The Power of Choice
Until recently, appearing on promotional broadcasts was indeed something they would have jumped at. Not too long ago, Group Sound had been in a position of clear weakness, forced to bow their heads and beg for a chance to appear on television. That dynamic had flipped, however, after the release of Kingdom. The song's view count was still skyrocketing at an explosive rate; it was so wildly successful that reaching a hundred million views within a year or two seemed entirely feasible. Even though the anime adaptation of Train Trail had finished airing and the original manga was nearing its final chapters, the song could still be heard everywhere on TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Thanks to Kingdom, Group Sound had transitioned from "begging for bookings" to "being begged to appear." So much so that numerous music programs were now practically spamming them with invitations.
Of course, a single hit song didn't mean they could afford to slack off on promotion. While hardcore music lovers might hear a hit and actively search for the artist's other tracks, ordinary listeners would simply think, Oh, nice song, and immediately forget about it. In worse cases, people might know the song but have absolutely no idea who sang it. That was why artists rarely neglected promotion just because of one successful track. They had to use that song as a springboard to keep promoting themselves and build lasting fame. The producers at Music Share (M-Share) knew this all too well, which was likely why they had tried to pull this stunt on Group Sound, adopting an attitude of: Even if we act like this, you're the ones who'll lose out, not us.
But there's one crucial difference. There was a massive gulf between typical artists rooted in the Japanese market—who had no choice but to bow to broadcasting stations—and Group Sound. A difference so vast it completely changed how they could afford to handle the media. And that was...
"We're leaving for Korea right after our June concert anyway, and we won't be back in Japan for a while. Is there really any need for us to go around bowing our heads?"
The simple fact was that they were leaving soon.
"Hmm..."
"It's not like we're never coming back, so we don't need to actively burn bridges or anything. But I don't think we need to bend over backward and pay tens of thousands of dollars in 'sponsorships' just to get on their show."
It wasn't a permanent departure. However, they had no plans to return anytime soon. Even when they did return, they wouldn't be living in Japan, touring small live houses, or doing grassroots promotions like they were now. Like most other Korean artists, they would only visit Japan for major tours. While promotion would still be necessary then, it certainly wouldn't take this form. At the very least, Suyun believed, they would be the ones getting paid to perform, rather than paying for the privilege.
"That's true, but..."
"I know you worked incredibly hard in the beginning to get us slots on shows like M-Station and other broadcasts, Team Leader Jung. I also remember you spent a long time negotiating this particular appearance."
"Yes, I did."
"But there's absolutely no reason for us to play the submissive role. If we start bowing down now, those people will definitely look down on us, and it'll show in their attitude."
Suyun was also considering the social dynamics. If they paid their way onto the show, the staff, the MCs, and the other performers would inevitably whisper behind their backs: Did you hear they paid to get on? Suyun herself might be able to shrug it off, but if the other girls were subjected to that kind of treatment, she knew she wouldn't be able to control her temper. She simply wanted to avoid putting them in that situation altogether.
"So, in short, I'm feeling pretty hesitant about this whole thing. That's my take on it."
"Understood. I think you're absolutely right!"
At Suyun's words, Team Leader Jung Yuyoung nodded in hearty agreement.
Watching her, Suyun couldn't help but find it fascinating. While Suyun possessed the wisdom of her past life, Team Leader Jung only saw her as a young woman in her early twenties. Why did she respect her opinions so deeply?
Am I really just that brilliant? Maybe I was meant to be an entrepreneur instead of a musician...
Of course, the real answer was obvious to everyone else, but the person in question is always the last to know. Suyun twirled a strand of her hair, indulging in a fantasy about her latent genius for corporate management—a delusion that would have made her mother, Ha Hye-in, sigh in deep exasperation.
"Still, we do need to keep up with promotions! Like appearing on other broadcasts."
"Other broadcasts?"
"Yes! Since we just finished our nationwide live tour, we should have more than enough ticket sales for the June concert, but we can't rule out any variables! If we wait until the last minute and scramble to promote because ticket sales are lagging, it'll hurt our image..."
"That's true."
The June concert was a two-day event. The expected attendance was similar to their recent Inspire Arena concert, which meant they needed to draw a massive crowd. While they were naturally confident they could fill the venue, they couldn't afford to be complacent.
"Should we look into other options, then?"
"Yes. Preferably something without a talk show segment. I'll see if I can pull some strings on my end as well."
"Got it! And there's one more thing..."
Having wrapped up that discussion, Team Leader Jung pulled out another document. It was regarding the live tour album.
"Ah, this."
"First, the results of the fan survey are..."
After a brief discussion about the live album release, Suyun announced she was heading to the studio to practice and left. (Team Leader Jung had absolutely no idea what Suyun was still practicing. How could someone who practiced for hours every single day for years still have things left to practice?)
Left alone in the office with the rest of the staff, Team Leader Jung cleared her throat and picked up her phone. After a few rings, the call connected.
"Yes, this is Nikaido."
"Hello. This is Jung Yuyoung, Team Leader at Label Echo Sound. We met once before."
"Hmm... Hold on. Who did you say you were?"
"Jung Yuyoung, Team Leader at Label Echo Sound."
"Ah... Just a moment. Hmm..."
The producer on the other end of the line hadn't even saved her number, let alone remembered her name. In a way, it was only natural for people in his position. The one in power has no need to remember the subordinate. It is always the subordinate who must remember the master.
"Ah... Right. Label Echo Sound. We met before regarding Group Sound's appearance, didn't we?"
"Yes, that's correct. I'm calling you regarding that matter."
"Hmm... Didn't our team already contact you? You just need to follow the standard procedure. There's really no need to contact me directly."
The slight irritation laced in his voice was all too familiar. It was the same in Korea and Japan alike. The annoyance of a superior being bothered by someone who had no right to waste their time. Yuyoung was intimately acquainted with that tone. That was the reality of working in PR. While there were times she held a position where she could yell and curse, PR was, at its core, about begging others for favors. Whether during her late twenties at a major conglomerate or now as a Team Leader here, the essence remained the same: bowing to others.
But what she was about to do today was a little different.
Maybe I should actually thank Suyun...
"That's exactly why I'm calling."
"Go ahead."
"To put it simply, we've decided to decline the invitation to appear on M-Share."
"...Excuse me?"
The producer's voice cracked with utter disbelief. Unbothered, Team Leader Jung pressed on.
"Following an internal review, we have concluded that there is no need for us to appear on M-Share if it requires the 'sponsorship' you mentioned previously."
"Wait a minute. What? Group Sound is declining to appear? Did I hear you correctly?"
"Yes, that is correct. We have decided not to participate."
"Hold on, hold on... Uh, Team Leader Jang? Team Leader Jang. Please, think about this one more time. Opportunities to appear on M-Share don't come around very often..."
"My apologies, but my name is Jung Yuyoung, not Jang. I have a mountain of work to get through, so I must hang up now. We will send a formal notification regarding this matter via email. Thank you."
Team Leader Jung hung up without waiting for a reply. It wasn't like she had a personal vendetta against the man, but she felt an incredibly satisfying sense of relief, as if a long-standing clog in her chest had suddenly cleared. For a brief moment, she understood why people in power enjoyed throwing their weight around.
"Wow~ I'm so jealous, Team Leader Jung. I wish I could talk back to a client like that just once."
"Seriously."
"Team Leader, what did he say?"
"He didn't even remember my name. He kept calling me 'Team Leader Jang' until the very end."
"Typical power-trippers."
The moment the call ended, the employees swarmed around her, chattering excitedly. Witnessing someone turn the tables on a power-tripping client was the ultimate dream of every office worker, so their excitement was only natural.
"Alright, get back to work, everyone. Start contacting other music shows immediately."
"Yes, ma'am!"
"What other music shows are on par with M-Share?"
"There isn't really anything on the exact same level... but Count Down Live Live is pretty close, isn't it? They've been doing really well lately."
At the employee's suggestion, Team Leader Jung searched her memory. Count Down Live Live. They hadn't received an official offer from them yet, but...
"Alright, try reaching out to them."
"Understood."
Since they had kicked M-Share to the curb, they needed to make a splash elsewhere. Even if they couldn't completely crush them, they had to make M-Share deeply regret ever bringing up that ridiculous "sponsorship" bribe. Count Down Live Live seemed like the perfect stage for that.
Meanwhile, completely independent of those developments...
"It's been a while~"
"Hello. Good to see you again."
Suyun was meeting with the members of her project band, Amendment. Although the album release was already complete and the profits were scheduled to be settled later, there were still a few loose ends to tie up.
It wasn't an issue on Suyun's end. Although Label Echo Sound represented other artists, they operated essentially as a one-person agency when it came to Suyun. Furthermore, Echo Sound's business in Japan was focused less on managing artists and more on developing a joint Korean-Japanese indie music platform.
However, the other members were in a different position. They were signed to major agencies, and major agencies were corporations that never let a lucrative project slip through their fingers. Even if they couldn't force another album release due to the artists' own wishes, they could still push for other opportunities.
"...So, my agency is asking if we could do just one live performance. They keep saying it'd be a waste not to."
"I mean, it is a bit of a shame... but that's just how it is. You can't expect too much from a one-off project."
After finishing their official business, the four of them chatted casually. They talked about what their agencies were saying, how much money they could make, how it would benefit everyone, and so on.
"I'm against doing a live show," Suyun said.
"Oh? Why's that?"
"Because of my bandmates."
"Ah..."
At Suyun's explanation, the other three nodded in understanding. While they were close with their own bandmates, their bands had been formed after they reached adulthood. They each had their own separate social circles, and some of them weren't even particularly close with their fellow members.
But the band of the girl sitting in front of them had been formed before they even turned twenty. They had lived and breathed together for years, scraping by in the indie scene and growing up side by side.
"Were they a bit hurt?"
"One of them was."
To be honest, until Seoha had gotten drunk and poured her heart out, Suyun hadn't given it much thought. Drawing from her past life, she believed that bands were destined to break up and tear themselves apart eventually. Just looking at the Beatles or Pink Floyd, bands formed by childhood friends rarely had happy endings. They almost always ended up fighting and becoming bitter enemies. It was the same for other bands. Although Suyun had only been a session musician and never the core member of a band, she had seen countless groups implode and shatter into pieces. That was why she had agreed to this collaboration without thinking twice, but...
"It makes sense. If I were in my early twenties, I would've been pissed too."
"Exactly."
"But... I did this with all of you..."
"No, we're not saying you shouldn't have done it. We're saying her reaction is completely natural. You shouldn't think of it as strange, that's all."
"Still, wouldn't appearing on a music show be fine? That might be worth considering."
"Now, now. We don't have to decide on that right this second anyway. We can take our time and think about it. Since we've wrapped up our business, why don't we go grab some coffee?"
As the conversation wound down, a keyword sparked a memory in Suyun's mind. Something that had happened recently.
"Ah, now that I think about it."
"Yes?"
"Something like this happened to us."
Suyun went on to share the story of what Team Leader Jung had experienced. How M-Share had demanded a "sponsorship" bribe, how they had rejected it, and so on. Since almost everyone in the room had suffered under the tyranny of broadcasting stations at some point, they reacted to Suyun's story with deep indignation.
"Those TV bastards are all the same."
"Demanding under-the-table money is pretty common, but I've never heard of them pulling that stunt on a band that just had a massive hit like Kingdom. Is it anti-Korean sentiment?"
"I did hear that station leans that way."
"Anyway, because of that, we're looking for other promotional opportunities... other shows to appear on. I was wondering if any of you knew of a good place."
The three of them fell into deep thought. After a few seconds, Ito spoke up.
"Ah! Come to think of it, there is one place. A show to appear on? Does it have to be a television broadcast? What about YouTube?"
"It doesn't matter, as long as it gets us promotion."
"In that case... I know a channel. I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but it's pretty massive, so you might..."
As he spoke, Ito rummaged through his pockets, pulled out his phone, and tapped the screen a few times. He then turned the screen to show her a YouTube channel.
The name was...
"Do you know this place?"
THE FIRST SHOT
It was an incredibly famous YouTube channel.