Chapter 426
Chapter 426
To be honest, it wasn’t as if I’d completely lost touch with the VTIC bastards after returning to reality.
In the first place...
-VTIC Chae-yul Sunbae-nim: Moon-dae-ssi~~
-VTIC Chae-yul Sunbae-nim: You remember the wish, right? Haha The wish!
He’d contacted me the very next day with messages like that.
Anyone could see he was testing the waters, thinking, 'I'm checking to see if you lost your memory, but something definitely happened between us!'
‘Even if I hadn’t remembered, I would’ve ended up interrogating him instead.’
Anyway, it was just before we filmed the healing variety show that I barely managed to dissuade the VTIC guys from creating a 'Wishes Group Chat.'
-VTIC Chae-yul Sunbae-nim: Ah, that’s true. Since there are people who weren't in Wishes, they might feel left out ㅠ
-VTIC Shin-o Sunbae-nim: Then should we just invite everyone to the old group chat?
-Wait a moment.
I almost had the entire group replying to the senior group’s daily greetings.
‘I thought things had quieted down since then, so I figured nothing was happening.’
I’d seen the headlines about their enlistment dates being set, so I thought I wouldn't have to deal with them for a while.
That is, if one of them hadn't called me out of the blue.
And at this hour, no less.
‘...What game?’
Who taught him the insanity of calling a junior at 2 AM just because an idea popped into his head?
When I asked indirectly, Ju-dan replied:
-Since you were filming a live broadcast just moments ago, I assumed you wouldn't be in bed yet. I do have a sense of propriety.
“……Right.”
That’s called an assumption, not propriety.
Anyway, the guy continued.
-There is a plan. The proposal was to release a surprise fan song before enlistment, treating it as a meaningful memento even without promotions.
Is that so? I’ll have to dig into their schedule to make sure we don't overlap.
“Congratulations. When will you be announcing it?”
-It is under discussion.
“…?”
There shouldn't be much time left for that. If it’s still under discussion...
Hey, wait a minute.
“Did Cheong-ryeo Sunbae not give his permission?”
-…….
“You haven't told him, have you?”
A long silence followed.
-We are members of the same group, after all. The term 'permission' is a bit inappropriate.
So you didn't get permission. Got it.
-And… wait, this call isn't being leaked, is it?
I turned my head.
“Is that Ju-dan Sunbae-nim?”
“Yes.”
“Ah, I see. Tell him I said hello.”
No one was particularly interested. They’d realized it wasn't the album news they were waiting for.
Once I informed him that the call was already being treated as a personal one, Ju-dan lowered his voice.
-The timeline that hyung knew has already ended. Doesn't there come a time when long years turn into stubbornness and cloud one's judgment instead?
Are you serious? About that guy?
“Then why don't you try talking to him directly...?”
-Of course, I don't mean that time has to be now.
Take a breath before you answer, man.
Anyway, he said they planned to persuade their leader themselves somehow, but there was something he wanted to ask of TeSTAR.
From this point on, I put it on speakerphone so we could listen together.
-So, what I want to ask is...
“Yes, yes.”
-A charity concert.
“…??”
The topic suddenly jumped from an album to helping the needy.
“That is a very meaningful idea!”
No, don't agree yet.
-Yes. Fan songs generally have themes of gratitude and love, so I’m planning it because I feel the frequencies of our themes match quite well.
To summarize his explanation, instead of promotions, they were thinking of holding a charity concert hosted by VTIC.
-And I would like TeSTAR to appear as guests.
This felt strangely like déjà vu.
Sure enough, Ryu Cheong-woo cautiously chimed in.
“Um, is this perhaps an extension of the charity concert where Moon-dae invited you sunbae-nims last time?”
-I’m mentioning it because I thought it would be better to construct the narrative that way.
Exactly. A reciprocation for the guest appearance they made at our charity concert.
Since we had held our first charity concert in connection with VTIC’s agency, they wanted us to take a guest spot in return.
“Oh.”
“That’s a good thing! I’m down.”
Apparently, they weren't just inviting us, but several other teams as well.
‘Then it just feels like a big event.’
In truth, since we had readily invited them as guests before, it was awkward for us to say no.
The atmosphere was naturally leaning toward a tentative agreement when—
“I see~ That sounds like such a meaningful and wonderful thing, Sunbae-nim! But we should hear what our company has to say, so could you give us a little time?”
-Of course. I will contact you again tomorrow morning around ten.
It was an answer that didn't take into account that humans need sleep, but regardless, the agreement was put on hold.
“Oh, no, we should be the ones to call you~ We can't have you calling us again, Sunbae-nim!”
The others tacitly ignored the guy who had wrapped up the call so smoothly.
It was because the guy who had intervened wasn't someone who did things without a reason.
“Hmm.”
Once the call ended...
The culprit, Keun Se-jin, sat down in the living room with a bitter smile.
“Did you... have something else in mind?”
“…It’s a bit much, isn't it? I was worried it might look like the company is sending us to a charity concert because they feel guilty about the recent controversy—like a form of community service.”
“…!”
“Would that... be bad?”
It would be bad.
I opened my mouth.
“If we go in a direction where we take responsibility for the company's mistakes, it’ll look like we’re doing it because we’re at fault too.”
“Bingo~”
“Ah...”
Our images would be tied together.
We’d barely managed to separate ourselves from the agency’s idiocy with the premise that 'the artists are victims too,' but then we do a charity concert?
On the contrary, it could be linked to an image of 'the artists are also reflecting,' which was a problem.
- T1 is trying so hard, TeSTAR is trying so hard lol
- See, they knew about it and participated too. They feel guilty, so they’re piggybacking on their seniors' charity concert for media play WW
It would be like that.
‘He’s gotten even sharper after struggling at Zairop.’
I looked at Keun Se-jin with approval and nodded.
“I think we need to approach this carefully. Well, it’s good that we can use this as an excuse to adjust the album schedule, though.”
Compared to when the album was being delayed indefinitely, this was a happy problem, but the head office might try to just rush it out.
‘Then the promotion will be sloppy.’
Using the charity concert as an excuse to secure a few weeks for the promotion staff is a pretty attractive bait.
“It doesn't seem like a schedule adjustment is necessary. I can fully complete the album preparations within fifteen days!”
“You might be able to, but wouldn't it be hard for the company's promotion team?”
“Aigoo~ Our Rae-bin, it’s frustrating because not everyone in the world is a genius like you, right?”
“…?! That is far too much praise, no, I never thought that…….”
“Ahaha!”
Hey, the kid’s going to break.
Anyway, so.
“Does anyone have a good idea?”
Honestly, it wasn't that we had to do this charity concert; it was just a matter of professional courtesy, so I told them to speak freely. Then, one guy waved his hand very casually.
“Yeap.”
Cha Yu-jin, whose eyes met mine, grinned.
And the next day.
“We’re doing it because we’re close. Make sure to tell the fans that first!”
Cha Yu-jin boldly shouted to Ju-dan. That was it.
-It’s okay to do charity as friends. We really are friends with those sunbae-nims now, so it’s not a lie.
‘Let’s go with the angle that we’re doing it because of the groups' friendship instead.’
Since we’d just be one of many guests, it wouldn't draw as much backlash from our fans. At the same time, we’d gain the image of having enough brand power to be helpful to a charity event.
-Well, that shouldn't be difficult with a few preliminary preparations.
“Moon-dae hyung will do that, not me.”
-I figured as much.
The guys who shared memories of being in the same group communicated without much awkwardness.
“Right. That aside.”
I smiled faintly.
Shall we try to gain just a little more profit?
“Sunbae-nim, there’s one more guest I’d like to recommend.”
-Hmm?
Actually, a few minutes ago, I had made a phone call in advance. But it wasn't to Ju-dan.
-Yes. Hello, Sunbae-nim!!
It was Mirinae’s Rank 2.
For some reason, his voice seemed to get more disciplined every time I heard it, and I didn't know why.
Anyway, I was about to get to the main point... but he spoke first.
-First of all, I really want to say thank you!
-Pardon?
-…Ah.
But before I could even react properly, his words sped up along with a short exclamation.
-Just… yes. It’s not thanks for a specific situation, I’m just saying it because you always take such good care of your juniors!!
-Ah, yes.
-That was all!
I mean, it’s fine to talk about the album.
Anyone would think I’d threatened him to keep his mouth shut from now on.
‘Why are you acting like this after cooperating so well?’
I thought back on this junior’s actions over the past few weeks.
Since the labels were different, the information I could get was biased.
Mirinae’s Park Min-ha, who had been reporting everything happening at the company and schedule changes from an artist's perspective in great detail, had certainly earned his keep as an informant.
That’s why I thought of making this proposal.
-A good offer came in. I contacted you because I thought it would be good to tell you juniors as well.
-W-what kind of…?
-A charity concert.
We planned to emphasize the side of appearing out of personal friendship with VTIC first.
But what if Mirinae joined in next?
‘It becomes something TeSTAR invited them to.’
If the scale grew like that, it would take on a slightly new meaning.
People would remember the agency's controversy, but the narrative would be distorted because the foundation of personal friendship was laid first.
- This is... cutting ties with the agency.
- Drawing the line lololololol
- How incompetent must the management have been for the kids to send a signal like this?
Then, following T1 headquarters, the artists would also be sending a sign that they were drawing a line against the actions of the agency's management.
With the message: ‘If we were really in charge, we would choose this kind of positive influence.’
‘And the management that’s been ousted now won't be able to touch our schedule anyway.’
It wasn't bad.
And Mirinae’s reaction after hearing the explanation was also positive.
-That... I think all our members would love that.
And so, the final decision was made.
Ju-dan nodded at the guest recommendation.
-That’s good. I was thinking of casting a wide range of singer genders and ages anyway to broaden the viewer base.
“Yes.”
Everything was falling into place.
Now, is there only one final check left?
“By the way, how did you persuade Cheong-ryeo Sunbae?”
How did you handle the issue of your leader’s permission?
Surprisingly, this guy had just said he’d received a very confident 'okay.'
-…Since I used various logic and evidence, I won't hastily specify which one worked.
So he doesn't really know the reason himself.
‘Anyway, it seems that guy also found a way to profit from this somewhere.’
I’ll have to keep a close eye on the progress.
I readily handed the call with Ju-dan over to the others and mentally reviewed the settled situation.
‘Hmm.’
Buying time to properly prepare the album promotion and cutting ties with the management—it’s killing two birds with one stone.
It didn't seem like it would fall through in the middle.
So, I called up the status window.
[Hyung?]
‘Are you free on this day, by any chance?’
Since it’s being held in Korea and many people I know will be there, it should be fine to send an invitation for this much.
‘To come watch the pre-recording.’
[H-huuuuh??]
And a few days later.
Everything began with a single screenshot posted on VTIC’s official social media account.
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Succeeded in the first recruitment! (Photo)
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Attached was a KakaoTalk chat log that Chae-yul and I had deliberately staged.
The conversation, which looked like I’d been won over by late-night snacks and dog photos, was released out of the blue without any prior announcement, piquing people's curiosity.
- What recruitment?
- Is that dog Jae-hyun’s Kong-i that he sold out? No way? lololol
- Jin Chae-yul, the cute phantom thief who sells out his hyung’s dog, is too much of a baby to enlist. Please save him.
‘A good start.’
…And I received a text message that day.
-What was promised.
-See you soon.
Attached was a photo of a yellow dog wrapped in a beige blanket like a cape, which looked like merchandise for the charity concert.