Monthly Evaluation (7)
“That kid— the one Director Jo Yeonju recommended?”
The Honey Enter CEO, who hadn't said a word until now, finally spoke up, and her first question was about Director Jo Yeonju.
“Yes, I recommended him.”
“Director Jo's got an eye for talent like no one else. Looks like she's struck gold again this time. I'm gonna owe her big.”
“No, no.”
“With visuals like that, even if his skills are a bit lacking, it's fine. Skills can be built up with time.”
“CEO, his skills will exceed expectations too. He's got real artistic talent. It's only been a little over two months since I started teaching him, but he's already keeping up in group stages without standing out awkwardly.”
“Two months? Wow~ Hearing it like that makes it even more impressive. Isn't this kid a genius?”
Rising to a level where he fit seamlessly among trainees who'd been grinding for years in just two months? Yeah, genius didn't even begin to cover it.
“Now that you mention it, you're right.”
“How does Director Jo keep scooping up these monsters? I really wanna learn that scouting instinct.”
“You think that's something you can just learn? It's innate.”
While the instructors chattered excitedly,
♪♩♬♪♩
music started playing.
The room, which had turned into a neighborhood aunties' gossip session, snapped back to its cold, professional business vibe.
Still so handsome.
Director Jo Yeonju watched his dance, which showcased rock-solid basics, and his singing, which was equally well-grounded.
“Looks like the instructors taught him well. His fundamentals are solid.”
“Trainer Rose's skills are beyond praise at this point.”
“Haesol followed along nicely.”
“No need to be modest. Rose Trainer's reputation speaks for itself.”
Rose Trainer was an exceptional talent, earning her premium salary with results that always exceeded expectations. They'd gone to great lengths to keep her from being poached.
The music ended.
And the real evaluations began.
“You could see how perfectly he's nailed the basics over the last two months. But as a debut member, you know you're still lacking compared to the other trainees in every area, right?”
“Yes.”
“Still, I like that you didn't get greedy. That couldn't have been easy.”
“Thank you.”
Even his standing posture was graceful— a real pleasure to watch. For every flaky type, there was someone like Jin Haesol, exuding natural elegance in every move. Director Jo Yeonju wondered if that strange aura of his was why she'd done something she'd never normally do.
It's been forever since I felt possessiveness like this...
World-toppling beauty. The looks to ruin a kingdom? Absolutely.
And she wasn't the only one thinking it. The Honey Enter CEO's eyes sparkled as she gazed at Jin Haesol.
“He's got presence, that kid.”
“Right?”
“Yeah. How's his acting?”
“He says it doesn't come as easily. Though that's relative to his dancing and singing.”
“Train him well. He's got star potential.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
With the final performance wrapped,
the instructors and Director Jo Yeonju finalized the debut lineup.
The pre-selected five stood out so much that everyone agreed unanimously. Now they just had to decide on a few more from the rest.
“Honestly, the five were so outstanding I wondered if we even needed this evaluation.”
“Yes, the others aren't bad, but those five shone so bright the rest got overshadowed.”
“Most groups these days start at eight members. Five feels too small.”
“Should we add three more then?”
“The problem is those three would probably just be wallpaper.”
“There are kids with their own charms who didn't show well today. Let's review one last time.”
They knew they had to be ruthless, but as instructors who'd poured their hearts into these trainees, they secretly hoped even one more could debut.
“I want images that don't overlap in concept...”
“Uyeon’s the cute puppy, Haesol’s the elegant noble pretty boy, Jeki’s the intense charismatic leader, Kyungtae’s the all-rounder talent, Jun’s the genius vocalist.”
“Laying it out like this, we’re missing some softness.”
“Soft like... school senior vibe? Art school bro type? Any trainees like that?”
Trainees overhearing this would choke on air. The discussion dragged on like that.
They swapped in and out, tested combos,
and the staff handling the rookie boy group debut huddled for nearly an hour.
“So, let's settle on this. Any objections?”
“No, none.”
“The meeting ran longer than expected. That's all thanks to you instructors polishing these gems.”
“Everyone worked hard today.”
They'd critiqued harshly for the trainees' sake, but inwardly, they'd been shocked at how much the skill level had equalized. Seeing kids with killer drive pour everything into their stages was heartening.
“It's rare to see that fire in boys these days, but they all seemed so motivated. I like it. They'll be heartbroken over missing debut, so please console them well.”
New group launches were when the most trainees bailed on contracts. Recommending them elsewhere was fine for one or two, but losing a bunch after all that investment hurt the company bad. Keeping trainees shelved as long as possible was ideal from the business side.
“Oh, and Section Chief, you can tell the kids about that now.”
“The reality show?”
“Yes.”
Honey Enter's tradition since their first idol debut: a reality program. This time was no different.
Once members were locked in, cameras would trail their every move.
“Finally, we're adding just one more member.”
Murmurs rippled—
Just one? That's brutal! I thought at least three. Please, please, please...!!
After the evaluation, as trainees waited anxiously, the manager section chief entered. Faces paled upon hearing the result.
We perked up too, shocked by the tiny addition, swallowing hard.
“Nam Eungyu. You're the final debut member. Congrats.”
“Aaaah!!!! Thank you! Thank you!!!!”
One lone qualifier announced.
Despair settled on the ten debut hopefuls' faces. Most couldn't hold back tears anymore.
In the dazed atmosphere, the section chief drove home the harsh truth.
“Failing debut this time doesn't mean it's over. Keep pushing without giving up, and good things will come. Don't get too down or despair. Quitting's easy, but it'll just lead to more regret. Also, the debut class is disbanding for now—merging into A-Class. Keep that in mind.”
Back to square one.
Skipping the nominal C-Class, clawing from B to A to debut class—those words hit hard.
Leaving the sobbing trainees, the chief gathered us debutters and headed to the conference room.
Company staff and trainers waited.
“Seeing you all together already feels rewarding.”
“We haven't even started yet.”
“I can picture it.”
“Team Leader Hong must be born with an artistic eye. Picturing it from faces alone? Crazy. Should've gone into art. What a loss for the scene—a genius gone.”
“Hoho, you're the one with no sense. These kids together and you feel nothing? How do you even do this job? No instinct, you won't survive.”
The mood was cheerful yet tense.
They're bickering.
Office politics were familiar—exhausting, even. But seeing my inexperienced members stiffen up was kinda funny.
They really are young.
Aigoo~ Leading these kids as idols. Starting to feel real now.
Who knew a drunken slip would make me a real idol. All troubles start from the mouth—fits perfectly.
Staff positioned us like display art—pairs, trios, shuffling spots to check the overall vibe.
Idol groups photo-opped a lot, so lineup mattered.
“This order looks prettiest.”
After dragging us around, the spots settled: Nam Eungyu, Ki Uyeon, Jin Haesol, Jeki, Kang Kyungtae, Kang Jun.
Kang Jun had visuals but was too short for the edge; Jeki, as leader, took my side.
Newbie Nam Eungyu checked his spot, nodding like he'd expected it.
Ki Uyeon and Kang Kyungtae seemed fine too. Locked in.
“Remember this order for cameras. Line up like this.”
“Yep!”
“Yes.”
“Gotta name the group. Any ideas among yourselves?”
“No.”
“I'll give you two days—brainstorm some. Can't take all your input, but I'll consider it.”
Our group name, but our say was just 'reference' level. It was their face, after all—kinda bummed me out anyway.
Songs won't be our choice either—just company picks, huh?
Cold reality of idol life. Veterans could pitch ideas later, but we weren't qualified yet.
“Oh, right—from next week, reality cameras follow you. Expected it? They'll film the whole debut process for fans. Act accordingly.”
Reality? Cameras tailing us? Vaguely heard of it, no details.
Others took it in stride, like common knowledge. I clenched my fist at the ominous ring of 'reality.'