: Aren't there many solo artists who debuted through audition variety shows?]
[A: They weren't formed through the program; rather, it was a format where existing artists were discovered.]
[Q: There have been many projects that released music and promoted through variety shows, right?]
[A: They were not evaluated in the "Rookie of the Year" category.]
Then, photos of rookie idols struggling were shown alongside pictograms.
[Rookies fighting with nothing but their albums on an unfair platform.]
Finally, an additional page was attached.
[This year's ToneA Awards.]
[TeSTAR received awards in four categories, including Rookie of the Year, and was granted time for four stage performances.]
[Other rookies did not receive a single award, nor the chance to show even one full song.]
Images of other rookies clapping in the background were inserted.
[The conglomerate that sponsored ToneA was the same one that sponsored the variety show that created TeSTAR.]
The Card News concluded with a quote from the bestseller The Tyranny of Merit.
It meant they had meticulously put this together, even utilizing images that people would perceive as authoritative.
Furthermore, they had subtly shifted the tone of the argument.
‘...They tied it to the variety department’s infiltration of the music industry.’
Of course, if you looked at it with a clear head, it was total bullshit.
Music projects done on variety shows were one-offs, intended for creating episodes.
‘On the other hand, Aju-sa was a variety show launched from the very beginning to create an idol group.’
The nature of the two was completely different.
Besides, this industry had always been unfair.
The issue of different starting lines in terms of attention and opportunity for those from major agencies was already a chronic problem.
‘TeSTAR doesn't have a particularly unique problem.’
The issue, however, was that many people already disliked TeSTAR, and public opinion on the communities was poor due to the fairness narrative sparked by the relative issue.
Moreover, the post lowered resistance by limiting the argument to the "Rookie of the Year" award rather than claiming TeSTAR’s overall results were illegitimate.
That was why a claim that normally wouldn't have gained any traction was slowly being swallowed up, thanks to the many people who "wanted to believe" it.
Thanks to that, the comments section turned into a battlefield between those who agreed and those telling them to stop talking nonsense.
Because the opinions were so polarized, it generated even more buzz.
‘Fuck, seriously.’
This definitely wasn't made by Onyx fans.
Their weight class was nearly ten times smaller than TeSTAR's; there was no reason they'd want to make an enemy of us.
It was just made by people who wanted to screw TeSTAR over.
‘They’re really going this far?’
Creating Card News was no small effort. Not to mention the diligence required to post it simultaneously across all sorts of SNS and communities.
I couldn't understand how much someone had to hate us to do something like this. If it were me, I’d just stop watching.
Honestly, it was a bit... creepy.
‘Surely we won't lose the Rookie award because of this...’
No, that was still a stretch.
‘It would have to blow up enough to make the social affairs section of the news to be stripped away.’
An awards ceremony of any decent scale wouldn't be able to deny the award to the rightful recipient over something like this.
‘They just want TeSTAR’s image to go to hell. They want the fans to get exhausted and drop out.’
My head actually grew colder.
‘...Should I use a somewhat extreme method?’
I had held off because I was afraid innocent people would get caught in the crossfire, but now the fans' mental health was a bigger problem than those guys.
And there was no need to agonize over it for long.
Because an even more maddening post went up.
*
[Is this a signal from Cheong-ryeo on Inheart?]
: These are behind-the-scenes photos from the ToneA Awards, and Onyx is in them.
(Screenshot of Cheong-ryeo’s Inheart)
He says he hopes they get good results at the end of the year too;
Am I the only one who felt a signal?
*
The comments were filled with VTIC fans telling them not to talk nonsense, but in reality, the damage was done the moment the post went up.
It was a countdown to a news article.
‘What the hell is his problem now?’
He had clearly posted it on purpose. The way he adjusted the intensity to a level that was easily excusable showed he was no amateur at this.
‘What are you thinking, you son of a bitch?’
In a surge of anger, I opened my messaging app... then closed it the next moment.
‘Let’s not react.’
That bastard would also find it burdensome to add anything more anyway.
There was no way his fans would like him meddling in such a sensitive issue. It could even be used against him later.
‘He’s just trying to have a power struggle with me.’
He was basically saying, "I can ruin you, so why don't you spill everything you're hiding and cooperate?"
If I contacted him now, I’d likely be the only one losing out due to my anger.
‘...I’ll deal with him with a clear mind once this matter is resolved.’
I blocked Cheong-ryeo. I essentially cut off any possibility of me contacting him out of anger.
However, I’d have to think of a way to deal with this guy in the near future.
‘First, let’s handle this case.’
I called out the members, who were still peaceful since they hadn't checked SNS yet. The guys, who were just getting ready for bed, gathered in the living room with bewildered faces.
"E-everyone, you called us all..."
"Ah, did you prepare a gift to celebrate our first awards ceremony? I'll take the biggest one. Thanks."
"Using the prejudice that big things are the best gifts, the probability that a good gift is inside something small is also..."
"...It’s not a gift."
"Yes, sir."
The tension suddenly evaporated.
I looked at Ryu Cheong-woo, the only one with a slightly serious expression, and made a proposal.
"About our SBC stage."
"Yeah?"
"What if we change the arrangement?"
Everyone was taken aback.
"Now?"
"Just for the one special stage."
"...Is there a reason?"
Bae Se-jin looked like he wanted to refuse immediately but was holding back to at least hear me out.
After a moment of thought, I explained the situation.
I couldn't persuade them without telling them, and they would likely find out by tomorrow at the latest anyway.
"Actually, right now on the internet..."
As the explanation continued, the members' faces hardened.
"Reminds me of the Aju-sa days."
"I guess the same people are still at it. Hmm... but why change the arrangement?"
To Keun Se-jin’s question, I spoke without filtering.
"To give them a shock."
Then I told them in what direction I wanted to change it.
"......!"
The members seemed a bit flustered.
"W-won't it... be a bit... too much?"
"I'm a bit worried too."
But first, a vote of approval came from Keun Se-jin.
"I think we’ll really have to brace ourselves, but hmm~ I’m in for now."
"......!"
With this, the persuasion was practically half-finished.
"I think it’s the most effective response to the current situation. Anyone who dislikes the idea?"
"......."
Bae Se-jin seemed to be glaring at Keun Se-jin, but when our eyes met, his momentum faltered.
"......?"
No, if he disliked it, I was planning to listen to his opinion first.
But no opposing opinions came out. Even Ryu Cheong-woo just nodded.
"Let's do it. Right now, I can't afford to think about anyone else's position but yours."
"Hyung..."
It seemed Ryu Cheong-woo had been constantly bothered by the feeling that public opinion had soured because of him.
"They’re the kind of people who would’ve done it anyway. Even if it wasn't because of you, they would’ve found another excuse, so don't let it get to you."
Of course, I didn't bother telling him the truth that it wouldn't have happened at this timing if that were the case.
Surprisingly, Seon A-hyun chimed in.
"...T-that's right. S-since those people don't change, w-wouldn't it be better not to waste energy on them...!"
He was likely repeating something he’d heard during counseling.
"Oh~ A-hyun, what a cool thing to say!"
"Cool words!"
"A-ah, no..."
Seon A-hyun’s face turned red. Ryu Cheong-woo smiled and nodded.
"I should. Thanks."
Bae Se-jin watched the heartwarming atmosphere and, feeling small, spoke up.
"...Then, it’s decided that we’re changing the arrangement..."
"Let's change it!"
"Anyone against it~?"
With Cha Yu-jin’s lead and Keun Se-jin’s seconding, no one voiced an opinion.
And Bae Se-jin looked resigned.
It seemed the ego that wanted to agree had won the battle against the body that wanted to object.
"It’s going to be a forced march. We’ll have to work hard."
"Let's work hard~"
Thus, the agreement to change the arrangement was made.
The next day, the company gave its confirmation after a meeting. Thanks to that, we received the track without delay and began re-practicing.
"I believe it is an unavoidable necessity."
Kim Rae-bin looked slightly disappointed that he couldn't do it himself, but he seemed to accept the situation.
For a little over a week, we revised the movements and choreography.
During that time, as expected, all sorts of talk seemed to be circulating on the internet. It looked like articles had subtly popped up as well.
I even heard news that Onyx had won the Rookie of the Year award at a small ceremony TeSTAR didn't attend.
[Onyx Wins Tearful Rookie of the Year Award at 'Seoul-er Choice Awards']
It was decided 100% by voting, and it seemed various communities had live-streamed it, rallying votes with talk of "justice being served."
Furthermore, I heard that VTIC fans had subtly voted for them while voting for the Grand Prize.
I didn't care about that kind of awards ceremony, but the problem was that the fans' morale was dropping and the trolls were having a field day.
Because if the fans participated in the voting, the trolls would frame it as, "TeSTAR isn't even attending, do you really want to steal this Rookie award too?"
Thanks to that, the stage preparation went very smoothly. Even some members who had been slightly conflicted about the stage format were now working with fire in their eyes.
And on the day of the SBC Gayo Daejeon.
A very decisive incident even occurred.
"Hello~"
"Hello!"
The moment we passed Onyx, smiling and greeting them, I heard that phrase.
"...Didn't they just say something about justice being served?"
"I heard it too."
"I-I heard it too."
...Honestly, it was something they could say among themselves.
Well, of course, they could be happy about the current situation. They got an award, and their competitor got screwed over a bit.
But the problem was that there happened to be guys with good ears here who heard it.
"Wow, I suddenly really want to do the stage."
"Me too."
"...Me too."
Thanks to that, everyone could wait for the stage with fluttering hearts, having discarded all internal conflict.
To get rid of our guilt and even unify us internally—they really were good guys.
The SBC Gayo Daejeon was usually broadcast on Christmas evening, but this year it was moved up due to the scheduling of a special program.
As a result, it was scheduled for the awkward time of a Friday night in mid-December. It was a slot that had opened up after a drama ended.
Of course, the majority were people who had been waiting for the first year-end music program of the year.
However, because the drama that had ended was a popular one, quite a few people had turned on SBC out of habit.
Indifferent comments from non-fans were tossed into the chat.
People were chatting away while skimming through Part 1.
This was because, excluding the opening, it mostly featured rookies with less than three years of experience or groups that were just starting to make a name for themselves.
Just then, a short VCR appeared.
[K-POP Rookies' Stage!]
[TeSTAR Park Moon-dae: We will experience each other's stages firsthand through a random draw.]
[Solie Min-jung: Wow! I think it’ll be fun!]
[Onyx Pox: There’s a song I really want to try!]
Regardless of what the real-time comments said, the VCR showed the groups drawing lots and screaming before ending with a final caption.
[What will their stages be like?]
Then, performances of songs that sounded vaguely familiar followed.
Everyone had chosen a song that was at least somewhat of a hit.
While people laughed and chatted, three teams finished their short stages and left.
Then, a caption appeared below the dark stage.
[TeSTAR - The Enjoyer (Onyx)]
However, the moment the short intro played and the first verse began, the comments were slightly bewildered.
That was right.
TeSTAR had brought Onyx’s debut song.
Without touching a single thing, exactly like the original.