Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Recommendation
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The day after Creatin sent the cover video of another idol group, they had a meeting with the producer and writer.
On their manager's strong insistence that it would be better for a variety show to present a natural look rather than being overly styled, the members of Creatin wore sweatshirts and jeans, with unstyled hair and just a bit of sunscreen and lip balm.
“Hello, we’re Creatin!”
Creatin greeted the producer and writer with the loud voices befitting a rookie group.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Please, have a seat over here.”
Creatin and their manager sat down as the producer offered.
“I know it was a sudden request, but thank you for sending the video so quickly.”
“Not at all. We’re the ones who are grateful for this offer.”
“Besides, I was surprised when I saw the video you sent yesterday. You’re all very talented.”
The warm atmosphere from the start made the manager straighten his shoulders with pride.
“Thank you.”
“We did some digging and found that all the members have clean pasts, with no history of causing trouble.”
As soon as he received the video, the producer had investigated what Creatin’s members were like during their school days.
And he didn't bother to hide that fact.
It was a sort of warning that if issues like school violence, underage drinking, or smoking surfaced and harmed the show, they would be dropped without hesitation.
“Of course. We don’t even accept trainees with that kind of history.”
The manager tapped his chest with his fist as if to guarantee Creatin’s character.
“That’s good to hear. I’ll have to work with JR Entertainment more often in the future. Having to edit out someone controversial is a real nightmare.”
“Just hearing you say that makes me happy.”
The manager wanted to grab the producer by the leg and beg him to cast them, but he knew that would only tarnish their image, so he held himself back.
“We’ll likely be filming once a week. The shoots will be quite long. You might have to clear your entire schedule for the day. And the filming could be a bit grueling. Is that all right with you?”
That was as good as confirming Creatin’s appearance on the show.
“Thank you!”
The manager shot up from his seat and bowed deeply to the producer, expressing his gratitude.
“We’re the ones who should be thanking you.”
The producer offered the manager a handshake.
The manager quickly wiped his hand on his clothes before shaking the producer’s.
“By the way, may I ask how you found out about our boys and decided to contact us?”
“Hm? You didn’t know? Yoon-seul recommended you.”
The manager blinked, completely caught off guard by the unexpected news.
“You mean… Seo Yoon-seul from RE-V, who debuted through RED CUBE? From our company?”
“Yes.”
The producer had assumed the company had recommended Creatin as a sort of package deal, using RE-V to boost their visibility.
Going through the company would have been too obvious, so they used a member instead.
“Didn’t the company suggest he do that?”
“No. We haven’t heard anything about it.”
And so, the manager and the producer were left bewildered.
As a result, they were still shaking hands.
“Ah. Oh, my. I’m sorry.”
The producer, coming to his senses first, let go of the manager’s hand.
“Not at all. I was lost in thought as well…”
The meeting concluded with the understanding that detailed filming information would be provided later.
Creatin and their manager left the meeting room together.
“Guys. We got it.”
The manager hugged Creatin, savoring the moment of joy.
“Let’s get you guys some styling and start studying up on variety shows.”
Even in that moment, he was already thinking about what Creatin needed to do to stand out more than others on the show.
“But why would Yoon-seul go out of his way to recommend us?”
“I know, right?”
Ever since hearing from the producer that Seo Yoon-seul had recommended them, Creatin had been dying to know why.
“Don’t tell me he found out about the song…?”
Myeong-seok cautiously brought it up.
“That can’t be it. The company made sure everyone kept their mouths shut. They said RE-V would feel repulsed if they heard the news, since they’ve all been through the same thing.”
At the manager’s words, Creatin quickly dismissed Myeong-seok’s hypothesis.
“But if that’s not it, I can’t think of any other reason…”
“Me neither.”
Lost in their questions, they stopped in front of the meeting room, deep in thought.
“Well, maybe he just felt bad for us. Even without that whole incident, he must have known we’d be overshadowed by them.”
“Oscar has a point. Let’s not just stand here. Let’s head back to the dorm for now. I need to drop you off and go back to the company to share the good news.”
“Okay.”
* * *
“Guys. We have to make a quick stop.”
On the way back to the dorm after finishing an additional music video shoot, the manager suddenly announced they had somewhere to go.
“Where?”
“You’ll see when we get there.”
The manager smiled, keeping the details to himself.
“Hyung. You know we have trauma with stuff like this. Why are you being like that?”
Haru said, almost whining.
“Haha. It’s something good, so don’t worry.”
He said it was something good, but being dragged along without any information wasn’t exactly pleasant.
Perhaps that was why everyone’s eyes were wide open, whereas they would usually be dead asleep in the car.
“Alright. Let’s get out.”
The place they arrived at was none other than a bustling downtown area.
“Hyung. You want us to get out here?”
“Yeah. There should be hats up front. Put one on before you get out.”
I had asked just in case, since it was a crowded area, but the manager only told us to put on hats and get out.
“Let’s just go.”
Pulling our hats down low, we got out of the car one by one.
“Keep your eyes on the ground and follow me. You guys stand out enough as it is. Don’t let anyone see your faces.”
Just as the manager said, I followed him with my gaze fixed downward.
“We’re here.”
The manager stopped in front of a building.
“Now, lift your heads and look up there.”
When I lifted my head, I saw an outdoor electronic billboard.
“It’s starting now.”
No sooner had the manager finished speaking than a video began to play on the screen.
It was Haru.
Clips of his RED CUBE performances flashed by quickly, followed by the RE-V debut teaser.
[Six Years of Waiting, Rewarded at Last. RE-V's Haru]
“Haru’s fans prepared it.”
“Hyung, congratulations.”
“That’s awesome.”
Everyone offered their congratulations to Haru.
“It’s not over yet.”
At the manager's words, we fixed our gazes on the billboard again.
The screen went black and then lit up again, this time showing Park Ji-ham.
Once again, clips of his performances flashed by, followed by the RE-V debut teaser.
[Overcoming Hardship to Grow Stronger, RE-V's Park Ji-ham]
“Surprised?”
“Yeah.”
“All of your fans prepared this together.”
“All of them? Together?”
“Yep.”
As we were talking, another video started playing.
It was Jung Eun-woo.
The video content was the same.
[Cheering You On as You Take on a New Challenge, RE-V's Jung Eun-woo]
“Honestly, you guys have a lot of individual fans. It’s understandable, since you were all rivals until just the other day. But despite that, they all came together with the single desire for you to succeed.”
That was the part I had been most worried about.
Having debuted through a survival show, we had more individual fans than group fans, and while things weren't bad between them, I knew it could turn sour at any moment.
Groups with many individual fans have all experienced it at least once.
The desire for the person they cherish to receive the best treatment is what causes it.
“I’m so grateful.”
“You should be. Each of your fanbases raised money to support you. And the ad space there is expensive.”
[My Own Baby White Tiger, Lee Ho-jun]
“Hey. Why is mine the only one like that?”
While the others had somewhat sentimental messages, his was a bit playful, and a flustered Lee Ho-jun spoke with a hint of laughter in his voice.
“What? It looks good.”
“The manager’s right. There should be at least one like this.”
“That’s right.”
Jung Eun-woo and I agreed with the manager.
“You’re all saying that because it’s not about you.”
Finally, it was my turn.
[Thank You for Standing on Stage Again, RE-V's Seo Yoon-seul]
Seeing my name brought a smile to my face.
‘I have to work really hard. And I’ll be sure to repay their feelings.’
“Did everyone get a good look?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s go now. Before anyone around here notices us.”