Chapter 409
Chapter 409
Wishes—the "rookie" group made of veterans, a fifty-fifty split of TeSTAR and VTIC—had almost reached the finish line.
The goal: the Grand Prize.
‘Digital sales are steady. Public recognition is excellent.’
In terms of pure stats, it wouldn't be strange at all for them to win. As the end of the year approached, the risk of predictions being wrong decreased. Unless some freak accident occurred… but with how tightly I was managing things, that was unlikely.
Only one hurdle remained.
The issue of so-called "prestige."
It was the perception that "receiving it with that name value is a bit much." This problem stemmed from the fact that their individual recognition was higher than the group's.
‘Well, people are only acting like that because it looks like we’re actually going to win.’
It was the universal law: no one bothers to gatekeep a nobody.
Since they couldn't stop us from winning based on digital performance, the haters were coming out of the woodwork to lay the groundwork so that even if we did win, it wouldn't be "acknowledged."
It was no different from when TeSTAR won Rookie of the Year… or rather, nothing had changed from then until now.
‘It’s probably harder to manage because individual antis are attaching themselves to specific members.’
Boosting individual recognition to the limit through variety shows was good, but it also meant their characters were heavily exposed, leading to polarizing opinions.
The more people knew, the more they found specific things to hate with a passion.
‘It can’t be helped.’
Still, it was a bit of a shame.
‘If the debut song had been an explosive hit, we would’ve had half the battle won.’
If we had established the image of a "legendary debut worthy of a Grand Prize" from the start, there would be fewer disputes. For example, despite Kim Rae-bin’s personality, no one tried to bully him in school because of his intimidating first impression.
I had sacrificed that initial impact to maximize album sales and maintain a minimum balance, and as expected, there were side effects. I clicked my tongue inwardly.
Anyway, that was why a bit of "corrective work" was necessary.
I stood solemnly before the large table in the living room, which was still cluttered with half-cleared candles and confetti.
"I think we need to do it at least once."
"D-do what...?"
"A powerful group activity that appeals to as many people as possible."
"...!"
"To dampen the internet backlash when we win the Grand Prize."
Until now, all the status effects related to awards were based on "public acknowledgment."
‘I didn't awaken those two for nothing.’
"I’d like that activity to be a single stage."
Primarily, it was to pull the performance quality back up to the top-tier level we had achieved back then. Of course, whether the VTIC guys—who had just received a one-hour crash course on "How Did We End Up Like This"—could keep up was a separate issue.
"Uh... sure. Sounds good."
Jin Chae-yul barely managed to answer. He still looked like he didn't know if this was a dream or reality.
Cheong-ryeo spoke up without much of a change in expression.
"It’s a bit of a grand idea to try and flip everything with just one stage. Wouldn't it be better to have a quick comeback with a b-side?"
"One iconic moment is better. Multiple attempts only disperse the impact."
"That’s an optimistic way of thinking."
"What we need isn't long-term reputation, but a sudden shift in public opinion that hits hard at the end of the year."
"Hmm."
Cheong-ryeo gave a slight smile.
"Fine. If you say so."
He sounded like he was humoring me, but I wasn't particularly annoyed. It’s hard to act cool when you were covered in neon pink glitter just moments ago.
For the record, his party hat had gone straight into the trash the moment the "event" was over. As expected of a rich guy, he didn't care about wasting things.
"Then, does anyone have an opinion other than Gun-woo hyung’s... I mean, Moon-dae’s?"
Since the vote had passed unanimously, it was time to get back to business.
Brainstorming.
"Let's go BOOM! and make the audience scream! Wait... I've got it! Motorcycle! Let's ride motorcycles!"
"Motor-cy-cole...?"
"Motorcycle. A motorbike."
"...! Preparing a dangerous stunt on such short notice is reckless! Above all, it doesn't fit Wishes' songs!"
"Kim Rae-bin can just rearrange it!"
"I have my own opinion too! ...I think a time-travel concept would be good! A related movie was released recently, so an homage would lead to a unique arrangement."
"Rae-bin’s idea is good, but that OST is so famous it might be risky. What do you think, Moon-dae?"
"I agree to an extent. Let's hear the next one first."
"Yes!"
"……."
Arrangements, concepts, outfits, variety shows.
The TeSTAR members, now used to this, progressed through the agenda without hesitation. The two newly awakened VTIC members blinked, stunned by the speed of the conversation.
The only one adding his voice was... Ju-dan.
"How about outfits that have a bit of sex appeal without being too much...?"
"Their bodies belong to minors."
"I withdraw my suggestion."
Anyway, as the ideas poured in, the plan began to take shape. I threw in comments here and there to nudge the direction.
‘It takes some time, but this way is better.’
When people feel like they’ve agreed to something, they become more proactive and hardworking. Sometimes, truly fresh ideas come out of it too.
However, Cheong-ryeo, who clearly wouldn't prefer this democratic style, just sat there smiling. It meant he wouldn't interfere.
‘Is this his version of a declaration of surrender?’
Well, as long as he didn't get in the way, it was fine.
"Shall we take a break?"
"Yep."
I cut the meeting before it could drift into unproductive territory.
‘I should organize everything while I’m at it.’
"Coke?"
"I'm good."
I blended in with the others as they headed to the kitchen or their rooms to check their devices, and I returned to my own room. I planned to summarize what we had discussed so far.
But just as I sat at my desk and picked up a pen...
Knock, knock.
Someone was at the door.
"Come in."
The door opened cautiously, and my roommate stepped inside.
Jin Chae-yul.
"Um, hello."
Wearing an awkward smile, he glanced around the room before stepping in. The guy who, just yesterday morning, had been humming and dancing as he opened the door seemed to find the room a bit unfamiliar now that he had his memories back.
"It’s your room too, Sunbae-nim. Please, make yourself comfortable."
"Uh, right. Yeah."
He eventually slid onto his bed and spoke with a smile.
"You’ve started speaking casually with Jae-hyun hyung!"
Now that he mentioned it, I had been so pissed off that I’d naturally dropped the honorifics with that bastard.
"……Yes. Well, it just happened."
"That’s great!"
Chae-yul grinned. Then he let out a small sigh.
"I’ve calmed down now. We want to go back to the way things were too, so we’ll participate diligently."
"Ah."
Maybe I hadn't been considerate enough.
"I'm sorry. It must have been a shock, but we pushed things forward too aggressively."
"No! It’s just because the method is so rare. We don't usually... work like this, discussing things from the ground up."
He waved his hands hurriedly, then nodded with a serious face.
"It’s more like... we have strictly divided roles, and everyone just does their best at what they’re assigned."
"I see."
"Maybe that’s why, even if it’s a dream, promoting here has been fun. I got to give a lot of opinions."
He muttered in a slightly boyish tone.
"Like, I really liked the gesture I picked for our b-side this time!"
"Yes, the reaction to that was actually very good."
"Hehe, it was, wasn't it? Gun-woo. No, Hubae-nim!"
His cheeks were practically bursting with pride. Still smiling, Chae-yul asked:
"Until we go back, can I just call you Gun-woo hyung? I mean, my head knows you’re Moon-dae-ssi, but I’ve been looking at Gun-woo hyung’s face for six months!"
"I don't mind."
I should prevent any potential controversies for when we go back.
"Why don't you just drop the honorifics and speak comfortably? You are the senior, after all."
"Oh, I’ll do that!"
He accepted so quickly I wondered if he’d been aiming for casual speech all along. Like a seasoned senior, Chae-yul patted my back.
"Moon-dae, you should speak casually to me when we go back too! I’m going to the military soon anyway, so I won’t even be active—"
"……."
"……."
"Good luck with that."
"Yeah……."
I’m probably going twice. You deal with it too.
Anyway, I decided to give the two of them some time to come up with useful ideas starting from the next meeting.
A few hours later.
"Alright, I’ll make a list of what’s been decided."
"Okay!"
I grabbed a scrap of paper that had "Welcome VTIC" written on the back and started writing.
"Number one: the program we’ll appear on."
I wrote down the corresponding program.
‘They’re doing a 100th-episode special, so it’s killing two birds with one stone.’
Next.
"Number two: associations."
I couldn't argue with that.
I was just finishing the third point regarding the staging and concept when...
"Um, I have an opinion."
"...!"
Jin Chae-yul raised his hand.
"Is it about the concept?"
"That too, but, um... about the program."
"Ah, did you find a better option and want to change it, Sunbae-nim?"
"No, not that."
He hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"I was wondering if we could delay our appearance by just one week!"
"...!"
Delaying it and missing the 100th-episode special? Why?
"I was a big fan of this show, and the week after that special, some really amazing people appeared."
He scratched the back of his head.
"I think the ratings were actually higher then..."
"Who was it?"
"T-Holic sunbaenims."
"...!!"
That was definitely a big catch.
‘But there’s someone here who would know that even better than him.’
I turned my head to look at Cheong-ryeo. Without even looking back, he spoke.
"I don't know."
"……."
"I intentionally scheduled us a week early. There’s a first-mover advantage in these things. Coordinating program appearances is tricky."
It was a polite way of telling him to shut up.
Chae-yul swallowed hard.
Shin-o looked at Chae-yul with pity and was about to open his mouth to back him up when...
"Well, I think the effect would be even bigger if we’re compared directly! It would give us a sense of competition, too."
"...!"
Chae-yul spoke first. He looked flustered by the awkwardness of the situation, but he didn't take back his words.
Cheong-ryeo remained expressionless.
‘Hmm.’
Should I help him out?
I put down my pen and spoke.
"If we can make it happen, it might be risky, but I don't think we’d lose. Just look at our lineup."
He shifted his gaze. I gave a smirk.
"A revenge match where we aren't pushed around by seniority... isn't it worth a shot?"
"……."
"We’re just raising the stakes."
Silence fell over the room.
After a moment, Cheong-ryeo, who had been rubbing his chin, nodded.
"Not bad."
"...!"
For a split second, the three VTIC members looked like they had just witnessed a winged dog descending from the heavens.
"I'm in! I like it. Competition moves people!"
Thanks to Cha Yu-jin jumping in immediately, the atmosphere was set.
"Any objections?"
"Um, I don't think so."
Listening to Ryu Cheong-woo’s slightly amused voice, I wrote down the final item on the list.
[4. Comparison Target]
The more people talk, the better the viral battle will be.
It was a good idea. It was modern. I looked at Chae-yul, who was secretly high-fiving Shin-o under the table, and nodded inwardly.
To want to be compared directly without the protection of seniority and win—he was surprisingly capable of showing some teeth against a massive senior group like T-Holic.
‘You don't become a top-tier idol for ten years for nothing.’
I was glad he had enough grit. I spoke immediately, my face neutral.
"Now, all we have to do is grind every waking hour into practice, only resting when we sleep."
"……."
"……."
"Um, is TeSTAR always like this?"
"Yes. Is VTIC not?"
"……."
He couldn't bring himself to deny it. As expected, high-earning entertainment careers were built on labor that completely destroyed work-life balance.
True Competition.
Among the many programs where singers competed for rankings and victory through their performances, it was the longest-running original show.
Season 7, in particular, had successfully recovered its viewership and was growing, thanks to a determined production team and the return of the original PD. However, there was one problem: the sorrow of a long-running show.
A lack of new talent.
As a result, they, who used to only invite singers famous for their vocal prowess or insane performances, were forced to slightly change their course...
By inviting idols.
So, they had been slowly lowering the hurdle by carefully casting very popular or talented groups to lure in viewers...
But then, in the preview for this episode, they committed a "betrayal" of sorts.
The only saving grace was that both groups had familiar faces and known songs.
So, while the viewers grumbled and cursed, they still sat in front of their TVs, computers, and smartphones to watch the episode.
And Wishes, as rookies, were scheduled to appear in the opening stage.