Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Year-End Evaluation
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After the first day's lesson ended, daily life flowed ordinarily.
The kids' attitudes toward me seemed a bit different, but it was definitely a positive change.
What should I call it?
If at first it felt like waiting in front of a sign that said "No Entry!" as a complete outsider, now it was like they'd permitted me inside the fence.
Thank goodness the kids were nice.
But the peaceful normalcy of daily life, which seemed like it would continue smoothly, was shattered by a new event.
Early December.
While we were in the middle of choreography practice, the practice room door opened.
As soon as we saw Executive Director Jo Kyu-hwan's face, the maknae quickly turned off the MR.
"Hello, Executive Director!"
"Yeah, hey."
Executive Director Jo Kyu-hwan returned the greeting lightly with a smile.
"Whew, smells like sweat. Looks like you guys were practicing hard. Anyway, I came down to tell you something. Nothing major, so relax."
He held out a piece of paper.
"Your year-end evaluation assignment is out."
"Really?"
Everyone gathered around Kim Bi-ju as he took the paper.
The notice was printed on neat official letterhead.
【2013 Joint Year-End Evaluation Notice】
-Location: Taehwa High School Auditorium
-Date: 2013. 12. 28 (Sat)
-Participating Agencies: DNS Media, Lemon Entertainment, Hwayi Entertainment, Big Brother Company, Eulim Entertainment
-Assignment: Performance combining two different songs under one theme
-Please inform trainees' parents in advance as surrounding traffic may be chaotic on the day.
While they looked at the notice with tense expressions, I just stood there blankly.
What was this year-end evaluation?
I knew about monthly evaluations.
If ordinary high school students take mock exams every month, idol trainees take monthly evaluations like tests.
Not in Korean, English, math, but tests all the same.
The stress from grades was the same too.
The difference? Failing a mock exam doesn't get a high schooler fired, but for trainees, if skills stagnate for 2-3 months based on monthly evaluation results, the contract gets terminated right away.
If you don't improve, you're discarded—that's trainee life.
When I was at TJ Entertainment, we had three or four such evaluations a month. Small ones every two weeks and big ones every Thursday.
The events varied each time.
Sometimes individual tasks like "Your high notes are weak, master this song," or group competitions like "Create your own choreography."
The "performance combining two different songs under one theme" on the paper was probably one such test.
What I couldn't understand was holding the monthly evaluation publicly.
With other agencies too.
Was it just like a showcase?
Showcase means a promotional stage.
Like showing off in a display case beforehand to gauge reactions.
I'd heard one of the big four agencies, MOP, opened trainee stages to the public like this.
Anyway, that wasn't important right now. I needed info.
What exactly was the year-end evaluation?
Watching the trainees scan the notice, I picked the chattiest one among them.
"Huh? Yeonhalpyeong-gayo? (Year-end evaluation?)"
"Yeah."
During break time, Wang Ji-ho asked while munching on the chocolate bread I'd bought him.
"First time hearing about year-end evaluation?"
"Just know monthly ones."
"Ah, this is when surrounding agencies do monthly evaluations together every six months. The one in December is called year-end evaluation."
"Similar to MOP showcase."
"Kinda different. MOP brings general public audience. Our year-end evaluation is for trainees' families and acquaintances."
"Better with general public."
As I shuddered, the maknae agreed.
"Right? Screwing up a high note or rap in front of parents is mortifying."
Just thinking about singing and dancing in front of Grandma made my hands and feet curl up inward.
While I sulked over the grim future, Wang Ji-ho crunched his chocolate bread.
"But there's a real reason we gotta ace the year-end evaluation."
"What?"
"Since it's between companies, there's rivalry. We're the biggest with DNS, so there's bad blood. We debut a girl group, they do too. Year-end evaluation has that vibe."
"Like Korea-Japan soccer match?"
"Pretty much."
Wang Ji-ho chugged his milk and continued.
"Plus, we got crushed in June. Like 7-0 in soccer terms. Atmosphere was no joke. CEO didn't even greet us for days."
"Our CEO?"
"Hard to believe? But true."
"Gotta win this time."
"Yup yup."
"But you guys are skilled. DNS that good?"
"From what I remember, their hyungs were amazing. Probably their debut lineup?"
Wang Ji-ho showed articles from his smartphone search.
-'Raviang Rose' brother group coming.. 9-member 'Street Boys'
-DNS Media rookies 'Street Boys,' debut via reality show
-'La Rose junior group' Street Boys, K-Net reality reveals debut story
Hip-hop concept 9-member boy group aiming for April debut, currently filming K-Net reality.
"These our rivals?"
"Yup."
"Filming reality pre-debut?"
"Jealous, right? Fans would flock."
I nodded too.
To general public, it's a 0.1% ratings show they might not even know exists, but for idols, it's different.
Big four agencies build fame just by debuting, but for mid-small idols, this is gold.
I poked the maknae's arm, eyes envious on the articles.
"Let's go in. Others waiting."
"Hyung."
"Yeah."
"Talked a lot, throat hurts. One more chocolate milk?"
I bought him another chocolate milk and drinks for the members too.
Back in the practice room.
We sat in a circle, each with a drink.
Strategy meeting time.
Debating how to tackle the year-end assignment: performance combining two different songs under one theme.
"Last time DNS did hip-hop. Go strong concept too?"
"Hyung, they have four rappers. We got only you. Intense concept disadvantages us."
"Hmm... But Junghyun has a point."
Kim Bi-ju said.
"What if strong concept like last time? Soft one might lose."
"Dunno. Head-on, we're at disadvantage."
"I'm okay with head-on."
"Not that simple."
Calm debate flowed.
Before picking songs, deciding concept.
Three actively voicing ideas, maknae and I observing.
Maknae just peeked at hyungs then played on phone thoughtlessly, but I pondered deeply.
Something felt off.
They all seemed to be barking up the wrong tree.
* * *
-DNS kids...
-DNS last concept...
-Overwhelm DNS with vocals...
Did the first-half loss cut deep?
Every comment mentioned DNS Media.
This wasn't something to fight over.
They treated year-end evaluation like a survival show.
War to crush rivals and claim victory.
Normally, they might not fixate like this.
But families attending and past bitter loss drove "must beat opponents" obsession.
It rubbed off on me too.
Yet I stayed silent due to seniority.
Longest experience, but only two weeks at Lemon Entertainment—hard to butt in.
Like new company commander joining master sergeants' debate.
"Hyungs, decide quick."
Seo Ri-hyuk tapped the floor.
"Arrangement takes time."
"Director not arranging?"
"Busy with Yoon Chan-hyeok sunbae's album. All engineers too."
"All on us."
"Choreo too—two weeks practice max."
"Hurry then."
"Any word on DNS plans?"
Theme: link two different songs. Like verse 1 and 2 from different tracks.
Song selection tough.
They looked at us, heads hurting.
"Ji-ho, Woojoo hyung—no ideas?"
"Whatever hyungs pick is fine."
The three pairs' eyes turned to me.
"I have one."
"Yeah? Spill."
"...Sorry to say, but your approach seems off."
Sudden silence.
Seo Ri-hyuk's narrowed eyes sharpened.
"What's wrong?"
"From what I heard, mostly about what DNS will do."
"So?"
"Beating rivals matters, but this isn't survival show. Focus on stage essence."
Not favorable reactions.
Faces flashed "What do you know?"
But no choice.
This path leads wrong way, drags me down too.
"Think audience first."
"Audience?"
"We perform to entertain. Make them happy—that's goal."
All entertainers aim to delight the public.
"Before theme or songs, analyze audience."
Thought that since kid days.
To boost Grandma's rice house sales: check local market, trends, customers.
Same point here.
Not copy neighbor's monkfish hotpot—think of our customers.
Kim Bi-ju smiled.
"Makes sense."
"Does."
Seo Ri-hyuk's sharp gaze fixed on me.
"But too vague. Everyone knows entertain audience. Need concrete plan."
"Got ideas."
"Yeah? Let's hear."
I shared my plan.
Conceived when first heard theme.
Play to our strengths, satisfy audience.
Varied reactions.
"Hyung's idea good."
"Okay but risky? All or nothing."
"Welcome if rap guaranteed."
"Too hard. Love concept, but arrangement alone two weeks. Only Junghyun hyung and I can arrange."
Solution for that.
"I can arrange."
"No."
Seo Ri-hyuk frustratedly repeated.
"Separate from skill—too difficult. If you can arrange, you know how hard. By finish, evaluation started."
"One day."
"Huh?"
"One day."
Quiet stillness.
All stared like "What’s this guy saying?"
Ununderstandable from their view.
Might think baseless bravado.
But I had basis.
Prep for music college composition: two years studying entrance exam plus composition hard.
Seo Ri-hyuk narrowed eyes at me.
"Really possible?"
"Of course."
I smiled.
"One or two days."
"Ridiculous—"
"Wanna bet?"
Seo Ri-hyuk hesitated.
"Bet?"
"Yeah. If I don't finish by midnight tomorrow, I buy snacks week."
"Wow, really?"
Maknae, stone-still till now, eyes sparkled.
Kim Jung-hyun and Kim Bi-ju watched intrigued, tempted by week of snacks.
Seo Ri-hyuk paused, suspicious trap.
I gave soft smile.
"No loss for you."
"Stakes?"
"Hm?"
"What you want?"
"Simple."
I answered.
"If I win, year-end performance my vision."
"...."
"No loss for you. Right?"
"Yeah, no-risk bet."
Maknae, snack-blinded, urged. High school line watched quietly.
Finally, pondering Seo Ri-hyuk replied.
"Okay."
Seeing that, I smiled.
Hunkering observer not my style.
In the game, I'll lead.