Chapter 72
Chapter 72
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: The Recording Begins
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The ominous light shimmering from the ‘Authorized Personnel Only’ sign prompted me to run a simulation in my head.
A control room helmed by a main PD with close ties to SJ Enter.
Key figures from SJ Enter, who had come all the way to the broadcasting station.
The probability that they were in there right now was extremely high.
“What’s wrong?”
Isa-nim, who had witnessed my exceptional intuition a few times, asked seriously.
“Just need to send a quick text.”
-I considered calling but didn't want to disturb you, so I am texting you again to avoid any misunderstanding. Thanks to your kindness, Division Head-nim, we are finally able to film for 'Best Idol' today. I'm taking the liberty of texting you while buying coffee for the control room staff. I eagerly await the day I can repay your kindness.
“Who are you sending that to?”
“Division Head Lee Joo-won.”
“Why him?”
“It just feels like the polite thing to do. He said he’s a fan of Seol-ah, so he might drop by for a moment.”
Isa-nim gave a bitter smile.
It was as if she were saying, ‘You think someone that important would come all the way here for something like that?’
We entered the control room.
Countless monitors and various consoles came into view.
There were many people, but the only ones who looked at us were Gyeon Sang-jin’s group and the main PD, Hwang Beom-seok. Exactly as I expected.
The red, finger-shaped mark running from Gyeon Sang-jin’s nose to his eye socket would turn into a dark bruise by tomorrow. The comical image made me want to laugh.
Isa-nim smoothed her hardened expression and walked toward the PD with a business smile.
*Clack, clack.*
PD Hwang Beom-seok’s leering eyes scanned Isa-nim’s legs in her miniskirt, and he made a whistling gesture.
“Damn, she’s still got it.”
Should I just punch him?
There was the incident where he gestured for CEO Park Jae-yong’s business card with his fingers; this guy’s rudeness knew no bounds.
To be so openly harassing in this day and age, it was clear how confident he was in his connections.
*Your day will come, too. You’ll pay dearly.*
“…Hello, PD-nim. We brought some coffee for you to enjoy while you work.”
“Don’t you know this is a restricted area?”
The audacity to say that with another group of non-staff, Gyeon Sang-jin’s crew, right beside him. Something an ordinary person couldn't do.
In contrast to his group’s lewd smirks, Gyeon Sang-jin’s bitter expression was strangely bothering me.
“……”
I felt embarrassed for Isa-nim, who was holding out the coffee for Hwang Beom-seok.
I took the coffee from her hand and placed it back on the tray. Seeing this, PD Hwang Beom-seok crossed one leg over his other knee and started shaking it.
I returned his lewd smile with a business smile of my own.
From the looks of it, he was clearly planning to give Answer a handicap, regardless of how well we performed.
There was no need to suck up to him.
“Didn’t you hear me? Authorized personnel only.”
At PD Hwang Beom-seok’s words, Isa-nim glanced at Gyeon Sang-jin’s group. It was a silent protest.
“Then just leave the coffee and…”
“We don’t drink cheap stuff like that, so take it with you.”
“Pfft.”
Gyeon Sang-jin’s group laughed, and Gyeon Sang-jin himself forced a smile to match.
Isa-nim seemed to have reached her limit, her expression turning ice-cold.
“…Excuse us. We hope you create a wonderful program.”
Isa-nim turned to leave, and I followed.
“Whoa! Even if she’s past her prime, she's still a looker, right? Way classier than some half-baked rookie girl.”
“Pffft.”
“!”
[Trait 'Soldier's Spirit' Activated]
[Trait 'Charisma Lv. 2' Activated]
Rage surged through me, and the system windows flickered chaotically.
“Min-jun.”
I felt Isa-nim’s hand on my back.
It wasn’t my place to be angry when the person involved didn't want me to be.
“Ah, but was she really a member of Fire Emblem?”
“If she couldn't debut, she's just a trainee. What member?”
“Still, she must have gotten around with the ladies…”
The control room door quietly closed, and Isa-nim leaned her body against it.
“…Haaah. So embarrassing.”
As Isa-nim muttered with hazy eyes, I had the illusion of seeing her breath fog up as if it were the middle of winter.
“I came all this way just so our kids wouldn't lose their spirit.”
“……”
I couldn’t find any words to respond to her lament.
“A director, and yet… so humiliating.”
Coming from Isa-nim, who rarely used slang or profanity, her words felt incredibly pathetic.
“I will make sure our company is never looked down on again.”
“…Pfft.”
I felt a strange fondness for Isa-nim as she laughed, her shoulders shaking.
“Sorry for laughing. I’m not mocking you. I believe you, to some extent.”
“I can see the success of Isa-nim, Answer, and our entire company.”
“…Alright, I’ll trust your eyes, Min-jun. Still… making a living is tough.”
Her words, the kind you’d hear over drinks, reminded me of bitter soju.
“It would be easy if you only pursued your own success, Isa-nim. It’s hard because you’re leading so many people.”
“…Honestly, you talk like an old man. Thanks for understanding, you know?”
“I’m serious.”
“That’s comforting… Let’s go.”
Isa-nim said, pushing herself off the door.
“Just a moment.”
“Why?”
“Division Head Lee Joo-won is coming.”
“…Did you get a text?”
No text had arrived, but I couldn’t just say it was a gut feeling.
“…He’s here.”
Just then, Division Head Lee Joo-won and CP Kim Soo-yeon stepped out of the elevator.
Is a CP’s job so leisurely that they can always be seen together?
“Hello, Division Head-nim. And hello to you too, Chief Producer-nim.”
“Well, well, Director Lee Sun. A pleasure to see you. You look even more beautiful today.”
As Division Head Lee Joo-won spoke with a friendly face, Isa-nim’s expression brightened.
A man in his position was so polite and respectful, so what the hell was wrong with his subordinate?
“Thank you, Division Head-nim.”
“But… why are you two out here? I thought you were handing out coffee.”
With Isa-nim hesitating, I spoke up.
“PD Hwang Beom-seok said it’s a restricted area for non-personnel.”
“Haha, what’s the big deal about handing out some coffee?”
“Exactly. Even kids come for field trips.”
CP Kim Soo-yeon chimed in with a smile.
“It looks like they haven’t started yet, so let’s go in for a moment. Min-jun, have you ever seen a control room before?”
“This is my first time.”
I inwardly cheered at the Division Head’s words.
The image of PD Hwang Beom-seok getting chewed out had become a reality.
The moment the Division Head and the CP opened the door to the control room, their faces stiffened.
They had seen Gyeon Sang-jin’s group sitting arrogantly next to PD Hwang Beom-seok.
“Hmm… would it be alright if I handed out the coffee instead?”
“Yes. Please do.”
Sensing the tense atmosphere, CP Kim Soo-yeon took the coffee tray from me.
It was satisfying to see PD Hwang Beom-seok shoot up from his seat, followed by Gyeon Sang-jin's crew rising awkwardly behind him.
“PD Hwang Beom-seok, do you have any intention of following my instructions?”
“…I’m not sure what you’re referring to…”
“Is JD Enter considered non-personnel, but SJ Enter is considered personnel?”
“……”
PD Hwang Beom-seok looked distraught at the Division Head’s sharp words.
“We’ll be heading off to monitor the stage now.”
“Alright.”
After bidding farewell to CP Kim Soo-yeon with Isa-nim, we headed out.
“Ahem… We’ll be on our way now, too.”
Gyeon Sang-jin’s voice was laced with displeasure.
“Do you not consider how blatantly discriminating like this will harm the station’s reputation?”
“Did you think I kept quiet because I didn't know your daughter and her friends were hanging around here for ages?”
“Are you trying to make a variety show that viewers will love? Or one that only you will love? Do my words sound like a joke to you?”
PD Hwang Beom-seok couldn't utter a single word in response to the Division Head’s scathing and pointed criticism.
It was a relief to see a bit of vindication on Isa-nim’s face.
“Let’s go before we stir things up more.”
“…Yes.”
I wanted to see the look on Gyeon Sang-jin’s group’s faces as they were kicked out, but I followed Isa-nim’s lead.
* * *
By the time we returned to the audience seats, a wave of heat from the crowd’s excitement and the heaters washed over us.
The pre-show MC’s wit and hosting skills had the audience thoroughly entertained.
“Buy them something tasty after the recording. Nothing that’ll make them gain too much weight.”
Isa-nim handed me her personal card instead of the company card.
“Thank you. Aren’t you staying?”
“This will take at least ten hours, how can I wait? I have my own schedule.”
“That’s not what I meant. And speaking of which, shouldn’t we get a sofa for the dorm?”
“Haa… They don’t even have a sofa. Find a decent one.”
“Yes. I have one in mind for around 500,000 won.”
“Do it.”
“Thank you.”
“…I’m leaving.”
Isa-nim’s departing figure drew the attention of the audience.
“Mic 3, standby. Monitor.”
My heart suddenly pounded at the house sound director’s voice.
*Do well, my members.*
A staff member holding a stack of papers walked onto the stage and waved his hand high above his head, signaling the start of the recording. The cue was given.
It was probably a marker for easier editing.
As the staff member waved to the audience, a roar of cheers erupted.
“Waaaah!”
The ambient sound would be perfectly captured by the effect microphones placed throughout the audience and the ceiling mics hanging from above.
A popular MC, formerly an announcer, took the microphone.
-Hello, viewers. Welcome to the nation’s most popular variety show! The rookie girl group special of Best Idol!
A staff member in the audience raised his hand again, gesturing for cheers.
“Woooah!”
-Your passionate energy is driving away the cold wave. It’s getting hot in here.
-I had a chance to see the contestants beforehand, and seeing how polished they are, despite being rookies, reminded me once again just how fierce their world is.
-But that’s enough for the opening remarks. Let’s introduce our shining rookies right away.
-Our first rookie. They are the sister group of SJ Enter’s Fire Emblem, a group that isn't just aiming for the top—no, they've already surpassed it and are knocking on the doors of the international market.
-Your Girl’s ‘Our Own Time’!
“Kyaaaaah!”
The Fire Emblem fandom reacted with fervent support, as if cheering on family.
Bright stage lights illuminated the previously dark sub-stage, and a powerful brass beat began to play.
The members of Your Girl appeared, their visuals on par with our Answer members, dressed in harmonious outfits.
Their challenging yet intoxicated gazes suited them perfectly, likely because it matched their innate dispositions.
♪♬
I know what you want
You don't need to hesitate
I'm coming to you like this
♪♬
The hip-hop EDM track's verse used a G harmonic minor scale, creating tension by repeatedly ascending without resolution.
♬♪
This is real, it's me
I'm the one you want
Dreams, no, illusions, no
This is real
♬♪
With a guitar and metallic synth in the background, the heavy Modal Interchange chords created a dreamlike feeling within the darkness.
♬♪
Into the white breath that teases you
Wanna come in? (Wanna go in?)
Into the red smoke that makes me cry
Wanna go in? (Wanna come in?)
♬♪
It felt like the lips of a beautiful, intoxicated woman were approaching me.
The concept was similar to Answer’s debut song, but SJ Enter’s Your Girl pulled it off perfectly, as if wearing clothes made just for them.
♬♪
It's our secret time
Throw away your conscience
All the cumbersome things
Throw them away (Baby, hurry)
It's our secret time
I've waited so long
Now's the chance (Hot Baby)
♬♪
The members of Your Girl were a perfect match for the well-produced song and its theme. A faint silver aura indicating success confirmed that they were a promising group that Answer couldn't afford to underestimate.
They were getting a bit of a boost from the real-time autotune and effects applied through the live DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), but… their vocals were outstanding as well.
I suddenly remembered the girls crossing their arms with a disdainful smile when Seul-bi asked if they were just coasting on their looks.
*Right. It wouldn't be fun if it were too easy.*
The feeling of humiliation when you overestimate your abilities and get crushed by a superior opponent is something you can’t understand unless you’ve experienced it yourself.
*Look forward to it, Gyeon Sang-jin. And you ill-mannered girls.*