Chapter 402
Chapter 402
The new song to be released had already been prepared back when we were getting the debut track ready.
I’d needed a bit of behind-the-scenes maneuvering—preparing it like a double title track only to drop it at the last second—but the important thing was that everything, even the performance, was already complete.
So, when would be the perfect time to drop this Spirit Bomb?
“Rae-bin, your finals are already this week.”
“That is correct!”
It would be right after the final stage of Kim Rae-bin’s School Rapping.
When Kim Rae-bin wins and his buzz is at its absolute peak, announcing a comeback with a song he produced would be the ultimate move.
Do I think it’s too early to be certain of his victory?
‘No.’
Unless Kim Rae-bin completely blanks out and skips the entire first verse during the finals, there’s no way he can lose this.
I watched Kim Rae-bin, who was sitting in front of the sofa furiously tapping away at his laptop, and reminisced about his journey on School Rapping.
First, his entrance.
[Uh-oh.]
[A participant with a powerful impression appears.]
When a guy with a lethal look and a full set of piercings walked in, he was met with looks of wariness, admiration, and scrutiny.
However, the atmosphere shifted with his next words.
[Hello... I am Kim Rae-bin from the group Wishze, which debuted 35 days ago. It is a pleasure to meet you!]
[!]
I’d told him to emphasize the words ‘rookie’ and ‘idol group,’ and Kim Rae-bin had followed the instructions without a hint of suspicion.
Of course, the editing made it look like this:
[Why here, of all places?]
[Honestly, you’re from a big agency, so surely there were other ways (available to you).]
[He’s quite handsome. (Laughs)]
It was predictable. They were acting like they couldn't acknowledge him.
But then, like a cliché that’s predictable yet always sells, the evaluation was flipped on its head.
[Hmm?]
Kim Rae-bin stepped in on an ambiguous beat that all the other participants had passed on, wearing a face that seemed to ask, ‘Why isn’t anyone going...?’ and then he absolutely tore into the rap.
And he was damn good at it.
[!!!]
Consequently, by the time Episode 1 of School Rapping ended, Kim Rae-bin’s cypher was already trending on WeTube as an unofficial clip.
Naturally, there was plenty of backlash.
But Kim Rae-bin continued to excel in the next individual match as easily as breathing.
And the team match after that, and the collaboration match after that.
Once the three-day recording of his song-making process was aired in a fast-forwarded montage, there was nothing left to say.
[This is how I work, but since it is still difficult to purchase more professional equipment, I often borrow the company’s studio!]
[Since I have some time left today, I plan to flesh out a new beat. And I have invited Mun... no, Ryu Gun-woo hyung as the guide vocal.]
And that song was also damn good.
The fact that his songs would suddenly pop up on the real-time music charts every time an episode ended further proved his skill.
That didn't happen.
From Episode 2 to Episode 9, Kim Rae-bin crushed every mission like he was clearing a path, rising to become the undisputed favorite to win.
Furthermore, the fact that he was the grandson of a strawberry farming family in Gangwon-do, combined with his naturally polite demeanor, made him a very popular character.
He was a stable two-horse carriage of talent and personality.
By this point, even some of those who had looked at him with a crooked gaze began to change their tune.
It meant they acknowledged his skill, at the very least.
They had no choice. Kim Rae-bin was tearing through the competition like an invasive species disrupting the ecosystem.
Even when the production crew tried to manufacture a crisis for Kim Rae-bin for the sake of entertainment, it would be revealed as a fake-out in the next episode, only solidifying the viewers' perception of him.
And now, only the grand finale remained.
Ryu Cheong-woo sat down beside Kim Rae-bin in a friendly manner.
“How are things with the other contestants? Are they still treating you well?”
“Yes. I believe they are being more considerate because they view me as their junior.”
The guy who interpreted people backing down because they were intimidated by a 17-year-old’s pressure as ‘consideration’ nodded his head.
However, it seemed even he had something on his mind.
“Um... but is it truly alright for someone else to handle the final featuring? I thought that since the viewership is good, there would be a promotional effect...”
He was asking why the featuring for the final stage wasn't chosen from within Wishze.
It was because the featuring for Kim Rae-bin’s final track had been decided as the popular lead vocal from Malang Dalkom.
I let out a small chuckle.
“A featuring is originally a collaboration with someone outside. Doing it with someone else rather than us will make the meaning of that stage stand out more.”
“I see...! That makes sense.”
Of course, that wasn't the real reason.
It was to control the level of public perception.
‘It shouldn't feel like we’re forcing group recognition.’
Such blatant "package deals" actually invite resentment.
To ensure the current hype doesn't fizzle out or turn into backlash, delicate adjustments were necessary.
Of course, I wasn't saying we should cut ties so completely that people wouldn't even associate them.
“Still, we’re planning to go watch the finals. Is that okay?”
A group cheering session should be heartwarming enough.
“...! I would, of course, be nothing but grateful!”
“We’ll go and cheer our hearts out!”
“Thank you, sunbaenim!”
“Whoa, Rae-bin, we debuted together! Call me hyung!”
“Ah.”
I looked away from Kim Rae-bin, who was exchanging banter with Oh Yoon-shin, and re-checked the schedule.
And three days later.
At the School Rapping set, where all the members had cleared their schedules to visit, confetti exploded over the center stage.
Pop.
[The long-awaited winner of School Rapping Season 2 is... Kim Rae-bin!]
“Waaaaaaah!!!”
There were no upsets or unexpected turns.
Kim Rae-bin won his final stage with an overwhelming, skill-oriented performance that pushed his technical prowess to the limit.
‘Giving him advice to go in this direction so there would be no room for dispute was useful.’
Besides, he was the only one pushing with such a violent level of skill.
The featuring, Malang Dalkom, was the best choice in that they refreshed the atmosphere with their vocal tone and crowd engagement, while also increasing the song's overall quality.
Any attempt to belittle Kim Rae-bin would not work.
‘Good.’
[Tha... Thank you! I will repay you by showing an even more improved version of myself!]
I applauded Kim Rae-bin as he awkwardly held up the giant golden ID card while receiving congratulations from the other contestants.
The preparations were complete.
A few days later.
[The winner of School Rapping is out]
[Kim Rae-bin, who was an idol from start to finish]
[Honestly, Kim Rae-bin is too good to be just an idol]
After three days of articles and reactions pouring in following Kim Rae-bin’s win, as expected of a popular survival show, the weekend arrived.
Articles slowly began to surface.
[LeTi’s Monster Rookie Wishze, “Self-Produced Album to be Released Soon”]
It was the news of Wishze’s comeback with a self-composed title track. We had already announced it during the pre-order period, but I intentionally nudged the media one more time.
By setting the keyword as ‘self-produced.’
Naturally, people flocked to the article title, which couldn't help but bring Kim Rae-bin to mind, fueled by the still-simmering hype.
This comment was screenshotted and began circulating the internet. I applauded it as a desirable phenomenon.
There was no need to stall any longer.
“It’s better not to release the teasers in parts. There’s no need to waste this buzz on teasers.”
“Right.”
So, after filling expectations with a teaser that only featured an addictive whistling sound from the bridge, the song and music video were released the very next week.
“…….”
Inside an international flight.
A man sitting in first class accessed the internet via the recently launched in-flight Wi-Fi.
Given his usual preference for reading books, this was uncharacteristic of him, but there was something he wanted to see right now.
‘Ah, it’s out.’
Without even having to search, the video he was looking for appeared as soon as he accessed WeTube.
[Wishze ‘Timer’ Official Music Video]
It was the new song from the rookie group Wishze.
Perhaps because their debut activities had been so excellent, the view count was already impressive.
The man briefly recalled their debut and nodded to himself.
‘Yes, it was good.’
Wishze’s debut mini-album had catered to the demands of the K-pop fandom with a minor yet artistic sensibility, themed around ghost stories of a modern European boarding school.
The stage had been excellent as well. The dance performance using long props that looked like batons was very unique and charming.
So much so that he had almost accidentally sent a long review to the person involved.
‘I’m glad I didn't send it.’
The man let out a small sigh of relief.
Such commercial and fiercely driving sensibilities shouldn't have been familiar to him... but for some reason, he kept watching it over and over.
“…….”
The man brushed away a feeling of sinking for no reason.
It wasn't an emotion that helped with work. Instead, he clicked on the video he intended to watch.
Wishze’s new song.
‘Will it give a similar feeling this time?’
In fact, the expectations of Wishze’s fans were similar. An intense and stimulating dance track.
But the new title track the man clicked on... was not like that.
[Um, h-hm~]
A band sound was added as before, but it felt relaxed.
[Shall we turn the timer and go to the past?
Back to when we were still together.]
The sound had become significantly lighter.
And the singing style was groovy and clean.
[A smile on your shy face,
The shooting stars falling above us,
I still remember even today,
Thinking about U.]
The song unfolded as high-quality instrumental sounds met two types of catchy melodies.
There was no avant-garde story or grand narrative in the music video either.
It was just a mix of choreography cuts on a cool night school rooftop under a shower of meteors, and individual cuts surrounded by equally cool objects.
A song that sings about young memories passed by in the midst of youth.
A song that anyone could listen to without burden, regardless of who the speaker was.
In other words, there was nothing cringeworthy about it. Therefore, there was nothing to really be divided about.
It was just extremely public-friendly and sophisticated.
A song everyone would enjoy listening to.
Even now, the melody was already stuck in the man’s ears.
[Move the timer,
Your image captured in the Cam,
When the photo flashes,
You flash into my mind.]
This is good too.
It wasn't the same feeling as before, but this public-friendly song with the tension dialed back somehow made his heart ache.
[Flash!]
He watched until the end of the music video, where the members turned around and smiled.
It was good, but... strangely, he felt a churning sensation.
“…….”
After some hesitation, he opened a messaging app.
‘...He probably doesn't like me very much.’
Still, he wanted to reach out. So, with a slightly trembling hand, he sent a text.
[The song is really good.]
[I’m on my way to Korea, and I think I’ll be hearing it a lot on the streets.]
The recipient was ‘Ryu Gun-woo.’ And just as the man, Seon A-hyun, had thought, by the time he arrived and was carrying out his schedule, the streets were filled with Wishze’s music.
“W-what rank is it?”
At the nervous question, Cheong-ryeo smiled and held up his smartphone. What was displayed on the screen was the daily music chart.
“Number one.”
“…!!”
“D-d-daebak!!”
Among the guys who were screaming and falling over themselves, even the experienced ones were grinning.
No matter how you look at it, hitting number one on the charts wouldn't happen without this kind of crazy stunt, so honestly, it would be a lie to say it wasn't impressive.
‘It’s actually a first for us, too.’
Even VTIC probably hadn't experienced this that often. I looked at the daily number-one song with fresh eyes.
“Rae-bin, thank you!”
“Thank you so much!”
“I... for me to receive such undeserved gratitude for an achievement we all reached together...”
“Good job, Kim Rae-bin!”
“Ugh.”
I chuckled as I watched Kim Rae-bin collapse under a pile of countless hugs.
Cheong-ryeo approached with a smirk and spoke softly.
“The hardest part is left. Maintenance.”
“Yeah.”
That’s right.
If you’re aiming for the charts, staying power is a must.
‘We have to solidify our rank and have a long run to really rack up the points.’
Since the song and strategy were both good, I wasn't exactly lacking confidence in defending our rank, but that didn't mean I was going to sit back and do nothing from now on.
That meant we had to ensure the song was heard constantly on variety shows and internet content.
“We can’t lose to T-Holic.”
“It’s going to get busy.”
All global tours and overseas activities aimed at the international market were put on hold this time.
We poured all our strength into promotional appearance schedules.
...And as a result, things like this happened.
“...! Hello.”
...The situation where I ended up appearing on the same variety show as Seon A-hyun, with Cheong-ryeo in tow.
I barely managed to respond.
“……Yes.”
“I didn't know we’d meet like this.”
Yeah, me neither.
‘This is driving me crazy.’
Why is a famous "National Pride" ballerino appearing with us instead of in a special feature?