Chapter 176
Chapter 176
First, one thing needs to be clarified: the trait ‘That sounds right’ isn't an all-powerful persuasion skill that works every time it triggers.
Let’s look at the trait description again.
[Trait: That sounds right (A)]
- Causes emotional agitation in the listener.
- Activation probability: 60%. Default state: Active.
It causes ‘emotional agitation’; it doesn’t mean people will agree with whatever nonsense you spout.
In other words, this was a set of training wheels for various communication situations, ranging from the stage to everyday conversation.
Therefore, to sink this General Manager who was drunk on the American dream, I had to provide a rationale he could actually accept.
So, where should I strike?
I had to provoke the inner thoughts of this guy who was so hell-bent on going to America.
Specifically, his obsession with ‘image.’
“It would be great if we succeeded in the US, but… how long are you planning for us to stay?”
As if he had already finalized the plan, the General Manager’s answer was unhesitating.
“I’m looking at two years at the shortest, three years at the longest. It’s a perfectly feasible plan.”
He meant he intended to milk us for every second until our contracts ended.
‘Not a chance.’
I immediately followed up with a question.
“But if we promote in the US for that long, won’t our Korean fans all leave?”
“Haha, that’s a thing of the past. We live in an era where everyone knows global news through WeTube and SNS. You’ll all be using Korean anyway, right? It’s actually easier for Korean fans to access.”
“Hmm… I think they’ll hate it even more, then.”
“Pardon?”
“No, it’s just… if we go to the US, we’ll have to start from scratch without any recognition. I think the fans will hate watching that.”
I intentionally paused for a beat before adding, “They think we’re an amazing team, but if they see us starting from the bottom in the US, won’t the illusion be shattered?”
“……!”
“I’m worried our image won’t recover if we aren’t seen doing well in Korea for two or three years.”
“Exactly! I think we’re getting a reaction from other countries precisely because we’re doing so well in our original positions! Like you said, General Manager, everything happens in real-time across the world these days~”
Keun Se-jin chimed in with a smile. I immediately continued.
“Even the reaction in Japan you mentioned earlier—don’t you think they were more immersed in the program because they knew we had succeeded in Korea after Idol Inc.?
“…Hmm.”
A flicker of something passed over the General Manager’s face—a mix of annoyance at being talked back to by young kids who hadn't even finished college, and a strange sense of unease.
It was the agitation that occurs when a comment hits exactly where it hurts.
And at that moment, a pop-up appeared.
[‘That sounds right (A)’ has activated!]
‘It worked.’
It seemed the prediction that TeSTAR’s brand image would be ruined and their hold on the Korean market would be shaken during those two to three years in the US sounded plausible to him.
Normally, he might have stubbornly insisted, ‘It doesn’t matter because we’ll succeed in the US according to my master plan!’ but the trait triggered, intensifying his agitation.
‘Now I just need to set the stage so the General Manager can lose gracefully.’
I needed to let him back down while allowing him to rationalize it as ‘being considerate of the artists.’
“…It’s just that we’re anxious.”
“T-That’s right.”
“We’re still growing in Korea, so we want to work harder to reach the top here first.”
The members provided excellent cover fire.
We had already reached an agreement after the last meeting.
- Taking the reality show to the US is fine, but targeting the US entirely is a bit…
- It’s weird. It’s like filming a movie with a half-baked Hollywood vibe just because you’re aiming for that market.
- That was an appropriate metaphor, hyung-nim!
- Wh-What…!
Through that process, we had already decided to shut it down if the US topic came up again.
Ryu Cheong-woo added the final blow with a serious tone.
“Until our position is solidified enough to win a Grand Prize in Korea… could we think about it a bit more? Please.”
“…….”
The General Manager’s eyebrows twitched for a moment, then he shrugged his shoulders as if being magnanimous.
“Well, it can’t be helped. This is the entertainment business, so the opinions of the parties involved are important. I believe you should be respected.”
“Thank you!”
Now we just had to leave before he changed his mind.
“Whew.”
As soon as we left the General Manager’s office, sighs of relief could be heard from all sides.
“I really thought he was going to ship us off.”
“I-I was surprised.”
‘At least we’ve bought time until the end of this year.’
If we happen to win a Grand Prize this time… well, our bargaining power will be even stronger by then, making negotiations easier.
Ryu Cheong-woo stepped forward and patted Keun Se-jin on the back.
“Good job.”
“It was nothing.”
“Ugh.”
“So, are we still going to America? Or my house?”
“Yes, we’re going there.”
We couldn't avoid the reality show filming.
“Whoo!!”
Cha Yu-jin raised both hands in the air.
The others shot him looks that said, ‘At least you’re happy,’ before looking away.
‘Still, things are going relatively smoothly.’
I felt certain after the interview with the General Manager.
He’s the type to be overconfident in his own work, but he’s not difficult to handle.
‘I just have to make him feel like he’s the one granting a favor.’
More than anything, it was better that he wanted to grow TeSTAR itself rather than just using TeSTAR for T1’s benefit.
‘I just need to keep steering him in the right direction.’
I stretched. It felt like my shoulders were making strange noises.
“Ugh, want a massage?”
“I’m fine.”
From ‘Haengcha’ to the current ‘Picnic’ repackage, we’ve been pushing forward without a break, and it feels like my body is taking a hit.
‘But the results are good.’
Even though music broadcast promotions for this album are over, the digital chart performance is still strong.
‘Though we did get pushed back by VTIC at the last minute.’
Yesterday, VTIC, who used a pre-release track by the same composer, climbed the digital charts at a terrifying speed.
‘It can’t be helped.’
However, the text message I received yesterday was a bit annoying.
[- Thanks for the song, junior^^]
That bastard even included a screenshot of the digital charts.
A surge of irritation rose for a moment, but it subsided as I realized the current peaceful state where I had nothing to deal with.
‘Now… I just need to decide on the concert unit stages.’
Whether to add unit stages to the lineup, and if so, who to pair up with.
It wasn’t like there were any major landmines hidden here; I just had to purely consider the quality of the concert and Cha Yu-jin’s morale.
‘I’d prefer to do a unit with someone else if possible, like Kim Rae-bin.’
Thinking about the unit candidates I had originally considered, I pondered how to shake off Cha Yu-jin.
However, before the meeting to make the final decision, something happened that would greatly influence the decision-making process.
The edited version of the horror escape room I did with Cha Yu-jin was uploaded.
*
[Moon-deng-deng and Cha Go-young’s Horror Escape Number One | TeSTAR Roommate Extra EP.1]
This video, which had a few more flourishes added to the working title Park Moon-dae had heard, provided a different kind of fun from the real-time W Live.
When watching it live, it felt like a found-footage style mockumentary because it was broadcast through a single, shaky smartphone camera.
But in this video, that feeling was gone, replaced by variety show editing.
As a result, rather than immersion in the horror escape room itself, the characters of the two were emphasized even more.
[The theme of this room is… a nightmare dreamt by a child who picked up a strange doll… Hmm, this is why waste separation is important.]
[Dolls are scary? I hate nightmares!]
Before entering, Park Moon-dae was calm while Cha Yu-jin was making a fuss.
This dynamic remained similar after they entered, but their positions were reversed.
[Hyung! Hyung!! Look at the hair! The Teddy Bear has human hair! It’s not pretty!]
[Put it down. Put that down, Yu-jin.]
Cha Yu-jin was excitedly making a fuss, while Park Moon-dae was calmly terrified.
And toward the end, they abandoned the initial dynamic altogether and both were trembling with fear.
It was because they were immersed in the story, but for the fans watching from a distance thanks to the editing, it was pure comedy.
[If we… match it like this. Is it an English sentence?]
[That’s right! Umm~ THIS IS NOT A DREAM… It says it’s not a dream!! It’s not a dream!!]
[W-Wait, just a second.]
Rumble!
Suddenly, the lights flashed red, and the head of a crude mannequin in the corner snapped around.
[Hieeeek!!]
The sight of the two jumping backward while practically clinging to each other was truly a sight to behold, even on the infrared camera.
And people were satisfied with the scene they had expected as soon as they saw the video theme.
Since both had images of being second to none when it came to mental strength, and with the added explanation that they had chosen the content themselves, few people found it particularly uncomfortable.
[It was fun. It was refreshing.]
[Let’s come back and do it again!!]
[Sure.]
Even the way they acted nonchalant after escaping, as if they had handled it easily, was a perfect example of great idol self-produced content.
And this settled in even better than Park Moon-dae had expected.
Under the nickname ‘Coward Duo.’
In fact, it was like a nudge to those who wanted to like the top two members together but had no special connection to latch onto.
The resonance among those who liked both was so strong that the fierce individual fans, who had been baring their teeth at each other under the surface, had to watch their step.
“…….”
In the end, after doing some moderate monitoring, Park Moon-dae ended up saying this to Cha Yu-jin.
“Hey, let’s do a unit.”
“Wow!!”
It was a simple declaration of surrender.
However, to avoid direct comparison with the units from the last concert, the timing of the unit stage’s reveal was slightly adjusted.
“Then the unit stage will be revealed later at the encore concert?”
“Good, good~”
That was the conclusion reached at the final concert concept meeting.
Instead, they added a few surprise events to this tour.
“People will be surprised, right?”
“I think they’ll fall over laughing.”
Everything was clean.
TeSTAR finished their concert preparations step by step without any particular conflict.
Even better, under the instructions of the new General Manager, the agency gave TeSTAR a long ten-day vacation before the final tour rehearsals.
It came with the grand statement that ‘managing the artists’ condition is also the company’s duty.’
‘Is he trying to assert dominance?’
Park Moon-dae wasn't particularly moved, but he welcomed the vacation nonetheless.
It was a time when everyone needed a rest.
*
“Going home after a long time~”
“Let’s get some good rest.”
“I’ll send my regards often.”
The guys left the dorm only after a noisy round of goodbyes, as if they were parting for six months.
[- I-If you’re okay with it… do you want to come over?]
[- My grandmother says she was deeply moved by May Groom.]
[- …I’m going to look for a house to move into with my mom, but, I mean, if you have plans too, I thought it might be good to share!]
A few of them invited him to their homes, but he politely declined.
‘Finally, I’m alone.’
I cheered inwardly as I reviewed my plan to stay holed up for ten days.
Just in case I got sick, I had established a good emergency contact line with the company and stocked up on first-aid supplies. I even bought some porridge.
‘A cold or body aches are fine.’
Even if I caught something, it didn't matter now. Since I had ten days, even if I was sick for three, I could still rest with a clear mind for a week.
‘Let’s not monitor too often.’
It was funny, but I decided to follow Cha Yu-jin’s advice for once.
‘I can probably rest for a few days.’
Since the current General Manager was overly interested in TeSTAR, he must have strengthened the internet monitoring work within the company.
This meant I could expect to be contacted if any problems arose.
“Good.”
I set my smartphone to silent, except for emergency contacts. I even put up a status message, which was unlike me.
[- On vacation. Slow to check messages.]
Like that.
I picked up my smartphone to double-check, only to see that the screen was already lit up.
A call was coming in.
[VTIC Shin Cheong-ryeo Sunbaenim]
I’m really not happy to see this.