Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Planet Log Launch (1)
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The next morning dawned.
Today was a complete day off with no schedule... but I couldn't rest easy.
It was because of CEO Oh's order to come to the company right after breakfast.
I wondered what it was about, but first things first—let's eat breakfast.
While eating the soybean paste stew that Han Tae-hee, today's meal duty member, had made, I checked the Fleets posted that morning.
[EverPlanet @everplanet_official
Filming Hanbam Ong with Sunbae Joo-yong from X.Y.Z! Our cool Sunbae guided us so well that all seven members had a blast. XD See you Friday night at 10 PM on JBS Love FM Visible Radio, everyone!
#Night_Hug #JBS_Love_FM (photo)]
Hm. Park Su-rim had uploaded it perfectly. The spelling was spot-on too, which I liked.
The fans' reactions below were all positive as well. Things like "Can't wait," "Great job on the recording," and so on... Reading them gave me a boost.
At that moment, Go Eun-young, who was sitting across from me vigorously mixing her rice into the stew, picked up some kimchi with her chopsticks and asked,
"But why did CEO Oh suddenly call us to the company?"
"Yeah, right? If it's a new schedule, he could just tell us through the manager hyung."
"Su-rim, do you know anything?"
When Lee Jae-oh asked, Park Su-rim shook her head.
"I don't know either. We'll find out when we get there."
"Maybe someone did something they got scolded for?"
"If that were the case, they'd just call that person in separately, Tae-hee hyung."
"True. So what is it? Next album concept maybe?"
Next album concept when we haven't even finished promotions yet?
Kim Kwang-myeong, who had an empty rice bowl in front of him and was peeling a tangerine, shook his head firmly.
"Nah, I don't think so. I'm working on some songs for the next album in my spare time, but I haven't heard anything specific. They'll probably tell us after our current activities end."
"Eol, Kwang-myeong. Impressive! Cool singer-songwriter vibes."
"Ah, come on. Don't put that pressure on me."
He was right. I stared at Kim Kwang-myeong, who was being enthusiastically petted by Teddy.
Even during music show waiting times, he'd been tapping away at his Launchpad diligently.
His passion for music deserved real recognition.
"Write some awesome tracks, Kwang-myeong. But seriously, what could it be?"
"I bet it's nothing big—I'll stake this tangerine on it. Let's just head over."
Han Tae-hee, who had casually polished off his rice bowl, snatched Kim Kwang-myeong's tangerine and ate it as he spoke.
"Hey, why're you eating mine?" Kim Kwang-myeong grumbled, but Han Tae-hee didn't seem to care.
Shortly after, we finished eating and headed to the company together.
Guided by a staff member, we entered the conference room where CEO Oh and Manager Hwang were already seated.
The two were sipping tea when they saw us and waved.
"Hey, kids. You made it?"
"You're here."
"Hello!"
"Come on in and sit down."
CEO Oh pointed to the table.
We sat facing each other in groups of three and four, members from the same room together.
CEO Oh took a sip of his takeout coffee and spoke in a voice full of apology.
"Sorry for calling you in on your day off. Your Sunbaes hate it most when they're dragged in on off days too. I'll make this quick."
"Whoa, CEO's the best."
Teddy grinned and gave CEO Oh a thumbs-up.
Then, Manager Hwang, sitting to CEO Oh's right and tapping the mousepad on his silver laptop, added in a thoroughly businesslike tone,
"Truth is, there's not much to tell. It'll be over soon. Could you look at the screen for a bit?"
Manager Hwang tapped the mousepad a few more times, then projected a large presentation with a blue background onto the beam projector.
In the center, clean white font spelled out words.
I couldn't help reading them aloud.
"Planet Log?"
"Yes. It's the name of your new self-produced content. It means 'records of the planet.'"
"What are we recording? A diary?"
"You all know what vlogs are, right?"
At Manager Hwang's question, all the members nodded.
Vlog. Short for video log, it meant filming and sharing daily life on video.
With L-Tube expanding worldwide, people from various professions were uploading these vlogs and gaining massive popularity.
And it would only grow from here, not shrink.
In about a year, a new platform would emerge, making live streaming commonplace too.
"You'll be filming vlogs as part of your group's self-produced content."
"Us doing vlogs?"
"Yes. Nothing too grand—just episodes from dorm life or behind-the-scenes from schedules... Anything related to EverPlanet is fine. This 'Planet Log' will be great fan service for your existing fans, and with L-Tube's algorithm, we can attract new ones too."
For an idol group like us, vlogs were perfect content.
Fans always wanted to see behind-the-scenes of their favorite idols, after all.
"Instead of just talking about it, I've prepared some reference videos. Vlogs shot by your Sunbaes from Red Bee. Take a look."
Manager Hwang then showed a few vlogs filmed by our Sunbae group, Red Bee.
Dorm life with the six members, music show waiting rooms, workouts, meals, games... Various scenes, mostly with one member acting as cameraperson.
...So, were they seriously asking us to film our own vlogs?
No way. Usually, they hire a separate filming staff, right? TL did that too.
"Please film videos yourselves with this camcorder and send them to the company."
But 설ma struck again.
It was truly 'self-produced' content, and my brain froze for a moment.
'Is it because of labor costs?'
Yeah, that seemed likely. No other reason made sense.
UJ Entertainment was still a small company.
With Red Bee as the only artist known to the public, raising us would strain finances... Even if CEO Oh was rich from royalties, they'd be short on funds. So, pinching pennies wherever possible.
Still, making us film like amateurs?
Then Han Tae-hee raised his hand and asked,
"Manager Hwang. I get what you mean, but is it really okay for us to film it ourselves? What if the quality's bad...?"
"Don't worry too much about that. Our department will edit it all nicely before uploading anyway. Just film decently. Just decently."
If he put it that way, we'd have to give it a shot.
Right then, ding! A chubby blue alert window popped up in front of me.
I was startled inside but kept a poker face as I quickly read the floating alert.
[SUB QUEST GENERATED!
[Power of Self-Produced Content]
▶With the development of diverse media and web platforms, idols can no longer rely solely on broadcasters. Team up with your EverPlanet members to create awesome self-produced content—shortened to 자컨—to promote the group and earn positive reactions from fans.
Rank: E
Quest Completion Conditions:
1) Complete EverPlanet's first self-produced content
2) Achieve required response index after uploading the content
Rewards on Completion: EXP, SPECIAL ITEM, EverPlanet Fame Increase
Penalty on Failure: EverPlanet Infamy Greatly Increases]
[Accept Quest? Y/N]
I reflexively hit the Y button to accept.
It was something we had to do anyway—bonus quest? Suited me fine.
Manager Hwang briefly explained filming tips, then ended the presentation.
"We look forward to great results."
Now it was time for us to jump into action ourselves.
* * *
Back at the dorm, we gathered around the dining table right away.
In the center of the table sat the camcorder we'd received from the company, all by its lonesome.
Park Su-rim, hands clasped with a serious expression as she stared at the camcorder, finally broke the silence.
"Does anyone know how to use a camcorder? If we're doing self-cams, we all need to be able to handle it."
"I've only used a digital camera..."
"Me too."
"I know how to work a recorder."
"...Tae-hee hyung, why bring up a recorder here?"
I raised my hand as I watched them spout nonsense.
"I know how. Used one a long time ago."
I'd used one a few times in the theater club to film scenes.
The gear might be different, but a camcorder's a camcorder.
When I said I'd handled one before, Park Su-rim's face lit up.
"I'm hopeless with gadgets. Can you show me how, Jae-oh?"
"Sure. It's not hard. Watch closely. First, like this..."
I picked up the camcorder and demonstrated the controls for the members once more.
"This button adjusts zoom in and out. Press this for auto-adjust. And this is for white balance..."
Did they get it? I tried to explain as simply as possible.
After finishing, I gauged the members' reactions.
If they still didn't get it... I'd have to figure out an even simpler way.
Fortunately, they seemed to grasp the basics.
"Yeah. I think I get it now. Jae-oh explains well. You guys follow?"
"So basically, just turn it on, zoom with the buttons, and film casually. Right, Ha Jae?"
"Yeah, exactly."
"Just memorize a few functions. Got it."
"Me too."
Once everyone had learned the camcorder basics, we discussed what to film.
Ideas flew: dorm life, game streams, workouts, composing, practice...
"Then, since it's our day off today, let's film dorm life!"
"I'm for it. For the first video, showing where we live and how we spend our days sounds good."
"I agree with Jae-oh hyung."
"How about each of us talking like it's a self-cam?"
"Self-cam works, or we could have one person interview like. What do you all think?"
"That sounds good too."
After discussion and voting, we decided one person would be cameraperson and film the dorm overview first.
And that person was...
"You sure it's okay for me to film?"
"You're the most familiar with it, Jae-oh, so show us how it's done first."
"Yeah. Quick and nimble Jae-oh's perfect for this."
Me.
Fine by me. With a quest to film well anyway, I'd feel better doing it myself.
I nodded and picked up the camcorder.
"Got it. So I start here at the shoe cabinet, right?"
"Yeah. Oh, wait a sec. Let's tidy up first."
It was for fans, so it should look neat.
We hurriedly folded the laundry hanging on the balcony and tidied scattered items.
Once done, the other members dispersed to the table, sofa, and rooms—excluding me.
To appear as naturally as possible on camera.
I stood by the shoe cabinet with the camcorder strapped on.
"Alright, filming now. Hi, cue!"
With a crisp call, I started recording.