Chapter 586
Chapter 586
That evening.
“The weather is so nice~”
“It’s a lovely neighborhood.”
Having successfully finished one CM song, TeSTAR was granted free time to hang out in a small seaside village at the foot of the mountain.
To be honest, it was quite enjoyable. The village was charming and picturesque, and the amenities were well-provided.
It was clear the production crew had intentionally chosen this place to contrast with the "Hellish CM Song Camp."
‘They probably scouted several villages before settling on this one.’
After having cockle bibimbap for dinner, we walked along the beach, sipping coffee.
For the record, this coffee was something Kim Rae-bin had run to a somewhat distant cafe to buy.
Having been released from the "Room of Dreams and Happiness"—the "Forced Hocance Room"—the kid was moved to tears of joy just to be able to work again.
“Thanks. Are you feeling okay?”
“Yes! My mind is more peaceful and joyful than ever before!”
“…….”
Poor guy.
I let Kim Rae-bin enjoy himself by running errands for the members.
We sat leisurely on a beach bench, drinking our coffee, until I quietly stood up and started walking. Seon A-hyun immediately followed suit.
A staff member asked using only mouth movements:
—Where are you going?
“I have some pocket money, so I’m going to go buy a few things.”
Naturally, no one stopped us.
The PD himself had said:
—As long as it’s not a crime, you’re free to spend your pocket money however you like~
So, we took a leisurely stroll to a stationery store and bought some sketchbooks, markers, and writing supplies.
“How about this?”
“I think… this color would be good, too…!”
We already had some writing tools for composing, but the variety wasn't this extensive. The staff seemed to accept it, assuming we were buying them as supplementary tools.
‘Good.’
Without rushing, I finished paying and returned to the beach to rejoin the others.
“Did you get what you needed~?”
“Yeah.”
“Uh-huh!”
“The older members said they were shopping over there. Let’s go!”
We naturally joined Ryu Cheong-woo and Bae Se-jin, who were standing further down the beach, and continued our walk. It was around then that the younger members, who had volunteered to throw away the cups and trash, returned.
“Hey!!”
“Yu-jin’s here too.”
Once the outing time was over, TeSTAR returned to the mountain cabin as if nothing had happened.
However, just as the staff were about to send Kim Rae-bin back into his "Hocance" cage, Ryu Cheong-woo raised his hand.
“Wait a moment.”
“……?”
Ryu Cheong-woo unwrapped one of the sketchbooks I had bought and handed it to Kim Rae-bin.
Then, the rest of TeSTAR naturally distributed the remaining sketchbooks among themselves and picked up the markers.
Scribble, scribble.
The slogans were completed without hesitation… and they were as follows:
[Return Kim Rae-bin!]
[Give Park Moon-dae the Kitchen!]
[Give Us Lamb]
[I Am Not the Sheep Today]
“…!!”
The staff’s expressions changed the moment the slogans were finished.
“W-what are you doing?”
“Haha.”
“…TeSTAR?”
“Hahaha.”
“…….”
We sat down on the floor of the hallway and held up our sketchbooks.
“We’ll be staying right here during our break.”
“…!!”
Before long, we successfully got on a video call with the headquarters of evil… no, the program’s General Producer.
“Hello, PD-nim.”
Taste the power of a union.
—Wait a minute! Everyone, are you seriously going on strike right now? In a variety show?
Of course, I couldn't just meekly admit it was a strike.
“A strike? Not at all.”
Ryu Cheong-woo replied with a smile.
“We’re just resting to recover our strength.”
—…….
But now, no one knew just how long that "rest" would last.
—No, I mean…
Over the phone, the PD’s hollow silence and the sound of the writers stifling their laughter echoed delightfully.
—I-I see.
“Yes.”
—But if the CM song doesn't come out on time because you're resting for too long… well, don't you think TeSTAR’s credibility might be at stake?
Ryu Cheong-woo replied smoothly.
“PD-nim, would that really be our credibility?”
—…??
“Wouldn't it be the credibility of the program that locked the member best at composing in a 'Hocance' room?”
—…….
“Ohhh, that’s right! PD-nim, think carefully!”
The clamor of TeSTAR members holding their sketchbooks echoed through the hallway.
Of course, we couldn't actually ruin a variety show we had worked so hard to get.
But that guy must be thinking the same thing!
‘The one who flinches first loses.’
Let’s play a game of chicken!
TeSTAR sat calmly and waved their placards at the smartphone camera. I held mine up high as well.
[It’s so spicy I want to run away]
When pushed into a corner, even TeSTAR will bite the production crew.
—N-no, wait.
The flustered PD let out a groan. In the background, I could faintly hear the writers bursting into laughter again.
Hahaha!
—Hey, how can you laugh in this serious situation? You traitors!
Of course they’d laugh.
‘I’m doing this so they’ll laugh.’
If we had been dead serious about demanding better treatment, the atmosphere would have turned somber.
The moment the production crew starts walking on eggshells around us to adjust the intensity, the show becomes boring as hell.
So, we were using this method to subtly send a message: "You guys went a bit too far."
Giving them a way to fix it themselves.
‘They’ll either release Kim Rae-bin… or at least let us all cook together.’
Visualizing this obvious outcome, I waited for a compromise to flow from the speaker like a declaration of surrender.
And finally, the PD spoke….
—Oh, what should I do? The Loviewers are going to be so disappointed.
“……??”
Words I never expected began to come out.
—Actually, we were planning to invite Loviewers remotely to give them a pre-release preview of TeSTAR’s CM song and get their feedback.
Excuse me?
—Sigh… But! We’ve already finished accepting online applications and the drawing is over.
“Wait a minute.”
These guys… could it be?
—But if the song isn't ready by then, there’s nothing we can do. I’ll have to post a cancellation notice right now. To the Loviewers.
“…….”
—Because TeSTAR is resting! And there’s no song to play for the Loviewers!
He brought out the ultimate trump card?
Looking around, I saw the members' pupils shaking in unison.
The production crew… had successfully made TeSTAR panic.
—Sigh… Our Loviewers must have been so excited after winning the draw, right?
“…….”
—They must have been so happy, thinking how fun it would be to see what kind of song TeSTAR made before anyone else.
“…….”
—If they can’t see it, the disappointment will be truly immense…….
“Stop it.”
—Pardon?
“We’re going to go compose, so just stop it.”
The strike was suppressed in just one hour.
Hahahahaha!
This time, the laughter of the writers didn't sound quite so refreshing…….
Rip.
We tore off the pages of the sketchbooks with the strike slogans and left them in front of Kim Rae-bin’s bars as a form of consolation before moving on.
Even then, the video call wasn't disconnected, and the PD continued to taunt us.
—Everyone, I told you… you can’t win.
Shut up.
‘Just how much did they anticipate?’
This meant they had expected a strike and prepared for it—a trick that was only possible because they knew us so well…….
‘No, of course they know us well.’
How many variety shows had TeSTAR done by now?
With this PD and this writer crossing paths, their experience points must have doubled.
“Whew…….”
Sighs could be heard from all over.
Of course, we were quick to resign ourselves.
“Ah~ to be suppressed so quickly!”
“It’s so sad, seriously….”
“……It can’t be helped. He brought up Loviewers….”
The production crew filming the scene weren't surprised by this sudden change in attitude either.
They knew all too well that the responsible members of TeSTAR wouldn't abandon the work they received as PPL, nor would they blow the variety show filming they had worked so hard for.
“Then, shall we work hard on composing?”
“Let’s do that.”
After entering the room, TeSTAR began composing the CM song for the wool fleece, following the one for the carbonated drink.
It was the very product the hunting team had worn while being showered with suction-cup arrows.
“…Well, it really was warm.”
“Ugh.”
Sad memories threatened to stall us for a moment, but the hunting team members soon proceeded with the work calmly.
“Hmm, since it’s outerwear… how about something a bit emotional?”
“Winter vibes~ that’s good. Oh, Cheong-woo hyung, you look like you have something to say?”
“Ah, I was thinking of going for something completely cute.”
“Ahem, that would be good too.”
For some reason, this time, no one was rolling on the floor demanding Kim Rae-bin be released.
“I’m going to the bathroom!”
“Sure, sure.”
TeSTAR just harmoniously encouraged each other while clicking away at the program to input notes.
It was a scene in stark contrast to the previous day.
“…?”
The staff were even a bit flustered by how smoothly things were going.
And then.
“Ta-da!”
The time it took to complete… was only 100 minutes!
—…!!
It was incredibly fast.
We immediately submitted the CM song, and before long, the PD hurriedly called us back on video.
The PD sat with his hands clasped in silence for a moment before asking.
—Everyone.
“Yes.”
—……What did you do?
“Ah, when you mentioned the Loviewers, inspiration suddenly struck and we finished it in no time.”
—…….
He clearly wanted to scream, asking where TeSTAR had cheated.
After listening to the song from beginning to end, the PD was left speechless by its quality. Behind him, I could hear the sound of Ryu Seo-rin running off.
She was going to check the recorded footage.
In the meantime, the PD targeted the person in charge of producing.
—Se-jin-ssi?
Bae Se-jin turned his head.
—Your skills are truly outstanding, Se-jin-ssi.
“…Thank you.”
—As expected of TeSTAR’s main producer! Isn't your producing ability about to surpass Rae-bin-ssi’s? From a genius actor to producing?
“Yes. That’s right.”
—……!!
When Bae Se-jin answered shamelessly, it was the PD who was flustered.
“I am indeed the producer of the era.”
—…….
“Is Se-jin hyung imitating Kim Rae-bin?”
“Looks like it.”
“He really is a good actor.”
—Seriously, you people.
I mean, why would you try to test an actor?
The PD, flustered by Bae Se-jin’s sharp response, kept asking follow-up questions, but when no one else opened their mouths, he clutched his head.
It was a pleasant sight.
—No, really, are we going with this?
Yep.
I asked kindly.
“You seem very curious about what happened.”
—…Of course I am!
“Shall I tell you?”
—…That would be great.
I nodded. The PD leaned in to focus.
I also leaned in as if whispering and opened my mouth…….
“I don't want to.”
“Pfft, cough!”
The members bent over, barely holding back their laughter.
The camera director following them also struggled not to let his hands shake from laughing.
Everyone was happy at the expense of one PD; it was truly a cost-effective outcome.
Unfortunately, it didn't last long.
Ryu Seo-rin, who had gone to check the recorded film, returned.
—Check Cha Yu-jin-ssi’s belongings!
“…!!”
At that shout, the staff zoomed in on Cha Yu-jin.
“Ah, I’m caught.”
“You don't have to check! I’ll show you.”
While the staff were tense, Cha Yu-jin laughed cheerfully and pulled something the size of a baby’s palm out of his back pocket.
It was… a colorful toy.
A walkie-talkie.
—…?!
Huh?
Gasps of surprise erupted from the staff on-site.
It was something that shouldn't have been there!
—Where on earth did you get that……?
Cha Yu-jin answered proudly.
“I bought it in the village earlier!”
—…!!
That’s right.
From planning to preparation.
This strike… was purely for the sake of drawing aggro!
Back at the village.
The plan was set in motion the moment I stood up to buy the sketchbooks for the strike.
—First, let’s all split up.
‘If the members split up, the staff will have to split up too, reducing their numbers.’
The number of eyes meticulously checking what we were doing would decrease.
It made it relatively easier to do something in secret.
The staff’s attention was heavily focused on me and Ryu Cheong-woo, who went shopping directly, while Kim Rae-bin, who went to return the coffee cups and throw away the trash, had more freedom to move.
Then, something like this became possible.
—Oh, let’s check this out!
Using the smartphones we got back for the outing, we quickly searched for nearby franchise stores while in the car, then peeked around as if we had found them by chance.
Cha Yu-jin, who followed Kim Rae-bin, pretended to be a rambunctious kid window-shopping, successfully losing the camera for a moment and making the purchase.
And that was….
“Toy walkie-talkies.”
The rest was simple.
When we returned to the cabin and Kim Rae-bin was locked in the Hocance room.
—Wait a moment.
While Ryu Cheong-woo distracted the staff and the sketchbooks drew all the aggro, Kim Rae-bin slipped one walkie-talkie under the beanbag sofa.
—Kim Rae-bin, talk to me!
And as the members took turns pretending to go to the bathroom to contact Kim Rae-bin, everything was connected.
—Finally, I can be of help….
Kim Rae-bin, who had been suffering alone in his "Hocance," spent hours reciting the melodies he had composed in his head and had a blast giving feedback on the members' ideas.
And when the returning member input those melodies….
—Finished!
“…That’s how it happened.”
—…Wow.
The PD seemed to have lost his words for a moment.
‘Right.’
With this level of persistence, it was a level of execution that made one wonder if he should just let us win.
But like a PD who had been through everything, including the forgery of Carrot Coins, he soon came up with a countermeasure.
—First of all, those walkie-talkies are confiscated!
We nodded obediently.
“OK.”
“Go ahead.”
…….
—Why are you all so calm?
“Who knows?”
Ryu Cheong-woo smiled broadly.
“Maybe it’s because we’ve already discussed how to make the next song with Rae-bin.”
“…!!”
We had used that one hour very productively.
—Right now! That! You are forbidden from using the song you discussed with Rae-bin-ssi!
“Yes, sir!”
Lee Se-jin grinned.
“Ah, but you wouldn't know even if we used it as is.”
—…….
That was true.
He hadn't heard it beforehand, so how on earth could he tell?
—If we look at the composition style….
“You have no evidence.”
—…….
The PD finally pulled out his last card.
—At the very least, you have to redo the one you just submitted….
“Oh? Wait a minute.”
Gotcha.
“Didn't you say you’d send it to the advertiser as soon as we submitted it? To get feedback.”
—…!!
“Wouldn't it be… a bit rude to completely change a song that’s already been sent?”
The PD fell silent.
“Could it be… that you didn't send it and have been giving us arbitrary feedback until now?”
—…!!
I knew it.
—Of course not.
“Right?”
—Of course.
“As expected!”
“We believe in you, PD-nim!”
Warm words were exchanged, even though everyone knew no one believed each other.
“Then, since you’ve already sent it this time, we’re just going to keep going like this, right?”
—…Right!
The sound of the PD sinking could be heard from the other side.
“Yessssss!”
After hanging up, we cheered with silent fist pumps and high-fives.
We won!
…But it seemed there was someone for whom this wasn't enough.
That night.
“Our treatment hasn't actually improved. A-hyun might have to struggle for hours with cooking again tomorrow. Our meals are at stake.”
“…….”
“The same goes for the producing feedback. I don't think giving a singer strange feedback as a joke is something that should be used as material for laughter.”
Before lying down to sleep, Bae Se-jin turned off his microphone and gathered the members to speak seriously.
“The program might have become more interesting because of what happened earlier… but I don't think that’s everything.”
He explained as if ruminating.
And he finally reached this conclusion.
“In my opinion… the program seems unnecessarily sadistic right now.”
“…!”
“I want to try talking to them in person.”
Someone had finally turned dead serious.