Chapter 502
Chapter 502
There is an old terrestrial broadcast program.
It was a show that had long since passed its prime, barely clinging to life before ending in obscurity.
‘But thanks to its heyday, the name is still famous.’
In short, the vast majority of the public knew the program, but no one had any intention of watching it anymore. It was a variety show that had been squeezed dry of all its buzz and entertainment value before being discarded.
If this program were to receive a pity-driven opportunity through personal connections and barely managed to launch a revival season… would there be any expectations for it?
Would they even be able to secure a lineup worthy of the name it earned during its golden age?
The answer was obvious.
‘Probably not.’
Celebrities and agencies aren't fools; those who are doing well will go on programs that are currently popular. They’ll be getting offers from those shows anyway.
‘Why would they take a risk on something like that?’
The moment a better alternative exists, it’s out of the running.
‘And… considering the nature of the program, it’s even more impossible.’
Because this variety show was a ranked competition program.
<True Competition>.
Perhaps some people might remember the name.
On the very first day of our meeting, Kim Rae-bin, who had finished reading the documents, raised his hand and shouted.
“That is the program we appeared on when we debuted as Wishes!”
“That’s right.”
In the virtual world created by the system, it was the program that the TeSTAR and VTIC joint group, which debuted under LeTi, had participated in.
“Oh, I remember. That program was famous. But why is it failing now?”
“Because that was several years ago.”
“Oh….”
In that world, it was a successful competition program that had thrived up to Season 7, but in this reality, where more time had passed, it faced a different situation.
As time went on and it reached Seasons 15 and 16, the buzz gradually faded. The original PD left, and the show eventually went under.
I calmly pronounced the solemn truth.
“And the industry consensus is that this upcoming revival will likely fail as well.”
“……”
‘It can’t be helped.’
Since the word is already out that expectations are low, it’s difficult to recruit famous cast members.
However, because the name itself carries weight, if they fail to recruit famous participants, they can’t even dream of a rebound or anything of the sort.
They’ll just… sink into the abyss without receiving any attention.
In short, it was a failed program destined for disaster.
Even Keun Se-jin, who was flipping through the documents, clicked his tongue.
“Wow~ they even added survival rules.”
“Hmm, recruiting will definitely be difficult for them.”
In the midst of all this, they apparently decided to adopt a survival format instead of just a competition to make it more provocative, but that only makes it harder to recruit big names.
‘Why would someone who’s already made it come on a show where they’re more likely to lose out?’
There’s a reason existing survival programs usually feature amateurs before their debut or idols who have debuted but aren't publicly famous.
One has to have more to gain than to lose to endure situations like elimination and public ridicule.
‘The PD must be having a headache.’
Therefore, to overcome this situation, there was realistically only one route.
—To have at least one star with a massive name confirmed to appear.
From there, the floodgates for recruitment could open.
The moment it’s established that the scale can be grown based on that star, and that even if they lose, the public will acknowledge them with comments like "They fought well" or "It couldn't be helped."
Depending on their individual situations, other big names might then be willing to appear.
However, even as the broadcast schedule loomed, they (naturally) couldn't find such a superstar cast member until…….
“…But we’re saying we’ll volunteer to go on it.”
“Yes.”
Bae Se-jin narrowed his eyes with an expression that suggested he had a lot to say. Ryu Cheong-woo laughed awkwardly.
“The production team’s reaction was quite positive.”
“Of course it was!”
Right.
Sure enough, as soon as TeSTAR dangled the bait, the program side bit immediately.
—I don’t think this has ever happened with another broadcasting station before…. You are being very proactive.
According to the agency staff, they’ve never heard of a terrestrial production team requesting a meeting with such politeness and desperation.
That’s right. These guys were desperate for a single "totem"—a star currently at the top of their game.
If TeSTAR becomes that totem right now?
“Since we’re helping them solve their recruitment difficulties, they’ll likely give us good editing. And….”
“And?”
“I think we can leave a good impression on MBS through this program.”
“…!”
We’d become the founding contributors of the revival.
We could take the same position we had during <Re-listing! Idol Inc.>.
Even though terrestrial channels are now losing their buzz to OTT platforms, there are still plenty of benefits to reap, from year-end music festivals to music shows and weekend variety programs.
‘And they won’t be able to boss us around as if we owe them for our debut.’
We could establish a cooperative relationship on equal footing.
A "Son of the Station" in name, but in reality, something closer to an ally.
Furthermore, there was one more advantage.
“And the PD’s rank is quite high. I think the effect will be even better.”
“Ooh… I see.”
A person who has put in the years, has good connections, and has been promoted will have more influence within the company than a fresh rookie.
However, Keun Se-jin immediately pierced through to the core.
“But wouldn't influence be more important than rank? Seeing as he took on this program, I wonder if he’s the type who works according to his own personality rather than seeking career advancement~.”
He meant that since the PD took on a failing program, his rank might just be an empty title after being pushed out of internal politics.
I smirked.
“There’s a specific reason he took on this program.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. He said he started his career as a PD at the station with Season 3 of this show.”
“Ah.”
He likely took on the revival because of that lingering attachment, but the fact that he couldn't pull a large budget even with his rank means the station has no expectations for this program.
This was despite the fact that the programs this PD had handled in the past had a fairly high success rate in terms of entertainment.
“Then if it goes well this time… oh, the station would be really surprised. And that PD would be recognized~”
“Mhm, it’s a good result for everyone…!”
Keun Se-jin probably meant that all of this would create synergy for us to gain more, but Seon A-hyun seemed happy that it would be a big help to the production team as well as us.
‘Well, both are true.’
But for all of this to happen, there was one prerequisite.
“For that to work, we absolutely have to win.”
An overwhelming victory that the vast majority of viewers would acknowledge.
The stage.
Without that, all of this is a net negative.
It means that the moment we make even a slight mistake, it becomes a crazy act that drastically shaves off the reputation TeSTAR has built as a top-tier group.
But you see.
“As long as we win, this is the best move.”
Once we break through a terrestrial channel, it becomes easier to negotiate with other platforms. The hurdle is lowered.
If things go well, we might even be able to appear on T1’s subsidiary variety shows….
‘If only that happens.’
Then our worries about domestic promotion would be over.
“Hmm… we need to maintain our public appeal and buzz in Korea so that people will listen to our music even when we target overseas.”
“Yes.”
“Wait a minute.”
Bae Se-jin cut in.
“Isn't it a bit reckless? There’s no guarantee the production team will act that way. Even if we do well, this industry is a place where things can… fail due to other factors.”
“……”
“…I’m not saying this because I want to ruin the mood. I just…… felt like I had to say it once.”
I know.
“Yes. You’re right, hyung.”
“…!”
“And honestly, even if we don’t go on this, it’s not like we’ll suddenly fail.”
If TeSTAR were satisfied with this position and wanted to face a gentle decline, we wouldn't actually need to do this.
We’ve won a Grand Prize, we’ve done a world tour, and TeSTAR’s name value would remain fresh for at least another two years.
But.
“But to keep rising even as we get older, we have to secure a platform somehow.”
Just like VTIC currently does.
Now was the most important time.
“……”
Bae Se-jin nodded with a slightly heavy expression. And a hint of grim determination crossed the faces of the other guys.
“OK, I’m totally ready for that! Let’s get on that show quickly!”
Except for that guy.
The others ignored Cha Yu-jin’s shout as if they had planned it and nodded.
“Let’s decide by majority vote.”
“Fine.”
And so, the voting began.
Kim Rae-bin brought his laptop and ran an anonymous voting program.
The result was….
“It’s unanimous.”
Every single vote was in favor.
“Wow, there was no point in it being anonymous, was there?”
“Tell me about it.”
The members looked at each other and chuckled.
Thus, we decided to shoulder the risk and take a leap that, at first glance, seemed reckless.
And not long after, the news broke as the embargo was lifted under MBS’s proactive lead.
[‘The Return of a Legend’ <True Competition>, Will National Idols TeSTAR Join the Fray?]
And the fans' reactions exploded.
At first, no one believed it.
-???
-Why would TeSTAR be on this?
-Why would they bother?; Definitely not true, they aren't idiots.
The probability of a top-tier idol group suddenly appearing on a survival program that was being revived after failing.
Realistically, it was non-existent. They would only stand to lose a lot if things went wrong, so why would they take that risk instead of going on tour?
However, more articles appeared, and the fact was confirmed by reporters who went as far as calling TeSTAR’s company.
[TeSTAR Confirmed to Appear on MBS <True Competition>... “We will show you an intense performance”]
At that moment, the fan reaction… first, I’ll give an example from the underground where ruthless individual fans lurk.
-Another survival show? Are you kidding me?
-I bashed Moondae-dog for doing a competition stage with another group, and now he’s dragging the whole group onto one? Is this real life?
└ LOL
└ Gom-meo, I’m sorry. I won’t stop you from being friendly with those Has-been-TICs anymore. Save us, f*ck.
……It seemed like I had caused people stomachaches again, following the stage where I featured for Cheong-ryeo.
‘I’ll pay you back by winning.’
If TeSTAR gains a spectacular advantage through that program in this state, the sheer satisfaction will be incredible. Because they wouldn't have expected it.
And losing on stage with this group’s members?
‘I’m actually more confident that we won’t lose.’
No matter how high people’s expectations are, if it’s just about putting on a stage, I don’t feel like we’ll be pushed back.
In fact, even now, if we just handle the information war somehow, our weakness….
[Survey Available!]
[Help: You can customize the functions of the <Status Window> through feedback from the survey.]
Yeah, not using it.
Do I look like I’m in a situation where information is that urgent? I don’t know how many times this has been now.
‘Persistent bastard.’
It just won’t give up.
Well, it doesn't matter.
I smiled inwardly as I looked at the pop-up.
‘Spacer’s comeback was a success, and the drama Bae Se-jin appeared in will be released soon.’
Now, if we make a comeback after performing well on this program?
It means the Company Grade going up is as good as scheduled.
And seeing the case of Kwon Hee-seung last time, raising the Company Grade allows for the additional absorption of those ‘Fragments of ■■■.’
‘That means I can also absorb what Cheong-ryeo has.’
Keun-dal is also working hard to tear apart the internal algorithm of this ‘Company System.’
If things went well, everything could be finished before Cheong-ryeo went to serve in the military.
So.
‘I don’t need you.’
I dismissed the pop-up without even a hint of lingering attachment. And it was just as I was about to focus on the stage design again.
“…?”
Suddenly, a translucent blue hue covered my vision.
As if I were wearing sunglasses.
‘What?’
I didn't realize what it was for a moment, but the second I focused my eyes on that blue color, I knew its identity.
It was….
A massive pop-up.
Floating right in front of my nose.
[Owner’s dissatisfaction detected!]
“…!”
As if it were protesting.
And….
[Automatic re-update of ‘Company Use <Status Window>’ initiated]
Wait.