Welcome to the First Hell Song Camp
New EP "So, I Think It'd Be Better to Go That Way?"
"I-I think... yeah, that sounds right..."
Suyeon tilted her head slightly. She only understood about 20 percent of what Hyeona was saying, but the "graduation ceremony" concept itself seemed solid. As Hyeona had pointed out, it tied into Group Sound's debut EP, Plastic Nostalgia, and even connected to the real lives of "Ha Suyeon" and "Choi Iseo," which could hook people's interest.
"What do you all think? Any opinions?"
"Sounds good to me?"
"Hmm..."
As expected from a total "cartoon addict," Iseo was showing clear approval. Seoha looked a bit iffy, but she didn't seem to have any standout ideas of her own either.
"Alright, then everyone grab some references by next time we meet. Bring song drafts if you want, or concept art... Anyway, since we've settled on graduation, at least bring some materials."
"What if we don't?"
"If you don't... you'll get punished. Fine? Like 100,000 won?"
"Isn't 100,000 too much?"
It was a lot for the girls. Suyeon tilted her head again. What would make a good penalty? Something without real harm, but enough to make sure no one wanted to break the promise...
"I got a great idea."
"What?"
"The ones who don't bring stuff have to cosplay and post pics on the official Twitter. How's that?"
Iseo beamed triumphantly, like it was the best idea ever. But to Suyeon, it sounded awful. What if she forgot? She'd have to redo that Japan trip makeup disaster.
"Ooh, that's good."
"Right?"
The mood among the girls was the opposite, though. They seemed weirdly eager, like they were dying to be pushed into it. Suyeon opened her mouth to shoot it down, but...
It wasn't her who interrupted—it was Jeong Yuyoung, knocking as she entered.
"Hello~ I need to talk about our self-produced content. Can everyone chat now?"
"A trip?"
"Yes. We're planning some self-content, and the boss suggested a travel theme."
They'd been steadily uploading one piece a month since starting self-content, but most were one-offs: from their first "Guess First Impressions!" to amusement parks, gear intros, school visits. Nothing took more than 2-3 hours to film.
But a trip?
"Like a day trip?"
"No, one night, two days."
"Where?!"
"Not decided yet."
The girls forgot all about the EP, buzzing with excitement. Suyeon tilted her head. A trip wasn't a problem, but was it just "go and vacation"?
"What do we do there?"
"Um... nothing set in stone. Still in planning. We were going for something safe, but the boss pushed for travel."
Yuyoung paused, looking thoughtful. Then she continued.
"She said you've been working so hard lately, Suyeon, and wanted to send you out to have some fun."
"Mom did...?"
"As expected of the boss. Total gold spoon."
"Company-funded trips are every office worker's dream, right? We get this already?"
"The world... only looks good when you've got money..."
The girls joked around. Suyeon snorted softly and sank into thought. She'd been coming home late—or not at all—working on the EP and side gigs, so "Mom" must've worried.
No need to go that far...
It wasn't all fun and games, but it was work she could handle. Plus, whether as "Seo Myeongjeon" or "Ha Suyeon," she wasn't the type for "healing trips." Both versions healed with booze and smokes.
"Looks like it'll be this day... Everyone free?"
"Yes!"
"I... think so too."
"Should work."
The three were thrilled at "free trip on someone else's dime." Watching them, Suyeon wondered: Great for a trip, but for self-content, what should they do? Not her problem as an individual, but as band leader, maybe it was.
"Wait, isn't that our regular meeting day?"
"Can't do it?"
"No! Meetings can happen there... Right, Yeon-su? We can do it on the go?"
"We can, but... you just don't wanna."
Iseo averted her eyes at that. Suyeon sighed deeply. Hating work was human nature, but did she have to dodge so blatantly? Maybe lock her up once, torture her till she cranks out songs, no leaving till she does...
Wait. That's it. For this trip.
Early morning.
"Ah~ It's been forever since a trip."
Instruments loaded into a car (Iseo wondered why), then into another van with cameras everywhere. She blurted the first thing that came to mind.
"We went a ton during break."
Seoha's scolding came right back.
"That wasn't a trip, was it?"
She reclined her seat fully, tormenting Seoha behind her.
"Hey. Straighten it."
"Can't hear the back seat~"
What came back wasn't words, but a fist's vibration. Iseo grinned and fixed it. That had to make for fun footage.
"So where we headed?"
"In the... KakaoTalk group..."
"Whoa. How'd I miss it? You didn't send it to me?"
"What? I posted it in the group."
"Seoha-unnie's scary. Ghosting people like that. Maybe Freemasons, Illuminati—all copying her secret society moves... Nah, boring. Scratch that."
"Just die already."
Chattering nonsense, Iseo soaked in the trip. Not far for one night two days, but even Seoul suburbs had fresh scenery. Beach, viewpoints.
"Wish I lived somewhere like this forever."
"Live here every day and it'd get boring, obviously."
"Bet it'd be fun. Look at the view. How could working here suck?"
"Um... the part-timers work here every day... probably not that fun..."
Wandering scenery, bantering with bandmates, Iseo milked content for all it was worth. Gotta earn that free meal ticket.
But the staff weren't prompting anything, which was weird. Normally by now: "Do this for food~"
Like the amusement park "Move 10 candies mouth-to-mouth for lunch~"
No such games today.
"No tasks today, huh."
"Isn't no tasks good?"
While staff were away, Iseo whispered to Seoha.
Seoha shrugged normally. But Iseo recalled the pre-departure sight: instruments in another car.
"Oh yeah, instruments were loaded in the other van. Busking maybe?"
"You brought my drums?"
"Yeah. Hyeona-unnie's keyboard too."
"Busking then."
Seoha sounded half-certain. Iseo nodded, then glanced at Suyeon—faintly smirking at them.
From tons of experience: That's her 'you're in for it' face...
Like group feedback, solo critiques. The "you're screwed" look when tormenting members.
Iseo scanned around. Nothing there.
"Yeon-su's face says something's up."
"What? What now?"
Seoha startled, looked—smirk vanished instantly.
Iseo felt ominous, but also what can she do?
Schedule continued uneventfully. Peaceful views, member chit-chat. Like a normal friend trip.
"Arriving at lodging soon. Unpack, simple games for dinner at the lodge, sleep late."
"Got it~"
But hearing Yuyoung's pre-arrival words, Iseo's instincts screamed: Here it comes.
Whatever the task, make it fun footage... and if possible, mess with Seoha and Suyeon. For laughs.
The lodge looked idyllic: leaves drifting in gentle breeze, cozy and clean. BBQ setup outside, meat aroma rumbling stomachs prematurely.
"Whoa, BBQ for dinner?"
"We prepped a bit. Spent some money."
"Epic. Should've skipped lunch. Knew it."
Company cash unbeatable? Two staff grabbed members' bags, vanishing inside. Like a five-star hotel.
"So what now? I'll work hard!"
"J-just... tell me what..."
"This isn't like the last supper, right?"
"Why so ominous."
As Iseo physically covered Seoha's mouth, Yuyoung smiled: "Head that way—something's prepared."
Three bounded eagerly; one lagged.
"Huh?"
Weirdos awaited: three in sunglasses, standing rigid like guards. Two unfamiliar. Placard overhead.
Welcome to the 1st Hell Song Camp
"...Wrong place."
Iseo turned to bolt, but sunglassed Yuyoung grabbed her. Seoha and Hyeona already caught. Only Suyeon free.
"Yeon-su, save us!! I lived a good life!!"
"Suyeon-unnie...!"
"Knew it. Sold to a shrimp boat now...?"
But Suyeon didn't react as expected. She stepped forward slowly, pulling sleek black sunglasses from her pocket.
Joining the sunglasses crew, she pointed at the placard, shades on.
The thunderbolt words shook them. BBQ grill rumbled closer, aromas hitting just as three stomachs growled...