Chapter 607
Chapter 607
“Kim Rae-bin! Kim Rae-bin!”
“Thank you!”
After the filming for <Random Play Dance> wrapped up.
I shook my head as I watched the Green Team, who had transformed into a frantic Kim Rae-bin fan club, and the excited camera crew.
‘They’re going to be like that for a while.’
It was understandable.
Following the ghost story for the courage test, he had won two consecutive solo victories, making him the de facto protagonist of that team’s final win.
And practically speaking, he wasn't just the hero of his temporary team, but the hero of TeSTAR’s variety show performance.
‘To think he’d win like that.’
A rapper sweeping aside a formidable dance line to take the win? He was the personification of buzz.
It was rare to find someone who pulled their weight so thoroughly, even in such unexpected categories.
‘He manages to pull off at least one big thing every time.’
I chuckled, watching him enjoy the moment.
Sure enough, it was only after Kim Rae-bin finished his interview with the production staff that he could break away from the Green Team and receive proper congratulations from the TeSTAR members.
Then, this topic came up.
“Ah, come to think of it, Yu-jin was the first to be eliminated, and Rae-bin stayed until the very end.”
“Oh, you’re right?”
They were referring to the bickering match between Kim Rae-bin and Cha Yu-jin over who would be better at the Random Play Dance.
It had been a while since a winner and loser were so clearly determined.
“Wow~ Rae-bin, your method was right!”
“Mhm, that’s amazing...!”
“Indeed. Since it is a claim proven by facts, I shall not hesitate to speak, even if it may seem lacking in humility!”
With a quite proud face, Kim Rae-bin looked back at Cha Yu-jin, who had been sitting in the eliminated section since early on.
Then he shouted.
“I won, so acknowledge it and keep striving!”
“Uuuu....”
Cha Yu-jin had a grumpy expression, but eventually, he slumped his shoulders and nodded.
“OK. Kim Rae-bin stayed the longest.”
“……!”
“Congratulations.”
I saw it.
Kim Rae-bin, in a rare moment, looked up at the sky and made a small gesture of deep emotion.
‘Is that a goal ceremony?’
Of course, being the thoughtful guy he was, instead of teasing the loser, he immediately tried to offer encouragement.
“Confidence is a virtue for an idol, but from now on, you should cultivate the habit of listening more to the advice of others, Cha Yu-jin!”
“OK.”
Cha Yu-jin nodded obediently, and Kim Rae-bin returned to his serious maknae persona, bowing politely to us before leaving.
“Then, I shall go and change my clothes!”
“Sure.”
His footsteps were still full of excitement, though.
After watching Kim Rae-bin enter the MT building, I turned my head, intending to offer some words of comfort to the defeated Cha Yu-jin.
However, the person in question already had a nonchalant face.
“……?!”
“...You lost, are you okay?”
At Bae Se-jin’s bewildered question, Cha Yu-jin shrugged.
“Staying long in a challenge isn't the best part. I was cooler than Kim Rae-bin.”
“…!”
“Then why didn't you talk back earlier?”
“Because I’m a good boy who considers my friend’s feelings!”
Fluent and cheerful English followed.
[Kim Rae-bin got to experience something he’ll never have again—thinking he beat me in dancing. I’m just letting him enjoy it to the fullest.]
Then he lay back down on the grass and began to enjoy his rest, whistling.
“…….”
“…….”
He really was something else.
‘Neither of them will ever admit defeat to the other.’
They were truly same-age friends with similar stats.
Bae Se-jin, who had watched the whole scene, spoke quietly.
“He’s a bit... annoying, but I think I understand the feeling of being satisfied.”
“Is that so?”
Well, since he also got eliminated after leaving an impressive mark like Cha Yu-jin, he might think that way.
‘That basic practice song, right?’
That intense choreography, filled with all sorts of steps and moves, probably wasn't what the public expected from Bae Se-jin.
“No, I’m not saying I danced as well as Cha Yu-jin!”
Bae Se-jin muttered with a slightly proud air.
“I was lucky with the song selection... and Lee Se-jin gave me the signal right on time.”
“Still, it’s the result of your practice, hyung.”
Bae Se-jin didn't deny it.
He talked about how he felt at the time with a slightly embarrassed expression, then simply decided, “I should definitely tell Lee Se-jin thanks.”
“…….”
I watched Bae Se-jin head toward his namesake in the same team.
However, in this situation, there was actually one more contributor besides Keun Se-jin.
I shifted my steps and stood quietly next to the guy who was sitting with a pleasant expression among the Green Team members praising Kim Rae-bin.
Ryu Cheong-woo.
‘Bae Se-jin thought he was lucky, but...’
“You did it, didn't you? That.”
“…….”
“Bae Se-jin hyung’s song selection.”
“Ah. You saw.”
It was obvious even without looking.
This guy said something to T-Holic, and immediately after, Bae Se-jin’s practice song came out. Anyone who knew the circumstances could have guessed it.
He had specifically picked that practice song and pushed it into the selection.
So that Bae Se-jin could shine.
“Since Se-jin stayed for so long, I didn't want him to feel regretful about holding out.”
“That was an excellent judgment.”
“Thanks.”
Ryu Cheong-woo accepted the praise without modesty but added, “I don’t think there’s a need to emphasize it to Se-jin.”
Then he grinned.
“Ah, but I didn't request that trot art song in the final round.”
“…….”
“I didn't even know that song in the first place.”
Well... that makes sense.
Seomjingang Lover. The only person among the cast who would listen to and remember that song seriously enough to recall the choreography would be Kim Rae-bin.
No, he might be the only one among all active idols, not just the cast....
‘The production staff probably put it in as a joke, thinking it would be a time for creating choreography or a break.’
“Rae-bin was probably the only one who knew it.”
“Right.”
Ryu Cheong-woo readily agreed.
“Rae-bin really is a genius.”
“Yes.”
“Yeah.... It’s good to see him showing off his skills like this.”
“…….”
Before I knew it, Kim Rae-bin, who had changed his clothes in the building, was running back out.
And there was Bae Se-jin, talking to Keun Se-jin.
After watching those scenes for a moment, Ryu Cheong-woo turned his head to look at the red sun.
It was about time for the sun to set.
“You showed your skills as a leader too, hyung.”
I meant his split-second judgment in putting members in the right place at the right time.
Ryu Cheong-woo looked slightly surprised, then soon regained his smile.
“Really? Hmm, my skills....”
His voice trailed off.
And amidst the quiet sunset, a soft voice was heard.
“It would be nice if things could keep being like this.”
“……?”
What was that?
‘Why are you using that meaningful tone again?’
I asked skeptically.
“Are you perhaps planning not to renew your contract?”
“Huh? Moondae-ya, it hasn't been that long since we renewed.”
Fortunately, Ryu Cheong-woo laughed as if it were absurd and denied it instantly.
“It’s just that your tone sounded like you weren't sure about the future.”
“Is that so?”
Ryu Cheong-woo looked back at the sunset.
“Maybe it’s because the promotion period is coming up soon.”
“…….”
Certainly, this was a somewhat unique promotion period.
Because we were throwing everything in and charging ahead without being able to rationally predict the win rate.
“I’ll do my best.”
“Me too.”
A quiet break during filming for interviews.
Ryu Cheong-woo and I sat quietly, thinking about the schedule that would follow this variety show.
The long-awaited release of the new song.
After the sun went down.
“Ah, it was really fun, hyung-nims!”
“Hey~ we had fun too!”
In the lull of the interviews, Gold 2, Spacer’s Kwon Hee-seung, also came over with a grin and shook hands excitedly with Keun Se-jin.
‘His expression looks good.’
He seemed to have a feeling that Spacer would get a decent amount of screen time.
Looking at the production style here, it seemed they would give each group a fair amount of screen time without dividing it too much based on name value.
Plus, the position as T-Holic’s successors.
It was quite funny.
And as if he had somewhat expected this picture, Kwon Hee-seung slipped over to me and said this.
“Actually, I was thinking that if TeSTAR hyung-nims said they wouldn't appear, I might have to use the wish coupon you gave me last time....”
Ah.
He meant the one I gave him as compensation for his trouble with the server and the system.
But we appeared before he even had a chance to use that ‘wish coupon.’
“You were being considerate of us, right? Oh man, I think I can consider the wish coupon used!”
I chuckled.
“There’s no need for that.”
“...Wait a second. Does that mean this appearance was also within Moondae hyung-nim’s grand design! Kaa, as expected.”
It wasn't.
But he went on about how ‘it definitely seemed like the buzz would catch fire,’ and then expressed his amazement at our decision to boldly release at the same time as VTIC.
“Honestly, maybe because I’m not that big-hearted, I was the one getting nervous.... I would have avoided it.”
No, we wanted to do that too.
‘We got stabbed in the back.’
But Kwon Hee-seung eventually gave a bright smile.
“But, I think I know why you hyung-nims are confident.”
“Oh?”
“I saw it at the company. That.”
TeSTAR. The content for this album.
After winking and mouthing the words, he bowed vigorously and disappeared.
“I’ll be looking forward to the release!”
“…….”
He clearly seemed to be buttering me up, but he was a guy who strangely didn't make me feel bad.
‘Is it because he’s surprisingly good at sniffing out the facts?’
I chuckled.
It was then.
“Hmm, it seems your junior’s company is confident in this album.”
Shit.
‘He has no presence.’
When I turned my head, Cheong-ryeo, who had finished his interview, was standing next to me.
He smiled.
“Did I startle you? Sorry. Anyway, I’m curious if you enjoyed this filming.”
“…….”
It would be easy to snap back with “Do you think I did?” and keep our guard up.
After a short deliberation, I opened my mouth.
“Sunbae-nim.”
“Hmm?”
“Why did you suggest this variety show?”
“…….”
I realized it while filming.
“It’s true that this variety show is beneficial for VTIC sunbae-nims, but it seems it was just as beneficial for us.”
He had certainly said, ‘It will be a win-win for both.’
But I thought that in the end, he would set up a brutally cold strategy to somehow win over and devour TeSTAR, who are good at variety shows, even while bringing along the boring VTIC guys.
But as a result, this variety show wasn't that cutthroat.
VTIC simply worked hard to take their own share, but they didn't try to crush TeSTAR’s characters.
That Cheong-ryeo didn't adopt a strategy to kill the opponent.
To the point where I wondered if there was a need to play fair like this when he had already stabbed us in the back with the album release timing.
It wasn't that it wasn't threatening, but it was within the bounds of common sense.
‘What’s the reason?’
I stared at him.
Cheong-ryeo spoke nonchalantly.
“Ah. I already told you. This variety show is for the purpose of growing the scale of the buzz. Hmm... should I put it like this?”
He smiled and tapped his chin.
“Hoobae-nim. This group variety show is content that shouldn't increase fatigue too much.”
“……!”
“It’s tiresome to even have conflicts incited in a mere variety show.... That’s a failure in pacing. The climax should happen in our respective content.”
Cheong-ryeo explained in a low voice.
“The setup where VTIC and TeSTAR devour each other is a one-time event that can only be used at this very moment. But we can't do something so wasteful.”
“…….”
In the past, there were a few times when TeSTAR and VTIC’s promotions overlapped.
But this was the first time their weight classes were so similar that the outcome was unpredictable.
And perhaps... it might be the last.
“Even if we release simultaneously again in the future, it’ll be hard to capture this kind of setup. Buzz is like the sense of smell.”
“Sense of smell.”
“Among the human senses, it’s the one that gets fatigued the fastest... and becomes dull. You could say it adapts quickly to the situation.”
Cheong-ryeo smiled slightly.
“The public also gets tired and accustomed to things just as quickly.”
So, he used this variety show purely as an amplifier.
“Since it’s a moment that won't come again, we should put in the effort, maintain the balance... and grow it well before using it.”
“…….”
I didn't think I’d ever say this, but.
‘A moment that won't come again.’
This bastard can actually say something sensible now.
I chuckled.
“It’s strange hearing those words come out of your mouth.”
“Is that so?”
Yeah.
“But you’re right.”
“…!”
The comeback date is still infuriating... but still.
I held out my hand to him.
“I enjoyed the filming thanks to your suggestion. Sunbae-nim, ...let’s see each other at the music broadcasts next.”
“...Don't mention it.”
The handshake was short and firm.
And now, it was time for the variety show MT filming to reach its grand finale.
Along with the main purpose of filming this show.
“Resuming filming!”
“Yep!”
I don't know VTIC’s new song either.
The VTIC guys probably don't know TeSTAR’s new song either.
The only certain things were what I had planned and prepared.
And as for the things I prepared with the other TeSTAR guys... as I’ve said time and again.
‘I’m confident.’
“Now, let’s take a look!”
We ran out onto the lawn that had become familiar over the course of a day.
And with a smile, we took our positions.
“TeSTAR’s new song stage starts now!”
A few days later.
Midnight on the comeback date, which had finally arrived.
“…….”
Amidst anticipation, nervousness, resentment, excitement, anxiety, and heart-fluttering.
TeSTAR’s music video was released.